6. And lastly note the promise is called a Covenant Act 3. and Gal. 3. and so the promise Gen. 3.15 must be considered as a covenant that God made with our first parents as Christ is the hope of the promise made unto our Fathers Acts 26.6 2â—2 3. Jer. 50.7 so he is the hope of the covenant Esa 42.6 Quest 2. N. 1. This first point is handled by a Son of Abraham Rem 1. 2. 3. The book of Job teacheth of the corruption of nature taken from Parents and of redemption so it sheweth how Abraham taught his posterity how all the faithfull of old taught their children by tradition and all true and sound tradition before the scriptures agreeth with the scriptures so must all tradition since the scriptures Ps 78.1 2 3 4. c. Jobs book was afore the Law of faith was written by Moses Ibid. N. 11. This second is handled Rom. 3. 4. 5. To these two points confer the notes of N. 4. and N. 5. in page 21. All of the first Adam miserable and no blessduesse but in Christ the second Adam all the Acts and the Epistles c. abundantly open this Ibid. N. 5. In thy seed all families In Christ all are gathered Eph. 1.10 The glory of this blessednesse to procure the salvation of the elect God will not give to any other mediatour Esay 42.1 c. This blessing came on Abraham in his uncircumcision Rom. 4. and so observe these blessings are handled to the uncircumcised the familes of Japheth the Romans Corinthians Ephesians c. Therefore Turkes Jewes and all misbeleevers are excluded from all hope of comfort Ibid of Question 2. N. 5. Only and alone the Lord Jesus Christ all scripture speaketh exclusively concerning any other 1 Joh 5.11.12 13. so the Apostle Peter is plaine This is the stone cast aside of you builders which is become the head of the corner Neither is there salvation in any other for among men there is given none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved Act. 4. God would in due time shew this his justification of a sinner and that he might be just in all his promises and a justifier of him who is of the faith of JESUS Rom. 3. Ibid. of N. V. Given us by promise We cannot we may not pray or expect any blessing temporall spirituall or eternall but by covenant and promise in Christ Levit. 26. Deut 28.7 12 still looke to the promise The promise is sure by faith to all the seed it can be sure no way else faith doth realize and evidence things promised to our hearts God is keeper of covenant and in that faith resteth In God things promised have their consistency and therefore they shall have a being on us in due time Deut. 8.18 And we must take blessings as blessings of the covenant and redemption in Christ all mercies to the Saints are the price of bloud not as common favours with the world that have the sun and rain c. else we shall not be of those generations that praise God through Christ Ephes 3.21 Hos 2.19 20 c. else our mouthes will not be filled with laugher and our tongue with singing praises to our God Psalm 96.98 136. 137. Lev. 26. Ibid. of 2 Quest N. VII seal assurance As the spirit sealeth to the heart of the believer the doctrine of the Covenant and promise so the seals of the Covenant are made effectual by the spirit for the further confirmation of the justification that is by faith to none other persons but to the children of the promise and covenant made with Abraham Acts 3. Rom. 4. And none other persons can understand what this saying of covenant and seal meaneth but those that are redeemed from the earth Apoc. 14.3 Ephes 1.13 14. 2.18 Rom. 8.15 16. N. 9. which believe in God must Faith is a wise and an obedient grace saith worketh by love Rom. 6.7 8. chapters handle this Gal 5.6 the Apostle opens this as a part of the blessing in the promise Acts 3.25 26. Christ destroyeth sin in his and sanctifieth If any be in Christ he is a new creature 2 Cor. 5.17 old things in the old Adam are passed away and all things become new in us from the second Adam The ten Commandments belong to this point and handled as an use from Gods mercy and covenant in Christ Exod. 20.1 c. Rom. 6. chapter and 12. chapter and the later parts of the Epistles to the Galatians Ephesians colossians and by holy Zacharias Luke 1.74 ubique See the practise of this in holy Job his effectual faith and diligent love and patience of hope from the godly instruction of Abraham in the promise The covenant of grace is reciprocal the seals also teach the same It is glorious to keep the mystery of faith in a pure conscience And this is an easie yoke to an holy and humble soul his commandments are not burdensome Mat. 28.20 1 Iohn 5.3 And after the Lord hath spoken peace by justification we must not turn again to folly that grace may abound Psal 85. Roâ— 5 6. And they that put away a good conscience will make shipwrack of faith and blaspheme Briefly this is a sure character of the Saints of God that all that call on the name of the Lord with a pure heart do follow righteousness faith charity peace c. and such only are vessels of honour for our heavenly masters use Observe yet further the Popish Company and many others that are ignorant when they speak of good works their thought darteth chiefly on almes-deeds prayer fasting c. But withall teaching and believing the doctrine of opere operato at the Pharisees Whereas by good works is meant not only those but all the duties of charity of the first and second Table both toward God and toward man yea all to be done in faith as regenerate in the Second Adam that God the Father in him may be glorified And where the true faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ is planted it will so shew it self And this is the true sense of James 2. of shewing our faith by our works and our Father Abraham and Rachabs story are conferred to this exposition Again observe that commonly those that so call for those good works care not for sound teaching of the word of God but rather carry a grudge against it and holy assemblies and the sincere professors and preachers And alasse what are their prayers almsdeeds fasting c. for matter manner or end It may be questioned if they be materially good And let such take heed that for manner or end they are no better than Kains Genesis chap. 4. then theirs in Psalm 50 and Esay 1. and 58. and the Scribes and Pharisees who did all those things and more too and yet crucified the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory who would have had them come to a more exact and joyful
and will ever render himself a faithfull and trustie servitour 12. So then Gods reconciliation hath these two parts justification Acts 26.18 Rom. 8.7 Col 1. that is the freedome from the guilt and punishment of sin and receiving into favour or adoption to the heavenly inheritance 13. And thus I think I have made it evident from 2 Cor. 5. that the not counting our sins to us but freeing us from them and pardoning them is the justification or freedome of God the Father that he freely vouchsafeth to poor sinners so verese 19. conferred with v. 21. do open one the other plain and easie for Gods people to understand Surely the holy sweet blessed Scriptures rightly conferred are like a benevolent constellation 14. Let Gods people consider what in this translation and explication of 2 Cor. 5. is derogatory to the mediation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ or derogatory to the comfort of the Saints all their life or on their death beds for the hope of immortall glory Much more might be said but often we darken Gods counsel by our words When things are plain some Ministers make them harder and far more knotty than the Text. 15. We may suppose if from this time forwards Gods people be exercised to read the Text of 2 Cor. 5.19 21. it will not be amisse thus to read it God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not counting their trespasses to them for he made him to be a sinne-offering for us who knew no sinne that we might be made the righteousnesse or freedome of God in him 16. By that time godly Christians have been accustomed to read 2 Cor. 5.21 a sinne-offering and rightly understand the terms justification righteousnesse setteth free vnd freedome And not counting or not reckoning or not imputing our trespasses to us I say by the time of 80 years moe the people of God will come to a more clear and perfect judgement in the wonderfull mysterious Doctrine of a sinners justification 17. The tearmes and Phrases of Justice righteousnesse and justification are exceeding variously understood and have been largely handled by diverse learned Authors to whom I refer the Reader I will instance one Text wherein the word Righteousnesse or Justification is different from the justification of vindicative Courts and more like to the justification of voluntary Courts sometimes are ordained for the tryalls of combaters in Apoc. 19.8 To her was granted that shee should be arrayed in fine Linnen cleane and white for the fine Linnen is the Righteousnesse of the Saints this Text is often alleadged for the imputation of Christs legall Righteousnesse to sinners acording to vindictive Courts of Justice but if the coherence be well looked into it will appeare to have another sence which is this The Beast and his marked made the Church mourne in Sack cloath Apoc. 11. But when the Beasts polity shall be conquered by the constancy of godly Martyrs and Professors then the Church shall rejoyce and white Garments are here given as a sign of that so then the Garments of fine Linnen and white was given to signify the Churches joy because of her freedome from the power of those darke and black afflictions that were under the Beasts polity and for the better understanding of this read Hest 4 3. and 8.15 16. 