Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God Hence God is said to love the Gates of Zion Psal 87.2 viz. the Place of his visible Worship more than all the Dwellings of Jacob. Can there be a greater Reproach to a Church or any thing more provoking to God than to have Prayer and other Branches of Publick Worship and Devotion wholly neglected among them X. All the Family yea every particular Person thereof ought to be called together and they diligently to obey that Call and come together at the Time of Devotion or when Prayer is solemnly performed therein X. So the whole Church I mean each Community of Christians yea every particular Member thereof ought to be called together and they diligently to obey that Call at all Times when Prayer or any other part of Church-Service Devotion and Worship is to be performed Heb 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is c. Acts 2.1 They were all with one accord in one Place XI Some Families are exceeding great consisting of many Persons especially if it be the Family of a Prince or noble Person XI The whole Family of Christ the great Prince of Heaven and Earth I mean the whole universal Church both Militant and Triumphant is exceeding great the one part of which is in Heaven and the other on Earth Eph. 3.15 16. For this Cause I bow my Knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named c. Ephes 3.15 16. XII It is exceeding commendable and honourable for all that belong unto a Family to be truly and cordially affectionate one to another to be ready and willing to do all Offices of Love and Kindness so far as the Law of such a Relation doth require of each in their respective Places and Callings XII So the Lord Jesus the Head and Governor of his Church hath strictly commanded and doth exceedingly commend the Grace of Love in and among all his Family The Church is never more desirable or comely in this World than when the Love of each Member doth abound one towards another when Ministers love the People and the People heartily love them and when every one in the Station wherein God hath set him is ready and willing to do any Office of Love How amiable upon this account is the Church of God! Inferences THis shews that the Church of God are a choice and peculiar People such who have given up themselves in the Order and Fellowship of the Gospel walking together in Love as a holy religious and united Family according to the Order and Discipline Christ hath left in his Word having sweet Acquaintance and Intimacy one with another And now to conclude with this Head from the Whole we may infer I. That God's Church is most dear and precious in his Sight or a People that he hath most choice Love and Affections to and takes great Care of II. That the Church of God under the Gospel-Dispensation is not National Parochial c. III. That the Church of God are a People separated from the World in respect of the Worship Traditions and sinful Customs thereof c. Non-conformity to the World in these respects is an indispensible Duty Be not conformed to this World Rom. 12.2 Come out from amongst them and be ye separated saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing c. 2 Cor. 6.17 IV. That the true Church of God is a Number of sincere and godly Christians who have solemnly covenanted and given up themselves to walk in the true Order and Fellowship of the Gospel according to the exact Rule of God's Word amongst whom the Word of God is truly preached and the Sacraments are duely and in a right manner administred V. That God's Church hath many Enemies and yet in despite of them all shall abide and the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against her And tho for a time she may be low and under great Sufferings yet she shall arise to a great Degree of Glory in the latter Day THE Eighth HEAD OF Metaphors Allegories and Similes WITH Other Borrowed TERMS That respect MEN. I. Of Men in general II. Of the Godly or good Men. III. Of Sinners or wicked Men. Men compared to Earth Jer. 22.9 Hear O Earth Earth Earth Psal 33.5 Let all the Earth fear the Lord. Let all the Earth keep Silence Rev. 12. But the Earth helped the Woman BY Earth in these Scriptures we are to understand Men dwelling upon the Earth Earth Parallel THe Earth is far from Heaven there is a vast Difference between them ALl Men whilst they remain unconverted or abide in a State of Nature are said to be far from God tho not in respect of Place yet in respect of Condition Men being by reason of Sin in a State of Enmity Eph. 2.13 Ye that sometimes were afar off are now made nigh by the Blood of Christ II. The Earth is a heavy lumpish and gross Body II. So Man naturally is Earth-like a heavy and lumpish Piece being taken out of the Earth and the Off-spring of red Earth As is the earthy 1 Cor. 15.48 such are they that are earthy III. The Earth hath its great Dependency upon the Heavens did not the Rain from above water it and the Sun shine upon it how hard and barren would it soon be II. So Man hath all his Dependency upon God neither the spiritual Man nor the natural Man can subsist unless the Heavens send down Blessings upon them All humane as well as divine Growth and Fruitfulness comes from above IV. Earth turns and cleaves to Earth as its proper Center Tho a Piece of it may by force be lifted up or thrown upward yet by an innate Propensity to descend it naturally falls down again IV. So Man naturally cleaves to and takes delight in earthly Things He that is after the Flesh Rom. 8.5 minds the Things of the Flesh He that is not born anew born of the Spirit but is wholly an earthly Man the Earth is his proper Center tho sometimes his Heart may in an artificial way as it were be lifted upwards yet down he falls again to his own Center V. What a dark Dungeon would the Earthly Globe be did not the Heavens shine upon it V. So what a dark Dungeon is Man's Heart and in what Egyptian Darkness would all Men and Women be involved were it not for the Light of the God of Heaven his Word and blessed Spirit VI. Those Things that are fed and nourished by the Earth are Earth and we see go or return to Earth again VI. So the Body of Man which is fed from the Earth which was taken out of the Earth we daily see goeth to the Earth again and therefore Man may be called Earth Earth Earth Jer. 22.29 that was his Original Earth he was and Earth he is and to Earth he
having a Dispensation from Heaven which the Pope keeps the Keys of and fearing no Power on Earth for she hath the Beast the Secular Power under her she sits upon him and rides him and is not only distinct from the Secular Power but above it so as what of the Secular Power is still left at Rome is under the Conduct and Management of the Church there being no Civil Administration of Justice or Exercise of Laws but what is authorized and allowed by his Unholiness the Head and the Cardinals the Shoulders Breasts and Arms of the Church or State Ecclesiastical To make this fully evident the Pope doth not only exercise a Power of appointing Seculars in Rome and near to it but he claims the like Supremacy abroad in the Islands far off If the Secular Princes fall off from him or if they will not be reconciled to him as Head of Holy Church he will excommunicate and depose them and dispose of their Crowns Thrones and Scepters from them That the Pope is a Temporal Prince as well as an Ecclesiastical Bishop i. e. makes Laws exacts Tribute raises Souldiers and acts as a Monarch which fairly affords him the Title of Beast that his Royal Robes Chair he sits in to his very Hose and Shooes with the Vestments of Cardinals is Scarlet no Man can reasonably doubt That what the Civil Power claims and the Ecclesiastical Power exercises are not incorporated or entirely mix'd that the Princely Pope is in the Masculine and his Spouse the Church in the Feminine is owned by all Parties That the Church-State doth sit upon ride and govern the Secular at Rome Italy and all its Territories that the Church of Rome owns that she is no Widow but hath a Head called his Holiness or Supreme Ruler of the Church is so evident that we cannot find them upon any File or Record of Controversy There remains therefore no more to be done at this time but to frame our Argument upon the Premises and leave the Reader to prove the Weight thereof in the Ballance Argument If there be no visible State in the Christian World that doth so apparently sit upon command and govern the Beast or a great Secular Power cloathed with Scarlet Vestments as Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth Then is Rome Papal or Church of Rome the Whore of Babylon here treated of But there is no visible State in the Christian World that doth so apparently sit upon command and govern the Beast or Secular Power cloathed with Scarlet Vestments as Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome is the Whore of Babylon here treated of To reinforce this Argument we challenge any profest Papists Atheist or any else to shew where any other People or Parties are to whom these Characters agree and then we shall be content to let fall our Argument X. This Beast that Babylon sits upon commands and governs is not only cloathed with Scarlet but is full of the Names of Blasphemy c. Which may be taken in a threefold Sense 1. For reproaching the Name of God 2. For