Truth Interest and People as they ought to do Inferences IS Christ's Church and so consequently every gracious Person compared to a Dove being meek humble harmless chast and single-hearted to the Lord Jesus Christ c. Then we may assure our selves that she that delights in Prey Rapine and Blood as doth the Romish Church is none of the Dove or Church of Jesus Christ 2. Are the Eyes of a Dove by the Rivers of Water do they delight in Springs Fountains and pure Rivers and in this are they an Emblem of the Godly who hate all filthy loathsom and detestable Traditions of Men and delight only in the pure unmixed and Chrystal Streams of God's holy Institutions Then all those who like Ravens and other foul and unclean Birds of Prey delight in Ditches and in long-standing stinking Pools of this false Church where they defile themselves in searching for the detestable Carrion of Idolatry are none of Christ's Dove-like People 3. And let those that are the People of God labour to be like the Dove who is neat and will not defile it self let them see they keep their Hearts chast to Christ and avoid all Pollution of Sin in their Conversation 2 Cor. 7.1 5. This also may inform the Godly that 't is no marvel if they are persecuted and molested by the Wicked 5. And in the midst of all their Afflictions Persecutions and Temptations this may comfort them God hath prepared for his poor Doves a strong Place of Defence and Shelter viz. the Rock Christ whither let us in all Times of Danger flie by Faith and Prayer The Church compared to a natural Body 1 Cor. 12.13 All baptized into one Body Eph. 2.16 Both unto God in one Body Eph. 4.12 For the edifying of the Body of Christ. Col. 1.18 He is the Head of the Body the Church c. Verse 24. For his Body sake which is the Church c. THe Body 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Soma is frequently put for the Church or People of God the Explication of which Trope is concisely opened in the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel EVery natural Body hath a Head SO the Church of God hath a Head viz. the Lord Jesus Christ Eph. 1.22 He God the Father hath put all things under his Feet and gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church which is his Body the Fulness of him that filleth all in all And he is before all things and by him all things consist Col. 1.17 18. Verse 17. And he is the Head of the Body the Church c. II. The natural Body hath many Members 1 Cor. 12.14 20. and tho many Members yet all make but one and the same Body II. The Chureh of Christ consists of divers Saints called the Members of his Body Now ye are the Body of Christ 1 Cor. 12.27 and Members in particular and tho many yet all make but one and the same mystical Body III. In the natural Body are Members different in Strength Usefulness and Honour as Arms Legs Eyes Feet Hands Fingers c. But the weakest and those that seem least honourable are very useful and the Body cannot be without them III. So in the Church the mystical Body of Christ are different Members both with respect to Honour and Usefulness as Apostles Prophets Teachers Eph 4.11 1 Jâ—h 2.13 14. or as the Apostle John hath it Fathers young Men and Children All are not Apostles all are not Prophets all are not Teachers c. But yet the weakest and most feeble Saints or Members are useful to the Church As in the Body natural 1 Cor. 12.20 21 22 23. tho the Eye is of greater use than some other Members yet the Eyes or Ministers who are as useful as Eyes to the Body cannot say to the Hand or such to whom God hath given the Riches of this World to distribute unto others We have no need of thee nor can the Head say to the Feet I have no need of you Nay and those Members of the Body which seem to be more feeble are necessary IV. In the natural Body if one Member suffer all suffer with it IV. So in Christ's mystical Body when one Saint suffereth all do sympathize and suffer with him If one suffer 1 Cor 12.26 all suffer and if one Member be honoured all the Members of the Body rejoyce with him V. All the Members of the Body natural take care of and seek the Good of the whole Body and of each Member in particular V. So in the Church of God every particular Saint doth and ought always to seek the Welfare of the whole mystical Body of Christ 1 Cor. 12.25 That there should be no Schism in the Body but that the Members should have the same care one of another VI. All the Members of the natural Body have their Nourishment from the Head VI. So all the Members of the mystical Body receive Nourishment from Christ who is the only Head thereof and from hence the Apostle condemneth those false Professors and counterfeit Christians who pretended to much Piety and Religion but did not receive their Doctrine and Principles from Christ nor were they united unto him by Evangelical Faith Not holding the Head Col. 2.18 19. from which all the Body by Joints and Bonds having Nourishment ministred and knit together encreaseth with the Increase of God VII In the natural Body betwixt the Members and the Body there is a marvellous Nearness or blessed Union VII So there is a wonderful Nearness and blessed Union between Jesus Christ and every Member of his mystical Body For we are Members of his Body of his Flesh Eph. 5.30 and of his Bones VIII The Body natural encreases in Strength Bigness and Beauty according to the Age of the Body is the Perfection and Excellency of it VIII So the Church encreases in spiritual Strength Bigness and Glory The Church is but small and weak now in comparison of what she shall be when she is come to her full Growth and perfect State There will be a great Addition to the Church in the latter Day The Lord shall rise upon thee Isa 60.2 to 9. and his Glory shall be seen upon thee and the Gentiles shall come to thy Light and Kings to the Brightness of thy Rising Lift up thine Eyes round about and see all they gather themselves together they come unto thee thy Sons shall come from afar and thy Daughters shall be nursed at thy side c. to the end of the Chapter compared with chap. 66.8 9 10. where you may read of the Multitude that shall be added to her and of the Abundance of her Glory And as she shall grow in Bigness so likewise she shall encrease in spiritual Knowledg Faith and Godliness Hab. 2.14 For the Earth shall be filled with the Knowledg of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea All the Officers and glorious Gifts
Thess 1.3 3. It is called the Faith of God's Elect Tit. 1.1 4. It is called unfeigned Faith 1 Tim. 1.5 2 Tim. 1.5 5. It is called Faith that works by Love Gal. 5.6 6. It is called Faith of the Operation of God Col. 2.12 7. It is called precious Faith 2 Pet. 1.1 8. It is called holy Faith 9. It is called the Faith of the Son of God It s excellent Names set forth its transcendent Nature 2. Faith is precious in respect of the Means of its procurement or the Price that was laid down for the obtaining of it viz. the precious Blood of Christ for had not Christ died we should never have had one dram of it it is given to us as the Fruit and Effect of his glorious Undertaking 3. Faith is precious in respect of the Fountain from whence it proceeds 4. Faith is precious in respect of the Means by which it is wrought in the Soul viz. by the Word and Spirit of God in a wonderful manner Eph 1.19 20. even like as God wrought in Christ when he raised him from the Dead 5. Faith is precious in respect of the Object it takes hold of or fasteneth upon viz. God the Father the Holy Spirit but more immediatly Christ crucified Ye believe in God believe also in me 6. Faith is precious in that it joins or unites the Soul to Christ it makes us one with him as it were Flesh of his Flesh Bone of his Bone a lively Member of that Body whereof he is the Head 'T is that which ties the Conjugal Knot between him and every Believer 7. It is the Eye of rhe Soul no Man without it can behold Jesus Christ nor the fulfillings of future Promises Abraham by Faith saw the Day of Christ 8. Hereby a Christian is made a Child of God To as many as received him Joh. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believed on his Name Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus 9. It is the only way or means God is pleased to take to deliver the Souls of Men from Sin Wrath and eternal Death 10. It is that which interests the Soul into all the sweet and precious Promises of the Covenant of Grace See Light 11. It is the Instrument of Salvation Believe in the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved 12. Faith is a most excellent and precious thing upon the account of the Fruits of it viz. Life Light Peace Purging Boldness at the Throne of Grace Joy in the Holy-Ghost Hope and good Assurance of eternal Life 13. Faith is precious in respect of that glorious Power and Virtue that is in it 'T is medicinable and the most Sovereign Antidote and Cordial in the World 1. It will expell Poyson 2. 'T will perfectly as it applies the Blood of Christ cure a wounded Conscience 3. It will bear up and revive a fainting Spirit Mat. 8.23 I had fainted unless I had believed 4. It is good against the Feebleness of the Knees and Weakness of the hands 5. It is a most excellent thing against Fear and Tremblings of the Heart But when he saw the Wind boysterous he was afraid and beginning to sink Luk. 8.23 Mat. 14.30 he cried saying Lord save me And immediatly Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him and said unto him O thou of little Faith 6. Ezek. 36.26 It is a precious Remedy against the Stone of a hard Heart it will dissolve it break it in pieces and cure the Soul perfectly of it 7. It cures all manner of inward Deadness it may well be called lively Faith or Faith of the Operation of God 8. Col. 2.12 It is good against the Dimness of the Eyes it helps them that cannot see afar off 9. It is a most Sovereign Thing against evil Spirits it will resist the Devil and make him flie 10. It is excellent good to purge and work out all those noxious and evil Humors of the inward Man cleansing and purifying the Heart 11. It is good against the Falling-Sickness Believers stand by Faith but if through a Temptation they should fall Faith will help them up again David and Peter had not so much Faith as to keep them from from falling yet they had enough to raise them up again when they were fallen It is an universal Remedy it cures all the Diseases of the Soul so that we may say with the Woman let the Distemper be what it will If I can but touch the Hem of his Garment I shall be healed 14. Faith is precious because it shields and gloriously preserves the whole Soul from all Dangers it is that which works with and tends to the perfecting of all other Graces in us 15. It was by Faith that Saints in every Age of the Church Heb. 11. were enabled to undergo and suffer all those hard and bitter Tortures and Torments they met with for Christ's sake 16. It is that which helps the Godly to overcome the World 1 Joh. 5.4 He that is born of God overcometh the World and this is the Victory which overcometh the World even our Faith VI. Gold is often tried and refined in the Fire we read of Gold seven times refined The Refining-Pot is for Silver Prov. 17.3 and the Furnace for Gold VI. Faith is often tried in the Fire or Furnace of Affliction 1 Pet. 3.12 Think it not strange concerning the fiery Trial which is to try you c. He shall sit as a Refiner's Fire Mal. 3.2 3 and as a Purifier of Silver c. and purge them as Gold and Silver c. God this way tried Abraham's Faith together with the Faith of many others of whom we read I will bring the third part through the Fire and I will try them as Gold is tried Zech. 13.9 VII Tried Gold is much better than that which is not tried nor refined in the Fire VII Faith that is tried is of wonderful value much more to be prized than that which was never brought under Exercise How excellently did Abraham's and Job's Faith shine when tried The Trial of your Faith is much more precious than Gold tho it be tried in the Fire c. VII Gold tried in the Fire is of an enriching Nature if a Man has much of it it enriches him greatly We esteem him a very rich Man that hath great Store of tried Gold in his own Possession VIII So Faith that is tried in the Furnace is of a Soul-enriching Nature he that hath much of this Faith is a very rich Man a rich Saint James 1 5 God hath chosen the Poor of this World rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom See more of the Nature of Gold in the Metaphor Gold where the Word of God is compared to it Metaphor Disparity GOld is naturally an earthy Sort of Metal 't is from beneath and therefore corruptible Not with