2. In this sense also must Apoc. 7.9.13 14. be expounded for there the Church had been in great afflictions by the Casars for 300 years but by Constantines speciall grace and favour and by the victorious constancy of the godly the Church had deliverance and therefore white robes are given to shew their great joy for that deliverance and victory 3. The Robe of Tzâ—dek Righteousnesse in Isa 61.10 is translated by the 70. the robe of joyfulnesse according to the true sense and meaning of the context for in v. 1. Christ is anointed with the spirit of the Lord for this end namely to preach good tidings to the meek to bind up the broken hearted to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound and in v. 2. to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and to comfort all that mourn and in v. 3. to give them beauty for ashes the oil of joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse and in verse 7. he doth promise that everlastâ—ng joy shall be upon them and then in v. 10. the said poore broken hearted Converts do with exultation say thus I will greatly rejoice in the Lord my soul shall be joyfull in my God for he hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation he hath covered me with the robe of righteousnesse but the 70 according to the context both before and after translate it he hath covered me with the robe of joyfulnesse it is called a robe of righteousnesse in respect of the perrformance of the promise which was to give the sweet comforts of God spirit to poore and humbled souls by the preaching of the gospel and in respect of the sense the said comforts to the converted soul it may be called the robe of joyfullnesse as the Seventy render it and we may see an example of this robe of righteousnesse how it was also a robe of gladnesse and joyfulnesse at the conversion of the prodigal son in Luk. 15.22 23 24 32. 18. This Translation and explication of 2 Cor. 5.21 and of the other Scriptures cited will rid us of no small trouble and I hope it will rid others also of doubtings of the truth of the Doctrine of justificatiif they wil but with patient study mind and mark the true scope and meaning of the Scriptures I do freely acknowledge that severall Institutions Common places Catechismes c. have been is and are a great mercy to the Church of God and shall be while the world standeth But yet the Lord would have us to try all things and wisely to hold that which is good I say also that there are many godly and learned men some that are departed this life and some that are yet living that have expounded 2 Cor 5.21 to the same effect as I have done and I make no question but the generality of our godly Ministers will in due time be so proselited also for there is no standing out long against divine reason where true godlinesse and true learning doth bare sway I meane such as will take the paines of the minde to dive into the true sence and scope of the text and will see it with their owne and not with other mens eyes CHAP. XXXVIII Our Lords genealogic conferred with the times of the Judges and with the King The first Adam Seth Enosh Kenan Mahalaleel Jared Henoch Methuselah Lamech Gen. 8. chapters Noah in his 600 years was the flood and the world 1656 years old Whose are the Fathers c of whom concerning the Flesh Christ came who is God over all blessed for ever Rom. 9. Sem. Arphaxad Sâ—lah Heber
Pelâ—g Regu Serug Nahor Gen. 9.10 and 11 chapters Terah he died 427 years after the flood the world then 2083 years old For he in no sort took on him the angels nature but he took on him the seed of Abraham Heb. 7. Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah Phares Hezron Aram Amminadab The rest of Gen. Exod. to the 12 ch of Job Naasson a Prince of Judah in the wilderness 430 years from the promise Gen. 12.2 3. to the coming from Egypt the world then 2513 years old It is evident our Lord sprang out of Judak Heb. 7.14 Naasson begat Salmon Boaz Obeb Jessai David Salomon Exod. Levit Numbers Deut. Ioshua Iudges Ruth 1. and 2 Samel and Psalms and 1 Kings to the 〈◊〉 chap and 1 Chron. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel 2 Tim. 2. The incarnation and the Resurrection are the Basis of all and should be better remembred and more taught The Cronology of the Judges and their oppressors The Judges and oppressors mentioned in the book of Judges all which were contemporary with Salomon Boaz Obed Iâ—ssâ—i Iudges Othoniel 40. Ehud 80. Shamgar 40. Deborah 40. Barak 40. Jael 40. Gideon 40. Abimelech 3. Tholah 23. Iaâ—r 22. Iephthâ—h 6. Ibsan 7. Elon 10. Abdon 8. Sampson 20. Eli 40  399 Oppressors Chusan 8. Eglon 18. Iabin 20. Midian 7. Ammon 18. Philâ—st 40.  111.  339  450 And after that he gaâ—â—â— unto them â—udges after a sort 450 years uâ—til Samuel the Prophet Act 13.20 Kings of Israel King of Iudah Ieroboam Nadab Baasa Elab Zâ—mâ—i Tibni Omâ—i Achab Achaziah brethren Ioram brethren Iâ—hu Ioâ—châ—z loash Ieâ—obâ—am Zachaâ—iah Shalâ—um Menachem Pâ—chaiah Peâ—ab Hosea David Salomon Râ—boâ—m Abiam Asa Iosaphat Ioram Aâ—haziah Athalâ—ah loash Amaziah Vzziah Joâ—ham Aâ—hâ—z Hezekiah Manasses Amon Jâ—sâ—â—s Jâ—hâ—jakim Iechâ—nias Zedekiah in his 11 yea the city Ierusalem was taken by Nâ—buchadnezzar it and the Temple burnt and that was 427 years from the foundation of it Babâ—l tyrannized full 50 years moe then the world as 3470 years old Saint Matthew follows Salâ—mons line to shew Christs Right to the Kingdome of Israel for Salâ—mons line failing in Jâ—chonias who made Sâ—lathiel his â—â—ir as next of riâ—hâ— 1 Kings And some of 2 Chr. ' ro Ecâ—l Canticles Kin. and the rest of Chr for the kings ' Judah and Israel Ionah Hosea Ioel â—mâ—s Esaias Micah Nahum Habbakuk â—zâ—phanâ—ah Jerem. Lam. Daniel Ezekiel Ohadiah Nathan Mattatha Mainan Mâ—lea Eliaâ—im Ionan Ioieph Iudah Symeon Levi Matthat Iâ—rim Eliezer Iose Eâ— Elmodam Cosam Adâ—i Melchi Neâ—i Salathiel Pedâ—jah Of these Fathers concerning the flesh Christ came who is God over all blessâ—d for ever Amen Zâ—robabel he was made Prince of Iâ—dah by Cyâ—uâ— Cyâ—us in the first yeare of his Reign over Judah made a Proclamation for the Jewes return from Captivity with Zorobabel from which Proclamation to the doath of our Lord and blessed Savior Jesus Christ are 70 Sevens or 409 years then the world was 3960. years old The Kingdome of Israel continued 327 years under 19. or 20 Kings most of them were stained with the sin of Ieroboam that caused Israel to sin their Royall descenâ—â— changed nine times The Kingdome of Ashur ended their apostâ—ticall Kingdome and carried the ten Tribes beyond Babel and so made them Lo-ammi noâ— people that is not Gods people but they were made Gods people by the preaching of the apostles of the Circumcision Rom. 9.1 Pet. 2.10 Then they looked on him whom they piâ—rced the last King of Israel was in the dayes of Hezekiah King of Iudah Pro. 28.2 Tibni stood in competition with Omri for the Kingdome of Israel but he was not sole King so he is not reckoned but if he be then there is 20. Kings ZOROBABEL Abihud Eliakâ—m Azor Sadoc Acbim Eliud Eleazaâ— Matthan Iacob Ioseph the husband of the blessed Virgin Mary St. Matthew followes these of Zorobabel to shew Christs right to the Kingdome of Israel Ezra Nehemiah Esther Haggai Zachar. Malachi Daniels Prophesies and the stories of the Bear Leopard and the fourth Beast their rising fall and afflictions of the Saints of them the high Trinity c. all are in the time of the Seventy-sevens at the ending of which the World was three thousand nine hundred and sixty yeares old Rhesa Joanna Juâ—ah Joseph Semâ—i Mattathias Maach Nagge Esly Nahum Amos Mattathias Joseph Janna Melchi Levi Matthat Eli Mary Jesus Christ the second Adam Oâ— these from Zâ—râ—baâ—el did the Lord Jesus Christ take humanity Luke 3. A little paines in observing the Geneology of Genesis and this of our Lord will be of great use you shall find them the Pillars of story both to Geography Chronology and to all Narrations through the whole Bible Labour to wade into the depth of our Lords Geneology there is not more use of the Stars of Heaven then there is of our Lords Ancestors who all shine like Stars in the holy Story Let no man think that his Geneology is condemned as Endlesse which the Spirit of endlesse Wisdome hath indited in his holy Volume But let all that hope for life know the Family of whom the Lord of life descended No Family in the World nor altogether match it therefore give glory to it The first fourteen Fathers of our Lord in Mat. 1. do abridge all the holy History from Gin 1â— to 1 King 1. The next fourteen do abridge all the Kings and Chronicles and all the Prophets except Aggi Zâ—chary Malachi Ezra Nehemah Esther and most of Daniel whose Chronology doth stop the mouth of the lying Heathen Chronologie The third fourteen doth abridge the last named Prophets with much of Daniel they make a Commentary for the honour of Zorobabels house for whom our Lord face on a fiery Throne to cast the Chaldeans Medo persians Macedonians and Sâ—leâ—co Lagidâ— into eternall flames that so Matthews last fourteen might have an heavenly glory to begin the new Testament for though their persons were base in the fight of the base World yet in the holy Angels account they were Kings of Heaven Dan 7.18 Japhets seven Sons and seven Nephews Gomer Magog Madai Javan Tubal Mesec Thiras Ashcanaz Riphath Togarmah Elishah Thaâ—shish Kittim Dodanim Chams Sons and Nephews Chush Sheba Havilah Sabbatha Regma Sabtecha Sheba Dedan Nimrod Milzraivn still translated Egypt Ludim Anamim Lehabiim Naphtuchim Pathrusim Castuchim Captorim Philistin Put. Chanaan Sidon Heth Iebusi Aemori Gargasi Hivi Arki Sini A vadi Zemari Hamatbi Sems Sons and Nephewes Elam Ashur Arphaxad Sela Heber Lud Vz Gether Aram Chul Mash Heber Peleg Regu Serug Nahor Terah Ioktan thirteen Sons Ioktans thirteen Sons Elmodad Shalaph Hazahmaneth Ierah Hadoram Vzal Diklah Obal Ahimael Sheba Ophir Hanilah Iohab It is thought the East and West Indians come of these of Ioktan because both of them as Learned say speak some Hebrew And the high God is doubtlesse laying a foundation of comfort
