by reciting them preceptively And so they bind all Christians now as the Law of Nature and the Law of Christ 4. God by giving the Jews their Laws gave us Directions to know in the like Cases what is equal or wrong to us 5. But formally as it was Gods Law delivered by Moses to the Jews it binds not us and it 's done away For 1. It never as such bound any but the Jews and the few Proselytes among them For it was never promulgated to the World And even the Decalogue was Political and all made for that Common-wealth And all the World was never bound to turn Jews nor to dwell or come into a remote Country no bigger than half England 2. The Jews own Commonwealth is dissolved and so are their peculiar Laws 3. The Apostle expresly saith That the Law written in Stone that was glorious is done away ver 7. 11.13 compared 4. Moses was no Ruler or Mediator to the whole World 5. If one part of Moses Law as such bind then all of it bindeth a quatenus ad omne and so we must turn Jews 6. Paul expresly nameth Sabbaths as abolished that is A Day of Ceremonial Rest which the Fourth Commandment ordaineth as a Type of Spiritual Rest by Christ The Sum is That we are bound to the Law commonly called Moral as it is the Law of Nature and of Christ but not formally as the Law given the Jews by Moses or as written in Stone CHAP. IV. 1. THerefore seeing we have this ministery as we have received mercy we faint not 1. Therefore having received a more honourable Ministry than that of Moses Gods Mercy encourageth us and keepeth us from faâ—nting in our Labours and Sufferings 2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God 2. But have renounced those things which cannot endure the Light lest they should be shamed but are craftily carried on in the dark nor do we use deceiving Arts in handling the Word of God but in the open Light by Evidence of Truth we expose our selves to trial and expect Success 3. But if our gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 3. So that if our Preaching be not yet understood and believed it is not for want of our clear Delivery but from the miserable Case of lost uncapable Hearers 4. In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 4. Because the Devil by the love of worldly things ruling the Hearts of worldly Men hath blinded them that they may not believe the Gospel and see that Glory which shineth in Christ who is the Image of God 5. For we preach not our selves but Christ Jesus the Lord and our selves your servants for Jesus sake 5. It is not our selves that we commend by preaching to you or set up for you to believe in but it is Christ Jesus the Lord else indeed our Ministry were inglorious and we only manifest our selves to be faithful Servants for your Salvation by Christ who hath called us hereto and whose Glory we proclaim 6. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 6. For God who by his Word created Light hath shined by Spiritual Light into our Hearts giving us that Knowledge of God which gloriously appeareth in the Person Doctrine and Works of Christ which he commandeth us to communicate to others 7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us 7. But we that are thus trusted and honoured of God are our selves poor frail afflicted Mortals that it mâ—y appear that it is by the Power of God and not of Men that the Gospel prospereth 8. We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair 9. Persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed 8 9. We are many ways troubled but not brought to any extreme distress in straits but not in despair persecuted by Men but not forsaken of God cast down low and yet upheld and not destroyed 10. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body 10. We still bear in our Bodies a memorative Conformity to our suffering dying Lord that our delivered Bodies also might have some conformity to his Life by whom we live and whom we preach 11. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus sake that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh 11. For we that yet live are in continual danger of death by Persecutors for Jesus sake that we might be Emblems of Christs Resurrection and Life and a Proof that he liveth who preserveth us while we preach that blessed Life which he possesseth and hath purchased and promised 12. So then death worketh in us but life in you 12. So that in our Sufferings Christs Death is resembled but his Life in your Conversion and Preservation 13. We having the same spirit of faith according as it is written I belived and therefore have I spoken we also believe and therefore speak 13. But we have the sâ—me Spirit of Faith as you have and therefore say with David That we speak because we believe 14. Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and shall present us with you 14. For he that raised up Christ shall raise us up both from our Sufâ—erings and Death and present us with you who are the Bâ—essings of our Labours 15. For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God 15. For it is for you that we suffer and labour and are preserved that as many have the Benefit so God may be glorified by the Thanksgiving of many 16. For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day 16. Therefore we are not tired in our Labour or Suffering but while our Bodies suffer and perish our Souls receive daily new Supplies of Strength and Comfort 17. For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 17. For all our Sufferings for Christ and Bodily Afflictions are very tollerable and light and so short as to be but as for one moment and so gainful that they are the Means appointed to procure us a Crown of Glory which is weighty and of exceeding Worth and Everlasting 18. While we look
hath appointed to be Owner and Lord of all things as he is God and Man not only by the prime right of Creation but as the Redeemer of Man all power in Heaven and Earth and all things are delivered to him for the ends of Redemption And by him his Wisdom and Word he made the Worlds and all therein 3. Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person and upholding all things by the word of his power when he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high 3. Who being the shining Beam or Splendor of his Glory by whom God shineth forth or giveth the knowledge of himself to us as the Sun is known to us by its light and the Character of his Subsistence and upholding and ruling all things by the Word of his Power as by that Word of God's Power they were made when he had by his own Merits and Sacrifice and Covenant made a sufficient Purgation to take away the guilt of our sins and so far purged them away as to enact a pardoning Covenant for all that will believingly accept it in him So that now the general Pardon wants nothing but Acceptance and none shall perish for want of sufficiency in the Sacrifice or Covenant he then ascended and is in heavenly Glory at the Right Hand of God's supream Celestial Majesty Head over all things to his Church that thence he may send down the Holy Ghost to gather his Chosen and bring his Mystical Body to Glory 4. Being made so much better than the angels as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they 4. Being in Excellency and Superiority set above the Angels as he hath by Lot or Inheritance obtained higher Titles Power and Offices than they 5. For unto which of the angels said he at any time Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee And again I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son 6. And again when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he saith And let all the angels of God worship him 5 6. He calls Christ his Son in divers Texts which though it speak partly of David yet ultimately meaneth Christ and he commandeth the Angel◠to worship him But none of this is said of Angels 7. And of the angels he saith Who maketh his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire 7. But he calls his Angels Spirits and Servants and a Flame of Fire 8. But unto the Son he saith Thy throne O God is for ever and ever a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom 9. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity therefore God even thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows 8 9. But to the Son he ascribeth the name of God and an Everlasting Throne and Kingdom and a Scepter of Righteousness and a Superiority by Divine Unction above all others 10. And thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the works of thine hands 11. They shall perish but thou remainest and they all shall wax old as doth a garment 12. And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy years shall not fail 10 11 12. He is said to be the Lord who made Earth and Heaven and who will remain when they perish and be the same when they are changed 13. But which of the angels said he at any time Sit on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool 13. He never said to any Angel what he said to Christ of his Kingdom and the subduing of his Enemies c. 14. Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation 14. All those Spirits that are properly called Angels or Messengers are Spirits appointed and sent forth by God to minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation under Jesus Christ Annotation THE great difficulty here is to understand how this description belongeth to the Person of Christ Whether it be the Divine Nature that is said to be appointed Heir c. the Brightness of God's Glory the Character of his Subsistence or Person made better than Angels begotten this day set on God's right hand in power c. or the Humane Or whether it be spoken of the Person of Christ as in both Natures and we must not enquire according to which Nature the words are spoken of Christ I have before said on Col. 1.15 16. how many Opinions about the Person and Natures of Christ have been pleaded for 1. That of the Orthodox who assert but one Person of Christ and two Natures though the word Person was long refused by many as not meaning the same with Hypostasis And subtil Philosophers say that the Humane Nature can be no part of Christ's Person but an Adjunct because his Person was compleat from Eternity and the Deity cannot be a Part. But if it were not that the Hereticators will quarrel with it it may be said that the word Person is equivocal and that as Hypostasis is a Person the Divine Nature is the whole Person but not as it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a Relative Person 2. That of the wretched Socinians who feign Christ to be meer Man advanced 3. That of the Arrians who make him only the first Creature or Emanation of God incarnate super-angelical Light of Lights Very God of very God begotten by Emanation not made as other Creatures but making them all but yet not of the same Essence or Substance with the Father but from the same as a Beam or light from the Sun This the Church hath condemned these 1300 years and more 4. That of some of late who say that Christ hath three Natures 1. The Divine 2. The aforesaid Super-angelical assumed by the Divine to nearest Union 3. The Humane assumed by Both. And they think that this Text speaketh chiefly of the second as assuming the third As it is dangerous to err about any necessary point concerning Christ's Person so it is dangerous to be rash in taking up any unnecessary Opinion about so incomprehensible a Mystery and worse to urge it with pride and fury to the dividing of the Church and the damning of Dissenters To say about many Cases that have torn the Churches I know not is more pardonable than turbulent Error CHAP. II. THerefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip 1. Therefore we that have heard the Gospel of Christ and specially who have professed to receive it should with great earnestness set our minds and hearts unto it lest by negligence or unbelief we should lose what we have heard and be as leaking Vessels and be lost our selves 2. For if the word spoken by