appertaining to them that are given to the Church are for the perfecting of the Saints Eph. 4.11 12 13 14. for the Work of the Ministry for the edifying of the Body of Christ till we all come in the Vnity of the Faith and of the Knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the Stature of the Fulness of Christ Inferences THis clearly shews what infinite Benefit the Godly receive from Jesus Christ and what Dependency they have upon him What can the Body do without the Head 2. How happy are all true Believers how near and dear are they to the Lord Jesus what greater Union is there than that between the Members and the Head Eph. 5.29 No Man ever hated his own Flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it as the Lord the Church 3. What will become of those evil and wicked Men that seek to destroy the Church and Saints of God! Do they not herein strive to break Christ's Bones and tear his Flesh in pieces What will they do in the Day of Vengeance Isa 63.4 when he comes forth to plead the Controversy of Zion 4. This reproves that Church that pretends it self to be Christ's Body and yet slights and grievously neglects his Members nay his most useful Members The Church should be as careful and tender of her Ministers as the natural Body is of its Eyes Shall the Eye suffer or be in danger of being put out or spoiled and the Hand refuse to relieve and defend it when it is in its power The Church compared to a Vineyard Psal 80.15 And the Vineyard which thy Right-hand hath planted Isa 5.1 Now will I sing to my well-beloved a Song of my Beloved touching his Vineyard Verse 7. For the Vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the House of Israel and the Men of Judah his pleasant Plant. A Vineyard the Place where Vines are planted metaphorically signifieth the Church The Church is compared to a Vineyard Metaphor Parallel THe Land that is made into a Vineyard is a Piece of Ground taken out of a Wilderness or other common Ground designed to that special use SO the Church is taken out of the Wilderness of this World 1 Pet 2.9 being separated from all People to be a peculiar People to God Eph. 2.1 2 By Nature Saints were as barren and fruitless as Sinners II. A Vineyard is fenced or walled in to secure it from wild Beasts and others who may offend or hurt it II. Isa 5 2. Zech. 2.5 So the Lord's Vineyard hath a Wall or Fence about it Saith the Lord I will be a Wall of Fire unto her round about What use soever a Fence is to a House Garden or Vineyard the same is God to his People 1. Every one of his Attributes as we have elsewhere shewed you is a Fence or Security to her his Power is a Fence his Wisdom is a Fence his Mercy is a Fence his special Providence is a Fence 2. The holy Angels are as a Wall or Fence to the Church and to every particular Saint they were as a Wall of Safety to the Prophet 2 Kings 6.15 16. 3. Psal 34.7 There is about the Church the Fence or Wall of Ordinances Church-Government and Discipline The Reason why God makes a Wall about his People is opened under Metaphor God a Husband man also the Nature and Strength of it to which we refer you Quest Perhaps some may enquire How much Ground doth this Hedg or Wall take in 1. It taketh in all the Bodies of God's People no Disease Sickness or Affliction whatsoever can come upon those that truly fear and serve the Almighty but what he lets in This appears in the case of Job and by what David saith My Life is in thy hand c. 2. This Wall comprehends more especially the Souls of Saints no Temptation 1 Cor. 10.13 Mat. 10.30 Luk. 21.18 Persecution or Trial can come upon them but what God lets in His special Eye Care Protection and Divine Providence is so over them that not a Hair of their Heads shall fall to the Ground without his Notice that is He hath interested himself in all the Concernments of his Children yea even in the smallest Matters 3. This Wall takes in their Houses and all they have Job 1.10 Hast thou not made a Hedg about him and about his House and about all he hath on every side The Devil could not touch any of Job's Sheep Oxen or Asses until God opened the Door for him much less his Sons Daughters Body and Life Suffer us said the unclean Spirits to Christ to go into the Herd of Swine They could not destroy those Swine before permitted or suffered by the Almighty III. A Vineyard is planted the choice things that grow there come not up of themselves III. So the Church is planted by the Lord and every goodly Plant that grows therein Hence God the Father is called an Husbandman Joh. 15 1. Isa 5.7 The Men of Israel are called his pleasant Plants IV. A Vineyard is digged up and well-manured before it is planted which is not done without much pains IV. The Church of God and every gracious Soul may be said to be digged or the fallow Ground of their Hearts by powerful Conviction broken up Hos 10.12 and thereby prepared to receive the good Seed or to have a Principle of Grace planted in their Hearts V. A Vineyard hath many Vines planted in it Luk 13.6 Cant. 6.11 7.12 and not only so but also Fig-Trees Pomegranates and other excellent Fruit-Trees V. So in the universal Church are many particular Congregations or Communities of Christians who are as so many choice Vines in God's Sight it also abounds with Plants some fruitful and some barren as is signified by our Saviour Luke 13.6 He spake also this Parable Luk. 13.6 A certain Man had a Fig-Tree planted in his Vineyard and he came and sought Fruit thereon and found none VI. A Vineyard needs much pruning and watering the Stones also must be gathered out of it hence there are Vine-dressers appointed to look after it VI. So the Church of God must have much pains taken with it or it will soon decay there is need of pruning and cutting off superfluous Branches and gathering out other things that offend Hence God hath appointed his faithful Ministers 2 Cor. 6.1 who are Workers together with him to take care and charge of it Hence Paul saith I have planted 1 Cor. 3.6 and Apollo watered VII Vineyards were wont to be hurt by Foxes by the wild Boar and other evil Beasts it hath many Enemies VII So the Church of God is often vexed and greatly hurt by the Foxes little Foxes namely false Teachers who for their Subtilty and Cruelty are called Foxes By little Foxes Cant. 2.15 some understand such as seem devout and very humble and yet preach hurtful and poysonous Doctrine yea bring in damnable Heresies
without as hath been shed by a Generation nearer home and we shall become like the Man without a Wedding-Garment wholly speechless and say not a Word more about Babylon III. Now that Babylon in the Apocalypse is Great Rome that in former Times reigned and in future Times shall be destroyed is owned by some of the Papists themselves and is asserted by all Protestants the Difference betwixt them is brought to this narrow Point The one wholly confines Babylon to Rome Heathen and there totally to terminate the other brings Babylon down lower to Rome Antichristian or Papal Rome Now that this Work may be to Edification and more full Satisfaction in this great Case we shall advance to the last and chief Secret that is to be opened and considered namely Whether all Things in John's Vision or Prophecy that are applied to Mystery Babylon did compleatly terminate in Rome Heathen and come no further In Answer to this great Enquiry we do with the Body of Protestants in opposition to the Papists conclude the Negative viz. That all Things in the Apocalypse applied to Mystery Babylon did not terminate in Rome Heathen The Reasons of which Negative are as followeth 1. Because the Beast that Mystery Babylon rides on is the eighth Head or last Ruling-Power of that City that is seated upon seven Hills which must be Rome Papal because the whole Race of Rome Heathen was gone off before the eighth Head came up The sixth Head was in John's Time the seventh was to come and continue but a short Space The Beast that carrier the Woman viz. Babylon is of the seventh but is the eighth and shall be the last for he goeth into Perdition This being so evident from the Letter of the Text needs nothing more to confirm it Now that Rome Heathen was not the last Part of the Romish Power is not only the full and joint Consent of all Writers upon this Subject but is so evident to all the Christian World that it would be Vanity it self to make a Show of Proof The Conclusion then is this If the very last Part of the Roman Power carries the Woman Babylon and that the Heathen State of Rome went off before and was not the last then Babylon could not terminate in Rome Heathen but must come down to Rome Papal See Rev. 17.3 7 9 11. 2. If Babylon be totally terminated in Rome Heathen then the Book of the Apocalypse is of little use to the latter Ages of the Christian World For if the whole Transactions relating to the Persecution of the Church and the Slaughter and Destruction of God's Enemies did end in Rome Heathen then it served only to give a characteristical Account of a Beast and Whore that was grown old and ready to go off the Stage but hath wholly left us in the dark and given us no notice at all of that horrible Confusion and bloody Persecutions which have reigned in the Christian World for more than a thousand Years last past which for Length of Time Numbers of Murthers and Manner of Cruelties hath out-done all the Wickedness of Rome in its Heathen State Which is not at all likely that a Vision should be given and a Revelation made and call'd so about a State that was almost expired and the most great and principal Part wholly left out and said nothing to Who can imagine that a careful Saviour should be so full in his Discoveries to the Jewish Church concerning their Sufferings and the Time under Egypt and Babylon Literal and be so short and lean to his Gospel-Church to leave them altogether without any written Profpect or extraordinary Prophet to inform them what should come to pass in the World from the going off of the Power of Rome Heathen to the end of all the Churches Troubles which have already lasted above a thousand Years The Conceit of which is fit but for two Ranks of Men to receive viz. the Roman-Catholicks and such Protestants as look for Antichrist to come at the end of the World after the Restauration of the Jews to their own Land and building a material Temple at Jerusalem where Antichrist shall sit three Days and an half or Years to kill two Men called the two Witnesses 3. If this last Babylon was wholly to terminate in Rome Heathen then there was no Cause of Wonderment and great Admiration for a wise Man to see in a Vision an Heathenish State under a Diabolical Influence to perform Actions sutable to their State and not contrary to their Professions For what matter of Wonderment can it be to feel the Wind blow to see the Sea foam and hear the Waves rage and roar when the Winds oppose its Effluxion And what Cause of great Wonderment and Admiration for a wise Man to see wicked Heathens oppose and persecute Christianity when it is so sutable to their Spirit and agreeable to their Profession so to do we cannot yet understand and we will diligently listen to them who will undertake to inform us For the thing is true that a wise Man did wonder at the Sight he saw with great Admiration Rev. 17.6 I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great admiration Wonder'd O strange At what To see that which was common to all Ages the Seed of the Serpent that profest Heathenism the Wicked even the worst of the Wicked by Principle and Profession to plot against the Righteous and to gnash upon him with their Teeth Idolaters profest Idolaters to persecute the Servants and Worshippers of the true God those that were born after the Flesh and lived after the Flesh to persecute them that were born of the Spirit and lived after the Spirit Surely if our Adversaries Opinion was true in this Case that Babylon is only Rome Heathen St. John had forgot that Cain killed Abel and Ishmael persecuted Isaac and took not so much notice of the Course of the World common to every Age as Paul did who said But as he that was born after the Flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit as it was then so it is now And what strange Wonder is in all this 4. Rome Heathen never was espoused married or united to the Lord Jesus in a spiritual way visibly owning his Laws and submitting to his Government as a Wife submits to and obeys her Husband and afterwards casts him off and chuses another Head and Husband and therefore cannot be Mystical Babylon or the great Whore For tho these Heathens were great Idolaters yet were they never charged with spiritual Adultery nor could they unless they had once by visible Profession made a Covenant with or espoused themselves to the Lord Jesus which Rome Papal before its Apostacy did Therefore Rome Heathen could not be the great Whore or Mystical Babylon 5. Rome Heathen cannot be the Babylon set forth by St. John unless she be guilty of all the Christian Blood shed upon the Earth since the