make entrance to the Attributes of Mercy Grace Patience loving kindnesse Consolation c. c. When men will conceale and hide their sins they labour to make themselves no better then Atheists Ezeck 9.10 Psal 86.14 and 94 7. First The Apostle saith thus of Gods Attributes of strength Do we provoke the Lord to anger are we stronger then he 1 Cor. 10. Jeremiah exhorteth not to glory in the wisdome strength and riches of this world which come to naught but in the wisdome strength and riches that may be found in the true knowledge of God Jeâ— 9.23.24 Job 22.25 Apot. 3.18 and make the comfortable expression of an incommunicable Attribute in Mal. 3.16 There is both terror and comfort in this Attribute the living God it is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God then it is a living wrath unto hypocrites that shall last to all eternity and observe how this is pressed by the Aopstle to the revolting Hebrewes despising the blood of the covenant and cleaving to the false Doctrine of the traditions of their Fathers Ebr. 10.1 Pet. 1.18 Moses pressed this upon the deceitefull hearts that were in Israel in his dayes But to the godly this title of living God is as comfortable for he is their living joy living consolation living peace living glory with God after this life and therefore while we live here let us meditate as David did Jehovah liveth and blessed be my Rock Psal 18.46 This was his comfort in all the stormes floods and windes that assaulted him in diverse tryalls as this Psalme and others shew he built on the Rock This Psalme is expounded of the Son of God who ruleth all Rom. 15.9 And he saith to his Disciples Joh. 14. Because I live yee shall live also lively stones built on him the living Rock this he said to them and to us because of the tryalls he foresaw would affront them It is well for us that Jehovah liveth Also observe how Moses dealeth in pressing his exhortations Deut. 7.9 Againe he is wise in heart and mighty in strength who ever hardned himselfe against him and prospered Job 9.4.3 When a man addresseth himselfe to prayer it is a ground of faith to begin with some Attribute and with all to remember some promise as is suitable to our petition this is an high poynt of Christian wisdome and piety the Saints have used so to doe Dan. 9.2.3.4 Rom. 15.5 Neh. 1.8 A man that hath not some knowledge of God in his attributes and faith concerning them cannot pray with that profit to his inner man as else he might do What man can pray as he ought to doe if he beleive not Gods emnipotency omnipresence and omnisciency and so of the other attributes above noted Oh what shall we say we are not able to order our speech concerning the attributes and works of God by reason of our darknesse Job 37.19 N. 12. Our God his titles c. Observe the sweet influences that some glorious starrs have yeilded which have risen in the horizon of a Church from the consideration of Gods attributes the RR Mr. Dod on Exo. 34. D. Preston and others oh we of little faith God wil set al his attributes on work for us his attributes are of unspeakable consolation to an holy soule so on the contrary they are of thundering terror to the Vessells of wrath and dishonor Psal 147.5.6 That worthy man though a private man Mr. Henry Church is worthy of joyfull memorial for his Miscellanea philo theologica speaking of the Attributes of God N. 12. they that know The holding of God by faith is better then our holding of him by reason God is able to do and doth exceeding abundantly above all that we can aske or thinke Gods name is as his nature is secret and not to be sought this may wonderfully strengthen faith for if God were not above and greater then our apprehensions he could not helpe us infinitely Eph. 3.29 and faith maketh a man to set too his seal that God is true faith giveth God the honour of all his properties and attributes Assur shall not save us we wil not ride upon horses neither will we say any more to the works of our hands ye are our gods for in thee the fatherlesse finde mercy Hos 14. Again it is said My defence is in God who saveth the upright in heart Ps 7. and 112.6 7.8 Prov. 3.26 In N. 13. They must not The mysticall Babylonians called the year 88. the climactericall year of the world and trusting to their vaine superstitions took the opportunity of that fatall yeare as they supposed utterly to overthrow the Church of God in England and the State there which before they could not do The Angell of the pit the false Prophet and all his deceived worshipers layd up all their hopes upon this years destiny But for Israels and Jesuâ—uns sake as against old Babylon God frustrated the tokens of the lyars and made the Diviners mad and turned the wise men backward and made their knowledge foolish For they as Balaam and Haâ—man could not prevaile with their inchantments and sorceries counsells neither could their Astrologers the star gazers the Monthly Prognosticators stand up save them from the miseries that came on themselves Foolish Idolaters mistake their Calculations and do not consider that the Eternall our holy one the creator of Israel our King hath made the Earth created man upon it and that his hand hath stretched out the Heavens and that he commandeth all their Hoasts for the service of his Redeemed It is hee that commandeth deliverances for Iacob Isa 44 45 47 Psal 44. Vi The thankfull remembrances of Gods mercies by the R.D. Carlton pag. 130. In N. 13. Sisera So again consider for the year 88. for by allusion the story of Sisera is Cited in Apoc. 16. to shew like events against Abaddons kingdome And while we make Christ our Judge our Statute maker and our King Hee will be Lord Admirall of our Seas that the Enemy shall not come with their ships against us they shall not strengthen their Mast nor spread their sailes c. He will save us Esa 33. Deut. 33.29 And see how he will make the creatures bustle for us in our distresse Psal 18.6.7 c. Psal 77.14 1 15.16 and 114.1 Sam. 2.10 God hath no portion in the world or any inheritance but his Church to which he will be a sun and sheild every man will plead for and defend his inheritance much more wil our Redeemer do it for his inheritance his Church and people Beloved Reader it is sayd This is life eternall that they know thee to be the only very God and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ Joh. 17.3 This first Chapter in some measure hath spoken concerning the knowledge of God Now all the rest of his booke doth endeavour to declare the knowledge of the sending of Jesus Christ and this knowledge should not be a
and profane Joh. 1.41 4.23 And the Jewes at that time commonly speaking Syriack spake the terme Messias and speaking Greek they uttered the Greek terme Christ so that as oft as we read the Greek terme we must remember the other Terme of the Hebrew or Syriack And all the Orthodox Churches in Christendome hold Messias here to be the Son of God our Redeemer vi Mr. Bro. on Daniell and in Advertisment pag. 33. Upon the verse 27. and halfe that seaven of this last seaven the first part is passed over in silence for a preparation the latter halfe doth Christ bestow in confirming the covenant for the Many beginning at his Baptisme ending at his death 3. Quest and Answ N. 1. As the motions of the Heavens The creation was made to serve the Son of Enosh Psal 8. so the revolution of the year all are his Servants Psal 119. lamed-part No Army is ordered more comely then the times in Gods word Dan. 10.1 And Gods people must learne to know that the times as well as the ceremonies and tipes teach of so they lead unto Christ for the Golden Chaine of times are fastned to famous Pillars as is prefixed to this Book N. 11. This prophecie was given Read Esai 44. 45. with Ezr. 1.1 2. concerning Cyrus his Letters Patents of building the Temple and City and returning the people But Cyâ—us going to war in Scythia was plagued for not leaving better order at home that his Letters Patents were not throughly executed for the good of Gods people and Cambyses Daâ—ius Hystaspis and Xerxes for questioning and damning the Patent felt Gods wrath and their Kingdomes Ezra 4. and 6.11 12 Est 1. trouble in Dan. Hyst court Ibid Sent the Jews home The blood of Gods Covenant in Christ sent them home as from Egypt so from Babel Zach. 9.11 Col. 1 20. the blood of the Covenant is our comfort in any disconsolate condition Ibid. That year with a most remarkable Proclamation over an hundred and twenty Provinces Then the Nations did hear of their demanding and enquiring of the way to Sion upon the hope of the Son of man his coming to shew the Kingdome of heaven to all Nations and to shake even the heaven of Moses policy Jer. 10.4 5. they presented Sion in the dust before glorious Babel and they then ought so to do but not now Psal 102.13 14. So Moses and all the Nobles of all ages Heb. 11.24 25 26 ye that have escaped the sword go away stand not still remember Jehovah a far off and let Jerusalem come into your mind Jer. 51.50 Psl 137.5 6. So all ye that have escaped mysticall Babylon go away stand not still remember Jehovah and let the glory of the heavenly Jerusalem come into your mind be ye separate be at a distance in all holy zeal still come out from among them touch nothing of theirs neither Laws nor their phrase nor apparrell make a covenant as Neh. 10. 