can afford O how many do that daily indeed which they durst not do by an express bargain with the Devil 27. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels and then he shall reward every man according to his work 27. Believe it I shall come at last in Judgment in Divine Glory attended by Angels and then I will reward those that were faithful to me or perfidious and all men according to their works therefore whatever you suffer now propare for the judgment of that day 28. Verily I say to you There be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom 28. And I tell you least you think this my coming in Glory to judgment incredible that some here shall live to see a visible representation of that my glorious appearing Note That this is meant of his transfiguration the addition of it in the several Evangelists sheweth Nor is Dr. H. his reason against it from the former verse of any force it being not the same coming that is here spoken of but its representation CHAP. XVII 1. ANd after six days Jesus taketh Peter and James and John his brother and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart 2. And was transfigured before them and his face did shine as the sun and his rayment was white as the light 1 2. And as Christ had promised them a glimpse of his Kingly Glory so within six days he performed it to Peter James and John whom he selected for peculiar favours in a high mountain he was transfigured into a glorious appearance his face shining like the Sun and his raiment like light Note Christ would have this help of sense to confirm their Faith Of this transfiguration I have written at large in a Book called My Dying Thoughts 3. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him 3. Note 1. Moses whose body was buried and Elias whose body was but changed appeared alike 2. The chief Legislator and chief Prophet appeared to shew that the Law and the Prophets did but lead to Christ 3. Did not the departed Saints live after death they could not appear in Glory 4. They talked with Christ of his sufferings at Jerusalem 5. Either Christ told the three Disciples who they were or their own appearance shewed it 6. How much better company is above than here 4. Then answered Peter and said to Jesus Lord it is good for us to be here if thou wilt let us make here three tabernacles one for thee and one for Moses and one for Elias 4. Note 1. We are apt to desire more of Heaven on earth than God will allow But not so apt to desire to go by death to that glory where it is Fain we would have it come down to us 2. A glimpse of glory is enough to rap a Soul into extasie 3. We know not what we say when we talk of felicity in Tabernacles on earth 4. A glimpse of glory will make us out of love with worldly company and vanity How loth then would the Souls in Heaven be to come down 5. While he yet spake behold a bright cloud over-shadowed them and behold a voice out of the cloud which said This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him 5. Note 1. Heavenly inhabitants must not stay on earth nor Heavenly visions and raptures be here long or frequent 2. God again owned his Son by a voice from heaven as perfectly Righteous and as pleasing him by mans redemption and reconciling us to him and teaching the doctrine which is pleasing to him 6. And when the disciples heard it they fell on their faces and were sore afraid 6. Note The voice of God even when he speaketh mercy is enough to humble and prostrate man 7. And Jesus came and touched them and said Arise and be not afraid 7. N. It is Christ that must raise our troubled and humbled Souls from our dejectedness and fear 8. And when they had lift up their eyes they saw no man save Jesus only 8. Note Christ will stay with us when Moses and Elias will not nor are earthly comforts durable 9. And as they came down from the mountain Jesus charged them saying Tell the vision to no man till the Son of man be risen again from the dead 9. The reason is before mentioned After the resurrection was the fittest season 10. And his disciples asked him saying Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come 10. Why say the Jewish Doctors that Elias must come before the Messiah if this was he that we saw 11. And Jesus answered and said to them Elias truly shall first come and restore all things But I say to you that Elias is come already and they knew him not but have done to him whatsoever they listed likewise also shâ—â—l the Son of man suffer of them 13. Then 〈◊〉 disciples understood that he spake to the 〈◊〉 John the Baptist 11. c. It is 〈◊〉 that is said out of Mal. that Elias must come but it was John that was meant under the name of Eâ—ias 〈◊〉 â—â—ey knew not but killed him while they looked for him and so they will do by me 14. And when they were come to the muâ—◠〈◊〉 there came to him a certain man knâ—â—â—â—g down to him and saying 15. Lord have â—ercy on my son for he is lunatick and sore vexed for oft times he falleth into the fire and oft into the water 16. And I brought him to thy disciples and they could not cure him 14. N. By Lunatick is meant one that had the Epilepsie or some such disease upon the change of the Moon A real disease of which yet the Devil was the executioner and further joyned with it extraordinarily 17. Then Jesus answered and said O faithless and perverse generation how long shall I be with you how long shall I suffer you bring him hither to me 17. It is long of your own unbelief and perverseness that they could not cure him how long shall I work miracles among you before you will believe will you drive me from among you by your unbelief to go to others N. This seemeth plainly spoken to the man of himself and such others and not as some say to the disciples 18. And Jesus rebuked the devil and he departed out of him and the child was cured from that very hour 19. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart and said Why could not we cast him out 20. And Jesus said to them Because of your unbelief 18 c. Your unbelief as well as the mans was that which hindred you you are all therein to be blamed 20. For verily I say to you If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed ye shall say to this mountain Remove hence to yonder place and it shall remove and nothing shall be impossible to you 20. For if you have the least
that his Glory may be the Glory of thy Power Wisdome and Love to Man 2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 2. As thou hast advanced him to this Power to be the Owner and Lord of all flesh for Disposals Legislation Judgment and Execution to order all things so as may secure the Possession of an Eternal Life of Happiness to all that thou hast given him by effectual Decree to be certainly eventually saved All things being for the good of thine Elect. 3. And this is life eternal that they might know thee the onely true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent 3. And what is Life Eternal but that perfect knowledge of thee which fills the Soul with Love and Joy and the knowledge of thy Glory shining forth in thy Son Jesus Christ with his Body the Heavenly Society And the beginning of this knowledge is the beginning and way to Perfection 4. I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do 4. My Doctrine Example and Miracles have here shewed forth thy Glory I am neer the end and have almost finished that work on Earth for Mans Redemption which I undertook 5. And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own-self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was 5. As I have almost performed my part perform thou thy part of the Covenant of my Mediation and give me the Son of Man a due participation of that Glory which my Divine Nature had with thee from Eternity Note This Text is by divers diversly Expounded First Some say that Christs humane Soul was Glorified before the Word was Secondly The Arians say that he had a superangelical Nature only before the World was which united it self to a humane Soul say some or only animated a humane Body say others Thirdly Others of late say he hath three Natures uniting it self to the Prime Created Superangelical Nature And this uniting it self to a humane Soul and Body say some or to a humane Body alone say others Fourthly But the plain Paraphrase which I have given is the Doctrine of the Orthodox universal Church 6. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me ad they have kept thy word 6. I have made known thee and thy Will to them whom thou gavest me out of the World to be my peculiar Disciples They were thine as their Creator and thou gavest them me to be their Redeemer and I have taught them thy word and they have kept it 7. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee 7. They have known this Fundamentally that I and my Doctrine and Works are all of thee 8. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me 8. Note that Christ insisteth so much on this because to believe that he and his doctrine and Works are all of God is virtually to believe that they are all true without searching after any other Reason of yours For he is mad that believeth not that there is a God and he believeth not a God who believeth him not to be perfect and therefore to be Just Good and True and not the Deceiver of the World 9. I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast given me for they are thine 10. And all mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them 9 10. It is out of special Love to them for the Salvation and welfare of these that I now pray to thee and not for the meer Worldlings and Enemies of thy Kingdom though for them also I have such desires and Prayers as signifie my common Love and the Elect among them yet unconverted I have such requests for as are suited to their state But these that thou hast given me peremptorily to save are the People of of thy peculiar Love as well as mine And all that I so Love thou lovest also and it is in them that I am glorified and my Person Office and Grace is honoured which others do but Swinishly despise 11. And now I am no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee Holy Father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one as we are 11. And now I am leaving the Word but must leave them in it to Tryals and Persecutions while I am with thee And seeing their Union by one Faith and Love is their Character strength and safety without which they will fall into Scandal and dissolution O keep them by Concentring in thee and thy Will and not distracted by humane Devices and Interests that they may be one in Faith Hope and Practice as we are one 12. While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the son of perdition that the scripture might be fulfilled 12. All that thou gavest to be my adherent followers I have kept in thy Name save the Son of Perdition in whose Revolt and Treachery the Scripture is fulfilled 13. And now come I to thee and these things I speak in the world that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves 13. I Come to thee but I leave them my Word to fortifie them with that joy which they will need in their Afflictions 14. I have given them thy word and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world even as I am not of the world 14. It is not all the World that will be saved by me but a select People to whom I effectually give thy Word and the World hateth them because their Doctrine Mind and Life do differ from the World and they are of another Spirit and Society of which I am the Head 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil 16. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world 15. They have work to do in the World from which I do not pray thou shouldest take them but that thou keep them pure from the sins Temptatations and Malice of the World as those that are separa-from it to obey thee as I their Leader am 17. Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth 17. Qualifie and separate them by thy Truth to propagate thy Truth even thy Word which is Truth 18. As thou hast sent me into the world even so have I also sent them into the world 18. As thou sentest me for the work of a Redeemer into this sinful World so have I sent them for