telling Lies in Divine Things 3. For ascribing that to Creatures which belongs to God And tho we will not excuse the Beast from the two former yet for brevity's sake we shall take the latter viz. the ascribing that to Creatures which belongs to Him that saith I am God and my Glory will I not give to another X. Rome Papal or Church of Rome sits upon commands and governs that Beast or Scarlet Power that is not only cloathed with Scarlet Vestments but is full of the Names of Blasphemy which appears by his receiving allowing and encouraging the ascribing that to Creatures which belongs to God and to his Son of which we give you but these Instances 1. When this human sinful and wicked Head is called our Lord God the Pope whether this is not Blasphemy against God 2. When he is called Universal Head of the Catholick Church which none is but Christ 3. When he is called the Lamb of God the Light of the World the Root of David the Lion of the Tribe of Judah whether this is not Blasphemy against the Son of God 4. Whether when the Orders of the Church Oral Tradition the Decrees of Councils are said to be of greater Authority than the Scriptures which they call a Nose of Wax the Hereticks Ink-Rule are perniciously mischievous to the People whether this be not Blasphemy against God that spake and the Word of God spoken 5. When Angels the Virgin Mary and other unknown Saints shall be invocated with Addresses only becoming the Divine Majesty as if these Creatures were infinite and could hear us at so great a distance as is Earth from Heaven which they could not do if perpendicularly over us much less from all parts of the World over which they cannot be whether this ascribing Infiniteness and Adoration to the Creature that is only due to the Creator who is over all God blessed for ever be not Blasphemy 6. To conclude Whether making a God of a piece of Bread and calling the prophane Priest the Maker of the Creature be not ascribing that to the Creature which only belongs to God Is not this the vilest Blasphemy in the World worse if possible than Atheism it self For as Philosophers observe 't is better having no Opinion of God than such an one as is unworthy of Him which we shall close with this Argument Arg. If no People in the Christian World are born up and supported by a Beast full of Names full of such Names or Inscriptions of Blasphemy as Rome Papal or Church of Rome is Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome must be this Babylon treated of But there is no People in the Christian World born up and supported by such a blasphemous Beast as Rome Papal or Church of Rome is Ergo c. To reinforce this Argument let it be considered that none can pretend to fix this Character or Mark upon any Protestant Dissenters from the Church of Rome called Hereticks who have no such Beast to support them nor ascribe such blasphemous Titles or Adoration to any Creature in Heaven or Earth For they acknowledg the one God the Object of Divine Worship one Mediator between God and Man the Lord Jesus and God's sacred Truth to be the only Rule disowning all Principles and Practices contradictory thereunto Ergo 'T is not the Protestant Dissenters from the Church of Rome that are here meant XI Babylon that sits upon a Scarlet-coloured and blasphemous Beast is adorned with great Pomp and outward Glory very well fitting that Spirit that delights in Grandure Rev. 17.4 And the Woman was arrayed in Purple and Scarlet and deck'd with Gold and precious Stones and Pearl having a Golden Cup in her hand full of Abomination and Filthiness of her Fornication Which must be such as none of her Neighbours can match her in else no Note of Distinction XI
spring hence his Sin is charged upon his whole Posterity By Adam 's Sin were many made Sinners c. Christ the secâ—nd Adam Rom. 5.12 14. is a common or publick Person representing all his true Seed or spiritual Off-spring So that as Adam's in was imputed to all his Children Verse 19. so is Christ's Righteousness imputed to all his Children through Faith The first Adam merited Death for his Seed the second Adam merited Life for his Seed Noah a Type of Christ Parallels NOah was a Saviour nay in a good sence the Saviour of the World for it was through him and by his Means and Righteousness there was a Seed preserved from the Floâ—d c. Christ is a Saviour the great Saviour the only Saviour of the World hence called Jesus II. Noah was a Preacher of Righteousness and invited Sinners to Repentance Christ was a Preacher of Righteousness and came on purpose to call Sinners to Repentance Noah's Ministry was despised by the Ungodly so was the Preaching and Ministry of Jesus Christ by the unbelieving Jews and others Those that refused and rebelled against Noah and his Ministry were destroyed by Water and those that refuse and rebell against Christ shall be destroyed by Fire III. Noah built an Ark So Christ builds his Church 2. Noah built the Ark according to the Commandment of God So Christ in building his Church did every thing according to the Commandment received from his Father 3. Noah took many Trees to build the Ark So Christ takes many Believers called Trees of Righteousness to build his Church IV. Some clean and some unclean Beasts were received into Noah's Ark So some holy and sanctified Persons and some unsanctified Ones are received into Christ's Church tho not by Christ's Appointment V. All that were not received into the Ark perished So all who get not spiritually by Faith into Jesus Christ or are not true Members of the visible or invisible Church shall be damned and perish eternally VI. Noah's Ark was toss'd upen the rough Waves and yet was preserved So the Church of Christ is toss'd upon the rough Waves of a tempestuous World and yet preserved VII Noah was the great Repairer of the World from him descended all the Inhabitants of the Earth Christ is the great and glorious Repairer of the World and from him proceed all the Inhabitants of Heaven VIII Noah sent a Dove out of the Ark to see whether or no the Waters were abated who returned with an Olive-Branch in her Mouth So Christ sends forth the Spirit called a Dove or in the likeness of a Dove who brings Tidings to believing Souls that the Wrath of God is appeased c. Melchisedeck a Type of Christ Heb. 7.3 Made like unto the Son of God c. Parallels THe Notation of his Name Melchisedeck signifieth King of Righteousness Christ Jesus is the only King of Righteousness II. In his Office he was a Type of Christ 1. He was King of Salem King of Peace Isa 9.6 So Christ was called the Prince of Peace not only a peaceable Prince but Prince of Peace one that commands Peace at his Pleasure in the World in the Church and in the Souls of Men. 2. Christ is not only Prince of the World but peculiarly Prince of Salem Prince of Jerusalem viz. the true Church of God 3. Melchisedeck was not only a King but also a Priest yea a Priest of the Most High God So Christ is both King and Priest III. Melchisedeck was a Type of Christ in his Original Without Father without Mother without Descent Heb 7.3 having neither Beginning of Days nor End of Life That is there is no mention of these things concerning him in the holy Scripture we have not his Genealogy or Story of his Life tho none doubt but he had both Father and Mother and Descent c. But God on purpose would have all these concealed that he might be a more express Type of Christ who was truly without Father in respect of his Manhood or human Nature and without Mother Isa 53. in respect of his Godhead And who can declare his Generation c. IV. Melchisedeck blessed Abraham and doubtless the lesser is blessed of the greater he was a most eminent and renowned Person Some do conclude he was the Patriarch Shem who was without beginning of days in respâ—ct of the World after the Flood and without end of days in respect of the World before the Flood but since God hath concealed who he was let us be satisfied But in this doubtless he was a Type of Christ who is greater than all that went before him great in Power Office and Sovereignty and is sent to bless his People 't is he alone that blesseth all the true Seed and Heirs of Promise V. Melchisedeck was a Priest not after the Order of Aaron he was not anointed with material Oil nor received his Priesthood from any other but only so declared by the Mouth of God His Priesthood passed not to other Men for as he received it from none so he passed it not to any other nor did any as we read of succeed him So Christ received his Priesthood from none but God himself and was not anointed with material Oil but with the Oil of Gladness only And as he received his Priesthood from none so he passeth it not to any other He hath none that can succeed him but abideth a Priest for ever in his own Person in Heaven Abraham a Type of Christ Parallels ABram and Abraham signify an high Father and a Father of a Multitude So is Christ an high and heavenly Father called the everlasting Father Father of all the Faithful c. II. To Abraham and to his Seed was the Promise made So to Christ and to his true Seed is the Promise made Guild Heb. 9.13 III. Abraham was King Priest and Prophet in his own Family So is Jesus Christ in his Church IV. Abraham put Hagar and Ishmael out of his House Gal. 4. So Jesus Christ cast out the Legal Covenant and fleshly Seed out of his Church Hagar being a Figure of the one and Ishmael of the other V. Abraham is called the Heir of the World Jesus Christ is so most properly and truly Rom. 4.13 Isaac a Type of Christ Parallels ISaac was the Son of Abraham the Father of the Faithful a promised Seed long before he was born and so strange was his Birth that tho he was born by the Stâ—ength of Nature yâ—t of Sarah's dead Womb Gen. 18.12 when it ceased to be with her as with other Child-bearing Women insomuch that when the Angel foretold it to her she thought it impossible So Jesus Christ is often called the Son of Abraham yet the only begotten Son of God by Nature who is the Father of all that are taught and can say in truth Our Father c. the only true promised Seed who was long prophesied of and expected by all Believers