2 Cor. 6.18 what if your name be put out as evil remember Isa 66. â— John 9.34 and 16.2 2 Cor. 6.17 No. 3. And seal that is confirm all the viâ—ons and Prophesies that he was the end all aimed at Among many Prophesies that might be related I will name now that of Jer. 31.22 The Lord hath created a new thing in the earth A woman shall compasse a man that is a woman Virgin The holy Spirit of Christ prosecuteth the foundation of Doctrine which he laid down in Moses of the blessed seed of the woman Gen. 3.15 and of Shiloh Gen. 49. that a tribe should not fail to Judah till Shiloh came Now Judah being in Babel and held captive the Prophet doth from the Lord comfort them that although they were in heavy calamities and much disconsolate Jer. 30 31.32 33. chapters yet Judah should return and have a policy to buy and sell and that Jerusalem and Temple should be built and the Cities of Iudah inhabited and that that New thing should be accomplished a woman Virgin shall compasse a man All promises were made in Christ and should be yea and amen in him to the glory of God And this is promised to be as sure as the heavens order that God would not fail of his promise he made to David and Israel although Salomons house and Kingdome were ended yea to all the elect from the beginning in sending Christ Iesus to be born of a Virgin and that in him the Church should have unspeakable consolation This made the people of God to be so refreshed as a man is by sweet sleep Ier. 31 26 But Ieremiah told them not nor any Prophet as yet How long Psal 64.9 that should be for the performance that was reserved for a more fit season when they were to come from Babel then they had the time told them by an angel from heaven which did much heighten their consolation wherein all comfort was promised by that glorious message of the angel concerning the Messias compassed by the woman-Virgin to perform all the promises visions and Prophesies by finishing and ending all sin-offerings and trespasse offerings and make by himself a reconciliation for iniquity and bring in everlasting righteousnesse by his perfect sacrifice once performed so by this Doctrine the godly were preserved and strengthened greatly in their faith and hope of Christs coming in this determined time And seing it is said Christ shall seal Vision and Prophet is taught that he shall restrain apostasie through preaching his glorious Gospel that they fall not away as the Jews did in that most grievous and almost universall revolt in and from the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes Dan 8 13. and 11 30 31 32. Our Lord Jesus Christ in his coming was the morning star and the SUN of Righteousnesse and his brightnesse did visit us as holy Zâ—chariah saith Luc. 1 7.8 For those times were most deplorable in corrupting all holy Doctrine as it was greatly darkened by these three Shepherds Zac. 11. concerning the holy Trinity the sons incoâ—nation his death and resurrection and concerning justification and all Moses polity as all the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth But the Lord Jesus and his Apostles from him made all clear again Also this Prophesie of the angel from heaven was wonderfull to the comfort of the people of God under their pressures by Persia Javan whole and Javan parted This Prophesie is marvellous if we consider the times Oh who is sufficient to expresse the things of Gods blessed word Ibid. N. 3. Everlasting righteousnesse The mentioning of everlasting righteousness justification redemption doth shew the Law made nothing perfect but was sponsorious and an introduction to a better hope in Christ for Christ by his own blood entered once through the vail that is his flesh into the holy place into the very heavens to appear now in the fight of God for us and obtained eternall Redemption Heb. 9. For it is not possible that the bloud of Bulls or Goats should take away sinne
Luke 17.20 and 19.11 and 23.51 Acts 2. John 1. they by Daniel looked the Kingdome of heaven should appear though most of them knew not in what manner through misunderstanding of the Scriptures Acts 13.27 Luke 24.21 Their false Teachers had greatly clouded all holy Doctrine Quest 6. and Answer That did hate and cruelly mock Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth since their peregrination In Egypt Ier 2 1.3 Ezek. 23.3 may Israel now say Ps 129 yea the Church may say this from the first to the last It began in blood and hath grown up by blood and shall end in blood as it was redeemed by blood Let the godly when they come to the Lords Supper think on this and ever prepare for trialls and take up the crosse Qu. 7. and Ans And to speak stout and wearisome words Apostasie from Gabriels holy Doctrine Dan. 8. and 9. and 11.12 chapters consider Judahs manners in profaness adultery perjury violence c. In brief for not remembring the Gospel-Law that Christ gave in Horeh for all Israel Mal. 4. These things shew that they shall cease to be of the holy City for this diligently read Haggai Zachariah and Malachi Ibid. Great oppugners of all Gabriels heavenly Message They were zealous Ministers of traditions mens precepts and bodily exercise they were serious in trifles and trifled in serious things The frame of spirit of all superstitious hypocrites Col. 2. They made false glosses on the holy Text and great enemies to the Gospel c. They are followed step by step of the Popish faction and their friends But those that love the shining glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ will abhor to be like such hypocrites that do all to be seen of men that care for nothing but pompous out-sides and bodily exercise opus ex ernum operatum yet mannaged with great shews of humility with great shew of wisdome and great shews of zeal and neglecting the body and defended by Pharisaicall and Locust-Scorpion cruelty and by cogging and dice-play Doctrine in all craftinesse Eph. 4. Such did and do hold Christ and his Doctrine Anathema It was ever so with the seed of the serpent ever since God spake Gen. 13.15 and so it will be to the end Mark what the Christ the angel of Gods presence said of old And if ye shall despise my statutes or if your soul abhor my judgements so that ye will not do all my commandements but that ye break my covenant Levit. 26.15 Deut. 7.10 and repayeth them that hate him Observe what Malachi saith that Christ will be refiners fire and Fullers sope to the three Shepherds whose soul abhorred Christ and their Doctrine which he was in Mat 5 6 and 7. chapters and chap. 23. and so he was to the Churches of Asia Apoc. 2 and 3. and in all other by his apostles and so to this day he is to all traditionists c. Quest 8. and Answer And thought upon his name to glorifie them The four beasts successively afflicted the people of God yet observe what is said for their consolation Dan 7.18 That although the beasts shall take away the earthly Kingdome of the Saints of the most high Ones the holy Trinity yet they shall possesse the Kingdome for ever yea for ever and ever The losse of the one is the enjoyment of the other So all that follow their faith are said to be partakers of their inheritance in light Col 1.12 Psal 36.5 with this note consider the former notes of the immortall State of the faithfull them in heaven and the family of heaven Ephes 1.10 and 3.15 Quest 9. and Answer hanged that Courtier and Favourite Haman Let fawning and flattering Courtiers that have a secret sting against the godly and wayes of holinesse remember this man their predecessour and likewise Doeg that mischievous and deceitfull tongue Achitophel that acute oracle of counsell Shebna the Treasurer a fautor of atheisme and all debauched courses Isa 22. and those Princes and Presidents that could find no quarrell against gracious Daniel but for the Law of his God And those Deputies that by plausible pretences lies and slanders did insinuate into the hearts of the Kings of Persia to damn the glorious Letters Patents of Cyrus King of Persia and those counsellours that were pensioners to hinder the Gospel Ezra 4. And those Courtiers that would have the King to put Jeremiah to death for preaching the word truly and at last put him into aâ—miry dungeon c. Now that you may see Christ rules in Princes Courts in the midst of his enemies he rooted out Doeg Psal 52. Achitophel seeing his projects took not hanged himself Shebna was banished and a godly officer substituted in his place And for those Princes and Presidents we see their sudden destruction Dan. 6. consider Ps 9 10. The sword famine and pestilence met with Jeremiahs accusers And as wrath came from the fierie Throne upon the Kings of Persia so it fell we may be sure on their creatures Dan. 7. Ibid. Had no right nor portion c. That speech of the truly Noble Nehemiah that famous godly and honourable Courtier is full of piercing terrour and a brave contestation to affront the stoutest stomacks that hinder the welfare of Sion And these Texts will further explain it Phil. 3.2.3 4 Eph. 2.10 11 12. Jer. 10.16 Apo. 12.14 15 19. if no porttion among that part of Gods family on earth then no portion with the other part of the family in the heavens Ibid. Ierusalems polity Nehemiah genealogized the people that none but of the true faith and posterity of Abraham might dwell in the holy City or have communion with them in holy things Neb. 9.2 so they were genealogized in the Lambs book of Life that are Citizens with the Saints in the Ierusalem that is above Apoc. 3.12 and chap. 7. and 21. Heb. 12.23 Psal 87. But the unclean in faith or life are shut out Neh. 6.63 64 65. Ezek. 13.9 Apoc. 20. and 12. Isa 4 3 Let every man know if he will enter into life he must shew his genealogic Iohn 3. 1. c. 1 Iohn 3. Tiâ— 3. Many Gentlemen glory much if they can derive their genealogie from Ancestors from or beyond the conquest of England by King William which it may be they and their Ancestours had little in them worthy of commendation But never think of any of these things in Gods Book especially of the Genealogle of our Lord Iesus Christ who became man to adopt us the sons of God If Nobility and Gentry could shew that they follow in regeneration the steps of faith and holinesse of the ancient Patriarks Prophets and Apostles then it were glorious whereas all their lineall succession is but vanity being inflamed with idolatrous and superstitious lasciviousnesse and following Cains ways What eared Isaiah Ezekiel Iohn Baptist Our Lord when the Iews boasted of Abraham that they came of him Isa 57.3 Ezek. 16.3 Iohn