and abstain from it from right Principles and not only to leave it but to loath it Again it consisteth in keeping up all holy and religious Duties viz. Reading Hearing Praying Distributing to the Poor Conforming to all moral and positive Precepts to be holy at home in the Family in the Church in the World to exercise a good Conscience towards God Acts 24.16 and towards Men. This is to put on the Breast-plate of Righteousness I might give many Directions about putting it on and also shew some of Satan's cunning Stratagems in endeavouring to make useless this blessed Piece of the Christian's Armor in laying Discouragements in the way of true Piety or by persuading Persons they have this Breast-plate on when 't is a counterfeit one He persuades Men that Moral Righteousness will serve their turn and sufficiently preserve them from eternal Death But this shall suffice in this place The Shield of Faith Ephes 6.16 Above all take the Shield of Faith c. FAith is a Grace a most precious and excellent Grace of the Spirit of God whereby the Soul is enabled to believe or go out of it self and wholly to rely and rest upon Christ crucified or on his active and passive Obedience upon the Warrant of the Promise for Justification and eternal Life Metaphor Parallel A Shield is a Piece of Armor that Souldiers were wont to carry with them into the Field when they were to engage their Enemies FAith is a part of a Christian's spiritual Armor All Christ's Souldiers ought to carry this Weapon into the Field with them when they engage the Enemy of their Souls Above all take the Shield of Faith II. A Shield is a Piece of Armor made for Defence II. Faith is of excellent use to defend the Soul from all spiritual Dangers of Sin and Satan and other Enemies III. A Shield is not for the Defence of any particular part of the Body as almost all other Pieces are The Helmet is fitted for the Head the Breast-plate is designed for the Breast so others have their several Parts which they are fastened to But a Shield is a Piece that is intended for the Defence of the whole Body It was wont to be made very large for its broadness called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gurnal a Door because so long and large as in a manner to cover the whole Body to which that place alludes Psal 4.12 Thou Lord wilt bless the Righteous with Favour thou wilt compass him about as with a Shield III. So the Grace of Faith defends the whole Man every part of a Christian 1. Sometimes Satan's â—emptations are levell'd against his Head and if he can hit him there he wounds sorely He will be disputing against this Truth and that Truth and make a Christian doubt concerning them if possible because his own Reason cannot comprehend them As perhaps it may be about the Deity of Christ or the Holy Trinity how they can be three and yet but one or about Satisfaction How the Debt is paid and yet the Sinner freely pardoned c. Now Faith is as a Shield to a Saint at this time and interposeth between a Christian and this Arrow of Satan it comes in to the relief of the Saints weak Understanding as seasonable as Zerviah did to David when the Giant Ishbibenob thought to have slain him I 'le trust the Word of God saith the Soul rather than my own purblind Reason what I cannot comprehend I will believe Thus Abraham not being weak in Faith Rom. 4.19 considered not his own Body now dead c. Sense and Reason would have made sad work at such a dead Lift but Faith brought him off victoriously Secondly Sometimes Satan strives to hit the Conscience all his Assaults and fiery Darts are at another season aimed at that to wound that to cause Horror and Terror within by setting the Evil of Sin and of his own Heart and the Infirmities of his Life before him Satan sets our Sins before us not to humble us but to wound us he shews our Sins to us but hides a Saviour from us Satan hath sometimes tempted gracious Persons to lay violent hands upon themselves when the heinous Nature of their Sin hath appeared to them and the Danger they are in thereby as it was with the poor Jailor Acts 16. Acts 16. But now Faith prevents and keeps off all the Danger and quencheth this fiery Dart. Christ died for Sinners for the chiefest of Sinners and tho thou art a Sinner a great Sinner the worst of Sinners yet saith Faith Thou art but a Sinner and there is Mercy for such Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved if thou canst believe and throw thy self on Christ thy Sins shall not be thy Ruin Thirdly He labours to ensnare the Affections of the Soul or deaden its fervent Love to Jesus Christ by presenting the Pleasures and Profits of this World to it Thus he served our Saviour himself But now Faith shields off this Dart also by shewing the Excellency of the Lord Jesus to the Soul and that all things without him and in comparison of him are nothing nay less than nothing and also by setting the World to come and the Glory thereof before the Eyes of the Soul Heb. 11.1 Faith is the Substance of things hoped for and the Evidence of things not seen IV. A Shield tho heavy and somewhat unwieldy to such as have not skill and strength to use it yet it is a moveable Piece of Armor which an expert Souldier with a watchful eye can turn this way and that way to stop a Dart or Blow from lighting on any part that they were directed to by the Enemy IV. Faith is a piece of Christian Armor which unskilful Professors are not ready to use but an experienced Soul can turn it any way to keep off the Arrow and fiery Darts of Satan from hurting or wounding him He observes what part the Enemy aims to hit or how the Temptation is laid It is a great point of Christian Wisdom rightly to exercise the Shield of Faith A Man must be sure to have a watchful Eye upon his Adversary or else for all his Shield he may soon be wounded V. A Shield doth not only defend the whole Body but it is a Defence to other parts of a Souldier's Armor also it keeps off the Dart from the Helmet and Breast-plate likewise V. Faith doth not only defend the whole Soul but also 't is a Safeguard to all the other parts of a Christian's Armor it is that which secures Hope the Helmet of Salvation for without Faith Hope would soon be broken in pieces Also it secures the Breast-plate of Righteousness for neither Christ's Righteousness nor any inherent Holiness in the Soul will avail any thing without Faith VI. A Shield hath been of wonderful advantage to Souldiers in former Times when it was in use it hath preserved them in the
in the way of Obedience But a strong Faith in all it doth is kept up by Christ's doing by Christ's Obedience he sees his Acceptation comes in through the Lord Jesus's Undertaking for him 5. A weak Faith is subject to rest too much upon the Means and outward Ordinances He performs Duty and is found in the Appointments of Christ because of the Fat and Sweet of them or some present Comforts of the Spirit in the performance of them rather than because commanded of God and to manifest his Obedience and Subjection unto him and if he meets not with his expectation he is ready presently to faint and be discouraged and concludes the Ordinances do not belong to him or he is not a converted Person c. or else thinks wholly to neglect them for time to come 6. A weak Believer is ready to judg of his Justification by his inward Sanctification When he finds eminent Power over Sin then he begins to conclude he may be in a saved State tho I do not say that a Man is actually justified before he is in some measure or degree made holy where the one is the other will follow as the Effect the Cause Quest How may a weak Faith or Hand be strengthned and feeble Knees confirmed Answ 1. Consider a weak Faith is precious a little Gold is Gold a little Water is Water Thou art a Believer though thou art but a weak Believer 2. A weak Faith being true may in time prove strong and grow to be a great Faith 3. Tho thou hast but a weak Faith it will save doubtless some weak Eyes beheld the Brazen Serpent and were healed 4. Weak Faith if it be true shall never fail totally nor be taken away He that is the Author of it will likewise be the Finisher Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perform it to the Day of Jesus Christ Hope compared to an Helmet Ephes 6.17 And take the Helmet of Salvation c. 1 Thess 5.8 And for an Helmet the Hope of Salvation AN Helmet is a Piece of Armor for the Head commonly called a Head-Piece Hope the Word is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Havah which signifieth to expect or wait and it notes a very vehement Intention both of Body and Mind in waiting expecting or hoping when a Man waits as it were stretching forth his Spirit or his Mind putting himself out exceedingly to hope or wait for a thing Hope is a Divine and Super-natural Grace or Fruit of the holy Spirit and may be thus described First 'T is a patient and well-grounded Expectation of whatsoever God hath promised God is the Author of it called the Hope of Israel and the God of Hope The Believer is the Subject of this Hope The Object in a strict sence is God who comprehends all the Good that Saints dwell in the Faith and expectation of Psal 39.7 What wait I for my Hope is in thee In a large sence it is the Good of the Promise not in hand Rom. 8.24 or already accomplish'd but to be performed hereafter Hope that is seen is not Hope for what a Man seeth why doth he yet hope for it Futurity is intrinsecal to Hope's Object and distinguisheth it from Faith which gives a present Being to the Promise Heb. 11 1. and is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Substance of things hoped for The Good of the Promise hath a kind of Substance by Faith in the Soul it is in Heaven as it were in an Interview it brings the Christian and Heaven together as if he were there already Why Hope is compared to an Helmet will appear in the following Parallel Metaphor Parallel THe Helmet defends the Head that eminent part of the Body from the Dint of Bullet or Sword HOpe of Heaven defends the principal Parts and Faculties of the Soul from the dangerous Assaults of Sin and Satan particularly the Judgment which most Expositors understand is intended by the Head What avails that Faith which Men have without a well-grounded Hope of future Life Devils have a kind of Faith they believe but have no Hope Faith eyes the Promises and Hope preserves the Soul from Satan's Wounds keeping it in a faithful and stedfast expectation of the fulfilling of them By which means a Saint is help'd chearfully to suffer the Loss of all other things and that in Judgment hoping it will be made up again to him in another World Like as Hope causeth the Husband-man to cast his choice and precious Seed into the Earth He that ploweth ploweth in Hope 1 Cor. 9.10 he hopes for a greater Increase at Harvest So a Merchant ventures much Treasure to Sea as far as the Indies in Hope for had he not good Hopes of advantagious Returns all would account him a Fool so to do II. The Helmet maketh a Souldier fearless and very couragious in the Day of Battel for if his Head and Heart be well defended he is in no great danger of his Life II. In like manner Hope of Heaven makes a Saint very couragious for Christ and his blessed Interest Rom. 5.5 Hope maketh not ashamed 'T is the Hope of Heaven that causeth Saints to endure Afflictions and Persecutions with Patience and not to fear the Faces of their Enemies for if the Judgment Will Affection and Conscience of a Believer be preserved from the mortal Wounds of the Adversary he is safe and out of Danger which is all done by this part of the Christian's Armor How confidently and daringly did Goliah come forth against Israel with his Helmet of Brass and other Furniture as if he had been so enclosed in his Armor that it was impossible any one should prevail against him This made him carry his Crest so high and to defy a whole Host Tho he was mistaken in his Armor Isa 49.23 yet here is an Helmet c. that whosoever wears it shall never be put to shame for his holy Boasting God himself allows him so to do and will bear him out in the rejoycing of his Hope Psal 27.3 They shall not be ashamed that wait for me Therefore saith David Tho an Host should encamp against me my Heart shall not fear c. My Head shall be lifted above mine Enemies Two things make the Head hang down Fear and Shame now Hope easeth the Christian's Heart of both these and so forbids him to give any sign of a desponding Mind by a dejected Countenance in the worst of Times Luk. 21.28 When these things come to pass then lift up your Heads for your Redemption draweth nigh III. An Helmet tends to the compleat harnessing and setting out of a Souldier to meet his Enemy by which means he is terrible to behold as Experience shews for how fierce doth an Army of Souldiers look when armed Cap-a-pe And especially the Head-piece tends to do it Many have been struck with great trembling by