born and incarnate by the strange and wonderful Power of the Holy-Ghost in the Womb of the Blessed Virgin yea in such a miraculous manner Luke 1.34 that when it was foretold her by the Angel she thought it impossible II. Isaac was mocked and basely abused by Ishmael the fleshly Seed So was Jesus Christ by the Jews who were the Children of the Bond-woman III. Isaac was led as a Lamb to the Slaughter So was Jesus Christ Tho in this there was a great Disparity the one was spared namely Isaac but Jesus Christ was sacrificed IV. Isaac was offered as it were and three days dead in his Father's Mind and Purpose yet died not but his Father received him as from the Dead So Jesus Christ offered but in respect of his Divinity died not and tho his Humanity lay dead hree days in the Heart of the Earth yet it revived again So both were saith Dr. Tayâ—or delivered from Death the third Day wherein the Apostle plainly makes him a Type Heb. 11.16 From whence he received him as in a Figure Type or Resemblance c. V. Isaac â—as the Learned observe was a Type of Christ in his Marriage 1. He married one of his own Kindred So the Spouse of Christ is of the same Flesh which he himself assumed 2. She was wooed by his Father's Servant So is the Spouse of Christ by his faithful Ministers 3. Rebekah resolved to forsake all her Friends and her Father's House to become Isaac's Wife So Believers forsake all in Affection and actually when called thereunto for the sake of Jesus Christ 4. She was deck'd with Jewels trimmed and rarely adorned when she came to meet Isaac So the Spouse the Lamb's Wife shall be richly deck'd and gloriously adorned to meet Jesus Christ when he comes in the Glory of the Father to receive her to himself Rev. 19.7 1 Thess 4. 5. She came to meet Isaac So shall the Saints meet Jesus Christ in the Air at the last Day Jacob a Type of Christ Parallels JAcob was a Supplanter as his Name signifies he supplanted Esau So Jesus Christ supplanted as Guild observes Sin and Satan c. II. Jacob was hated and persecuted by Esau So was Christ by Satan and his Emissaries In his great Afflictions he saw an Angel of God ascending and descending upon him So Christ after his Temptations in the Wilderness and also when he was in his bloody Agony was comforted by the Angels of God they administred unto him III. Jacob endured great Hardship for Rachel whom he dearly loved So Jesus Christ endured many Years Sorrow and Trouble for his Church whom he loved so dearly that he laid down his Life for her sake IV. Jacob was called a Prince with God he wrestled long and at last was comforted So Christ is a mighty Prince Heb. 5.7 and prevailed also being heard in that he feared Jacob's Ladder Gen. 28. a Type of Christ Parallels JAcob's Ladder which he saw in a Vision stood upon the Earth but the Top reached to Heaven So Christ albeit he was humbled in shape of sinful Flesh to the Earth as it were yet he was the Most High God reaching so to Heaven II. The Angels went up and down by it So we ascend up to God by Jesus Christ and God desâ—ends as it were by him also down to us III. The Lord stood above it and made Promises of Canaan to Jacob So God in Christ and through him hath made all Promises of Heaven and ratified them to us Gen. 28.19 IV. In the Place which was called the House of God and Gate of Heaven was the Ladder seen So in Christ's Church the true House of God we get a clear and full Sight of Christ Joseph a Type of Christ Parallels JOseph signifies Increasing he was the First-born of Rachel and Jacob's beloved Son So Christ in his human Nature in the Days of his Flâ—sh grew and increased in Strength and in Favour with God and Man and so also there shall be of his Kingdom and Glory in the World who is the Beloved of his Father Gen. 37 3â— II. Joseph was very beautiful and also excelled all his Brethren in true Vertue So Jesus Christ is more beautiful than the Children of Men he was full of Grace and Truth III. Joseph was a Man of great Wisdom able to expound deep Secrets c. In Jesus Christ are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg who is therefore called the Great Counsellor and is that blessed Lamb who hath prevailed to open the Books and loose the Seals thereof He hath the Spirit without measure and thereby opens all the deep Mysteries of God that lay hid from Ages and Generations c. Gen. 49.22 IV. He is called a fruitful Bough whose Branches run upon the Wall because out of him branched two Tribes Ephraim and Manasseh Therein saith Dr. Taylor he was a Type of Christ who is not only a fruitful Bough and called the Branch c. but also a Root from whom all the Tribes of God branch out and flourish And whereas those Trees are withered Christ shall see his Seed and prolong his Days and they shall abide to Eternity V. Joseph was a Type of Christ in his Actions 1. He was sent by his Father to visit his Brethren in the Wilderness who evilly treated him there So Jesus Christ came to visit his poor People who were wandering in the Wilderness of this World and when he came hither was evilly treated by his own Brethren the Jews who conspired to take away his Life like as Joseph's Brethren sought to deal by him 2. Joseph sed his Brethren and all his Father's House So Jesus Christ feeds the Church of God 3. Joseph being innocent yet suffered many hard Things So did Christ 4. He did all the Good he could for his Brethren who had ill deserved it from his hands So did Jesus Christ deal by poor Sinners who had abused him and still daily do 5. He taught his Brethren the great Duty of Brotherly Love See that ye fall not out by the way So Jesus Christ above all Lessons commends to us the new Commandment of Love c. VI. Joseph was a Type of Christ not only in the Actions of his Life and in respect of those Things he suffered and cruel Temptations he met with c. but also in his Advancement and great Preferment he by being abased was raised to Honour So was Jesus Christ Joseph was made a mighty Lord and was next to Pharaoh So is Christ advanced in Power and Glory next to God himself Every Man was to bow to Joseph Gen. 41.43 Phil. 2.10 Gen. 41.55 Acts 3.22 23. So every one is required to bow the Knee to Jesus Christ All were to go to Joseph they were to depend upon his Word Go to Joseph saith Pharaoh and what he saith to you do ye So God the Father hath given Christ a Name above every Name and whatsoever any Sinner
it is impossible for him who is a Man to be a Vine or a Door c. See Mr. Pool p. 107. Answ It is no less impossible for the Bread to be Christ's real Body Why might not the Vine as well as the Wine be by Transubstantiation converted into Christ's real Substance I think saith Mr. Pool the Mother as good as the Daughter And especially since Christ saith I am the Vine might not they have devised another Transubstantiation to make Christ's Words good But to proceed to shew how irrational and absurd their Notion is and what they hold as you heard that Christ's whole Body is present in every Crumb of the Bread c. and yet do affirm Christ's Body is entire and undivided and also believe it is really in Heaven in such a proportion or bigness as he had upon Earth Now then saith Mr. Pool according to their Doctrine the same Body of Christ is bigger than it self and longer than it self and which is worse Christ is divided from himself I know not what can be more impossible than to say That all Christ is at Rome and all at London and all in Heaven and yet not all in the Places between Object All this the Papists say may be done by God's Almighty Power Answ Then by the same Almighty Power it is possible for any other Man to be in so many places for it matters not that Christ should be invisible in so many places and another should be there visibly or that Christ is there in so little a Bulk and another must be in a greater And if this be so what Monsters follow from hence Can any devise greater Absurdities than they believe if in very deed they believe what they say and daily affirm Suppose now John to be by Divine Power at the same time at Rome at Paris and at London where ever John is alive it follows he must have power to move himself or else no living Creature Then John at Rome may walk towards London and the same John at London may walk towards Rome and so they may meet shall I say the one the other and you may be sure it will be a merry Meeting it were worth enquiring how long they will be ere they come together Then again at Rome all the Parts of John may be excessively hot and at London excessively cold