and it shall be made so like as that the same men shall inhabit both c. These are doubts which I think it must be the day of performance that must resolve As also whether accordingly there were other Heavens and Earth destroyed for sin before the Creation of this But Christians care should be to be diligent to be found in a state of safety and peace and without spot and blameless and leave unknown things to God and then whatever this blessed change be we shall have our part in it 15. And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you 15. And think not that God neglecteth you by delays but that he suffereth the wicked World so long that he may gather all his Chosen to Salvation that are yet to be born and called as Paul hath shewed Rom. 9. 16. As also in all his epistles speaking in them of these things in which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other scriptures unto their own destruction 16. Note 1. They that refer in which to these things and not to his Epistles pervert the Text for it puts in which as contradistinct to other Scriptures and not to other things And it 's many other things much more than these that were wrested to destruction And Peter himself even here speaketh as hard things of this as ever Paul did 2. It pleaseth God to put hard things in the Scripture for our exercise 3. Yet it is mens ignorant instability that wresteth such to their destruction For there is as much very plain as may bring men to Salvation And if as to the difficult parts they will 1. But search as humble Learners 2. And not take on them to know before they do but confess their ignorance it may stand both with Salvation and the Churches Peace 3. And if they must by men be inclined to either side let them say plainly I hold not this by Divine Faith as part of my Religion but as an Opinion on the trust of Man 17. Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness 17. The scope of what I have said is to warn you that having timely notice of all these things ye most diligently take heed lest any of these sensual Professors or Heretical Backsliders or Scoffers deceive you in wavering or unbelief or heresie or sensuality to fall from your spiritual stedfastness in Faith and Hope and Holy living 18. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be glory both now and for ever Amen 18. But contrariwise labour diligently to grow in all grace in Faith Love Holiness Patience Hope c. and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ his Person Office Undertaking Performance Humiliation Resurrection Doctrine Example Spirit Intercession Glory Kingdom and Judgment That as Glory belongeth to him you may glorifie him now and in the sight of his Glory for ever Amen The First Epistle of JOHN the Apostle CHAP. I. 1. THat which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the word of life 1. Whereas there are of late many Heresies sprung up about the Person Doctrine and Works of Christ I shall declare to you that which was from the beginning his Godhead or say others that of him which was decreed from Eternity or as others that which is true of him from his beginning or Incarnation and that same Christ whom we have heard and seen with our Eyes and looked on and our Hands have handled even the Humane Body of Christ the Word of Life Or as others that Gospel which we have heard that Person and those Works which we have seen and him whom we have handled as these concern the Gospel of life 2. For the life was manifested and we have seen it and bear witness and shew unto you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested unto us 2. For Christ who is Life in himself and the Fountain of Life to us was manifested in flesh and we have seen him and bear witness and preach to you the Eternal Divine Life and Nature of Christ which was eternally one with the Father and was manifest to us 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ 3. I say we declare to you that of Christ which we our selves have seen and heard that so what we had by seeing and hearing you may have from our Testimony who have seen and heard Christ himself and so you may by our communication partake of the same Faith and Grace as we our selves do and may continue in our Communion and that is no other then to have the same Father and Saviour from and with whom it is that we have communication and communion and not to turn from them 4. And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full 4. And the end of my writing this to you is the compleating of your own Joy and Salvation 5. This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all 5. The first and great part of Christ's Doctrine and our Message is to teach us to know God himself and first that he is Light and in him is no darkness at all Note 1. The Apostle telling us what God is speaketh in the Abstract to let us know that it is his Essence and not a meer Accident that he meaneth And as God's Image in Man's Soul hath three essentiating faculties Vitality Vnderstanding and Will which are eminently self-motions Light and Heat or resembled by these so God is here called LIFE v. 1. LIGHT v. 5. and LOVE c. 4 v. 8. 2. When God is called LIGHT it is spoken but metaphorically and signifieth his KNOWLEDGE or WISDOM as it is his Essence and as Communicative giving the Light of Knowledge to all that have it and wisely Ruling them by his Laws And also the GLORY of this and all his perfections as refulgent to the Creature For Glory and Light are oft the same in sense 3. When it is said There is no darkness in him it meaneth No Ignorance nor Privation nor Vncomfortableness as Darkness is 6. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and do not the truth 7. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
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
When man consents it is a Law accepted a gift and Testament accepted and a mutual actual Covenant the Law hath its introductive History and Doctrine its precepts prohibitions promises and threats And the Covenant hath the same parts only denominated from mutual consent But because there are Laws of more or less rigor and of various tenours it is the Law of Faith or Grace which is the Covenant Testament and Gospel which is now before us denominated from the Donative and Promissory parts though precept and threatening be included IV. It is of great importance that we err not by giving too little or too much to the sacred Scriptures from both which extreams many dangerous errours How 1. On the left hand those err that deny it to be Gods word of infallible truth intelligible and perfect as to its proper use without humane supplements written or orall Doctrinal or Canon Laws and those that deny it to have infallible ascertaining evidences of its truth These be-friend infidelity heresies prophaness Church Tyranny leaving it to Clergy-men to make us a new Faith New Sacraments and a new Religion at their Pleasure and to persecute good men that dare not renounce the Scripture sufficiency and Christs perfection by obeying their dictates and Cannons as Co-ordinate with Christs if not co-equal These make Church-concord utterly impossible while they deny the sufficiency not only of the essentials but of all the Bible to be the terms of Concord without their supplements or additions as if Christ that is the Author and finisher of our Faith and the maker of his own Church had not so much as told us what a Church or a Christian is or whom we must take for such into our love and Communion nor fixed the necessary terms of Union but left them to none knoweth whom even fallible men lyable to error and Tyranny that can but get uppermost and say then that they are the true Church and the Masters that must be obeyed while they are themselves of as many minds as they are of different Countrys interests and degrees of knowledge and sincerity 2. On the other side those overdo in ascribing to the Scripture who say that God had no Church or the Church no infallable rule of Faith and life before the writing of iâ— and who say that men converted by the Creed Catechismes preaching or tradition without knowing the Scripture can have no saving faith and that think none can be saved that doubt of any Canonical Books text or matter whether it be Gods word or that say Scripture is so perfect that there is no humane imperfection of the Pen-Men founâ— in phrase word or method and that God could not have made it better or that every Book may be known to be Canonical and every reading to be right when copies vary without Historical tradition by its own evident light and that we have no more cause to doubt of any word or matter than of the truth of the Gospel and that Reason is of small use either for the proof or exposition of the Scripture but the most illiterate if he found a Bible that he had never heard of may by its own light know its truth and sense as well as studious learned Men and that no other Books need to be readâ— and that the Scripture is a sufficient teacher of Physick Logick Grammar c. and that nothing is to be used or done in the External Forms Modes and Accidents of Gods Worship but what is particularly commanded in Scripture and that it telleth every man whether he be sincere and justified or not and not only telleth him â—ow to know it by inward evidence with many other such mistakes proceeding from mistaking the use of the Scripture by which its perfection must be measured Which all tend to confusion and at last to infidelity or doubting of the whole when these errourâ— are discerned V. And tho all the Scripture be of equal truth as it is Gods word yet many untruths are in it as uttered by Men and Devils which God truly recordeth And all parts are not of equal necessity or weight And as many err by casting off the Old Testament so others err by equalling it to us with the New It is Gods word left to acquaint us what was heretofore and to shew us how Christ was prophesied of and expected and how the Church was governed in the darker and more servile state and times But we have great cause to take heed of overvaluing its use to us lest we contradict Paul that saith that even that which was written in stone is done away and the Law Changed with the Priesthood and the old and faulty Covenant for a Better of which see the nine first Chapters to the Hebrews c. Judaizers are they that most of Pauls Epistles are writtâ—n against And as John Baptist waâ— greater than the Prophets so the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he Evâ—n the holy Patriarks and David had a far more obscure Revelation of Christ and grace and the love of God and the glory to come then we have And accordingly we should have much more faith holiness and comfort than they It is dangerous making the best of them our Examples in points of faith or duty wherein they came far short of Gospel light and grace God doth not now bear with Poligamy as lie did then nor with such divorces nor doth the Gospel countenance such streams of blood as the Israelites ordinarily shed nor such lies as David was oft guilty of nor such a strange life as Solomon lived I mean that such faults will not now consist with true grace under our fuller light and mercy as would do then to men in a darker infant Age and therefore let us take heed of presuming on their Examples Christ and his Apostles are far fitter for our imitation David fills most of his Psalms with such complaints of his Enemies and curses against them as shew a far deeper sense of the suffering of the flesh and the concerns of this life than Peter and Paul shewed who suffered far more and for a holier cause and rejoyced in tribulation and then is suitable either to the precepts or examples of Christ All was not well said and done by good men which is recited in the New Testament much less in the old So far are they mistaken that say the Jews and Gentiles were bound to believe the Apostles in no more than they proved out of the Scripture that most of the Creed was to be believed by other evidences And Christ and his Apostles gave us so full proof of the truth of the Gospel as that their attestation of the Old Testament is to us a more convincing proof of its Divine Authority than any others Therefore Christians must read and honour the Old Testament and study it but the New far more to which it is that the Heart and Life must be conformed There Heavenly glory shineth far