the more plain to these metaphorical and figurative Expressions used by our Saviour when he instituted the holy Sacr ment of the Supper saying This is my Body something briefly we shall offer in confutation of their pernicious Doctrine which may soon be done for they confute themselves in saying that the Sacrament is a Feast for our Souls and not for our Bodies Now what is my Soul the better when I eat the very Body of Christ Christ is eat and received spiritually Whoso eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood hath everlasting Life Joh 6.54 and I will saith Christ raise him up at the last Day Therefore the eating of Christ's Flesh cannot intend the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper for if it did it would be a very easy way for the vilest Sinner to go to Heaven But to come directly to the Business in hand Either Christ spake figuratively when he said This is my Body or he did not And that the Words cannot be taken in a proper sence is evident for it is impossible for Words to express any thing more plainly than that by this is meant the Bread It is said that Christ took Bread and brake it and gave it and said Take eat this is my Body where this necessarily relates to that which Christ took brake and gave Also the Apostle saith positively thrice in a Breath that it is Bread 1 Cor. 11.26 As often as ye eat this Bread c. And whosoever shall eat this Bread 1 Cor. 1â— 16 The Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ Also the Participation of the Sacrament is called breaking of Bread Acts 2.46 20.7 which Popish Authors themselves understand of the Sacrament Now can any be so ignorant and foolish to believe it is Christ's proper and real Body which the Holy-Ghost calleth so often Bread after it is blessed c. Object By this say some of the Papists is neither intended the Bread nor Christ's Body Bellarmin l e Euch. l. 3. c. 12. but in general this Substance which is contained under this Species Answ What do they mean are there any more Substances under those Species besides the Bread first and afterwards the Body of Christ Do not they affirm as soon as ever it ceaseth to be Bread it becometh the real Body of Christ Then surely if it be a Substance according to what they say it must either be Bread or the Body of Christ or no Substance at all Object Christ's Body is there after the manner of a Spirit taking up no room so that Head Hands Feet are altogether in the least Crumb of the Host Answ In arguing thus as a learned Man observes they plead for the Propriety of Words and destroy the Propriety of things How can they say it is properly a Body which wants the essential Properties of a Body which is to have quantity and take up room take away this and the Body may properly be a Spirit for it is that only which differenceth it from a Spirit But further to shew how idle and absurd it is to take our Saviour's Words in a proper Sence we shall shew that it is utterly against Sense and Reason as well as contrary to Scripture as you have heard First It is against Sense What greater Evidence can there be of things than what Sense affordeth But if this which the Papists affirm about the consecrated Bread being the real Body of Christ be true the Senses of all the World are deceived For since the great Argument for Christianity as all agree was the Words that Christ spoke and the Works which Christ did now how could we be sure he did so speak or so work if we may not credit the Reports of our Eyes and Ears This was St. Luke's great Evidence of the Truth of what he wrote That it was delivered to him by Eye-Witnesses Luke 1.1 2. and St. John's What we have seen with our Eyes and our Hands have handled of the Word of Life 1 Joh. 1.1 And St. Paul's for the Resurrection That he was seen of Cephas then of the Twelve then of above five hundred Brethren at once 1 Cor. 15.5 6. Even Thomas his Infidelity yielded to this Argument That if he did thrust his hand into Christ's Side he would believe Joh. 20.25 Christ judged this was a convincing Argument when the Apostles thought they had seen a Spirit Handle me and see for a Spirit hath not Flesh and Blood as you see me have Luke 24.39 But now if after the Words of Consecration there is under the Species of Bread the Nature and Properties of Flesh then are the Senses of the wisest of Mortals deceived And if our Senses be deceived here Dr. Tillotson they are not as a late Author observes to be trusted in any other thing no not when they are most sure that we see Father or Mother or Wife or Children Can we be sure This is my Body is written in Mat. 26. Mark 14. Luke 22. 1 Cor. 11. For may not those Words be some other Words why should we trust our Eyes What if we should tell the Papists These Words This is my Body are neither in this Chapter nor any where else written in the New Testament and grow confident of it and tell them the Words are This is not my Body 'T is the Bricks that were laid to build Babel 'T is the Gates of Solomon's Porch This is the Shew-Bread that Abimelech gave to David the Bottles that Abigail took from Nabal If they tell us We are strangely deceived and the Sense of all that can read will give it against us may not we tell them as well when they say This is the real Body of Christ when it is nothing but a Wafer-Cake That they are strangely deceived and that the Senses of all that can either see taste smell or feel will give it against them This being so what reason is there for them to burn us because we cannot see the Bread to be Christ's real Body more than there is for us to kill them because they cannot see that it is the Gates of Solomon's Porch Secondly It is against Reason And shall any conclude that is any Principle of the Christian Religion that is contrary to and utterly against Reason For it would make us believe things that are absolutely impossible and gross Contradictions Tho some things may be above Reason yet they themselves confess no Principle of Religion can be against it Object But they say We imagine many things impossible that really are not so and further intimate If we can prove any real Impossibilities which this Doctrine forceth them to believe they will yield to us For they with us condemn the Lutheran Opinion See a Book called Scripture-Mysteries p. 279. That Christ's Body is every where because it is impossible and therefore expound those Words I am the Vine I am a Door c. figuratively as we do because
due Preparation which doth consist in these four or five Particulars 1. A sincere Confession of those Sins which we find out upon diligent Search and Examination 2. Godly Sorrow for the same manifested by putting away the Filth of the Flesh We must come with clean hands and a pure Heart 3. We oughtt to forgive those who have offended us Christ commands us to be reconciled to our Brother The Apostle exhorteth us to lay aside all Malice We must not eat with the â—â—leavened Bread of Malice and Wickedness 1 Cor. 5.8 4. Faith in the Death and Blood-shedding of Jesus Christ 5. We ought to do it in remembrance of his Death 1. With an affectionate Remembrance The Sight of our Eyes ought to affect our Hearts 2 A sorrowful Remembrance in contemplaton of what our Sins brought upon our dear Saviour They were the Thorns as I may say that crowned him and the Nails that fastened him to the Cross 3. With a Sin-loathing and self-abhorring Remembrance 4. With a thankful Remembrance Tho we have cause of Sorrow considering the Nature of our Sin and horrid Evil thereof yet there is great cause of Joy and Thanksgiving to behold a Saviour who in Bowels of Love died to redeem and save us from them Quest How may a Christian with much comfort upon examination receive the Lord's Supper Answ 1. If there is no Sin in thy Heart or Life which thou regardest or doest allow thy self in bearest with or connivest at 2. If thou dost loath Sin as well as leave it when 't is not only out of thy Conversation but out of thy Affection also To hate and loath Sin is more than to leave it Persons never willingly leave or forsake that they love 3. If thou canst say in truth that thou wouldest be made holy and doest labour after it as well as to be made happy to be throughly sanctified as well as to be saved live to God here as well as live with God hereafter to have Sin mortified as well as pardoned 4. If Christ is most precious to thee and hath the chiefest Room in thy Heart If upon Trial thou findest these things are in very deed wrought in thee thon mayest with much comfort come to the Sacrament Quest Of what Vse is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to us Answ 1. It shews the horrid Nature and Evil of Sin in that nothing could expiate it nor satisfy the Justice of God or make a Compensation for it but the Blood of Jesus Christ 2. It shews the wonderful Love of God to poor Sinners in giving up his own dear Son to die the cursed Death of the Cross for us 3. It shews the wonderful Love of Jesus Christ who freely laid down his Life for our sakes Greater Love hath no Man than this Joh. 15.13 Rom. 5.8 10. that a Man lay down his Life for his Friend but Christ hath laid down his Life for us when we were Enemies to him by wicked Works 4. It tends to encrease our Love to Christ and our Faith in him 5. It shews us that Christ is our Life and how and by what means we come to be saved 6. It seals the Covenant of Grace to us giveth us in the right use of it much assurance that Christ is ours 7. There is a mystical Conveyance or Communication of all Christ's blessed Merits to our Souls through Faith held forth hereby and in a glorious manner received in the right participation of it 8. It may animate and encourage us to suffer Martyrdom when called to it for his sake Christ our Passeover 1 Cor. 5.7 For Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us THe Passeover or Paschal Lamb being a most eminent Type of the Messiah of which see our Sacred Philology in the Chapter of Sacred Rites where you have the Reason of its Typical and Metaphorical Representation we shall here run an apt Parallel betwixt that illustrious Type and the most holy Anti-type Type Parallel THe Paschal Lamb must be without blemish entire whole sound not blind nor broken not sick nor bruised SHadowing forth the Perfection and Innocency of Christ in whose Lips were found no Guile As a Lamb without blemish and without spot II. He was to be a Year old II. Signifying the Experience Christ should have of our Miseries whereof even a Day 's continuance yields sufficient proof as also that Perfection of Christ in like sort And that in fulness of time he should come and suffer a Year being a perfect Revolution of the Sun's Course Guild III. It was to be taken out of the Flock III. Christ was taken from amongst Mankind Heb. 2.14 Forasmuch then as the Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood He also himself likewise took part of the same c. IV. It was to be separated from the Flock IV. Christ was separate from Sinners V. It was to be slain and that in the Evening V. So Christ died saith Mr. Ainsworth in that season viz. in the Evening of the Day also in the Evening of Time in the latter Age of the World VI. The Blood was to be sprinkled on the Lintel Exod. 12.7 and Door-Posts that the Angel seeing the same might pass by VI. Signifying that Christ's Blood must be applied by us and where Christ is received 1 Cor. 1.30 and the Soul sprinkled by Faith Sanctification outwardly will appear in the Practice of the Life VII The Lamb was to be roasted with Fire Vers 8. VII Moses unvailed p. 62. Signifying saith Mr. Guild the Agony of Christ in the Garden and the Wrath of his Father which he did endure both in Soul and Body It was a Sign either of the Spirit of God which is compared to Fire through which Christ offered himself or of the Fire of God's Wrath Heb. 9.14 which he suffered when he was made a Curse for us VIII It was to be roasted with Head and Legs and the Appurtenances thereof that is it must be roasted all and whole not cut in pieces VIII This signifies our full Communion with Christ whole and undivided Ainsworth 1 Cor. 13. Gal. 2.20 IX No Bone of the Lamb was to be broken IX Os nullum illius Agni frangi voluit Deus c It signifies that not a Bone of Christ should be broken as it was prophesied of him X. The Lamb was to be eaten X. Christ is spiritually to be received and fed upon Joh. 6.55 My Flesh is Meat indeed c. Verse 9. XI It was not to be eaten raw XI Noting that we should be well prepared when we come to the Sacrament Guild XII It was to be eaten all and with unleavened Bread XII Signifying that in Christ nothing is unprofitable or to be rejected and that we ought to eat with the unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth XIII It was to be eaten with bitter Herbs XIII Which typified forth the bitter Sorrows and Sufferings of Christ and that we should eat