and at Paris neither hot nor cold This is beyond all Romances that ever were devised Besides John may be sorely wounded at Rome and yet at London may sleep in a whole Skin John may be feasting at Rome and fasting at London in the same moment Object You talk at this rate because you measure God by your selves whereas He can do more than you or I can do Answ There are some things which it is no dishonour to God to say he cannot do them because they are either sinful so God cannot lie or absolutely impossible God himself cannot make a Man to be alive and dead at the same time God cannot make the Whole to be less than a Part of it He cannot make Three to be more than Threescore He cannot make a Son to beget his Father He cannot make the same Man to be born at several times as Papist Authors confess and therefore in like manner he cannot make the same Body to be in two several places for this is not one jot less impossible than the other But they must believe Christ may have Ten Thousand Bodies at one time or so many as there are Priests to consecrate the Bread and distinct Congregations to celebrate the Holy Supper Object These indeed are great Difficulties to humane Reason but Reason is not to be believed against Scripture Answ True but this is their hard Hap this Doctrine of theirs is against Scripture as well as Reason in as much as it is highly dishonourable to Christ whose Honour is the great Design of Scripture What a foul dishonour is it to him to subject him to the Will of every Mass-Priest who when he pleaseth can command him down into Bread And what a Dishonour is it That the very Body of Christ may be eaten by Rats â—um quest â— Art 3. or Worms and may be cast up by Vomit and the like as Aquinas affirms and that their Church in her Missals hath put this amongst other Directions That if Worms or Rats have eaten Christ's Body they must be burned and if any Man vomit it up it must be eaten again or burned or made a Relique And yet this is no more than their Doctrine will force them to own for if they will believe Christ's own Words in one place as well as in another he assureth us That whatsover without exception entreth into the Mouth Mat. 15.17 goeth into the Belly and is cast forth into the Draught Object What dishonour is this more to Christ than to have Fleas suck his Blood when he was upon Earth Answ Very great Dishonour For tho in the Days of his Flesh it was no dishonour to him as it was necessary for us that he suffered so many Indignities and died yet now being risen from the Dead he dieth no more And it must needs be a great Wrong Injury and Dishonour to him to be crucified again and to be brought back to those Reproaches which he long since left and all this to no purpose and without any Profit to us Again the Scripture approveth and useth this Argument that his Body cannot be in two places at one and the same time It is the Angels Argument He is not here Mat. 28.6 he is risen plainly implying that he could not be here and there too Or must we say the Argument used by the Angels of God is weak or deceitful that theirs may be strong and true Object Have we not many Examples in Holy Scripture See a Popish Book called The Fortraiture of the true Church p. 152. which shew that Christ may be in divers Places at one time Was he not in Heaven when he appeared to St. Paul Acts 9.23 Paul saith he was seen last of all of him and yet was he not then in Heaven Answ What Sight it was that Paul had of Christ is not declared however it is evident it was a Vision that he had of him for so he calleth it but that this proves the Body of Christ to be in two places at once doth not in the least appear Stephen also saw Christ and if it should be granted as some affirm that he saw his real glorified Body doth it follow the Body of Christ was then in two Places The Heavens might be opened and his Sight so strengthned that he might have a sight of the blessed Jesus whom Stephen said he saw standing on the right-hand of God Acts 7.56 Object The Papists say Christ's real Body is in the Eucharist invisibly and so the Angels might mean he was not there visibly when they said He is not here he is risen Answ To
Fire 3. Thrones which are Royal Seats of Kings and Monarchs in their Magnificence and Glory 4. Dominions or Lordships Col. 1.16 5. Principalities connoting special and peculiar Jurisdiction 6. Powers such as have Right to execute Authority by God's appointment and not by his Permission only 7. Mighties 1 Thess 4.16 8. Archangels 9. Angels c. Others account but seven Orders of Angels and some but three The holy Scripture doth not fully open and unfold the Mystery of Angels to us in this respect therefore it is good for us as I said before not to be wise above what is written tho no doubt but there is a most excellent Order amongst them And probably there are different Ranks and Degrees of them and yet all are in subjection to our Lord Jesus Christ who is their Prince and Supreme Head whom they all reverence worship and adore III. An Host or Army is raised to make War and fight under the Banner of their Prince and Sovereign and many times do dreadful Execution and make great Desolation in the Earth III. The holy Angels God's mighty Host are employed to fight his Battels and at his Command to fall upon his Enemies when all Terms of Peace and Reconciliation are rejected and Sinners are grown incorrigible c. What fearful Execution and Desolation have they made in the World when they have had Commission from the Almighty Was it not this Host that came against Sodom and Gomorrah and the Cities about them Gen. 19 13 2 Kings 19 35. We will destroy this Place One of these Souldiers destroyed no less than an hundred fourscore and five thousand Men in the Camp of the Assyrians What cause have the Enemies of the Church to tremble when they consider what a mighty and powerful Army is raised and always in readiness at God's Command to fall upon them What is the Power of the proudest Monarch here below when compared to the Strength of the Lord's Host or Christ's heavenly Army IV. An Host or great Army sometimes breaks in upon a People that are secure utterly destroying and spoiling them on a sudden IV. The Angels of God come upon the wicked Enemies of Jesus Christ and his Church sometimes on a sudden in one Night was that great Host of the Assyrians destroyed Hab. 3.16 When he cometh up unto the People he will invade them with his Troops V. An Host or mighty Army hath many slaughtering Weapons if one doth not Execution another will V. So the Angels of God have many slaughtering Weapons or Ways to dedestroy sometimes by Famine Ezek. 9.2 sometimes by Plague sometimes by the Sword and sometimes make use of all these three together against a People that God resolves utterly to destroy VI. An Host or victorious Army sometimes meet with great Opposition and are fiercely engaged by stout and sturdy Enemies that will not quickly yield tho at last they are forced to fly being vanquished VI. The holy Angels of God are sometimes opposed by evil Angels who are fierce sturdy and cruel Enemies to them And there was War in Heaven Michael Rev. 12.7 and his Angels fought against the Dragon And the Dragon fought and his Angels and prevailed not c. Metaphor Disparity AN earthly Host or Army tho never so victorious at other times may yet meet with their Match nay be sometimes worsted THe Lord's Host was never worsted Tho the evil Angels are mighty in Power and have been oftentimes too hard for the Saints yet they are not able to stand before the holy Angels of God II. Souldiers of an earthly Host are mortal Men and may be put to the Sword or lose their Lives by the hands of their Enemies II. The Angels of God are immortal Spirits and cannot sustain the least Hurt or Wound much less be slain in any Wars they are engaged in against their Enemies Inferences WHat Comfort may this administer to the Godly May I not say with the Prophet Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them 2 Kings 6.16 2. And as it affords Comfort to the Saints it may serve to terrify Sinners and such especially as are Persecutors of the Church of God How sad is their Condition considering who they make War against Can they stand before the terrible God God is their Enemy Christ is their Enemy and the Angels of Heaven are against them and their Enemies likewise 3. Bless God you that are in Covenant with him for the sake of these Helpers 4. This shews us also what great Glory is conferred upon the Lord Jesus Christ our blessed Mediator He is the Head and chief Leader of all the glorious Angels they are all at his Command and ready to engage in his Wars if he does but speak the Word they come with slaughtering Weapons in their hands Ezek. 9.2 to execute his Wrath and Displeasure upon the World The Holy Angels compared to the Faces of a Man of a Lion of an Ox and of an Eagle Ezek. 1.6.10 And every one had four Faces c. that is every one of the living Creatures or Angels which the Prophet saw in the Vision FOur particular Angels as some conceive which were chief over the rest of the whole Host of Angels Others upon better Reason rather understand it relates to the four Parts of the World East West North and South i. e. the Work of Angels laid out in all those Parts See Mr. Greenhill on Ezekiel pag. 85. Observ 1. God employeth glorious intelligent Creatures in his Service in the Ways and Workings of his Power and Providence in the World Observ 2. That Angels are in all Quarters of the Earth taking notice of Mens Works and Ways they perceive what is done in every Place by the Just and by the Vnjust The Consideration of which should make us carry our selves wisely and holily at all times and in all Places And every one had four Faces 1. The Face of a Man 2. The Face of a Lion 3. The Face of an Ox. 4. The Face of an Eagle In some Pictures saith Reverend Greenhill you may see several Faces so drawn that which way soever you look a several Face is presented So here before was the Face of a Man behind the Face of a Lion on the right side the Face of an Ox and on the left side the Face of an Eagle There is not a Face but is compared to the Face of some principal Creature Man is the chief of all the rest a Lion is the King of wild Beasts the Ox is the chief of the tame Ones and the Eagle is the chief of the Birds To these distinctly I. The Face of a Man Metaphor Parallel THe Face of a Man notes Understanding and the Excellency of Reason by which all human Actions are managed ANgels have great Knowledg and Understanding By their Likeness unto Man is laid before us the Rationality Knowledg and Understanding of Angels They