Note It is the part of Learners to ask their Teachers help to understand that which they understand not 37. He answered and said to them He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man 38. The field is the world the good seed are the children of the kingdom but the tares are the children of the wicked one 39. The enemy that sowed them is the devil the harvest is the end of the world and the reapers are the angels 37 c. It is Christ that soweth the good seed by Preaching the Gospel and planting the Churches by himself and his servants The World is the first object of the Gospel preached and out of which believers are gathered The good seed as sown is the Gospel but as springing up in fruit are the faithful who are properly the members of the Church of Christ The Tares as sown are evil doctrines and temptations but as sprung up in fruit are the Children of the Devil who is the father of wickedness The enemy of God and goodness and man that sowed them by himself and his servants signifieth the Devil the time of harvest is the end of this world even the day of judgment The reapers or executioners are the Angels 40. As therefore the tares are gathered and burnt in the fire so shall it be in the end of this world 41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend and them which do iniquity 42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth 40 c. So in the end of this World Christ shall send forth his Angels as his executing Ministers and they shall gather out of the world which he is over and specially out of the visible Church all rebellious unholy wicked scandalous carnal men and shall cast them into hell which is likened to a lake of Fire where they shall in torment and a self-afflicting Conscience 43. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father who hath ears to hear let him hear 43. Then shall the righteous who are now obscured by infirmities and malignant slanders and are oppressed in the world shine forth in glory in the Kingdom of Love even of God as their Father in Christ as the Sun shineth in the heavens in resplendent glory As ever you will use your ears or understandings believe and foresee this glorious blessed day to Believers 44. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a treasure hid in a field the which when a man hath found he hideth and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field 44. The way of Salvation by Christ sheweth men the certain hopes of so inestimable a treasure in the life to come as maketh the saithful choose it for their best and part with all the pleasure profit and honour of the world to obtain it 45. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant man seeking goodly pearls 46. Who when he had found one of geat price he went and sold all that he had and bought it 45 46. Note He that findeth not by faith enough in the love of God and heavenly glory and in Christ the way thereto to make him consent sincerely and practically to sell or part with all the world rather than lose it is not capable of a just title to it nor shall obtain it 47. Again the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was cast into the sea and gathered of every kind 48. Which when it was full they drew to the shore and sat down and gathered the good into vessels but cast the bad away 47 48. The Church is gathered as men by casting a net into the Sea gather fishes good and bad And at the day of judgment Christ will take the good to heaven and cast away the bad to hell Note 1. It is not to be wondered at that the visible Church hath good and bad 2. Yet this is not the design of the Gospel which is fitted to make all good but by the intrusion of Hypocrites Nor is it an excuse for the neglect of discipline and the just discrimination of the good and bad 49. So shall it be at the end of the world The angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just 50. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth 49 50. These plain and dreadful words more need belâ—â—f and deep consideration than exposition 51. Jesus saith to them Have ye understood all these things they say to him Yea Lord. 52. Then said he to them Therefore every scribe which is instructed to the Kingdom of heaven is like to a man that is an housholder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old 51 52. All that are furnished with holy knowledge and are fitted to teach others must have an habitual treasure of it in their minds from whence they may be able to open the truth exhort reprove and confute all the erroneous on all just occasions as a House-keeper is stockt for the provision of his family 53 54. And it came to pass that when Jesus had finished these parables he departed thence And when he was come into his own countrey he taught them in their Synagogue insomuch that they were astonished and said whence hath this man this wisdom and these mighty works 55 56. Is not this the carpenters son is not his mother called Mary and his brethren James and Joses and Simon and Jude and his sisters are they not all with us whence then hath this man all these things And they were offended in him 53 c. Note 1. Familiarity breeds contempt It is no impediment to our faith that we saw not Christs person parentage and education 2. Carnal men are not satisfied by the evidence of Divine attestation unless they can give a reason of it and overcome the difficulty and scandal of objections 3. It is uncertain whether Mary had other Children after Jesus or these were his brethren or only his kindred 57 58. But Jesus said to them A prophet is not without honour save in his own countrey and in his own house And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief 57 58. Unbelief made men uncapable receivers of those miracles which else Christ would have wrought CHAP. XIV 1. AT that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus 2. And said to his servants This is John the Baptist he is risen from the dead and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him 1 2. Note That Herod did believe the Immortality of the Soul else he could not have believed Johns Resurrection 3 For Herod had laid hold on John and bâ—und him and put him in prison for Herodia's sake his brother Philips wise 4. For John said to him It is not
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
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
of God despightful proud boasters inventers of evil things disobedient to parents without understanding covenant-breakers without natural affection implacable unmerciful 29. So far is their Learning and Arts from making them just and happy that they abound with all manner of odious shameful Sin here named 32. Who knowing the judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death not only commit the same but have pleasure in them that do them 32. And all their knowledge of Good and Evil is so far from Justifying or Sanctfying them that they live in the practice of that which they know God doth condemn and in their Societies and Conversation make it their delight CHAP. II. 1. THerefore thou art unexcusable O man whosoever thou art that judgest for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thy self for thou that judgest dost the same things 1. Therefore thou that thinkest highly of thy self for thy Knowledg and basely of others as ignorant or barbarous art so far from being justified by this that it aggravateth thy Sin and leaveth thee without excuse For thou livest in as great Sin as those whom thou condemnest as Ignorant 2. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things 2. But we know that God will judge all Men in Truth and Righteousness according to their Works and will condemn evil doers whatever their Knowledge and Profession be 3. And thinkest thou this O man who judgest them which do such things and dost the same that thou shalt escape the judgment of God 3. Is it not then thy manifest error to think that thy Knowledge and condemning Sin in-others will justifie and save thee that livest in Sin 4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance 5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up to thy self wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds 4 5 6. While thou boastest of Wisdom and livest in Wickedness thou shewest the more contempt of God even of the Riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing Practically that the goodness of God which thou dost acknowledge in Words should lead thee to Repentance and forsaking of Sin 5. But thy Heart being hardened in impenitency by Sin against Knowledge thou dost but treasure up certain punishment against the Day when God will shew his Righteousness by his Judgment 6. And will judge and use Men according to their Deeds 7. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality eternal life 7. To them who by a life of true obedience and patient waiting for his Reward do seek first for future Glory and Honour and Immortal Happiness he will give Eternal Life 8 9. But to them that are contentious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish upon every soul that doth evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentiles 8 9. But to them that resist the Light and contend against the revealed Truth and obey it not but live in the Practice of Uunrighteousness while they boast of Knowledge God will pour forth his Indignation and Wrath Tribulation and Anguish even on every one that liveth in Sin and Wickedness first on the Jews who sin under their boasting of their Peculiarity Law and Jewish Knowledge and the Greeks and Romans who sin under their boasting of Learning and Philosophy and conceited Wisdom 10 11. But glory and honour and peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile For there is no respect of persons with God 10 11. But Glory Honour and Peace to every Man that liveth a life of true Obedience and well doing to the Jew first according to their Covenant-Prerogative and also to the Gentiles as being in the same Covenant of Grace for God saveth not Men partially for their outward Priviledges or their barren Knowledge and Profession 12. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law 12. For all Men shall be judged according to the Oblâ—gations which they were under They that sinned against the Law of Nature and commmon Mercies and were never under the Mosaical Law or Supernatural Revelation shall be condemned by the Law which they sinned against and not by that which was never given them But the Jews that sinned under Moses's Law shall be judged by it 13. For not the hearers of the law are just before God but the doers of the law shall be justified 13. For no Law of God doth justifie Men meerly for having it and hearing it but for doing it so far as they do it 14. For when the Gentiles which have not the law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the law are a law unto themselves 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts their conscience also bearing witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another 14 15. For when the Gentiles which have not the Jewish or any written Law of God do by Nature that which that Law commandeth these having not that supernatural written Law have Gods Law of Nature in themselves and shew the effects of this Natural Revelation written in their Hearts their Consciences naturally having some Conviction of Gods Soveraign Government and Mans duty tells them as a Witness whether they do well or ill and their Reason accusing or defending them accordingly 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel 16. I mean not by any mistaken self judging in this World but even at the Bar of Christ when God shall open all mens secret Acts and rectifie all mistaken judgings as I have preached in foretelling that judgment of Christ 17. Behold thou art called a Jew and restest in the law and makest thy boast of God 18. And knowest his will and approvest the things that are more excellent being instructed out of the law 19. And art confident that thou thy self art a guide to the blind a light of them that are in darkness 20. An instructer of the foolish a teacher of babes which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law 17 18 19 20. And that you may know that the Law will justifie no man for having or knowing it but for doing it consider that it is but self-deceit to think that thou shalt be justified for being called a Jew and resting in the Divineness and perfection of your Law and boasting that you are Gods peculiar People and that his Will and excellent things are known by you which the world knoweth not