than Rome Heathen or Babylon ever was And then what a fine Church do the People make themselves 10. If the Place Seat and City of Rome was not utterly ruined so as to be no more for ever as a Place of Commerce Trade and Human Society when the Heathen Power ceased then Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylon because at the Ending and Downfall of this Babylon the Place Seat and City is utterly ruined so as to be no more a Place of Trade Rev. 17.16 Commerce or human Society And the ten Horns which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and shall eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire Verse 18. And the Woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth for her Sins which God hath remembred Rev. 18.8 which have reached unto Heaven therefore shall her Plagues come in one Day Death and Mourning and Famine and she shall be utterly burnt with Fire For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her Ver. 11 12 13. All Sorts of Merchandize Traffick Trade and Commerce with humane Society shall cease so as to be no more in her at all and the good Things which she in Fulness enjoyed before even all Things that were dainty and goodly are now departed from her and she shall find them no more at all vers 14. for in one Hour is she made desolate And a mighty Angel took up a Stone like a great Mill-stone and cast it into the Sea saying Thus with Violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all Verse 21. And the Voice of Harpers and Musicians and of Pipers and Trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee and no Craftsman of whatsoever Craft he be shall be found any more in thee and the Sound of a Mill-stone shall be heard no more at all in thee Verse 22. And the Light of the Candle shall shine no more at all in thee and the Voice of the Bridegroom and of the Bride shall be heard no more at all in thee Verse 23. But the Place Seat and City of Rome was not so utterly ruined as to be no more for ever a Place of Trade Traffick Merchandize and humane Society when the Heathen Power of Rome ended Ergo Rome Heathen cannot be the Whore of Babylon under present Consideration whose Seat or City hath since had a powerful Government reigning in Pride and Pomp for some hundreds of Years 11. If Rome Papal be Mystery Babylon the City of Pride and Confusion that is set forth by St. Jobn in the Apocalypse then neither the City of Jerusalem the Seat of the Turks and Saracens nor Rome Heathen is or can be the same But Rome Papal is the Mystery Babylon set forth by St. John in the Apocalypse Ergo neither the City of Jerusalem the Seat of the Turks and Saracens nor Rome Heathen can be the same The last Proposition is thus proved If all the Marks and Characters left us upon Divine Record to prove Mystery Babylon by do more aptly and fitly agree to Rome Papal than to the City of Jerusalem the Seat of the Turks or Rome Heathen Then Rome Papal and not any one of them is Mystery Babylon But the Marks and Characters left upon Divine Record to distinguish and know Mystery Babylon by do more aptly and fitly agree to Rome Papal Ergo Rome Papal and not the other is Mystery Babylon For the clearing up of this Argument we shall distinctly state the Character of Mystery Babylon and run the Parallel betwixt her and Rome Papal in this Method following 1. Babylon is a Woman which imports either a single Person rank'd in the Feminine Gender or a Body of People related to some Head Husband or publick Person to whom she is joined in Wedlock by Covenant or Matrimonial Contract as Eve was related to Adam and therefore called Woman or as Judah and Israel who were joined in Covenant with God and therefore called a Woman or as the true Church now is married or joined to Christ and therefore called a Woman A single Person as Eve was she cannot be because the Character given of her in respect of her State and Actions doth no way comport with it She must therefore be a Body of People related to some Head Husband or publick Person as Judah and Israel of old was who are often called by the Title of Woman and in like manner Babylon before her Degeneracy were a People joined in Matrimonial Contract by a Gospel-Covenant and Profession to the Son of God Metaphor Parallel BAbylon imports a Body of People that was once united to the Son of God and hence Metaphorically called a Woman And I saw a Woman sit c. And the Woman was arrayed c. And I saw the Woman Drunk c. Rev. 17.3 4 6. ROme Papal or the Church of Rome is a Body a great Body a famous Body of People and which were before their Apostacy a true Church by Gospel-Covenant and Profession united to the Son of God as her publiâ—k Head and Husband Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ To all that be in Rome Rom. 1.6 7. beloved of God called to be Saints Grace be to you and Peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ II. Babylon is a City a very great City so called in a threefold respect Rev. 17.18 18.10 16 18 19 21. 1. In respect of Power 2. In respect of People 3 In respect of Place and Residence where this Power and People is seated Psal 121. Isa 14.31 Acts 19.28 City being indefinitely taken for either of these or comprehending all as in these Instances II. Rome Papal or Church of Rome is a City a very great City so called in a threefold respect 1. In respect of Power which is twofold 1. Civil 2. Ecclesiastical Reâ— 13.1 signified by two Horns like a Lamb. 2. In respect of People which are great in Number 3. In respect of Place and Residence where this Power and great People is seated and indeed it is as worthily called by way of Eminency a City as any Power People or Place in the Christian World because there is nothing so much spoken of or gives sadder occasion to be so much spoken of as Rome in respect of Power People and Place which shall be further cleared by Argument c. The Fame of this People as a Church was great before the Power and chief Dominion of the Place was joined with it as appears Rom. 1.8 First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all that your Faith is spoken of throughout the whole World III. Babylon is not only a Woman and a City but a bad Woman and a City of Confusion for so the Word Babel Gen. 11.1 to 10. or Babylon signifies viz. Evil or Confusion III. Rome Papal or Church of Rome is not
only a Woman and a City but a very evil Woman and a City of Confusion There is the Name of the Lamb much spoken of but his Doctrine undervalued and slighted his Laws trampled upon and violated his Example not regarded for Imitation either by the Bishop himself his Cardinals or inferior Orders having his Humility and Self-denial only in Words like those the Apostle speaketh of that in Words profess God but in Works deny him For under this verbal Humility here is the greatest Pride in the World under this verbal Meekness and Self-denial the greatest Oppression and Cruelty Covetousness and Love of the World as appears by their pompous Garbs their cruel Punishments and the vast Sums of Money brought in from all parts of their Dominion by Sleights and cunning and deceitful Cheats Besides a meer Hodg-podg of Principles one Order or Fraternity professing that which another writes against and cries down which is the more strange to come from a Church infallible Besides the strange Mixtures in their visible Worship of Traditions and human Inventions of lying and diabolical Tricks of blessing by a Cross consecrating holy Water and cleansing by it which are too numerous and tedious to relate and the less needful because every Man that hath seen their Ways hath an imperfect Book of it in his own Mind and can read the Truth of what we say within himself And let any People in the Christian World pretending to Religion be compared to them for supernumerary trifling and insignificant Ceremonies crouded into their pretended Worship nay let all the People in the Christian World be laid in the Ballance against the Church of Rome in this respect and they will be found inconceivably wanting for which we have this Reason to judg her to be Babylon and the City of Confusion If there is more Confusion in Contrariety of Principles Practices contradicting Pretensions crouding in Supernumeraries and Mysteries of Unscriptural Inventions into visible Worship in Rome Papal or the Church of Rome than is to be found amongst any or all People pretending Religion in the Christian World besides Then is Rome Papal or the Church of Rome the great Babylon or City of Confusion But there is more Confusion in the forementioned Respects to be found in Rome Papal or the Church of Rome than in any or all People pretending Religion in the Christian World besides Ergo c. IV. Babylon is not only a Woman and a City a City of Confusion but she is a Whore which is a strange Word to be applied to a great and famous People a Word that carries in it one of the highest Impeachments but no other than was given to Israel Isa 57.3 16.17 Hos 4. 5.3 Judah and Jerusalem in the Days of old upon a very good Reason for they being joined in Covenant with God to serve him in Obedience and Subjection did like to an adulterous Woman break Wedlock and set up other Lovers or Idols in his stead Ezek. 16.38 Hos 1.9 2.2 5. and continued so a long time till a Bill of Divorce was given and God proclaimed them not married to him as his Wife but a Whore and divorced yet it is observable that they used his Name tho they worshipped Idols and cried The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord are we IV. Rome Papal or Church of Rome is not only a Woman and a City a City of Confusion but according to Scripture-History and notorious Matter of Fact she is a Whore also and may be justly so called for in the Apostles Time she joined her self to the Lord by firm Ties of a Gospel-Govenant and Profession and was the renowned Spouse of the Son of God owned and profess'd him in the Time of Heathenism received the Apostles and Servants of God amongst them withstood the Fury of the Emperors suffered Persecution had their Faith spoken of throughout the whole World and yet after all this like Israel of old she left God and his holy Laws made Idols to her self of Saints Angels Reliques and Images upon which she doted and forsook the Son of God upon the working and appearance of the Man of Sin who exalted himself into the place of Christ and became her Head by which means she is so far degenerated from what she once was that she retains nothing holds fast nothing of what really appertains to true Godliness but the bare Names of God and Jesus Christ having corrupted the true Worship of the Son of God her first Husband and notoriously abandoned Obedience to him taking this vile Person to be her Head and chief Guide and setting him in the Place of and Dignity above her first Head and true Guide of her Youth and yet like Israel of old still cries The true Church the Catholick Church the Mother-Church are we having on her Forehead a strange Mystery written i. e. God Christ Truth Verity Infallibility and next to this there lies nearest her Heart Devil Pope Lying Deceit Perjury Idolatry and horrible Cruelty towards the best of Men professing Christ and Religion in Uprightness and Truth For which Change of her first Head Husband and Guide of her Youth for this vile Person with which she commits most abominable Lewdness together with the Kings of the Earth she is ranked by the Angel amongst the worst of Women and stiled as her Type and Predecessor of olâ— a well-favoured Harlot or of the Angel a Woman a City and notorious Whore which ill and black Characters we conclude with this Argument If there be no Body of professing People in the Christian World that hath so apparently deâ—lined or adulterated from what they once were deserted the holy Doctrine Example and right Government of Jesus Christ and set up another visible and publick Head of the Church in room and stead of him whose Power and Laws are preferred above and before the Authority and Laws of the Lord Jesus as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is this Whore spoken of But there is no Body of professing People in the Christian World that hath so apparently declined or adulterated or deserted the holy Doctrine Example or right Government of Christ ut suprà Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome is this Whore spoken of To reinforce this Argument let it be shewed by any Man that any People different from the Church of Rome hath made such a Change in point of Religion and Headship and Matters thereto pertaining so as that this black Character of Whore can more fitly and fully be made to meet upon them and we must confess our Argument not weighty but till then we conclude it carries Conviction in the Bowels of it V. Babylon this Woman this City of Confusion this Whore is a very great Woman City and Whore And the great City was divided Rev. 16.19 Chap. 17.18 chap. 18.10 Verse 16. And the Woman which thou sawest is that great City