more safe and secure to dwell in and some Cities have two or three Walls to make them more impregnable II. The Church of God hath strong Walls about it We have a strong City Isa 26.1 Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks The Church hath a threefold Wall about it First The Wall of God's Providence Hast not thou made a Hedg or Wall about him As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem Job 1. Psal 125.2 so the Lord is round about them that fear him c. Secondly The Protection of the holy Angels Psal 34.7 The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him c. Thirdly God in an extraordinary manner is as a Wall of Fire round about her Zech. 2.5 every one of his Attributes is a gracious Defence to the Church III. Some Cities are bravely scituated they are built upon a Hill III. The Church of God is famous upon this account Beautiful for Scituation Psal 48.2 the Joy of the whole Earth is Mount Zion on the sides of the North the City of the great King Mat. 16.18 Ye are as a City set upon a Hill IV. A City is built of many Materials and in it are many Buildings or Houses set in rare Uniformity curiously joined and compacted together IV. The Church of God is built up of many living Stones consisting of divers particular Societies or spiritual Houses Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Foreigners Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone In whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth to an holy Temple in the Lord c. In whom ye also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Jerusalem is builded as a City that is compact together Psal 122.3 V. A City hath its particular Laws Institutions and Customs by which it is governed V. The Church of God also hath special Laws Institutions and Customs belonging to it by which it is in all things governed which are contained in the holy Scripture the great Charter and Statute-Book of the Church VI. A City hath a supreme Governor in it who rectifies all Disorders and Confusions that otherwise would be therein considering the Multitude of its Inhabitants VI. The Church of God is not without a good Government and a Supreme Magistrate viz. the Lord Jâ—sus Christ who is the chief Judg and Law-giver or Head of this spiritual Corporation VII A City hath besides the chief Governor and principal Magistrate divers inferior Officers for Administration of Justice and well governing thereof VII So the Church of God hath inferior Officers under Jesus Christ which the Citizens by the appointment of Christ are required to substitute and ordain to govern and keep all things in good Order And he gave some Apostles Ephes 4.8 9 10 11 12. and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. VIII A City hath some special Trade belonging to it by which its Inhabitants are enriched VIII The Church or City of God hath a spiritual Trade belonging to it which all the Citizens do and ought always to follow by which they are also greatly enriched IX Many Cities have Merchants in them who trade into remote parts of the World and fetch their Merchandize from afar IX The Saints or Citizens of Zion are all Merchants who trade daily to Heaven they fetch their blessed Merchandize from thence Phil. 3.20 Prov. 41. Our Conversation is in Heaven Hence the Church is by Solomon compared to Merchants Ships See Merchants Ships Saints have like other Merchants their Correspondent Jesus Christ who makes glorious Returns of all they venture or send to Heaven For every Duty rightly performed he makes Returns of Mercy for Tears of godly Sorrow he returns them the Oil of Joy Thou wilt saith holy David put my Tears into thy Bottle By which means the spiritual Citizens grow rich in Faith Hope Experience c. See the Parable of the Merchant-man Now touching the Trade Traffick or Merchandize of this City upon which its Wealth and Prosperity doth wholly depend take what follows First Their Trade is heavenly Wherefore holy Brethren Heb. 3.1 2 Partakers of the heavenly Calling consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession Jesus Christ And as they are all Merchants and use one Trade so they all deal with one and the same Benefactor from whom they have quick Returns they fetch their Goods from afar Something touching the Excellency of the Trade of the City of God I shall hint in a few Particulâ—rs Secondly As touching her Commodities or the Merchandize which her Citizens deal in First Negatively 1. They are not prohibited Goods 2. They are not counterfeit Goods 3. They are not temporal and corruptible Goods Secondly Affirmatively and more directly they are 1. Soul enriching Commodities things that are of very great worth and value The Merchandize of Wisdom is better than the Merchandize of Silver Prov. 3.14 and the Gain thereof than fine Gold 2. They are needful things such things as we cannot be without Some things that Merchants of a City deal in and fetch from afar tho they are of great value yet we may very well subsist and live comfortably without them as Pearl and precious Stones c. But there is an absolute Necessity of all those things the Citizens of this City trade in and for 3. They are such Commodities as will make the Nations and Persons that buy them happy for ever and indeed there is no true Happiness without them Quest What is the Traffick of this City of God Answ The first thing that I shall mention is the Truth this she offers to Sale Buy the Truth and sell it not Prov. 23.23 The Church is called the Pillar and Ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Truth is only to be found in this City or in the Ware-Houses of the Citizens of Zion viz. the Word of God and the Hearts of Believers The second thing is a Soul-converting Gospel and blessed Ordinances The Law goeth forth of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem Mic. 2.4 The third thing they deal in are the Gifts and Soul-enriching Graces of the Spirit Hope Love Humility c. things of very great worth The fourth is Justification every true Sinner makes it his Business to get this precious Treasure The fifth thing is the Peace of God which passeth all Understanding one of the rarest Commodities in the World The sixth thing is Union and Communion with God 1 Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ The seventh thing is Peace of Conscience Herein do I exercise my self Acts 24.16
Pardon when God absolves a poor Sinner he not only forgives but also forgets their Sins and Iniquities he remembers no more 3. Because it is a Freedom from the Guilt of it 4. Because it is a Freedom from the Power and Dominion of it 5. It is a Freedom from the Punishment of it Rom. 6.14 Rom. 8.1 1 John 5.24 6. Because 't is a purchased Freedom it was obtained by a great Sum viz. the Sum of God's great Love and Grace with the Sum of Christ's Blood Remission is through Christ's Atonement 7. Because it is a sealed Freedom it is made over to the Soul by the King 's own Seal the Spirit of God Eph. 1.13 14. that great Seal of Heaven 8. Because it is a lasting Freedom the Sins of Believers are forgiven for ever they shall never be laid to their Charge The second Privilege of this City is Gospel-Fellowship free Access to the Lord's Table and Communion with the Saints Eph. 2.6 They are made to sit down together in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus The third Privilege is Right to the Ministry they may all lay claim to the Ministers and Ministry of the Word Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas all are yours 1 Cor. 3.27 28. They and all their Gifts and gracious Endowments are the Saints The fourth Privilege is their undoubted Right to the City-Stock or the Churches Patrimony 1. The Stock of Prayers sincere Souls have a Right to all the Prayers of the Church 2. To that Store and spiritual Provision viz. the Bread of Life Psal 132 15. c. that is laid up in her God will bless the Provision of Zion and satisfy her Poor with Bread 3. The Stock of Promises God hath promised to bless comfort strengthen beautify build up and save Sion and consequently every Saint and Member thereof for all those and many more like Promises are directly made to every sincere Soul or Citizen of Sion The fifth Privilege is free Access to the Throne of Grace Eph. 2.18 Sixthly a Dwelling-place there This is a glorious Privilege they dwell near the King behold him in the Galleries every day they dwell in God's Courts nay in his House Blessed are they that dwell in thy House they will be still praising thee Psal 84.1 Psal 92.13 Selah They that are planted in the House of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God they shall bring forth Fruit in old Age c. 1. 