graffed in If the Jews be cut off boast not against them for the Covenant and Gospel was not first given to you that now receive its Benefits but to them and from them to you 19. Thou wilt say then The branches were broken off that I might be graffed in 20. Well because of unbelief they were broken off and thou standest by faith Be not high-minded but fear 19 20. If thou say That God more esteemed me than them because he broke them off that I might be graffed in Be not deceived It was for their own Unbelief and by it and not undeservedly that they were broken off And it is by Faith and not for any Worldly Preeminence that thou art graffed in Therefore be not pufft up but fear that Sin that cut off them 21. For if God spared not the natural branches take heed left he also spare not thee 21. For if God cast off them with whom he first made the Covenant of Peculiarity take heed of sinning as they did by Pride and Unbelief against his Gospel lest he also cut off thee 22. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God on them which fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness otherwise thou also shalt be cut off 22. Rather here reverently admire Gods Goodness and Severity On the sinful rejected Jews Severity of Justice but Mercy to thee which shall continue if thou continue in the Faith and Obedience and Gratitude him Otherwise thou also shalt be cut off As alas most of the Eastern Churches are 23. And they also if they abide not still in unbelief shall be graffed in for God is able to graff them in again 23. And God hath not excluded them from the Grace of the Gospel so as to make their Recovery impossible If they be converted from the Unbelief which God can effect they shall be graffed into the Catholick Church 24. For if thou wert cut of the olive-tree which is wild by nature and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive-tree how much more shall these which be the natural branches be graffed into their own olive-tree 24. For if thou wert cut off from the Wild Olive-tree which was natural to thee and besides or above Nature and contrary to thy Desert wast taken into Gods Covenant and Church how much more will God take them in when they believe who were Abraham's natural Seed and first in his Covenant 25. For I would not brethren that you should be ignorant of this mystery lest ye should be wise in your own conceits that blindness in part is hapned to Israel untill the fulness of the Gentiles be come in 26. And so all Israel shall be saved 25 26. For I would not have you ignorant of this Mystery of God's Providence lest Ignorance puff you up with false Self-conceits That part of the Jews are now left in this Blindness till the Gentile Churches be advanced to an Honourable State and Fulness And then all the Israel of God the true faithful Seed of Abraham and therein the main Body of the Jews shall make up the Catholick Church and be saved from their State of Unbelief 26. As it is written There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. 26. As Isa 59.20 it was prophesied That out of Sion a Saviour should arise for Israel to turn them from iniquity 27. For this is my Covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins 27. As he saith That his Covenant made with them is to take away their Sin 28. As concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake but as touching the election they are beloved for the fathers sakes 28. For your Conversion they were permitted as Enemies to Christ to drive away the Gospel from them to you But yet God hath not quite nulled his Covenant with their Fathers but will perform it in the Conversion of all of them that are Elect. 29. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance 29. For God is not mutable and will not for the Sin of these Men forget his Covenant with their Fathers but will yet perform it in the full sense of it and not repent of it and null it 30. For as you in times past have not believed God yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief 31. Even so have these also now not believed that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy 30 31. For as you were formerly in unbelief and disobedient and yet now are converted by occasion of their Unbelief so the unbelieving Jews shall be brought by Mercy into the Church by the Preaching that shall be sent from the Gentile-Churches and by the Power and Glory of the Church under Christian Emperours and Governours and by your good Example 32. For God hath concluded them all inunbelief that he might have mercy upon all 32. For God in Justice and Wisdom hath for a time left the main Body of the Jews in Unbelief as formerly he did the Gentiles that in his time he might in mercy call in the main Body of them into the Catholick Church as he hath done you 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out 33. When we think of these mysterious Providences of God freely shewing Mercy to the Unworthy and permitting presuming Men to miscarry and yet making use of their Sin for good we should be so far from questioning God's Mercy or Justice herein that we should admire the depth of the Riches of his Wisdom whose Judgments are unsearchable and his Counsels and Ways not to be traced and fitly judged of by the Wit of Man 34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his counsellor 35. Or who hath first given to him and it shall be recompensed unto him again 34 35. How little know Men of the Mind of God Nothing but what he freely tells them He is not guided by the Counsel of Man nor is Man acquainted with his secret Counsels Who can oblige him to recompense by his Gifts or hath any thing but what God giveth him 36. For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen 36. For as all Creatures have three sorts of extrinsick Causes viz. the Efficient Dirigent and Final God is all these the Chief Efficient Chief Dirigent and Chief Final Cause of all things All is Of him By him and To him and he of None He is All in All things And as he made and doth all things for his Glory his Glory shall for ever shine forth in all which Angels and Saints shall intelligently see and praise for ever Amen ANNOTATIONS THe great Doubt about this Chapter is what is prophesies of the full Conversion of the Jews Concerning which I shall onely speak so much as is certain and leave the rest to
kept secret since the world began but now is made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God made known to all nations for the obedience of faith 27. To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen 25 26 27. I conclude as Christ taught us in his Prayer with that which is the End of all Religion and of our Lives and salvation it self the Glorifying of God To him that can make all our Exhortations effectual and is of Power to establish you according to that Gospel which we preach as it is now a Mystery openly revealed which was more darkly delivered from the beginning and not clearly understood by Jews or Gentiles but now is openly made manifest by Christ the Light of the World and his Spirit in his Servants and by the Scriptures of the Prophets now opened and agreeing with our Gospel which by Gods Command we make known to all Nations to bring them to this Faith which now is the eminent and necessary Obedience to the Command and Covenant of Grace I say To God only be Glory as the End of all our Grace and Glory through Jesus Christ whom he hath ordained to be the Chief Means and Glass in whom his Glory shall shine forth to Man for ever Amen ANNOTATIONS WHy do we read so much in the scriptures of the Obedience of Faith Some would not have Faith called Obedience lest that signifie Works Ans God hath not made Believers or Unbelievers Lawless or under no Command No Act of Man pleaseth God whicn is not Obedience to his Will When God sendeth abroad the Gospel or Word of Faith he commandeth Men to hear it believe it and obey it But bare Commanding is not all but with it he giveth convincing Evidence of its Truth and persuading Reasons and Motives to obey it Therefore we translate the same Word sometime believing and sometime being persuaded and the same sometime unbelieving and sometime unpersuaded and disobedient And Christ is called The Author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him To say that Faith as it is Obedience is the Condition or Qualification for Salvation but not for Pardon or Justification is a perverse Invention of Mans Brain But cannot Men distinguish between obeying the Law of Innocency or of Moses and obeying the Law of Faith and Grace yea and between obeying this Gospel initially by believing repenting and entring into the Baptismal Covenant which entreth into a State of Justification and Right to Life and the progressive Obedience of performing that Covenant to the End which is necessary to Survivors for actual Glory Christ knew what he said to the Jews This is the work of God that ye believe on him whom the Father hath sent and Paul was sent to the Gentâ—le World to preach the Obedience of Faith that is that Obedience which consisteth in actual Faith performed to the Doctrine and Command of Faith and which hath the Promise of Pardon Grace and Glory freely given for the Merits of Christ The First Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the CORINTHIANS The INTRODUCTION WHen it was that Paul wrote this Epistle and when these Corinthians were converted to Christianity and what Wealth and Reputation Corinth a Chief City of Achaia was then of I pass by as things presupposed The Occasion of writing this is of nearer concern to be known for the understanding of it It was not unusual with him as to visit the Churches which he had planted so to write to them for their Establishment when he could not be present with them But as to the Matter and Manner of his Writing the Case of the Corinthians was the Occasion 1. There were several Cases which it seems they proposed to him which he resolveth as about Church-Order and Prophesie and Prayer about Eating things offered to Idols about Marriage and Separation c. 2. There were many Scandals among them which he endeavoureth to heal by convincing Reproof as 1. â—actions and Schisms by setting up Teachers in envious Competition 2. Conceitedness of more Wisdom than they had 3. Hearkning to envious Teachers that villified him and defamed his Person and Ministry 4. The favouring of Incest and Scandal and neglect of Discipline 5. Going to Law against one another and that before Heathen Judges when they should have decided their Differences by amicable Arbitration 6. Defrauding and wronging one another 7. Too easie Thoughts of Fornication 8. Scandalous eating things offered to Idols 9. Too much backwardness to maintain the Ministers and the Charges of their Work 10. Prophane Disorder at their Love-Feasts and Sacrament even to partiality and Excess of Drink and scandalous Unreverence for which God punihsed some in the Flesh 11. Overvaluing Gifts and undervaluing lower Christians that wanted them as not enough sensible of the Necessity and Extent of Christian Unity 12. Disorder in their Sacred Assemblies in the Exercise of their Gifts 13. Some erring about and against the Resurrection and others too much hearkning to them These things Paul reproveth and blameth them for not reforming but persuadeth none to separate from that Church for all these Corruptions But by this we may know what must be expected from young unskillful Christians and what Faults will be in such Churches as ours though the Pastors were the best when the Churches were so faulty in the Apostles Time and Presence and how far they are from the Apostolick Spirit Skill Love and Lenity who would Excommunicate all as intollerable Schismaticks who Conform not to all their devised unnecessary Additions and dare not subscribe their Justification or Approbation of all their Forms And they also that quarrel with their Teachers and forsake them when Men of New Opinions and Zealous Confidence tempt them And they that in stead of doing their own part to reform the Corruptions of such Church and in Love and Tenderness to draw Sinners to Repentance do take the dividing lazie Course to separate from such Churches with a few counted the best who will put them to least Labour and Trouble in Discipline Paul himself held Communion with this and other such Churches notwithstanding all these Faults And we find not that he Excommunicated any one though he require them to do it and decreed to do it but on one 1 Cor. 5. and reverst that Purpose I find not in all the New Testament that there was ever two Christian Churches in any one Town or City upon any Difference among them unless you will call the condemned Nests of Hereticks such CHAP. I. 1. PAul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God and Softhenes our Brother 2. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be saints with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours 1 2. Paul a called Apostle by the special Electing Will and Favour of