Proper and Metaphorical Notations thereof 2. Such things as necessarily contribute to it are 1. Great and vehement Thirst 2. Plenty of the thing thirsted after 3. The greedy taking their fill of it 3. The Signs of Drunkenness are 1. When the Faculties are so disordered that they will not submit to the best Reason that can be given them 2. When they will abuse those whom they are most obliged to love and respect 3. When they have cast off all consideration of their own and others Good and forbear no Mischief but what they are restrained from by force 4. That these things are evident in the Church of Rome and cannot be so fairly fixed upon her Opposites or supposed Hereticks appears 1. Because she hath shed a Mass a very great Mass of Blood upon the account of Religion all which was unlawfully shed of this the whole Christian World is a Witness 2. To clear her supposed Hereticks from this red and bloody Crime 1. It is against their Principle to kill Men for Religion and this they do avowedly profess pleading for Liberty of Conscience in Matters purely Religious in all places 2. They have wanted Power to do it in case they had been for it in Principle all Power being in the Hands of Papists before the Reformation 3. Where there hath since been a Protestant Seate or Kingdom governed by Laws different from that of the Popish Countries yet they have not made use of their Power and Laws to take away the Lives of Papists meerly for Religion and if it hath happened at any time that some Ecclesiastical Persons have been put to Death by Protestants it has been but very rare and seldom and the Cause not for their Religion but for Sedition Rebellion and Treason otherwise they have lived peaceably under Protestant Governours enjoying their Civil Right in Common with other Men. And for the confirming of this we make a Challenge to all Christendom to come forth and make it appear Where England Scotland and Ireland the Vnited Provinces c. since the Reformation have by Massacres Murders or Martyrdom put one thousand nay one hundred to Death of Men Women and Children only because they professed the Romish Religion or any Religion different from theirs so far have they been from making themselves Drunk with the Blood of Saints and Religious Men. And if this cannot be done then having brought our Character within the Confines of the Christian World we must necessarily charge this Drunkenness by Blood upon the Church of Rome This Head we will conclude with the following Argument If no Sect of People in the Christian World be guilty of so much Blood drunk with Blood innocent Blood Blood of Saints as the Church of Rome is Then the Church of Rome is this Woman that St. John saw to his great astonishment Drunk with the Blood of the Saints and the Martyrs of Jesus But there is no Sect of People c. guilty of so much Blood or Drunk with the Blood of Saints c. Ergo The Church of Rome is this Woman c. XIV Babylon is a Church or Body of People that sits upon a Beast that had seven Heads or seven sorts of Soveraign Governments 1. Kings of whom Romulus was the first Rev. 17.9 10 11. 2. Consuls See Mede Peter du Moulin c. 3. Military Tribunes 4. Decemvirs 5. Dictators 6. Heathen Emperors 7. Christian Emperors Rev. 17.9 10 11. And here is the Mind that hath Wisdom the seven Heads are seven Mountains on which the Woman sitteth And there are sâ—ven Kings five are fallen one is and the other is not yet come but when he cometh he must continue a short space And the Beast that was and is not even he is the eighth and of the seven and goeth into Perdition XIV Besides all that hath been said we hope to very good Purpose if we find not Rome here we will let her go for ever For 1. This is the place which hath had seven Soveraign Governments five of which were gone off the Stage and the sixth viz. the Heathen Empire was in Being in St. John's time 2. The seventh was to appear and to continue but a short space viz. the Christian Empire for it cannot be the Papal Power because that was not up in St. John's time so not the sixth Head and as the Papal Power for that Reason could not be the sixth Head so for a very good Reason it could not be the seventh Head because that whensoever that did appear it was to continue but a short space which respects not the Papal Power but answers the Christian Empire for the Papal Power has continued longer than any of the other Soveraignties that went before and if the Papal Power be neither the Sixth nor seventh Head then it must needs be the eighth which is of the seventh and goes into Perdition or else it must be no Head or Power at all But a Head and a Power it is a great Head and Power it hath been therefore it is the eighth Head which carries the Whore according to the express Leâ—ter of the Text and shall go into Perdition And that by the Woman City or Whore that sitteth upon the seven Mountains is meant Rome we have no cause to doubt because the great Sons of Rome themselves as Baronius Bellarmine and many others do confess it but would defend their Mother from being a Whore by putting it off to the Power of Rome in its Heathen State to which we have fully answered already And do say that Rome Papal is neither the sixth Head nor the seventh but the very last Beast or eighth Head in which there is a Secular and an Ecclesiastical Power joined together which makes up a Beast a most Blasphemous Beast and a Whore a most Devilish Drunken and Bloody Whore which hath her Seat upon seven Mountains on which this City of Rome was built as before This Paragraph we shall shut up with this Argument Arg. If Rome Papal or Church of Rome be born up by a Secular Power which had seven sovereign Governments seated upon seven Hills Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is the very Mystery Babylon that the Apostle John saw in his Apocalyptical Vision But Rome Papal or Church of Rome is born up by a Secular Power which had seven Soveraign Governments and seated upon seven Hills Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome is the very Mystical Babylon c. This Argument shines so clear that unless our Adversaries can assign any Protestant State by them called Heretical that these Characters do better and more fully agree to it must pass for current Coin and which we shall be ready to receive from them So we proceed XV. Mystery Babylon is not only a Beastly Woman that has made her self Drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus that sits upon a Beast that had seven Heads or seven sorts of Soveraign Governments and was seated upon
and spoils his Divinity makes him but a poor petty God he is but the God of this World both for extension and duration he bears no rule above nor shall he bear any sway in the World to come If the God of this World 't is by Usurpation he is like an audacious Traitor who rebels and strives against his Lawful Soveraign For the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof Christ is Heir of both Worlds tho he admits Satan to God it here for a while he is a false God an Enemy to God and no God Disparity GOD is without Beginning the Devil had a beginning God is an uncreated Spirit the Devil an Angel and a created Spirit I do not say he was created a Devil Sin made him a Devil God can do what he pleaseth he hath an unlimited Power the Devil's Power is limited he can go no further than God permits him God hath a just and rightful Power Satan hath only an usurped Power c. God is infinite immense c. But some may say in what Sense is Satan said to be God of this World What World c. The word World is a convertible Phrase and here I understand it is to be taken for the Inhabitants of the World I mean the Wicked distinct frâ—m the Godly He is the wicked Man's God three ways 1. By Devolution they have fallen off from God to Satan they have departed from the true God and his Service and have closed in with the Devil and so Satan owns them to be his Subjects The whole World is divided into two parts two Bodies and are under two Heads either Subjects of Christ's Kingdom or of the Kingdom and Power of Satan they are either of the Army of Light or Regiment of Darkness Rom. 6.16 2. The Devil is the wicked Man's God by voluntary submission His Servants ye are to whom you obey Wicked Men are Satan's Volunteers 3. By God's just Desertion as they have cast off God and his Service and desire not the knowledg of his ways so God hath cast them off and suffered Satan to possess them c. The Devil a Prince Joh. 14.30 The Prince of the World cometh c. Eph. 2.2 According to the Prince of the Power of the Air. Rev. 9.11 And they had a King over them which is the Angel of the bottomless Pâ—t THE Devil is in these Scriptures called a Prince Prince of Darkness Prince of the Power of the Air King of the bottomless Pit c. Parallels PRince is a Term that denotes Power and Soveraignty Satan hath great Power over wicked Men c. There is also no doubt some kind of Supremacy or Superiority amongst the evil Angels we read of the Prince of Devils He casts out Devils by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils Also some of these wicked Angels are called Principalities and Powers which signifieth Eminency of Place above others What degrees or order there is amongst Devils is hard to find out what ever Order there is amongst them yet we know he is the Master of mis-rule amongst Men c. II. A King or Prince ruling and reigning imports a Kingdom for what is a King without a Kingdom and Dominions over which he reigns The Devil hath a Kingdom There is a twofold Spiritual Kingdom spoken of viz. the Kingdom of Light and the Kingdom of Darkness called sometimes the Kingdom and Power of Darkness â—1 His Kingdom is in the Hearts of ungodly Men he rules and reigns there 2. His Kingdom takes in all the Confines and Territories of Anti-Christ and all other false and corrupt erroneous and tyrannical States whatsoever throughout the whole Earth where his Power is owned and his Authority subjected to 3. He is said to be King of the bottomless Pit III. The Name of some Kings puts an awful fear upon Men So the Name and Power of Satan is such that it makes many Souls to dread and quake at the Thoughts of him IV. Some Kings have been great Tyrants There is no Tyrant in the World nor ever was so vile as the Devil True some have acted like Devils they seemed more like Devils than Men as Nero who caused the Bowels of his own Mother to be ripped up to see where he lay c. See Lion and Dragon V. Some Kings are mighty in Power and their Dominions very large Satan is a mighty King he hath a Power that no meer human force can stand against hence called the strong Man armed none ever seemed a match for him but the Prince of Peace Besides he rules over all the Nations of the ungodly and by force or fraud enslaves to his hellish Scepter Millions of Souls there is no Kingdom or Nation in the whole Universe but he pretends to some Right Supremacy and Authority in it the World is full of his Creatures nay there are more Souls who are his Vassals than the Son of God hath faithful Subjects The Devil a Hunter Psal 91.3 He will deliver thee from the Snare of the Hunter Prov. 6.5 Deliver thy self as a Roe from the Hand of the Hunter By the Hunter in these places I see no ground to doubt but that the Holy Ghost principally intends the Devil who is the great Hunter and Destroyer of Mens Souls out of whose Hand i. e. Power Wisdom advises her Son to deliver himself Parallels A Hunter is one that pursues or eagerly follows after his Prey what sort of Beasts soever he hunts he seems unwearied in his Pursuit his Heart is affected with his Game and hence takes great delight in it So the Devil pursues Sinners nay and the Godly too for they are part of his Game and how eagerly doth he pursue them 't is the only thing he seems to delight in he is never weary of this work nor in the work II. A Hunter in pursuing after the poor sensitive Beast designs to kill and destroy them 't is to take their Lives away c. So the Devil in hunting after the Souls of Men his grand design is to destroy them He seekâ—th whom he may devour 't is the Soul the Life of the Soul he strives to destroy As David speaks of his Enemy Thou huntest after my Soul to take it 1 Sam. 24.12 so may every Man and Woman say of Satan III. A Hunter has many Devices and cunning Stratagems to ensnare the Game he pursues So the Devil hath many Snares and cunning Wiles to catch and destroy the Souls of Men Hence he is compared to a Serpent We are not ignorant saith Paul of his Devices 2 Cor. 9.11 and in another place he exhorts the Saints to put on the whole Armour of God that they may be able to stand against the Wiles of the Devil The Greek Word signifies such Snares as are set to catch a Man He will deliver thee saith the Psalmist from the Snare of the Hunter Psal 91.3 meaning saith Ainsworth the Devil Satan hath many Devices and Snares to draw