'T is a strong and sure Dwelling-place He shall dwell on high Isa 32.18 Isa 33.16 his Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks 2. 'T is a rich and glorious Dwelling-place 3. 'T is a pleasant Dwelling-place 4. 'T is an honourable Dwelling-place 5. 'T is and shall be a peaceable Habitation Look upon Zion Isa 33.20 the City of our Solemnities Thine Eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the Stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken Seventhly They have a Right and Privilege to chuse their own Officers every free Citizen hath his Voice at every Election No Minister Bishop or Deacon may be imposed upon them without their own free Consent Eighthly They have Right to all the Blessings and privileges of the River the Streams whereof make glad all the Inhabitants the Nature of whose Water you have heard Ninthly They have a Right to the City-Guard which always attends them whithersoever they go or whatsoever they do when they are about their proper Work which are the good Angels Tenthly The last Privilege I shall mention is Sonship Joh. 1.12 Gal 4.6 But to as many as received him to them gave he Power or Privilege to become the Sons of God Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts crying Abba Father XIII Some Cities have a common Stock in them out of which the poor decayed Citizens are often supplied and helped in their Distress and thereby delivered from utter Beggery XIII The Church hath a common Stock or Storehouse belonging to it called the unsearchable Riches of Christ Eph. 3 8. out of which all poor decayed Christians have their Wants supplied That Grace that is treasured up in Christ is always ready to be given forth to his poor Children and by this means they are kept from Ruin and being utterly undone My God shall supply all your Needs according to his Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus Phil. 4.19 XIV A City hath also a strict Watch appointed to keep the Gates and to see that no Accident happen in it to the hurt and detriment thereof XIV The Church or City of God hath also a strong and faithful Militia or spiritual Watch which are the holy Angels These are called Watchers Dan. 4.23 or Watchmen and in other places the Lord's Host or the Armies of Heaven who are mighty in Power one of them being able to destroy all the Churches Enemies These keep the Saints day and night they encamp about them and see that no Evil comes unto them Besides them God is said to watch over his People continually who is called the Watchman of Israel and the Saviour thereof in the Day of Trouble Psal 127.1 2. Vnless the Lord keep the City the Watchman waketh but in vain Besides Psal 127.1 See 6th head of Metaphors there are the Ministers of the Gospel who are called Watchmen XV. A great and famous City hath Towers and Battlements belonging to it not only for Ornament but also for Strength and Security from Evil. XV. The City of God is famous in respect of its Towers and Places of Security Walk about Zion Psal 48.12 13 14. and go round about her mark well her Bulwarks consider her Palaces that ye may tell it to the Generation following For this God is our God for ever and ever and he will be our Guide until Death The Name of the Lord is a Strong-Tower c. Everyone of the blessed Attributes of God are as so many Towers of Safety to his Church See Strong-Tower in the First Head of Metaphors XVI In a City notwithstanding the many noble and honourable Personages or worthy Patrons that dwell therein yet there are some ill and unworthy Members that get a being there which tends much to its Blemish and Reproach XVI So the City of God notwithstanding all the holy and eminent Saints and Servants of God who dwell therein yet hath in it some wicked and ungodly Ones who by Craft and Hypocrisy get a being there tho when known they are turned out as the incestuous Person Hymeneus and Alexander was 1 Cor. 5. 1 Tim. 1.20 Jud. 4. For there are certain Men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this Condemnation ungodly Men turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ These
above another and larger each than other VI. So in the Church God hath placed Degrees of Officers some greater and higher in Glory than others as Apostles Eph. 4.11 Pastors Teachers c. VII The Walls of the Temple were covered round about with Cherubims Palm-Trees and Flowers VII To note saith Mr. Guild the Protection of the Church by the Ministry of Angels tho they are not seen and its peaceable victorious and flourishing State under the same VII Solomon consecrated the Temple unto the Lord. VIII Joh. 17. So did Christ his Church unto the Father IX There was Musick used in the Temple IX Which signifies that Joy of Heart Eph. 5.19 and heavenly Melody that is in the Church amongst the faithful and sincere Converts thereof X. In the Temple was the Ark of the Testimony and in the midst of the House 't is said he set it X. So in the Church is God's Word and Covenant of Grace born by Christ and by his true Ministers by preaching and publishing the same XI The Glory of the Lord filled the Temple God promised to dwell therein and hear the Prayers that should be there made I have hallowed this House 2 Chron. 7.15 saith God that thou hast built to put my Name there for ever and mine Eyes and my Heart shall be there perpetually XI So the glorious Presence of Go is in his Church he dwelleth in Sion and from thence the Perfection of Beauty shines forth and the Promises of blessed Grace Peace Pardon and Acceptance is made to them who dwell therein His Eye is always upon the Righteous his Ears open to their Cry 1 Pet. 3.12 and his tender Compassion is ever toward them Type Disparity THe Temple was built with dead and senseless Stones THe Church is built with living 1 Pet. 2.5 sensible and lively Stones II. The Stones were polished and hewen by the hands of Men. II. These Stones are hewn and polished by the hand of the Spirit III. The Temple that was built by Solomon was utterly destroyed by the Babylonians III. The Church of God can never be destroyed the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against it Mat. 16.18 so as utterly to overthrow it tho it is not denied but the outward Courts have been trodden down by the Popish Gentiles Rev. 11.2 A Parallel between the second Temple built in the Days of Nehemiah and the Church of God Built in the latter Days Metaphor Parallel THe Temple that was built in the Days of Nehemiah was first destroyed by the literal Babylonians SIgnifying the Church of God should be greatly defaced and spoiled and the outward Courts trodden down by the mystical Babylonians Rev. 11 2 3 and afterwards rebuilt or rather repaired again II. The Temple was built in a troublesom Time they wrought with one hand and held a Sword in the other II. Signifying that the Church of God should be rebuilt in a troublesom time and that great Opposition should be made against them III. The Temple was rebuilt by such as had been for many Years in the Babylonian Captivity Neh. 4.13 III. Signifying that the rebuilding of God's Church should be by such as had been a long time in spiritual Captivity under the mystical Babylonians or Mother of Harlots IV. The Builders of this second Temple were look'd upon as poor weak and contemptible Persons in comparison of Solomon Neh. 4.2 and those that built with him IV. Signifying that those whom God would raise up to repair the waste Places of Sion in the latter Days should be poor weak inconsiderable Persons very unlikely to perfect so great a Work as Reformation is What was Luther and others whom God employed to the holy Apostles who were the first Builders V. The Builders of this Temple were greatly mock'd and jeer'd There were Sanballat Gesham Tobiah and others who in reproachful manner said What will these feeble Jews do Neh. 4.2 3 4. will they make an end in a Day If a Fox go up he shall even break down their Stone-Wall V. So the Rebuilders in these latter Days have been greatly reproached and contemned by the Enemies of Christ those that are truly religious called feeble weak and foolish Ones c. nay Hereticks Schismaticks and many other reproachful Names have been and still are daily given to them and their Work much slighted and despised also VI. The Builders of this Temple had much Rubbish to remove Neh. 4.2 before they could go on with their Work VI. So the Builders of God's Church in these latter Days have had much Popish Rubbish to remove much Filth of humane Inventions and Traditions of that Church being in their way some Stones being almost quite lost amongst this Rubbish and others ready to mistake and instead of