preach the Gospel even that Christ would call and take in the Gentiles into the Catholick Church and Covenant as his peculiar People and make them Partakers of his Promise and Gift of Life in Christ by the Gospel preached to them 7. Whereof I was made a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power 7. Of which Gospel I was made a Minister to dispence it according to that Measure of the Gift of the Spirit by Grace given to me which wrought effectually in me and by me by Doctrine and Miracles to convert the Gentiles 8. Unto me who am less then the least of all saints is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ 8. To me who am by my former Persecution of the Church the lowest or most unworthy of all Saints is this Favour and Honour freely vouchsafed that I should preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ 9. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ 9. And to notifie to all Men the Communication and Communion of this Mysterious Grace which from the very Creation was secretly included as a Tree in the Seed in Gods making the whole World by Jesus Christ even that he would redeem and new make us all by him 10. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God 11. According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord 10 11. That now in this Collection of the Universal Church in Christ as in a Glass or as in the clear Effects the very Spiritual Principalities and Powers above us in the Heavens might see more of Gods eternal Counsel opened and manifold Wisdom displayed than they knew before Note 1. That Superiour Spirits are Principalities and Powers either over Political Societies there or as Rulers over us here below as Guardians See Josh 5.14 Exod. 23.20 23. 32.34 Num. 20.16 Gen. 24.7 40. Psal 34.7 Dan. 10.13 c. It 's like it's both 2. That even Superiour Powers are not Omniscient but may by new Means have new increased Knowledge and therefore Saints in Heaven are not more knowing 3. That it is in Heaven that the Great Ends of God in Redeeming and Gathering his Church are attained 12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him 12. In whom we all that trust in him may come with boldness and confident hope of acceptance to God 13. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you which is your glory 13. Wherefore I beseech you be not discouraged by my Sufferings for preaching to you for it is your Honour to have the Ministry of your Salvation thus attested by me 14 15. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named 16. That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man 14 15 16. For this end I beg of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom all the Blessed Society in Heaven and Earth is named his Family or of which Christ Jews and Gentiles are named Christians That of his abundant Grace in which he will be glorified he will by his Spirit fortifie your Souls Note 1. It is uncertain whether of whom relate to the Father or to Christ 2. Though Paul speak specially of the Catholick Church of Jews and Gentiles there 's no reason to exclude the glorified Souls no nor the Angels from being part of Gods Family united in and under Christ 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love 18. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height 19. And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God 17 18 19. That Christ may by the constant exercise of your Faith upon him even dwell objectively in your Hearts as one Friend by Love and Trust doth in anothers and effectively possess and actuate you by his Spirit that by his Spirit and your Faith you may be so deeply possest with the sense of Gods Love that you may be filled with Love to him and one another and it may be the very Habit of your Souls and a rooted Nature in you that so being qualified by this Faith and Love you may be able and fit to measure and understand as all Saints in their several degrees do the vast and wonderful Dimensions and to know the Love of Christ and of the Father in him which exceedeth our comprehensive and adequate Knowledge or which is more excellent than all the Sciences which Heathens and Hereticks boast of that so by Faith and Love your Souls may be filled with the highest degrees of Grace and the Spirit of God 20 21. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end Amen 20 21. Now to that Almighty God who can do for his People exceeding abundantly above all that we can desire or ask believe or conceive in our narrow Thoughts as is intimated even in the Power of Sanctity and Miracles which he exerciseth in and â—mong us now To him I say be Glory in the Church by the Mediation of Jesus Christ in whom â—he Glory of Gods Love shineth â—o us and by whom â—e render Praise to God throughout all Ages World without end Amen CHAP. IV. 1. I Therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called 1. Seeing then the Riches of Gods Grace in Christ is so abundant to you converted Gentiles I that am a Prisoner for declaring this Grace of Christ to you exhort you that you live according to the great obligation of your Vocation 2. With all lowliness and meekness with long-suffering forbearing one another in love 2. Such a Christian Life must be in all lowliness or humble thoughts of your selves your Knowledge your Goodness and your Power and in all meekness or gentleness towards others Love must cause you with long-suffering to forbear one another Note 1. That Forbearance is to be exercised towards evil that is Imperfections in Knowledge Vertue and Duty and tollerable Faults and Injuries against each other Therefore it supposeth us to be all faulty needing forbearance 2. That proud high thoughts of our selves and Contempt Censoriousness and Hurtfulness to others and not forbearing tollerable Offenders are
false Expectations and Religious Duties would it have enticed them to and have tempted the next Age that saw the frustration to have revolted to Infidelity 2. Though we are told that we must meet the Lord in the Air and then be ever with him it pleased not God to give us yet a distinct knowledge of the Place nor what he will do with the New Earth in which Righteousness will dwell But whereever it is it will be in Heavenly Glory with Christ 3. They that will have true Christian Comfort must fetch it from the daily and lively Belief and Consideration of this That we shall for ever be in Happiness with Christ our Lord and the holy Society of the Blessed 4. Qu. Why doth not Paul comfort them with the mention of the Souls Immortality and Happiness before the Resurrection of the Body Ans Because 1. It was the Body that suffered by Persecution and that slept and that they mourned for too much and therefore it was about it that they needed Comfort 2. And the Souls Immortality was a more undoubted thing without which a Resurrection of the same Man had been impossible 3. And the Felicity or Perfection of entire Man is greater than that of the Soul alone the State of which God hath less clearly and distinctly revealed to us CHAP. V. 1. BUt of the times and seasons brethren ye have no need that I write unto you 2. For your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night 1 2. But to write to you of the particular time of Christs coming I suppose you expect not for you have been told that he cometh as a Thief in the Night unexpected Men not foreknowing when 3. For when they shall say Peace and safety then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child and they shall not escape 3. So much must the time be unknown that it will surprise them with sudden unavoidable Destruction when they most presume that all is well with them and safe 4. But ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief 5. Ye are all the children of light and the children of the day we are not of the night nor of darkness 4 5. But though you know not the time it will not so surprise you as Thieves do Men asleep in the Night For ye are all in the Day-light and not unprepared in a state of Darkness 6. Therefore let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober 6. Therefore let this remember you to avoid the careless Presumption the Vices and unprepared state of the sleepy World and to live as awake and in sobriety 7. For they that sleep sleep in the night and they that be drunken are drunken in the night 7. For the Night is the time of sleep and to hide the shame of Drunkenness by Darkness 8. But let us who are of the day be sober putting on the brestplate of faith and love and for an helmet the hope of salvation 8. But let us whom God hath brought out of Darkness into the Christian Light live soberly wearing Faith and Love as Soldiers do a Breastplate and the Hope of Salvation as they do an Helmet to save Heart and Head from all Assaults 9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ 9. For it is not us that are his faithful Servants but his rebellious Enemies whom God hath appointed to Wrath but us he appointeth to obtain Salvation by Christ 10. Who died for us that whether we wake or sleep we should live together with him 10. Who died for us that whether we wake or sleep in Body live or die we should live with him 11. Wherefore comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do 11. Therefore continue as you do to assemble and comfort your selves together with these Hopes and to edifie one another thereby Note Paul knew that Rulers were against such Assemblies and Exercises Qu. But must they not be forborn if Men forbid them Ans Not as an Act of Obedience when God commandeth us to use them But Force may make it impossible to us as it is to relieve the Poor when Men disable us and take away all that we have to give them 12. And we beseech you brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you 13. And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake And be at peace among your selves 12 13. Acknowledge their Office and Worth and your Obligations to them that are truly called to be your Bishops or Spiritual Guides and Rulers and labour among you in that Office and admonish you And as their Office is high their Labour and your Benefit great let them be greatly esteemed by you and dearly loved for their Work This due Love and Submission to them and living in Peace among your selves will make you a happy Church Note 1. That every Church should have their proper Overseers and Guides among them 2. That these Pastors are over them in the Lord and not to be ruled by the People 3. That the Work of Bishops is to labour among them and admonish their particular Churches 4. That their Authority must be owned and they highly esteemed and loved 5. That it is for their Works sake that this is due to them and therefore not to those that work not 6. The Bishops whom in this Text they were intreated to own honour and love were those that laboured among them and not onely those that lived far off and never laboured among them 7. Due Love and Respect between the Pastors and the Flock and being at peace among themselves are the way to establish a Church in a prosperous state 14. Now we exhort you brethren warn them that are unruly comfort the feeble-minded support the weak be patient toward all men 14. Those that are disorderly and unruly warn Those that are feeble-minded comfort Those that are weak support and help them to hear their Burdens And be gentle and patient to all Note How contrary to this reviling and destroâ—ing all these sorts yea silencing the strongest that fear sinning against God by swearing subscribing and conforming to the needless and wicked Canons of Papal Usurpers 5. See that none render evil for evil unto any man but ever follow that which is good both among your selves and to all men 15. Though Men by doing evil to you deserve evil return it not by Revenge by Word or Deed But set your selves to do good both to Christians and to all Men. 16 17 18. Rejoyce evermore Pray without ceasing In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you 16 17 18. Whatever you suffer always rejoice because still your Cause of Joy remaineth And let Prayer be your constant Practice and your