This is against the Divos and Divas of the New Empire of Holinesse in title They had and have Patrons and Patâ—onesses of Countries Cities Houses Cattels Trades c. as the old heathen As the covenant of God in Christ was the same in the old and New Testament onely the outward administration changed so the idolatry is the same onely the names and administration changed putting a new face on things But the Lord Jesus Christ is the head and all things are put under his feet Psal 8. and he ruleth all for the comfort of his redeemed All things were created by Him and for Him See for one trade or handicraft of great use in the world what is said Esa 54.16 17. and as the Smith may be an enemy yet he is further incouraged by Counsellors and men of State who sit and conspire against the Lord and his People the Saints by slanders and lies and false suggestions c. But Christ over rules the trade and Counsel of the Smith Vul-kain was the God of Smiths to thâ— Heathens a Clement a titulary Saint to the Papists The Jews from heathens had Citic-gods Ier. 2. so Vigilins was the tutelary Saint of the valley of Trent Hist Council Trent lib. 2. But when the Saints held the faith sincere see their holy protestation Psal 46. 48. 127. and well they might so protest upon the promise Exo. 34.23 24. And who hath been the Redeemer and Protector of England not tabulous St. George from the people of that cursed Kingdom of the Beast in all those treasons and invasions of theirs specially in eighty eight and one thousand six hundred and five The eternal God hath been our refuge his everlasting arms have been under us he hath been the Shield of our help and the Sword of our glory But we may now sear the Scripture of Deuteronomy 31.16 17. c. will be fulfilled in our nation and that we nor our children shall see such seventy six years of the Gospel with such protection peace plenty riches honour victory and all prosperity as leâ—emy 13.11 ah our glory is departing N. 4. The Spirit of some Christian Emperours but in after times Princes had not that love to the truth for Emperoâ—rs strife was with the Popes for authority little or nothing for Divinity And so alass to this day men would never search Gods word the wealthy and Principal of State but remit that over unto others as a base work for themselves to regard whereby God then and now doth cast of the world and hence it was that subjects in Parliament ever stood greatly for their own liberties but for the sincerity liberty and power of Christs ordinances they never so contended wherefore he chastised them and will still in causing their Liberties to be infringed and their Land-markes to be removed N. 5. The spirituall supremacy Heresin pestileâ—issimam vid. Mr. Cade justif lib. 1.53 The mystery of iniquity did not simply consist in Superiority But the B. B. and D. D. not holding sincerity to the Head and Foundation Christ Iesus inventing each his opinions and superstitions drawing disciples after them And they would be angry c. if they were not believed and obeyed because that they did was not without a shew of wisdome and Holinesse Col. 2.16 18 23 and this went on by degrees from age to age till all iniquitiâ— was perfected in the Pontificalitie Cade Iustif lib. 2.57 lib. 1.31 Corruptions began even from the Apostles times But the Papal authoâ—ity chiefly corrupted and darkned the glory and honour of Christs kingnome in all things It corrupteth the written word the Seals of the covenant the Ministery of Christs ordination and the Censures c. Therefore the warning of the Spirit must prevail with Gods people to remember the commandments and words of the Apostles that is their doctrine the Pattern of wholesome words All learned in things controverted concerning the Worship of God or any doctrine should have recourse to the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles for definitive sentence not to Fathers and Councils nay not to the best reformed churches Therefore of old it was said To the-Law and to the Yeslimony Esay 8. and also it is said He that knâ—wâ—th God heareth us 1 John 4. But man born a wild asse-colt would be self-wise And we naturally bear in us an onimious minde to Gods revelation ever since our first parents hearkned to Satan Gen. 3. Oh cursed corrupted nature that is now more ready to follow man or devil then the Son of God Christ Iesus the second Adam Christ is wonderfull tender of his own ordinances he is nice touchy and jealous this maketh our corruption fret vex and fling and to hate Christ Exod. 20. thinking him to be too curious as Kain Gen. 4. because his own commanded or dinances is our rule and him to be worshipped in them with-all the minde all the soul all the strength all the understanding even all our all 's And an honest heart will say as the Saints have said Thy 〈◊〉 dis very pure therefore thy Servant lâ—veth it a gain I hate vain inventions but thy law do I love Psalm 119. An holy soul is as scrupulous as jealous as nice as Gods is It is impossible but he should be so in the regenerate part and he will not speak in thought that Gods commandements are burdensome but unbelievers and superstitious hypocrites and masters of traditions in a raging and fretting mood they are so alwaies called Christs ordinances bands and cords Psalm 2. Quest 7. and Answ With worldly wisdom pomp ambition c. Mr. White way to the true Church pa. 140. Mr. Cade justif lib. 2.256 257 c. Wretched and unlearned Scholars turned all the doctrine of God to ambition and tyranny superstition and heresie Politicians to profanenesse In those daies and after the sweet influences of comforting aires and windes of wholesome doctrine was with held and did weakly breath in the church and shortly turned to hellish smoke out of the pit Apoc. 9. But the sealed of God in all ages Christ took care of Then was fulfilled that which was prophecied The time will come when they will not suffer wholesome doctrine or healing doctrine but having sore ears after their own lusts shall beap to themselves teachers and shall turn their cars from the truth and shall be given unto sables 2 Tim 4. Acts 20.30 Then they became naked of holy truths Apoc. 16.15 The second Adam and his doctrine is the garment with which our inner man is bravely clothed Romans 13.14 Ephestans 4.20 21. Apocalyps 3.18 Ezekiel 16. Quest 8 and answ Nâ—t Christ the Lamb slain cast fire on the earth the seven Trumpers sound the mischiefs that wicked apostate Rome should cause consider Psalm 110 for their robellion against the true Mâ—lchâ—zedecks kingdome and sacrifice-hood Iude 11. Ibid. as preparations to the first Trumpet The mystery of iniquity was working from the Apostles times and men successively
that sheweth the Pontificality revived the wounded head of the Caesarian Pontifex Quest 13 and Answer what is meant by the ten horns of the spotted beast Ten Tribes followed Ieroboam the Man of Sin Ten Kingdomes followed King Abaddon the Man of Sinne Ten Tribes rebelled against the Kingdome of David and the Religion of the Temple Ten Kingdomes under the Papacy despised the Kingdome of the Son of David and the holy Temple in the heavenly Jerusalem Steuchus a mysticall Babylonian recordeth the Kingdomes of Europe that gave their power to the Beast 1. Spain and Portugall 2. Hungaria 3. Great Brittany 4. Denmark 5. Râ—ssia 6. Croatia and Dalmatia 7. Arragon 8 â—ohenna 9. Suevia and Nornegia 10. Dacia These paid Tribute to the Pope Quest 14. and answ By mystiall allusions to Countries and Cities to Sodome for filthinesse no sin so vile but it reigns in an Apostate Church so it reigns in Abolah and Aholibab Ezek. 23. are said to do worse than the heathens before them to transcend in excesse of impieties Sodom and Gomorrba The apostate State of King Abaddon became the mother of Harlots and all abominations of the earth Christ his holy Gospel is cords and bands post and rail to mans corrupt nature but that taken away men do degenerate into all profanesse Ibid. That our Lord was crucified As long as we protest in the Symbolon of our faith that the eternal Son the Lord of glory was crucified by Pontius Pilate Rome must be held accursedâ— The Pontificality doth not take away the curse but continues it because it revived the wounded head and doth as it did persecuring Christ in his witnesses Them that keep the Commandements of God and the faith of JESUS CHRIST Ibid. called Sodome and Egypt The former be stamps of the latter it is said I am Iehovah thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage This is a Preface to all the Commandements so the same must be a reason to all the Israel of God to walk with God for bringing us out of Rome-Egypt out of that house of cruell bondage Look what cause Lot had to be thankfull for saving him from Sodoms destruction such cause have we for being delivered from Rome-Sodome and what cause of thankfulinesse and praise Israel had for deliverance from Egypt and Babylon such have we for that great and marvellous deliverance from Rome-Egypt and Rome Babilon All those Psalms of praise wherein deliverance from Egypt is mentioned must be sang of us for Rome-Egypt and the holy Spirit teacheth us so to do Apoc 15.3 19.1 All the faithfull under the new Testament are the Israel of God Gal. 6 Note this by the way if we under the new Testament are under a Covenant of grace then was Israel of old under a Covenant of grace for we fing their songs Observe the note in chap. and page infra Again consider is Rome called Egypt What shame should cover those apostate mouths and faces that say there is little or no difference and an easie reconciliation may be made between the faith of the Church of England and the Romane What an apostaticall slander is that to our Vine and vine-dressers that our God brought forth of mysticall Egypt yea to our Princes and Parliament in all their Statutes that they made against the people of that cursed religion when as manifest a difference God hath made as of old he did between old Egypt and Israel Exod. 8.22 23. and 10 23. c. as the RR FF D.D. D. Jewel D. Abbot D. Fulk D. Carlton D. Reynolds D. â—â—hitakers Mr. Perkins and all our worthies have demonstrated See also Mr. white way to the true Church who wrote most whitely the Epistle dedicatory and the Epistle to the Render But very like none of all these neither Princes nor Parliaments Books of Controversies Teachers and Laws understood what is Popery properly so called as Bishop Lawa saith in a book of his But for all their plotting the old enmity shall never be reconciled while light and darknesse continue God hath put the enmity Gen. 3.15 What will ye reconcile the Kingdome of Christ and the Kingdome of Abaddon of Satans darknesse goodly dayes men thou thinkest saith God that I am like to thee Psal 50. These umpires forsooth will make Christ yeeld something yea any thing on his part and the false Lamb must yeeld something on his part and so our Atheisticall hearts think a good end is made There was a time when our Laud said No peace with Rome What a spirit of slumber and giddinesse hath covered our Seers Christ was angry of old for these sins of his sons and of his daughters halting between two opinions And thirdly is Rome called Egypt then the Magistrate must not bring the people of Israel back to Egypt nor go to Egypt for horses or any help Deut. 17. Accursed be their project that by fair speeches and plausible pretenses but indeed speaking lies through hypocrisie do insinuare to corrupt the breasts of Princes to reduce their people into Rome-Egypts bondage Judah is blamed for these projects Isa 30. 