a Stone of Sion they take a Stone of Babylon VII The Builders of this Temple were hindred and for a time the Work ceased VII So the Builders of God's House or Reformers in Religion have often been hindred or obstructed in these latter Days VIII Many People were very backward about rebuilding the Temple Hag. 1.2 in the Days of Haggai and Nehemiah crying the Time was not come that the House of the Lord should be built VIII So have many Souls been very backward about the Work of Reformation or repairing the House of God they have dwelt in their cieled Houses and let the House of God as it were lie waste IX Tho many cruel Enemies endeavoured to hinder the rebuilding of the Temple yet the Work went on and was finished in some Time to the Joy of the Faithful IX So the Enemies now as in former Times strive to hinder the repairing of God's House yet the Work of Reformation shall in due time be perfected to the Joy of all sincere Christians X. That Work was carried on not by Might Zech 4 6. nor by Power but by the Spirit of the Lord. X. So the Work in these Days goes on not so much by the Power of Men or human Help as by the Power of God and his Spirit XI God promised that the Glory of the second House should exceed the Glory of the first Hag. 2.9 which some conceive was made good by Christ's coming whose personal Presence in the Temple greatly added to its Glory XI So the Church of God in the latter Day will be far more glorious than it was ever yet since the beginning of the World which will be accomplished as will be shewed in respect of these things following 1. God will destroy all the Enemies of his Church 1 Sam. 2.10 Psal 37.10 11. The Adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces out of Heaven God will thunder upon them for evil Doers shall be cut off Yet a little while and the Wicked shall not be but the Meek shall possess the Earth c. And all that lift up a hand against Zion shall be torn in pieces God will plead the
Diet. III. So the Church is a Place of Soul-refreshment to all spiritual Travellers and Pilgrims There is both the sincere Milk of the Word and strong-Meat 1 Pet. 2.1 2. Heb. 5.12 all things ready the Soul needs Some are for one sort of Diet some for another In the Church also is sweet Repose there Christ giveth Rest to the Weary IV. An Inn sometimes lodgeth unknown to the Host evil Persons Thieves and Deceivers IV. So the Church notwithstanding all the Care that is taken by her Officers doth sometimes receive or take in false Professors such as are unsound at Heart Hypocrites and deceitful Workers V. An Inn is a very desirable Place to Men in their Journey V. So is the Church of God hence David longed after the Courts of God's House Psal 84.2 VI. An Inn is not a Place to abide long in the Traveller takes up his Abode in it but a Night or two and he is gone VI. So the Church Militant is no long abiding Place Christians stay in it but for a short time 't is a Place of Refreshment as it were for a Night Psal 30.5 Heb. 13.14 Here we have no continuing City we are Strangers as all our Fathers were when we come to Heaven we shall abide with the Church Triumphant for ever Metaphor Disparity IN an Inn there is little to be had without Money if a Man hath not Money or Credit he is no Guest for them THe Church is a Place for the Poor for such as have no Money they are welcome thither The Doors of this Inne are always open to all sincere Souls whether they be poor or rich II. A Man that comes to lodge in an Inn tho he hath never so good Entertainment yet he is not contented to stay there he makes ready in the morning to go forward in his Journey II. But he that comes to take up his Lodging in the Church or spiritual Inn if he be sincere desireth not to go out from thence any more he desireth to dwell therein as long as he liveth tho our abiding in this World is but compared to a Night One thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after Psal 27.4 that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the Days of my Life III. An Inn may be so full of Guests that a weary Traveller especially if he come late can have no Entertainment but is forced to seek it elsewhere Luk. 2.8 There was no Room for them in the Inne III. The Church was never yet so full but that there was Room for all those that were weary and heavy-laden All that ever truly travelled towards Sion have found Entertainment there nay Mat. 22 3 to 14. tho the Servants of the Lord have been sent into the Streets and Lanes to fetch in the Poor and the Maimed and the Halt and the Blind and they do accordingly yet there is Room As there can be no want of any Accommodation of spiritual Food so there is no want of Room All that have been called by the Word and Spirit and compelled by Grace to come in in all Ages have had blessed Entertainment and as God hath enlarged and encreased Converts so he hath enlarged and encreased the Church by three thousand at a time Acts 2.40 IV. Commonly those that lodge in an Inn are Strangers and Foreiners and staying but a night or a very short time have no acquaintance with any that dwell therein IV. But the Saints that are in the spiritual Inn the Church Eph. 2.19 are no more Strangers and Foreigners but therein make their abode for tho it be said 't is but for a Night or a Day c. yet 't is as long as they live and they get very great Acquaintance with those that dwell therein Inferences BLess God that he hath provided such a Place of Refreshment for poor weary Travellers 2. You that look upon your selves to be Strangers and Pilgrims in this World may learn from hence where to take up your Lodging 3. Also it may inform God's People and faithful Ministers what care they ought to take in receiving Men and Women into the Church Inn-keepers will examine all suspicious Persons The Church compared to a Vine Psal 80.8 Thou hast brought a Vine out of Egypt thou hast cast out the Heathen and planted it c. Verse 14. Behold and visit this Vine c. Cant. 2.15 For our Vines have tender Grapes c. Hos 14.8 And flourish as the Vine The Church is compared to a Vine Metaphor Parallel A Vine is no beautiful Plant yet very fruitful it abounds with inward Sap. SO the Church altho she doth not seem so beautiful to carnal Eyes yet she is very fruitful to God Psal 104.6 The Trees of the Lord that is the Saints of God are full of Sap full of Divine Vertue or good Fruits II. A Vine spreads forth its Branches and accordingly grows much in a short time II. So the Lord 's spiritual Vine hath in former times exceedingly spread her Branches forth the Mountains are said to be covered with the Shadow of it and the Boughs thereof were like the goodly Cedars Psal 80.8 9 10 11. She stretched out her Branches to the Sea and her Boughs unto the River Israel God's ancient Vine grew wonderfully and so did the Gospel-Vine how did it in a little time spread forth its spiritual Branches Eastwards and Westwards over many Nations and Kingdoms She extended her Bouhgs into Parthia Media Mesopotamia Egypt Judea Cappadocia Pontus Asia Pamphilia Lybia Spain Italy England c. III. The Vine must have much Pains taken with it it needs Pruning often or else it will decay III. So God takes much pains with his Church it is pruned and purged Joh. 15.2 that it may bring forth the more Fruit. IV. The Vine is in it self but a weak Plant and therefore needs Under-propping IV. So the Church is in her self but weak and needs to be born up by Christ God is the Strength of his People they are wholly supported by Him V. Tho the Vine hath many Branches yet all have a Sufficiency of Sap and Nourishment from the Root to make them fruitful V. So the Church tho she hath many Members yet all receive a Sufficiency of Grace and Divine Virtue of the Root viz. the Lord Jesus to make them fruitful VI. The Vine if it be barren or unfruitful is the most unprofitable of any Tree and fit for nothing but the Fire Son of Man what cometh of the Vine-Tree above all other Trees and of the Vine-Branches which is amongst the Trees of the Forrest Shall Wood be taken thereof to hang any Vessel thereon Behold it is cast into the Fire to be burnt VI. So are the Members of the visible Church if unfruitful good for nought but to be cut down and cast into the Fire as our Saviour himself sheweth John 15. Therefore thus saith