Habit of holy Desire be a continued virtual Prayer And in every Case give Thanks to God because your Mercies are still greater than your Sufferings And this God hath made your Duty by the great Blessings which he hath given you in Christ 19 20. Quench not the spirit Despise not prophesyings 19 20. Quench not Divine Operations of the Spirit by Neglect or by wilful Sin Set not light by those Instructing Gifts which any exercise by the special Assistance of the Spirit of God For the Witness of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy 21. Prove all things hold fast that which is good 21. Receive not hastily or rashly without sufficient Proof any Doctrines or pretended Revelations or Practices but the Good that is tried and proved hold fast 22. Abstain from all appearance of evil 22. Avoid all Sin so carefully as not to venture on that which you have just cause to suspect to be sinful till you have tried whether it be so or not 23. And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 23. And God who giveth and loveth the Peace and Prosperity of his Servants sanctifie you wholly And I pray God that you may wholly in Spirit Soul and Body be so preserved from Sin that you may stand uncondemned approved as faithful at the coming of Christ Note 1. It is of great use for our Comfort and â—mitation to know God to be the God of Peace 2. Paul meaneth not that their Bodies should live till Christs coming or that they should be without all Sin and Blame but without all condemning Sin and so justified and forgiven as to their Imperfetions 3. He doth not make Spirit Soul and Body three substantial compounding Parts of Man as far as can be proved but seemeth onely to mean that he desireth that they may stand approved in all these three respects 1. In the Spirit that is the Habits and Disposition of the Soul looking beyond it self to its End 2. In the Soul as it acteth the Body which it animateth 3. In the Body as it is the Instrument of the Soul But of these things even Christian Philosophers differ 1. Some think Man hath three distinct Souls Intellectual Sensitive and Vegetative 2. Some that he hath two Intellectual and Sensitive and that the Vegetative is a part of the Body 3. Some that he hath but one with these three Faculties 4. Some that he hath but one with two Faculties Intellectual and Sensitive 5. Some that he hath but one with the Faculty of Intellection and Will and that the Sensitive is corporeal So little do we know our selves What I think most probable I have opened in Methodo Theologiae That Man hath but one substantial Soul with both Intellectual and Sensitive Faculties and that it is uncertain whether the Vegetative be its Faculty or onely the Faculty of the Igneous or Etherial Substance which is the immediate Vehicle of the Soul It is enough for us to know so much of our Souls as our Duty in using them and our Felicity do require As he may know to use his Clock Watch House Horse who knoweth not how to make them nor can anatomise them 24. Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it 24. Note Gods Faithfulness may give the Sanctified great Hope of their Perseverance 25. Brethren pray for us 26. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss 25 26. Note 1. Apostles needed the Prayers of weak Christians 2. The Ceremony of Kissing and such other are mutable fit or unfit as the Custom of Countries varieth the Signification 27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren 28. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you Amen 27 28. Note That the Epistles written to single Churches were not confined to their use but by them to be communicated to as many as they well could The Second Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS CHAP. I. 1. PAul and Silvanus and Timotheus unto the Church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 2. Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 3. We are bound to thank God always for you brethren as it is meet because that your faith groweth exceedingly and the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth 3. Note That it is the growth of the Church in Faith and Love which is the matter of their true Prosperity and the Pastors Joy and Thanks to God rather than their Riches Honours or notional contending Knowledge 4. So that we our selves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure 4. Note When worldly Men are ashamed of Christians in Persecution godly Men rejoice in their Faith and Patience as being then most honourable 5. Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which ye also suffer 5. Which is a plain Prognostick that God the righteous Judge will reward you with a part in that Kingdom for which you suffer as being worthy of it in a sence of Grace that is qualified as those to whom it is promised and freely given 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you 7. And to you who are troubled rest with us 6 7. For God ruleth righteously and it is the way of his Justice to punish your Persecutors and give you who are persecuted rest with us his Apostles Note That they who think this is meant of the Destruction of Jerusalem must think that Paul thought he should live to see it and that he and they should then have rest on Earth which were to be deceived and to deceive them 7 8. When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 7 8. Note By them that know not God is usually meant the Heathens which confuteth them who distort this to signifie but the Destruction of the Jews And to them in Macedonia it was more to be delivered from the Heathens who were the Rulers than from a handful of scattered despised Jews 2. Christ will appear with his Angels to judge and punish the Ungodly 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power 9. Note That the Phrases everlasting destruction and from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power agree to the usual Scripture-description of Damnation and not to the Destruction of Jerusalem without distortion Nor was it much ascribed then to an appearance of Christ in Glory that the Heathen
with holy Resolution and soberly watch and keep up your Hope until the end for that glorious effect of Redemption and Grace which you shall see and enjoy at the day of Christ's glorious appearing which will answer all your Hopes 14. As obedient children not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your ignorance 14. And as obedient Children of God to whom you are reconciled no more living as you did in the time of your ignorance in fleshly lusts and worldly vice 15. But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation 16. Because it is written Be ye holy for I am holy 15 16. And as Children must be like their Father and they must please God who will be saved by him therefore as he that hath called you is a holy God and Saviour be ye a holy People for so God requireth Be holy for I am holy 17. And if ye call on the Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans work passe the time of your sojourning here in fear 17. And if you call God your Father and call on him who without respect of persons for any worldly difference judgeth all men according to their works let the thoughts of his Holiness and future Judgment cause you to pass the time that you as Sojourners wait for Christ's coming in holy cautelous obedient fear 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers 19. But with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot 18 19. For the preciousness of the price which redeemed us tells us the great worth of our Salvation from sin and misery which was not with silver and gold or any corruptible price but it was with the precious blood of Christ the spotless Lamb of God that ye were redeemed from the vain Ceremonies and Traditions which you were bred up in and from your sinful conversation 20. Who verily was fore ordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you 21. Who by him do believe in God that raised him up from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God 20 21. Whom God had sore-ordained to this blessed Office before the foundation of the World but though oft prophesied of was not incarnate and manifest in the flesh till these last times even for you that live since his coming who are not by him drawn as we are falsly accused from the true and only God but by him are taught the true knowledge of God and to believe that God to be God indeed wise good and almighty who raised Christ from the dead and gave him glory and so that your Faith and Hope might be ultimately in God alone by Christ's Mediation 22. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently 22. And as you have purified your Souls from former Errour and Sin by obeying the Gospel by the work of God's Spirit unto unfeigned love of Christian Brethren be sure to keep up that Love and with a pure heart and deep affection to love each other 23. Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever 23. Seeing you are not only Brethren by corruptible generation and relation but of incorruptible seed by the Word of God who liveth and abideth for ever and so must your incorruptible love to each other which is part of your incorruptible nature 24. For all flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of grass the grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away 25. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you 24 25. For all flesh and all its glory is a fading dying thing like the grass and flower But God's Word is everlasting Truth as Christ the Author is and is our Guide to an Everlasting Life And this true Word is it which we preach to you by the Gospel and bespeaketh endless constancy in your holy love and obedience CHAP. II. 1. WHerefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and all evil-speakings 2. As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby 1 2. Lay aside therefore and renounce all naughtiness and all deceit and hypocrisy or counterfeiting and all envy and all speaking evil of others And as new born babes desire and seek and drink in the rational Milk or intellectual without fraud and mixture that you may grow up to Salvation by it which the mixture of heresie or hypocrisie would vitiate and invectives against others would but turn it against your selves 3. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious 4. To whom coming as unto a living stone disallowed indeed of men but chosen of God and precious 5. Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house and holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 3 4.5 And if you are Christians indeed and have had a Spiritual relish of the love of God in Christ you must suppose his Church to be like an House in which every stone is a living man and Christ is the chief Foundation stone as the Lord of Life on whom all the building is erected rejected indeed by the Jewish and Heathen Rulers but chosen of God to this blessed Office and more Precious than any Pearl and so coming to him the Foundation as so many living stones your selves you being cemented to him and to one another are made one Spiritual House of God yea as a Temple in which you are all Priests to offer Daily Sacrifice to God which he will accept through the Intercession of the great High Priest Jesus Christ For your Prayer and Praise may be thus accepted Think thus of Gods House and you may be for sweeping and repairing it but you will never be for dividing dismembring or separating from it 6. Wherefore it is contained in the scripture Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone elect precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded 6. This the Scripture foretold saying I lay in Sion c. That is I set over the Church a Saviour and a King on whom the Church shall be sounded And none shall be put to shame by the frustration of their Faith Hope and Obedience who put their trust in him 7. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious but unto them which be disobedient the stone which the builders disallowed the same is made the head of the corner 8. And a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence even to