31. Most of the stories of old Egypt and Babylon must mind us of their allusions Note two things 1. Israel doted on the Egyptians and Babylonians their lovers traversing projects with them Jer. 2. Ezeck 16. But Christ befooled their doings that these nations were their plague and ruine 2. A deal of profanenesse oppression and much wickednesse they brought from Babel as Ezra Nehemiah and Zachary do shew Let all true English hearts that love Christ and his Gospel and their native Countrey greatly humble their souls and pray that the Ephah of wickednesse Zac. 5.6 may be carried unto its own place into the Land of mysticall Babylon O heavens be astonied at our 2 evils Ah Lord God what iniquity do we find in thee what iniquity is in thy ordinances thy commandements thy Gospel thy true Christian servants all which now are reputed vile mean and as anathema but thou hast not been to us in these a wildernesse or a Land of darknesse but a God of glory riches honour plenty victory and protection from those accursed of that cursed Religion of the breaden God O unthankfull Nation Let our souls weep in secret Quest 15. N. 1. Antichrist And what if the title Antichrist â—e not totidem literis attributed to the Pontificality yet if the other titles are to be applied to it then this is truly predicated of that Corporation must not he be the Antichrist can we think a worse to come for persecuting them that held the testimony of JESUS and for cleaving to the word of God Apocalips chap. 13.12 Ibid. N. 2. I am a God on earth Like the proud Prince of Tyrus Ezek. 28 2. But that Tyrian God was not a God but a man in the hand of him that killed him The holy Spirit hath phrases from Tyrus its destruction to shew how the Lord
God will render the mysticall Tyrian god his strength his glory and his Gammadims and all that love his merchandise a thrice execrable terrour and make them die the death of the unbaptised and settle glory in the true Church the Land of the living Jehovah of hosts hath purposed and let us believe it to stain the pride of all glory read Ezâ—k 26. 27. 28. Isa 23.9 Apoc 18. Consider like revolutions and how the former be stamps of the latter Ungodly Princes and men of place have proud thoughts and think themselves some Deity This comes from the old Adam to whom Satan said Ye shall be as gods Gen. 3. CHAP. XVI With Questions Answers and Annotations Proving that the mystery of iniquity begun to get head from Constantines time QUest 1. and Answ How long was it before the mysterie of iniquity came to the full Answer 1. From Constantines time Ecclesiasticall Teachers were never quiet but still aspired after Supremacy and drew Princes to their factions till 600 years after Christ then about that time Boniface the third Pope of Rome obtained by the help of the murderer Phocas to be called universall Bishop And this universall Supremacy did so increase untill the tenth Century that then Satan was let loose every where and few Martyrs and Confessours were found to hold the Testimonie of Christ sincerely and constantly The Locusts and their King Abaddon had so obscured Sun and air the office of Christ * The holy Bible tho aire to see Christ and Law by which we see him and prevailed in the world by all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse among them that perish because they received not the love of the truth in the holy and blessed Scriptures 2. Note that the Pontificiality continued in that heighth of Supremacy to about the 13th and 14th and 15th Century All which time it was and is still upheld by Rebellion treasonable and cruel practises unsatiable Covetousnesse and ambition and by speaking lies through hypocrisie and by strong delusions in false Doctrine concerning the holy Scriptures Latine-service the attained Supremacy images perjury covenant-breaking urging unlawfull oaths and killing of Kings giving Dispenlations for incestuous marriages dissolving one to contract another and all for Popish interests to shore up their tottering Babylon c. And also their Index Expurgatorius corrupting all good ancient authours and their own Modern yea sleighting with great contempt the worthy (a) M. cade Justiâ— â—ib 1 p 48. Mr. White way c. 323. all that 47. digression ancient fathers calling them Hereticks lyars orroneous instead of the great things of Gods Law they obtruded their lying Legends c. Mind also their detestation of the thoughts of any Reformation either of Doctrine and manners c. c. c. 3. Oh the abominations of that apostate Church Oh the intricate and investigable paths the flatteries (b) But her steps are not as her lips Prov. 5.3 4 5. Rom. 16.18 smoothnesse and fairnesse of speech pleasurable delights of eyes and ears c. clamourous and impudent subtilties lies and slanders formall pretences of palliated holinesse and outward strength and glory of that great whore enchanting and merchandising the Kings of the earth and the Nations all which that Church yet mannaged with a secret Scorpion-like stinging terrour in their Legates and Emissaries Bulls and Breves c. 4. What pen can delineate the miseries of the Christian-world when and after the polity of Apolluon became a perfect mountain of fire and that specially appeared in the deepnesse of Satan when he drew all the West for 200 years into those calamitous and superstitious Warres the 11. and 12. Centuries for the Low Jerusalem that all the force of the Kings and Princes of the West was weakened to be under the Pontificality In those dayes was the Jerusalem from heaven the holy and beloved City of Christians besieged as if old Gog and Magog were alive and still the Papacy will fight against it till Michael the mighty angel of the Covenant our Lord JESUS CHRIST utter the seven Thunders of his power under the * They shall feel unawares the power of Christ the seventh Trumpet as Jericho felt the seventh day the seven Trumpets seventh Trumpet and the seventh Phiall against Abaddons Kingdome to give the enemie a finall destruction QUest 2. What is that you call the mysterie of iniquity Answer It is the spirituall Supremacy of the Pontificalitie that the Sea and Church of Rome onely with the Head thereof is the oracle of the world and of infallible judgement and cannot erre and that therefore all States and Churches as children must be subject to him the Head and to her as Mother †As old Babylon said I shall be a Lady for ever so mysticall Babylon saith she sits as Queen Their wisdome and their knowledge perverted them Isa 47. Apoc. 13. Queen and Mistris And this is the faith of its Corporation which also hath through the transformation of Satan into an angel of light some points of truth conjoyned but exceedingly defiled and over clouded with worldly decrees and humane devices heresies and blasphemies which in conclusion contradict and overthrow the truths they hold and renders their polity execrable to the Saints and their King the holy one of Israel QUest 3. Who were followers of the King of the Pit-darknesse and Pit-bred Locusts that revived the Empire Answer Kings and peoples and multitudes and Nations and kindreds and tongues small and great rich and poore bond and free who wondered at the glorious rising and standing of this new kind of Govenour and government This Corporation of the Papacie the Locusts and other mysticall Babylonians fitly enough call the Romane Catholick Church But the First and the Last the faithfull and true Witnesse teacheth to call it the Kingdome of the Beast The annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the sixteenth Chapter QVest 1. and Answer N. 1. Vntill the tenth Century 1000 years there were Churches and many godly that did reign with and live the life of Christ Apoc. 10.6 But the tenth Centurie reckoning from the Apostle Iohns death Rome the cause of fall to all and then the State of the Church or a great part was a dead State being wonderfully estranged from the testimony of JESUS and the word of God the onely mean of the first Resurrection Ibid. N. 1. Among them that perish Those in the Book of life and the sealed of God the Locusts did not hurt but others turning their ears from the truth were given unto Fables 2 Tim. 4. This Spirituall judgement was on Israel Isa 29 9. A gainsaying people shall be hardened and given up to their own hearts lusts Rom. 10.11 Psal 81. N. 2. Vnsatiable Coveteousnesse Unsatiable covetousnesse and ambition introduced many corruptions in Doctrine as it was foretold the love of money the root of all evil and makes men erre from the faith and a godly life 1