only gives Direction how we should pray and that we should in Prayer only design the Glory of God 10. After the clearing of the Lamps of the Candlestick Evening and Morning then the Incense was burnt shewing that all our Prayers and Duties must be according to the Directions of God's Word and Spirit 11. The Incense was made of divers Spices Psal 51. So must the Prayers of the Godly be seasoned with divers Graces viz. true Repentance lively Faith and unfeigned Love 12. The Incense was offered up in the Holy Place without the Veil of the Holiest near to the Testimony before the Mercy-Seat So we must always have an Eye to Christ in our Prayers who is the true Mercy-Seat we must come to God by him c. 13. Once a Year the Altar was sprinkled with the Blood of the Expiatory Sacrifice signifying how Christ is by shedding of his Blood consecrated our blessed Mediator and that no Prayer is acceptable to God but through Faith in the Blood of Christ The Altar of Burnt-Offering Exod. 27.1 to 9. a Type of Christ Parallels ALtar in Hebrew Mizbeach in Greek Thusiasterion Ainsworth so named of Sacrifices offered thereon it was anointed dedicated sanctfied to be most holy that it might sanctify the Gifts offered thereon This Altar and Sacrifice signified Jesus Christ sanctifying himself for his Church and People that so he might sanctify them II. This Altar was but one and in one place and the Sacrifice only to be offered upon it signifying thereby that we have but one Altar of Redemption and Salvation viz. Jesus Christ alone who only once and in one place offered up a sufficient and unreiterable Sacrifice for the Sins of Mankind III. This Altar had four Horns also See Altar of Incense IV. It had a brazen Grate in the midst of it which let the Ashes and like things fall through c. whereon the Fire was put which might signify two things 1. The Humanity of our Saviour who bore the Fire of God's Wrath for our Sins thus Guild 2. Isa 53.12 It signifieth saith Ainsworth the place wherein the Holy Fire always burneth that is the Heart which sustaineth also the Sacrifice 2 Tim. 1.3 Rom. 1.1 2. Heb. 7.14 and where all Ashes and Excrements of Corruption are inwardly conveyed away as they are discovered by the Word and Spirit of God as also our Sanctification by Affliction V. In that the Altar was to be made of Shittim Wood and overlaid with Brass that it might endure the Fire it might figure out the Human Nature of Christ supported or sustained by the Diety to endure God's Wrath for our Sins VI. They that served at the Altar lived of the Altar So they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel Disparity THE Altar was one thing and the Sacrifice another But Christ is both the Altar Sacrifice and Sacrificer too he offered up his Body by the Eternal Spirit as a Sacrifice acceptable to God the Father The Brazen Laver Exod. 30.18 to 25. what it was a Type of THE Brazen Laver served for the Priest-hood to wash their Hands and Feet in before they ministred before the Lord typifying that inward washing by Christ's Blood wherewith all the Holy Priesthood of Christ must be sanctified in Heart and Life before their Services can be accepted in the sight of God and that none ought to minister the Word of Life but Godly Persons who are washed in the Laver of Regeneration Psal 50. Vnto the wicked God saith what hast thou to do to take my Words into thy Mouth c. II. After the Priests had washed themselves clean and arrayed themselves they entred into the holy Place So after the Godly are inwardly washed by the Blood of Christ and have received by Faith his Righteousness to adorn them they become fit Members of the true Gospel-Church III. They shall wash themselves saith the Lord lest they die to shew that all Persons must be purged by Faith in Christ's Blood Mark 16.16 or die eternally IV. He that toucheth or washeth in the Laver it being anointed with the holy Oil as all other Things in the holy and most holy Place were shall be holy saith the Lord signifying that all they who by Faith touch the Lord Jesus who is anointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows shall be spiritually sanctified accepted and accounted holy before the Lord likewise The Sacrifice of Beasts a Type of Christ THe Beasts that were appointed for Sacrifice were to have Horns signifying the Kingly and Priestly Office of Christ Horns as we have elsewhere shewn being a Symbol of Power c. II. They were to be of a tame sort not wild and savage Beasts who by force are brought to the Slaughter signifying the Meekness and Mildness of Jesus Christ who was patient like a Lamb led to the Slaughter Isa 53. III. They must be of the Male Sort which generally are the strongest signifying the Excellency and Strength of Jesus Christ IV. They ought to be without blemish and the best of the Flock or Herd and presented of voluntary Will noting two Things 1. That Christ should be perfectly holy and that he should willingly lay down his Life 2 That we should dedicate to God the best of our Days Time and Strength and not offer unto the Lord a corrupt Thing and also perform all our Services to him with a free and willing Mind V. They were to be presented at the Door of the Tabernacle to be slain signifying that Christ s Blood makes our entry into the Church of God here and into Heaven it self hereafter VI. They must lay their hands upon the Head of the Beast who brought him noting thereby our Sins being laid upon Jesus Christ and that we must lay the hand of Faith upon him if we would have Benefit by his Death VII Then the Burnt-Offering was slain signifying that so it behoved Christ the great Anti-type to be slain or crucified for our Sins Mark 16.15 Mâ—t. 28.18 19. VIII The Blood thereof then was sprinkled about the Altar noting the All-sufficiency of Christ's Death and Plenty of his Bloodshed with the large spreading or preaching thereof universally throughout the whole World IX The Skin thereof was plucked off and the Flesh cut in pieces thereby shewing the Grievousness of Christ's Sufferings X. The Body the Head and the Fat and all was laid on the Fire signifying how Christ should suffer for us both in Body and Soul Isa 53.12 My Soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto Death XI This Burnt-Offering was called a sweet Savour unto the Lord which in Christ's Death is solely and only accomplished for 't is thereby God's Wrath is appeased and his Justice satisfied XII The Ashes were to be carried without the Host and put into a clean Place shadowing thereby how Christ should be buried without the Gates of Jerusalem in a Tomb wherein never Man lay and that his Body should not
see Corruption XIII The Fire which consumed the Burnt-Offering came down from Heaven signifying that that Wrath which seized on Jesus Christ in the Garden and on the Cross came from Heaven or that it was God's Wrath due to us for our Sins that consumed him Or as others it may be on better reason give it that that which moved Christ to suffer for Mankind was wholly his heavenly sacred and divine Love XIV This Fire was to be continually upon the Altar signifying the Unchangeableness of Christ's Love to his Elect and recâ—nt Virtue of his Death and Merits The Burnt-Offering of Fowls Levit. 1.14 a Type of Christ THe Fowls that were appointed for Burnt-Offerings were to be Turtles or Pigeons signifying the Meekness and Innocency of Christ II. The Neck of the Fowl was to be pinched with the Nail that the Blood might go out but not that the Head should be pluck'd off from the Body signifying how Christ should die and shed his Blood yet thereby his Deity as the Head or principal Part should not be divided from his Humanity nor yet by his Death should he who is our Head Joh. 14. be taken from his Church but should rise again and be with them by his Spirit forever III. The Blood thereof was strained or pressed out at the side of the Altar before it was pluck'd and laid upon the Altar to be burned signifying thereby the straining or pressing out of Christ's Blood in his grievous Agony in the Garden before he was taken Luke 24.44 and stripp'd to be crucified c. The Daily Sacrifice a Type of Christ THe Daily Sacrifice was a Lamb So our Saviour not daily but once for all was offered unto the Father himself as a Lamb without spot II. It was slain in the Morning and in the Evening to shew that Christ was a Lamb slain from the Morning of the Creation or in the Decree of God from the Foundation of the World tho not actually till the Evening of the World or latter Days III. It was to be offered up with fine Flower beaten Oil and Wine to shew that Christ by his Death and Oblation becomes not only a Redemption for us but also spiritual Food Gladness and cheering Comfort IV. Where this Sacrifice was offered Exod. 24.42 the Lord promised and appointed to speak unto Israel and shew himself signifying that in Christ and through his Death and Bloodshed the new Appointment or Covenant of his Grace and Manifestation of his Love and Favour is established to his Church and faithful People The Sin-Offering a Type of Christ THe Blood of the Sin-Offering was to be poured out shewing how the Blood of Jesus Christ our true Sin-Offering should be poured forth II. The Priest saith the Lord shall dip his Finger in the Blood of the Beast and sprinkle thereof seven times before the Lord shadowing the Perfection of that Expiation and Satisfaction for Sin which Christ should make in the virtue quality and perpetuity thereof the Number of Seven being the Number of Perfection Heb 9.29 III. The Priest shall bring in the Blood of the Bullock into the Tabernacle of the Congregation shewing thereby how Christ should enter into Heaven by his own Blood Heb. 9 1â— having obtained eternal Redemption for us IV. The Priest was to take some of the Blood Mark 16.15 Mat. 28. and put it upon the four Horns of the Altar signifying thereby that the preaching Remission of Sins by the Atonement of Christ's Blood should be proclaimed to the four Corners of the Earth V. The Bodies of those Beasts whose Blood was brought into the Sanctuary by the High-Priest was burnt without the Host or Camp signifying that Christ should suffer without the Gate teaching us also to go forth into a publick Profession Heb. 13.11 12. and bear his Reproach VI. The Priest was to eat the Sin-Offering in the holy Place whose Blood was not brought into the Tabernacle of the Congregation signifying that Jesus Christ doth not only reconcile us to God but also feed and nourish the Souls of all his Royal Priesthood unto eternal Life VII The Priest shall make Atonement still this is repeated always signifying that 't is Christ our High-Priest and his Sacrifice only that makes a real Atonement and Reconciliation for our Sins The Meat-Offering Lev. 2. what it was a Type of THe Meat-Offerings as Ainsworth observes were nine and all of them came to the Altar 1. The poor Man's Meat-Offâ—ring Lev. 5.11 2. The Jealousy-Offering Numb 5.15 3. The Meat Offering of Initiation which every Priest offered when he first entred into his Service Levit. 8.26 28. 4. The Meat-Offering which the High-Priest offered every day Lev. 6.20 5. The Meat-Offering of fine Flower 6. The Meat-Offering baked on a Plate 7. In a Frying-Pan 8. In an Oven 9. Wafers 1. The Minchah or Meat-Offering saith he was primarily a Figure of Christ's Oblation Eph. 5.2 who gave himself for us an Oblation and Sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling Savâ—ur Sacrifice and Oblation Minchah thou wouldest not but a Body hast thou prepared me c. Above Heb. 10.5 8 9 10. when he said Sacrifice and Oblation and Burnt-Offerings for Sin thou wouldest not c. Then said he Lo I come to do thy Will O God c. by which Will we are sanctified through the Offering of Christ once for all So that in the Oblation of Christ's Body this Legal Service was accomplished and ended 2. It figured saith he the Persons of Christians who through him are cleansed and sanctified to be pure Oblations unto God 3. It figured saith he the Fruits of Grace and good Works that Christians are to perform both towards God and Men. 1. Towards God Let the lifting up of my Hands saith David Psal 141.2 be as the Evening Minchah or Oblation So when God told the Jews I will not accept a Minchah or Meat-Offering at your Hands he addeth For from the rising of the Sun Mal. 1.10 11. even to the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every Place Incense shall be offâ—red unto my Name and a pure Meat-Offering Which is fulfilled when Men pray every where lifting up holy Hands c. 2. Towards Men see Heb. 13.16 Phil. 4.18 4. All the Meat Offerings were of Wheaten Flower except the Jealousy-Offering and the waved Sheaf yea and ought to be of fine Flower signifying the Purity and Perfection of Christ as also that we should offer our best Things to the Lord. Eph. 5 2. Rom. 12.1 5. Oil and Incense was put thereon The Oil saith he signified the Graces and Comforts of the Holy-Ghost and the Incense or Frankincense shewed how acceptable Saints and their Services are unto the Lord. 6. It must be brought to the Priest and he shall bring it to the Altar shadowing that 't is by Christ and his Oblation that we and our Works and Duties are