sederall sign with God and Man like Christ's own Sacraments at least in a great part and then to make the these Test and Condition of Christian Communion ejecting and silencing all Christ's Ministers and cutting off all Christians from Church-Communion who dare not use them lest thereby they break the Law of God The Second General Epistle of PETER the Apostle CHAP. I. 1. SImon Peter a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ 2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 1 2. Simon Peter c. to all Christians who have obtained the same precious Faith with us which is founded in the precious price of our Redemption and advanceth us to the dignity of being Sons of God through the Righteousness of God which is manifested in his way of justifying us by the Merits of Christ's perfect Righteousness Grace and Peace which are the greatest Blessings that Man is capable of on Earth be multiplied to you which must be only through the Knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and vertue 3. As his Divine Power hath in and by Christ provided and given us all things necessary to Life present and everlasting and to Godliness which is the right use of this Life and the way to a better and this through the Knowledge of Christ who hath called us to future Glory and present Vertue Note some read it by Glory and Vertue and expound it by the Voice from Heaven that called Christ the Beloved Son and the vertue or power of signal Miracles 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust 4. By which Calling are given to us exceeding great and precious Promises even God's Covenâ—nt of Grace sure and sâ—aled that by these as his Deed of Gift or Instrument conveying to us our Right to Christ and Grace and Glory we may be made partakers of the Divine Nature not only relatively as it is in Christ but also inherently as it is the Renovation of our own Souls to a holy Inclination Godward by the Spirit of Adoption like the love and likeness of a Child to the Father being advanced hereby above the sensual corrupt Nature and escaping the pollutions of fleshly Lusts which the World is defiled with and would defile us by Note Though a Nature strictly signifie some essential part or inseparable Inclination it here signifieth a holy Inclining Habit called A Nature by resemblance it being not the effect of a meer Art or Opinion but a fixed Complacency Love and Bent of the Soul towards God and Holiness and Heaven 5. And besides this giving all diligence add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge 6. And to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness 7. And to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity 5 6 7. And having the Divine Nature let diligent Exercise reduce it to particular holy Habits As you are Believers let your Faith shew it self in holy Strength and Fortitude in all that is your duty and to that add a daily increase of Knowledge in the things of God and to that add a careful mortifying all fleshly Lusts and abstaining from all forbidden Sensuality and to that add Patience of Mind under all Wrongs Crosses and Afflictions and to that add a zealous holy heavenly Observance of all the duties of the first Table or of Religion publick and private and to that add a special Love to all Christian Brethren and Friends And let all grow up to that highest Love to God and to all men as he is interessed in them with an Addictedness to do them all the good you can which is the top of all our Graces 8. For if these things be in you and abound they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ 8. If you have these blessed Graces of Sanctification you will be clearly differenced from formal Hypocrites whose Faith and Religion is but a barren unfruitful Speculation an Art and not the Divine Nature 9. But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see far oft and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins 9. But he that bâ—asteth of his saith without these vertues is like a pur-blind man that can see nothing but what is just near to him Could they with a lively faith foresee the things to come it would waken their sluggish Souls to all this And could they rightly look back to their Baptism they would remember that they there vertually vowed all this and were sacramentally washed from their old sins 10. Wherefore the rather brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye do these things ye shall never fall 10. Therefore see that ye use your utmost diligence in the things aforesaid that your Calling and Election may thereby be made firm stablished and sure For if you do these things you shall not miscarry nor come short of Salvation Note It is a frivolous Contention that is raised about this Text some disputing that it is only meant of sure Notification to our Consciences and some that it is to make us meet Objects of God's Decretive Election and to make an uneffectual Calling turn to a more effectual By Election is oft meant God's actual taking us out of the World into the Church and is the same with Calling The Greek here signifieth to make firm and not only to make known God's Promise is our Title to Salvation This Promise maketh Faith the Condition of our first Right but the Fruits of Faith the Condition of our continued and final Right to Salvation Therefore as there is somewhat on our part necessary to our first Justification besides God's part so is there something more on our part necessary to our Right to Salvation if we survive our Initiation which Christ describeth Mat. 25. And the doing of this making us capable Receivers of God's free Gift may as properly be said to make it sure as our Faith to justifie us that is It maketh up our Title to Life which else would be defective and so maketh our Calling and actual Election to be confirmed and sufficient on their part and not frustrate as to their end And then being made firm and valid in it self it follows that our Title may the easier be known to us 11. For so an entrance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 11. And your Baptismal Faith and Covenant proving not ineffectual
Christ â—hat hath his dreadful Justice as well as saving Mercy sendeth this Message Note Once for all here note that Churches were then named from Cities because Proximity was needful to Communion And among Christians there should be so great Unity that they that live in one Proximity like our Parishes or Towns should always be of one Church unless the uncapable multitude force them to divide in one City into many Churches in which still Proximity should be observed or unless the great Corruption or Violence of any Church do necessitate any to congregate by themselves for their safety and duty For if the faults of a Church and any of its Members be but tolerable Weaknesses it should not break their Communion but they should bear with and receive each other But if they are intolerable for which God disowneth and forsaketh them or their Worship they are no true Churches and must be forsaken of all as no true particular Christians and must be cast out 13. I know thy works and where thou dwellest even where Satan's seat is and thou holdest fast my Name and hast not denied my faith even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth 13. I know with Approbation all thy good Works and that thou dwellest where Satan ruleth in the Heathen multitude having there an Idol-Temple and Roman persecuting Powers and that yet thou hast held fast the Profession of Christianity and not denyed me in Persecution even in the days when Satan's Instruments murder'd my faithful Martyr Antipas Note We have no other certain History of Antipas and his Case but only the uncertain stories of Metaphrasles and the Menology No doubt but there were many Martyrs whose History is not come down to us But Christ hath honoured Antipas by this sacred Record The time of his suffering is unknown 14. But I have a few things against thee because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel to eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication 14. Though all this Good be found in thee I am offended that thou so connivest at the Heresie of the false Teachers as to permit some of them in your Communion who as Balaam for Gain taught Balac how to ensnare the Israelites into sin by Women so they lay Snares and Temptations before men by teaching them that it is lawful to eat things offered to Idols and to commit Fornication Note Had not this Church tolerated these filthy Hereticks in their Communion Christ would not have blamed them for their meer Neighbourhood 15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate 15. And thou hast yet in thy Communion some that hold the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans which maketh light of Adulteries which is hateful to me Note Christ hateth all such false Doctrine as corrupteth Faith or Manners 16. Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth 16. Repent of thy connivance at this wicked Sect and Doctrine and cast out them that will not be cured or else with the two-edged Sword which goeth out of my mouth I will shortly cut off these Hereticks and punish thee for bearing with them 17. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna and will give him a white stone and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it 17. Let no man disregard what the Spirit saith to the Churches To him that overcometh the manifold Temptations of Persecutors false Teachers and fleshly lusts I will give the bread of life that hidden Manna which is laid up in the heavenly Sanctuary even Christ and his Spirit and in the grace of that Spirit I will give him a Pledge and Title to Eternal Life and that new Name and Nature Holiness and the Divine Image the evidence of right to the heavenly Inheritance whose Nature and Worth none rightly know but those who receive it Thus shall it be done to them whom I will honour 18. And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write These things saith the Son of God who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet are like fine brass 18. To the Church of Thyatira Pastors and People represented by their Angel hear and regard this message from the Son of God whose glory and dreadfulness was signified by his appearing â—o me with Eyes like a flame and Feet shining as burnish't Brass 19. I know thy works and charity and service and faith and thy patience and thy works and the last to be more than the first 19. I know and commend thy good Works and Charity and Ministration to the Saints and thy Fidelity and constant Patience in Tryals and that thy last Works excel thy first 20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth her self a prophetess to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols 21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication and she repented not 20. Note 1. Even a few faults in a laudable Church may be a provocation to the Justice of Christ 2. Suffering corrupt Doctrines and Seducers in a Church is a sin which Christ will not pass by Suffering was not opposite to Banishing Imprisoning Killing For the Church had no such power or command But it was forbearing that sharp Reproof Confutation and Excommunication which was the Churches duty 3. Whether there were really a Woman among them that promoted this wickedness by pretence of Prophetick Inspiration or whether by the Woman Jezabel be meant the whole Sect of Nicolaitans or Gnosticks is uncertain But it 's certain that the Heresie tolerated was the same as was before reproved and that Paul was put so oft to write against viz. Fornication and Idol-Sacrifices pleaded for as lawful for Christians to partake of so they kept their faith and hearts to God 4. Impenitence after God's Patience and Warnings ripeneth men for Judgment 22. Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation except they repent of their deeds 23. And I will kill her children with death and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts and I will give unto every one of you according to your works 22 23. Instead of a Bed of Lust I will cast her and all her seduced Sect into a Bed of great Tribulation except true Repentance and Reformation prevent it so that all the Churches shall see my heavy Plagues on them and shall know that I discern and hate and judge the most secret lusts and sins and will judge you
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
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