Tribes of Israel The Providences of Christ in a constant progresse of the holy story made this promise good to the ending of the Seventy Sevens Then was the Period of Israels peculiar glory CHAP. XXII Expounding Zac. 12.10 11 12 13 14. Verses 1. ZAchâ—riah sheweth how the faithfull should mourne for the sins of the times every godly Family cheifly them of Davids progenie of the Family of Nathan Solomons Brother by Bathâ—hebah of whom our Lord lineally ascended As also of the godly of the Tribe of Levi and all the godly Families that did remaine for then to them was the blessed Fountaine for sin and uncleanesse opened And our godly translators doe confer Act. 2. in the 3000. converted by Peters Sermon to be an History to this Prophesie And Act. 1.14 is fitly to be conferred for their godly private exercises 2. Also we must diligently observe how John Elias the fore-runner to Christ by his powerfull Ministry did turne the heart of the Fathers to the children and the children to hearken to the wisdome of their godly Teachers that the evill Spirits of the three Shepheards and their Doctrine was much quailed and were made ashamed of their evil wayes And our Lord Jesus Christ the great Apostle from Heaven coming after Iohn Baptist he brought his Fanne of holy Doctrine in his hand and by his holy Spirit separating the chaffe of persons and Doctrine in wonderfull manner as in Mat. 5 6 7. chapters and at other times which Sermons of Christ made them rage against him and were never quiet laying snares still for him till they had his life And when they had smitten this blessed Shepheard and destroyed the Temple of his precious Man-hood he raised it againe and gloriously ascended Then afterward the Lord Christ gave a mouth and wisdome to his holy Disciples and Apostles that all false Doctrine and all Worldly wisdome of Satans Kingdome fell like Dagon before them All their idols of the Doctrines of justification ex opere operato bodily exercise and their Traditions of their Abotheru and the Sadducisme of the Sadducies and other errors among them All these idols of theirs and the Heathens were famished and so perished Zeph. 2.11 3. That Doctrine of Justification of bodily exercise was the great controversie of those dayes and it was their idoll and vanity as Deut. 32. compared with Rom. 10. that idoll cleaving to the letter made them despise MESSIAS their King whose most precious obedience through his manifold sufferings made his death a most acceptable Sacrifice and so it was the end of the Law for justification to every one that beleiveth and by him all that beleive are justified from their sins guilt and punishment Moses Doctrine given by Christ taught the sure mercies Act. 13. Deut. 30. Such an idol it was and is that it hath cast off the Jewes to this day For by it they despised the Son of God and his justification which the bodily exercise of all the Law of Moses could not doe And that they might not think of justification by bodily exercise from the Temples worships Christ destroyed City and holy Place to this day who brought to us by his once offering up of himselfe to an everlasting Righteousnesse or Iustification 4. After the Jewes had rejected the corner-Stone their King for Caesar many heavy and unexpressable sorrows came upon the Jewes and Jerusalem continually untill by the Roman power Titus Vespasian who came against Jerusalem took the City rifled the Houses and the uncleane infidell Souldiers ravished the women slaughtered multitudes and carryed may thousands of Iewes Captives and sold many numbers of them for Slaves All this came to passe about forty years after our Lords ascention Our Lord sitting on Mount Olivet and beholding the City told these things of Zachariah Ch. 14.1 3 4 to his Disciples Mat. 14. Luc. 19. 21. 5. And the Apostle as a Prophet Act. 13.40 41 1. Thes 2.16 Ebr 6 8. 10.26 27 28 29 30. Act. 13. threatned by allusion Hâ—bb thicks prophesy against them noted before that as the Chaldean had done the Romans should execute further and greater wrath upon them even wrath to the utmost And so the Apostle had told the revolting Hebrewes that they and their Nation would be Bryars and Thornes and must look for violent fire to consume them Moses and David fore-saw all these evils Deut. 32.22 2 Sam. 23. Then the corner Stone which the Builders refused fell on them and bruised them to powder 6. The Prophet Zachariah having spoken of the dâ—struction of the Low Jerusalem makes this transition to speak by way of b Jer. 31.38 39. Is literally propheticall and performed in Nehem 3. but this of Zac. 14.6 is allegoricall see Tremel on Zach. 14.10 c. allegory of the building and setting up of the High Jerusalem As by the returned from Babel Jerusalem was builded from Benjamins Gate c. so sure shall the Heavenly Jerusalem be builded notwithstanding all oppositions of Enemies And whereas it is said Zac. 14. Jerusalem shall be inhabited in her own place it is to be understood that the Heavenly Jerusalem should begin to be builded in the Earthly as it was fittest Thence the Law went forth of Sion and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem then the Mountaine of the Lords House was lifted above all Mountaines and all Nations ftowed unto it to build on that Mountaine and this promised blessing was performed before Salem was abolished and the word of the Lord did not faile that Iapheth must have religion from Some Tents 7. There were skilfull Master-Builders at Salem the Fishers of Galilet and the other Apostles with others to the number of six score and five thousand after which with the Physitian of Antiâ—ch and the Tent-Maker of Tâ—rsus that might carry the healing and wholsome b Our Lord in his Apoc. 21. expounds Zach. 14. Ezek. 47. For these waters that run thorough the streets of the Heavenly Jerusalem and no better waters shall â—ver come among us then what the holy Prophets and Apostles have let us in their most sweet and blessed writings Let us beware of deceitfull opinions of new Apostles and new Revelations waters of holy Doctrine to the uttermost parts of the Earth Oh how wonderfull and un-utterable was the glory of Christ in and by them that he was King over all the Earth that as the Apostle saith God was not the God of the Iewes only but of the Gentiles also Rom. 3. 8. Zac. 14.12 sheweth that all montanous opposions could not hinder the building of this Heavenly Ierusalem this City was lifted in glory and did and doth abide notwitstanding all the wrestlings of the misbeleiving and unbeleiving Iewes and the Roman Empire against it And all that fought against his Holy City both the Caesars the old Pontificality the sixth head of the Roman Beast afflicting the Church and the new Pontificality the Papacy the seventh Head and Turke
afterward found great severity of thundring wrath and terrour of most bitter plagues as if their filthy flesh rotted from their bones and their idolatrous and adulterous eyes did consume in their holes and their blasphemous tongues in their mouths 9. And the Lord MESSIAS to whom the Father of Heaven had committed all authority and power raised tumults among them first on the Iewes then on the Caesars Augusti and their people in most fearfull manner That the Caesars and their Assassines had death and a gulph and grave of destruction by intestine garboiles in their Armies destroying one another for three hundred years the six seals do also shew this in Ap. 90 Ap. 6. 10. Zach. 14.16 When the Heavenly Ierusalem was builded on twelve precious Foundations all of precious Iewels the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine b These are the same waters Ezekiel speaks of that came from the Temple Ezek. 47. and Christ JeAsue expounds Zac. and Ezek. in Apoc. 21. 22. then those holy waters as is noted of healing Doctrine issued and had free course into all quarters under Heaven East West North and South and every quarter had three Gates into the City And the godly in all times of the New Testament did flee like Doves to nestle in this City they came to it b Constantly continually from mouth to mouth c. Esai 66.23 these are allegoricall expressions anniversarily to keep the Feast of Tabernacles And the Apoc. 7. is an Historicall prophesie that 144000. of Israel the twelve Tribes that held the faith and an innumerable company of all Nations come to this City to blesse and praise * All Nations did blesse him as they were in him Psal 72.17 Gen. 12.1 2 3. the Eternall Son of God who did Tabernacle or Temple in our nature for 〈◊〉 â—edemption and when they came they brought Palme-Branches in their hands crying Hosanna Salvation to our God that sâ—â—teth on the Thorne and to the LAMBE for evermore 11. And they that will not come to the Feast of Tabernacles to serve Christ Iesus the true Tabernacle or Temple in his holy Assemblies in this his Ierusalem they shall have no Raine to moisten their dry and barren hearts They shall not know what meanes the Dewes that fall on Mount Hermon and the sweet small Raine that distilleth on the Holy Mount aine of Sion Apoc. 14.1 All the Gentiles that will not yeild obedience to the faith of the Gospell Christ will bring upon them positive and privative plagues as the stories of the Church shew this in all the Centuries in all Countries 12. And because Christ Iesus our Lord hath made us Kings and Sacrificers to God his Father Holinesse to Jehovah which was graven on the front place of the high Sacrificer shall be written on the Horse Bridles and on every Pot in the Heavenly Ierusalem thus Zachariah as Dan. 9. Esai 66. sheweth an utter abrogation of the Ceremonies of Moses Chanaan City Temple and worships 13. And let this be noted that the holy Apostles expounding the Prophets never taught the Saints that ever they should expect any outward glory to returne to Chanaan City Temple or Kingdome but taught them of the Heavenly Iâ—â—usalem and therein the Lord God of Hosts the Lambe to be the Temple and the holy worship to be cheâ—fly spirituall prayer to be every where in lifting up pure hands and hearts in all godly qualifications as our Lord Messiaâ— told the woman of Samaâ—ia Ioh. 4. 