restoring Sight to the blind as it is cited Luke 4.18 are not in the Hebrew Text of Isa 61.1 but in the Septuagint Compare Zech. 9.9 with Mat. 21.8 and Psal 8.2 with Mat. 21.16 Upon which * Part 2. Clavis Script p. 103. Illyricus thus says In septuaginta Interpretum versione citandâ notandum est Apostolos in Novo Testamento non immerito aliquid dedisse imbecillitati Christianorum communi consuetudini quod non aliter aliquoties dicta Scripturae citaverint quam sicut jamdudum apud vulgus ex illa versione innotuerint sic enim illi pusillis Christi lac praebentes ac ad eorum captum sese accommodantes loqui non dedignati sic videmus etiam Parentes aliquando cum Infantibus balbutire that is In the Citations of the seventy Interpreters in the New Testament we are to note That the Apostles yielded much to the Weakness of Christians and common Custom and that seasonably in not quoting those Places otherwise than the Capacity of the Vulgar could reach For they giving as it were Milk to those tender Babes of Christ and accommodating themselves to their Vnderstanding disdained not to speak after that manner So we see Parents sometimes lisp to their little Ones Rivet says thus * In Isagog Scrip. cap. 10. p. 138. They viz. the holy Pen-men of the New Testament followed this Interpretation in those things only which did no way prejudice the Truth of Faith especially when they had occasion to discourse of any dangerous departure from that very version received among the Greeks or as he adds The Apostles and Apostolical Men used that common Version by a Liberty no way dangerous to win upon the Greeks or Gentiles who had great Veneration for it tho not in every part perfect Yet we must carefully note that the Apostles did not always quote the Septuagint as by the comparing of divers places may appear as Esa 25.8 for the Hebrew word there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies in sempiternum for everlasting the Septuagint has it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prevailing or overcoming but St. Paul translates it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Victory Matthew and John as Jerome witnesses in his Comment on Esa 6. made their Quotations from the Hebrew whereas Luke was very skilful in the Art of Medicine and better read in Greek therefore his Stile is elegant both in his Gospel and in the Acts of the Apostles savouring more than they of human Eloquence and more using Greek than Hebrew Citations Examples from John and Matthew are Zech. 12.10 which the Septuagint renders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They will look upon me because they have insulted for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 transfixed or pierced but John 19.37 cites it out of the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They shall see him whom they pierced compare the Version of the Seventy Hos 11.1 with Mat. 2.15 Mic. 5.1 with Mat. 2.6 Esa 42.1 2 3 4. with Mat. 12.18 19 20 21. these and other Passages are to be opposed to such as do overmuch extol that Greek Version and attribute divine and authentick Authortiy to it because the Evangelists and Apostles sometimes made use of it which kind of reasoning might carry a shew of Validity had they always used it which 't is certain they did not and the Reason why they cited it sometimes is given before Citations from sense not word for word 2. Testimonies and Prophecies of the Old Testament are alleadged and produced in the New not always according to the Letter or word for word but frequently by change of the Phrase in divers Respects as 1. Sometimes words are left out which are not for the present purpose Detraction 1. as appears if you compare Deut. 24.1 with Mat. 5.31 and Deut. 25.5 with Mat. 22.24 and Esa 9.1 with Mat. 4.15 and Esa 42.4 with Mat. 12.21 Some observe more especially that the sacred Writers when they make Allegations do for brevity and perspicuity sake cite the first and the last and cut off the middle as Esa 28.11 12. with 1 Cor. 14.21 and Esa 40.6 7 8. with 1 Pet. 1.24 25. and Zech. 9.9 with Mat. 21.5 c. Sometimes words are added for Illustration or Exposition's sake Adjection 2. as Gen. 2.24 with Mat. 19.5 where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they two are emphatically added And they two shall be one Flesh So Deut. 6.13 compared with Mat. 4.10 where the exclusive word is added with great evidence viz. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve See also Esa 64.4 with 1 Cor. 2.9 where these words are added Neither hath it entred into the Heart of Man There is sometimes a Transposition of Words which nevertheless diminishes not Transposit 3. nor varies the sence as Esa 64.4 compared with 1 Cor. 2.9 where the hearing of the Ear and the seeing of the Eye are transposed so the Destruction of Altars and the killing of the Prophets are transposed 1 Kings 19.14 with Rom. 11.3 There is sometimes a change of the words themselves Change 4. and sometimes of their Accidents The change of words themselves happens 1. From the diversity of reading in the Hebrew Text especially when the Quotation is from the Septuagint who having made use of Bibles not pointed did frequently read and expound it otherwise then 't is in the Hebrew Gen. 47.31 And Israel bowed himself upon the Head 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Bed he worshipped or adored his Lord God so as that he bowed his Body to his beds-Beds-head but the Septuagint have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Et adoravit Iâ—rael super summitatem virgae sâ—ae Heb 11.21 And Israel worshipped upon the end or top of his Rod or Staff for they read it as if it had been 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a Rod or Staff the difference being only in the Points This Version the Apostle exactly follows Heb. 11.21 And whereas there is a different reading even in the Greek some Copies having 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ejus of his some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suus his There arises a double Interpretation here viz. That Jacob through Age being in Bed leaned upon his Staff and thanking God for the promise of a Sepulture with his Fathers hence say some it should be thus Et inclinavit se Baculo suo innixus And he bowed himself leaning upon his Staff or that he bowed himself to the Scepter which Joseph held and honoured his Son in his Office that that Dream might be fulfilled which Joseph had of the Obeysance of the Sun and Moon mentioned Gen. 37.9 which the vulgar Version and that of Erasmus will have rendred And he adored leaning on the top of his Rod c. Another Example you have Psal 40.7 Mine Ears hast thou opened of which Metaphor see our sacred Philology Book 1. Vol. 1. cap. 7. But the Septuagint render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But a Body
have a Typical Description of the Temple and City The Antitype of which is not the City and Temple rebuilt by Zerubbabel and Nehemiah after the Captivity as the Hebrew Rabbies and others have dreamed but the Mystical Temple of God his true Church and the heavenly and spiritual City as the Learned Doctor Haffenrefferus most learnedly expounds it Lastly the Revelations of John in which the future State of the Church by divers Visions both symbolical and typical is represented the Explication or fulfilling of which the Event must shew is properly reduced under this Head So much for Prophetical Types Article V. Of an Historical Type and its first Division AN Historical Type is the mystical Sense of Scripture whereby things acted or done in the Old Testament especially what respected the Priesthood and Worship of the Jews prefigured and adumbrated things acted in the New Testament-times with respect especially to Christ the Antitype who is as it were the Kernel inclosed in all those Shells of Old-Testament-Ceremonies Types or Actions c. This may be thus distinguished 1. that like an Allegory it is either innate or natural or inferr'd The Innate is that which is expresly delivered in the Scriptures or when the Scripture it self shews or intimates that some Ceremony or thing transacted does adumbrate the things related or done in the New-Testament especially Christ in a mystical sense This is done either expresly and implicitely or tacitely and implicitely or which is all one the Scripture either shews it expresly or tacitely insinuates the thing transacted to be a Type of Christ Of the first kind we have many Examples Examples of Types The Prophet Jonas was swallowed into the Whales Belly and vomited out after three days as Jonah 1.17 and 2.10 this is a Type of Christ who lay three days in the Grave and of his glorious Resurrection as Christ himself expresly says Matth. 12.40 16.4 Luke 11.29 30. The Brazen Serpent which Moses by Divine Command lifted up in the Desart against the bitings of Serpents as Numb 21.8 9. is expresly said to be a Type of Christ who was lifted up upon the Cross and healing Believers of the biting of the Infernal Serpent John 3.14 15. The Constiution and Sacrifice-Offerings of the Levitical Priesthood in the Old Testament did typically prefigure Christ the High-Priest as Heb. 5. and the following More Examples may be found upon a diligent search and Meditation of the Scripture Examples of the latter sort are these The Mercy-Seat Mercy-Seat or the Covering of the Ark of the Covenant Exod. 25.17 which typified Christ Rom. 3.25 so you may compare Josh 1 c. with Heb. 4.8 that the Manna Manna was a Type of Christ is told us John 6.32.33 c. The Paschal Lamb Pascal Lamb. Exod. 12.3 c. was a Type of Christ as 1 Cor. 5.7 John 19.36 The Scape-Goat Lev. 16.10 21. was a Type of Christ as John 1.29 1 Pet. 2.24 So was Isaac Gen. 22.2 12. with Rom. 8.32 and Heb. 11.19 So Sampson Judg. 13 c. compared with Matth. 2.23 where that which is spoken of Sampson Judg. 13.5 is accommodated to Christ the Antitype Yet the Phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he shall be called a Nazarene not used as some say respecting the words concerning Sampson but to other Sayings of the Prophets Isa 60.21 c. * Isa 11.1 Zech. 6.12 in which the Messias is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Netzer Surculus a Branch whence Narareth is derived hence the Syriack has it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Natzerath or Notrath †See Piscator upon the place and Junius in Parallellis Solomon First-born Son Matth. 2.23 and the Reason they give is that it is said it was written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Prophets in the plural Number c. That King Solomon the Son of David was a Type of Christ appears Heb. 1.5 Acts 2.30 13.12 where the Promise made to David spoken in a literal sense of Solomon 2 Sam. 7.12 1 Chron. 17.11 is referred to Christ The first-born Son of the Lord as the People of Israel are called Exod. 4.23 when they were to go out of Egypt is a Type of Christ the only begotten Son of God Mat. 3.17 who is said to be called from his Exile in that Nation Mat. 2.15 where that which is literally said of the Israelites Hos 11.1 is accommodated to Christ the Antitype c. An illated or inferr'd Type is that which is conseqentially gathered to be such by Interpreters this is either by fair Probabilities agreeable to the Analogy of Faith or extorted and without any Foundation in or shadow of Sense from the literal Sense of the Text. Judg. 13.14 15 16 Chapters Of the first sort the Homily-writers and Expositors produce a great many As the doings of Sampson in marrying a strange Wife and destroying his Enemies by his Death altho no where in Scripture applied to Christ yet it is expounded as a Type of Christ who was spiritually as it were married to the Gentiles and conquered his Enemies by Dying More Examples are Gen. 37 c. respecting Joseph Numb 16.47 respecting Aaron See Isa 59.2 Gen. 2.22 23. Dan. 6.22 Judg. 16.2 3. 1 Sam. 17.49 1 Sam. 22.2 with Luke 15 1 c. Of the latter sort are the wild fantastical Conceits of Papists and some others who make Types where there are none For Instance * Lib. 1. summae cap. 90. Turrecremata makes the Son of David yea Christ himself a Type of the Pope of Rome For he expounds the words 2 Kings 7.13 thus I will establish the Throne of his Kingdom for ever that is says he I will cause the Supremacy or Kingdom of the Pope always to endure with several other things of the same ridiculous Tenor which we omit as useless to our undertaking Article VI. Other Divisions of an Historical Type ANother Division of an Historical Type is this some immediately respect Christ and some the Things that belong to Christ Of the first Sort are such Things as prefigure and lively set forth his most holy Life his most bitter Death his most glorious Resurrection and Exaltation as in the Examples before recited Of the latter Sort are the universal Flood in which by the peculiar Blessing of God Noah Noah and his Family were saved which is called a Figure or Type of Baptism 1 Pet. 3.21 to which Psal 29.10 may be applied which by the Power and Efficacy of the most precious Blood of Christ saves Men and is to them the Laver of Regeneration and Renovation of the Holy Spirit The Parallel of this Type with the Antitype may be read in the learned Gerhard Tom. 4. loc de Bapt. Sect. 8. The Bodily Circumcision Circumcision is a Type of Heart Circumcision the former is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Circumcision made without Hands the latter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Circumcision of Christ Col. 2.11 So