14. And therefore the Apostle Peter the Apostle of the circumcision taught the scattered Tribes of Israel in Pontus Asia Galatia Bithinia Capadocia and Chaldea of the Heavenly inheritance that fadeth not as Canaan and that themselves were lively Stones in the spirituall building to be an holy Preist-hood to offer up spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Iesus Christ the true Temple And that they that were and had been for many dayes Lo-ammi and Lo â—uchamah Hos 1. 3. were now by the glorious Gospell made Gods people and had obtained mercy and pity and warnes them that they be not as their Fathers to stumble at Christ and his Doctrine And further instructs them that the Prophesiâ—s which they so looked to be fulfilled in an outward manner were not to be taken properly and literally as Ezikiels Land City and Temple is taken to this day of the Jewes in propriety of spâ—ach that Peter blameth And the teaching otherwise was damnable heresie and a denying of Christ Jesus as the Apostle said of Circumcision Gal. 5.2 3 4 as experience also tels us these fifteen hundred years And therefore let Teachers beware how they harden Jewes in their idolâ— and vanity Solomons Kingdome was shaken but we receive a Kingdome that cannot be shaken the Low Jerusalem was destroyed but the Heavenly City cannot The Preist hood of Levi is passed away but Christs Preist-hood abideth for ever c. and we crosse all the Doctrine of Christs new Testament to plead any more for Terrestials Chap. XXIII Expounding Zach. 12 10 11 12 13 14. Zach. 14.10 11 c. SECT I. It is objâ—cted that Zac. 12.10 11 12 13 14. is not fulfilled AND I will poure upon the House of David and upon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of grace and supplications and they shall look upon me whom they have peâ—rced and they shall mourne for him as one mourneth for his only Son c. and the Family of the House of David and Nathan shall mourne and the House of Levi and the Family of Sbimei shall mourne 1. I think Act. 1.14 is an History to the prophesie for Davids House †The Apostles argument is strong that although must did not mourne yet the saith â—ulnesse of God is not without effect and God had not cast off all the Apostle reasons from himselfe as if there should not have been no more then himselfe Rom. 3. 11.1 2 3. but in the Acts there were five thousand and more and in â—erusalem suâ—â—ly the faithfull are but a little stock these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the Mother of IESUS and with his Brethren In this company was some of the House of David and some of the Family of Nathan and some of the House of Levi for it is said a great company of the Preists were subject to the faith Act. 6. and Baâ—nabas a Levite became a gracious Son of consolation to the Church And that the Lord powred on the inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of his grace and supplications is historied in Acts ch 2.37 and many more afterwards ch 4. and in after times of every Tribe twelve thousand Apoc. 7. 2. I doubt not but when the Iewes be hereafter called according to Rom. 11. they will mourn for their own sins and for the sins of their fore Fathers but we must stick to propriety unlesse it opposeth the analogic of faith in other Scriptures that so we may
righteousness But they could not call JESUS the Lord but held him his Kingdome his doctrine and his disciples anathema as of old they did Esay 8.18 chap. 65.5 66.5 all John 9. N. 10. In the steps of the faith of our Father Abraham There are many that do not walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham as the Anabaptist that saith infants of believing parents are not in the covenant of God in Christ and so ought not to have the seal conferred on them therefore they do not administer the seal but scoff at it as Patience did in New England Now see Abrahams faith He did not only believe that the children that came of Israel were in the covenant of God in Christ but he believed the same touching the infants of the Gentiles therefore in testimony of his faith he circumcised his house the same day the covenant and promise was renewed to him Gen 17. And all the tribes to our Lords dayes did observe circumcision And the promise is sure to all the seed of whom Abraham is a Father not only to that seed that is circumcised but also to them of the Gentiles that are uncircumcised for he is said to be the Father of us all according to that which was spoken to him That he should be the father of many nations Therefore the Anabaptist is far from walking in the steps of the faith of Abraham and they run into sad uncomfortable errours First They deny God to be the God of infants having no right nor portion in the covenant Secondly If infants be not in the covenant of God in Christ they shal not be partakers of the better resurrection O ye parents consider it Thirdly They will not present them to Christ in his ordinances that he should teach them what is this but a dedication of their infants to Moloch to the divel to be devoured Whereas the godly parent hath great comfort that if the children of Idolatrous parents were born to God God so accounts in respect of his covenant Ezek. 16.20 how much more have godly parents comfort that their children are born to God Let the Apostles reasoning Rom. 4.16 17. to the end of the chapter be throughly minded and let Gods people observe providences whether many of the Anabaptists do not turn to Sadducism denying the resurrection or as vile opinions for it hath been observed not without cause that Anabaptistry is a cloke of all filthiness and our times have found it to be so Surely they that are of the faith of Abraham shall be blessed with faithfull Abraham For so it is said Many shall come from the East and from the West from the North and from the South and shall sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the kingdome of Heaven Mar 8. Luke 13. Rom. 4 13. and so they became the Israel of God Gal. 6.16 The promise of blessedness in Christ is in extent as large to all converted Gentiles and to their seed as to Abraham and his seed N. 11. The doctrine of Justification by faith Abraham believeth in him that justifieth the ungodly who counted his believing for his justification before he received circumcision that he might be the Father of the believing uncircumcised Gentiles so it is not heresie as the circumcised Pharisee then and the baptized Papist now would bear the world in hand What the Gospel not before Popery mark here two sayings Gal. 3.8 The Scripture foreseeing that God would justifie the Gentiles through faith preached before the Gospel to Abraham saying In thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed And from this promise he had the justification that it by faith and before circumcision Rom. 4. The other text is Heb. 4. For unto us the Gospel hath been preached as also unto them that is to the people of Israel that came out of Egypt Exod. 12. Minde the sayings of the new Testament illustrating for us the old covenant that we may see Antiquity gloriously triumphing over Popish cursed Noveltie Holy Luther and multitudes before him and others after him by preaching this everlasting Gospel have routed the armies of King Abaddon that he shall never make up his troups again N. 12. God will bless them that bless this doctrine Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that love thee Psalm 122. they shall be as the bright Sun that love Christ Jude 5. Blesse Christ and Abraham that is all of his faith and thou shalt be blessed thou and thy posterity as Lot found that blessed Abraham and so the very Amorites Aner Escol and Mamre Gen. 14. and it is probable the Gibeonites might be of their posteritie being a remnant of the Amorites Under the term Amorite all the Chanaanites sometimes are understood How did Christ pity them in suffering Israel to make a league with them and for Sauls cruelty And they were the Nethinim that returned with Judah from captivity Jos 9 22. Ezra 8.20 Ibid. N. 12. Cuâ—se and persecute this doctrine Dost thou curse Wilt not bless the holy seed and the holy doctrine Read thy doom as he loved cursing so shall it come unto him as he delighted not in blessing so let it be far from him Psalm 109. Wilt not exercise bowels to the body of Christ the curse shall enter in thy bowels Doest not hear Let them be confounded and turned back that hate Sion let them be as the grass upon the house tops which withereth afore it grows up wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosome Neither do they which go by say the blessing of Jehovah be you we bless you in the Name of Jehovah Psalm 129. Thou that hast spittle in thy mouth and an aking tooth against Christ and the sincerity of the faith hear what one of thine own prophets have said Num. 24.9 He couched he lay down as a Lion as a great Lyon who shall stir him up blessed is he that blesseth thee and cursed is he that curseth thee Mark how the promise to Abraham and Jacobs blessing was carried by tradition among the children of the East and how Balaam durst not but remember it to terrifie Balak in his Enterprize What saith Christ to Pharaoh Kill my childe and I will kill thy childe Israel is my first-born the heir of the world it thou afflict him I will slay thy son thy first born And consider Psalm 105. how it pursueth the promise and covenant to Abraham for Israel and against the seed of the Serpent And thus it must be considered for Israel all the time of the old Testament and for the Israel of God till the end of the world He that meddles against Israel meddles with a burdensome stone and putteth fire into a sheat to burn his house Psalm 2 10 11 12. Zach. 12.3.6 What gat Balak and the Princes of Midian and Balaam that sought to curse God cursed them and the false Prophet felt it So though the Balaks and Balaams of