tender and dear Wife is greatly troubled when her Husband seems to be offended and angry with her and strives to pacify him again and is never at Rest or Peace until she finds his Love towards her as formerly and all things right between them IX So a gracious Soul if Christ be offended and withdrawn from him is greatly cast down and grieved Cant. 5.6 Thou hiddest thy Face and I was troubled I opened to my Beloved but my Beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone My Soul failed when he spake I sought him but I could not find him I called him but he gave me no Answer Isa 63.15 64.9 Where is the sounding of thy Bowels and thy Mercy towards me are they restrained Be not wroth very sore O Lord neither remember our Iniquity for ever behold we beseech thee we are thy People X. The Wife by her Marriage with her Husband is delivered from Arrests for Debts no sooner is she married but her Husband is liable to that Danger it falls upon him he must see to satisfy and pay what she owed X. So in like manner no sooner is a Soul espoused or married to Christ but all his Debts to Law and Justice fall upon Christ and he pays all He stands between Wrath and us Justice and us He keeps off all Danger of Arrests and Fear of Imprisonment He hath Riches enough All is cleared the day the Soul closes in with him tho whole Mountains of Guilt were upon us before XI The Wife that is married to a Prince or mighty Potentate is thereby greatly exalted or raised to Honour becomes a Queen the same day the Marriage is consummated and hath the Attendance of his Servants XI So the Church being married to Christ the Lord Jesus the Prince of Heaven and Earth is raised to the greatest Honour imaginable she is made hereby a Princess and hence called a Queen On thy right-hand did stand the Queen Psal 45 9. in Gold of Ophir The Saints also have the Attendance of Christ's Servants the holy Angels They are sent forth to minister to them that are Heirs of eternal Life Heb. 1.14 XII The Wife that is married to a rich and godly Husband is thereby freed from much Care and Trouble for he provideth for her and manageth all her Concerns It is true altho every Husband is bound by the Law of that Relation to provide for his Wife and free her from Care as much as he can yet some are poor and unable to do it and hence the Wife is involved in as much Care and Trouble as he XII Christ frees his People from all inordinate and unnecessary Care 1 Pet. 5.7 Cast all your Care upon him for he careth for you He manageth all our Concerns in Heaven always appearing before God for us 1 Joh. 2.1 We have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous And he manageth all our Affairs on Earth in a way of Grace and Divine Providence Isa 27 12. works all our Works in us and for us He gives and loves saves and feeds us and will never leave us till he hath brought us to Heaven He became poor 2 Cor. 8.9 but we were no Losers thereby for by his Poverty we are made rich XIII A Wife brings forth Children and is many times very fruitful to her Husband and when she hath brought them forth takes care of them feeds and nurseth them XIII So the Church is fruitful to Christ bringing forth many Sons and Daughters to him whom she takes care of feeds and nurseth as the Mother does her Children For thus saith the Lord Behold Isa 66.12 13. I will extend Peace to her like a River and the Glory of the Gentiles like a flowing Stream Then shall ye suck ye shall be born upon her sides and dandled upon her Knees as one whom his Mother comforteth c. See Mother XIV A Wife hath the Privilege to know her Husbands Mind for many things which are kept secret from others are made known to the Wife XIV Psal 25.14 So the Secrets of the Lord are with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Eye hath not seen 1 Cor. 2.9 10. nor Ear heard nor hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit Metaphor Disparity A Wife may soon lose her Husband Death we see many times takes him away and she is thereby made a Widow and her Children fatherless BUt the Church cannot lose her Husband Christ dieth no more Rev. 1.18 he is immortal and therefore she can never be a Widow nor her Children fatherless I will not leave you comfortless Joh. 14.18 the word is Orphans He is an everlasting Husband Inferences STand and wonder Doth Christ espouse and take to Wife such a poor and contemptible Creature as Mankind What disproportion is there between a King and a Beggar between an Ant and an Angel a far greater disproportion there is between Jesus Christ and Sinners He is high and great but we are base and vile He is blessed and glorious we are wretched and miserable He is a mighty King King of Kings and we poor Slaves and Vassals yea the worst of Slaves Vassals and Slaves to Sin and Satan 2. From hence you may perceive the unspeakable Nearness there is between Christ and his People can there be a sweeter and more glorious Union than this If we consider the Properties of it it is a spiritual a real an operative an enriching an intimate an indissoluble Union to be Bone of his Bone and Flesh of his Flesh What can any Soul desire more What greater Happiness what more glorious saith one of the Ancients than this Union 3. What Doctrine can yield greater Comfort to Believers who are thus happily espoused and married to Jesus Christ We say such and such are well disposed of happily married O Soul how well art thou disposed of What! married to Christ to the Son of God to the King of Heaven and Earth 4. This may shew the Saints their Duty and put them in mind of their Covenant Soul thou hast vowed and canst not go back 5. And may he of use especially to all that stand related as Husband and Wife in the Church for Husbands to make Christ their Pattern in their Carriage and Deportment towards their Wives and likewise Wives to make the Church their Example in their Behaviour towards their Husbands as the Apostle giveth direction Eph. 5.21 ult 6. Lastly What Terror doth this speak to the Enemies of the Church If the Church be the Wife of Christ what will they do that so much abuse her and continually seek her Life Let them know He will appear in Wrath and Vengeance to save and deliver her and will tear them in pieces in a short time The Church compared to a Bush on
time By means of the Fruitfulness of that one spiritual Garden seven Gardens more were planted in Asia viz. Ephesus Smyrna Pergamus Thyatira Sardis Rev. 1.11 Philadelphia and Laodicea besides many others which we read of c. XI A Garden must be often watered or else it will soon fade and the Fruit thereof wither away and the choice Flowers will hang down their Heads XI God's Garden must be often watered by the Divine Rain or Dew of Heaven viz. the Word and Spirit of God My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain Deut. 32.1 2. And without these Waterings from above the Fruit of the Church will soon fail all our Growth and Greenness is continued by the means of the Word and Ordinances XII A Garden must have the Door carefully kept and look'd after lest Thieves and other Spoilers should get in and ruine it XII So the Door of the Church must be carefully kept by such as have the Charge of it viz. the Ministers or Pastors thereof or the Danger is great it behoveth them to take care who they let in Christ's Garden should be as a Garden enclosed and Fountain sealed to all Unbelievers But yet let them be never so careful some Decâ—ivers or Hypocrites will as in former Times creep in 't was so when the chief Gardener himself was upon the Earth there was a Judas among the twelve Apostles XIII The chief Owner of a Garden loves to take his Walks in it to see how the Plants and precious Fruits do flourish XIII So the Lord Jesus who is the Owner and only Proprietor of his Church loves to take his Walks in it Cant. 5.1 I am come into my Garden my Sister my Spouse He is said to walk in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks Let us get up early to the Vineyards Cant. 7 1â— let us see whether the Vine flourish whether the tender Grapes appear and the Pomegranates bud forth there will I give thee my Loves XIV In a Garden as it is found by Experience Worms do much hurt especially when they get to the Root of Plants or Flowers They may seem very green and flourishing when there are some devouring Worms gnawing at the Roots by which means in a little time they die are pulled up and cast away XIV So in the Church Sin which may be compared to a Worm or hurtful Vermine doth exceeding much Detriment A Christian seemeth very green amiable and fair to the Eye like some Plants full of Leaves but there is some cursed Worm some secret Lust that mars his Root and in time he withers and dies and is pluck'd up and cast away This may be a Caution to all to take heed XV. In a Garden whatsoever choice Flower the Owner of it seeeth is fully ripe if he hath a mind to it he crops it off and takes it to himself XV. So in the Church those Flowers or precious Saints Jesus Christ seeth are fully ripe for Heaven he crops off by Death and taketh them to himself A godly Man dies when he is ready and ripe for Death When a holy Man dies saith Mr. Caryl Caryl it is Harvest-time with him Tho in a natural Capacity he may be cut down whilst he is green or cropp'd in the Bud or Blossom yet in his spiritual Capacity he never dies before he is ripe God ripens his speedily when he intends to take them out of the World speedily XVI A Garden flourisheth best that hath the sweet warm and splendent Rays of the Sun shining upon it How sweet do the Flowers and precious Herbs smell when the Rain distills the South Wind blows and the Sun sweetly breaks forth upon it XVI So the Church never thrives nor flourisheth but when the Sun of Righteousness shineth in a gracious manner upon it when the Rain or spiritual Dew descends the South Wind of the Spirit bloweth and the Sun of Righteousness sweetly shineth what a fragrant Scent doth the Church of God and gracious Ones then send forth Hence Christ calleth for the South Wind to blow upon his Garden Cant. 4 1â— that the Spices thereof may flow forth XVII A Garden is attended with several Seasons Winter as well as Summer And tho in the Winter many Flowers seem decayed and their Glory gone yet a Winter's sharp Frosts and cold North Winds are as necessary as the Summer for the killing of the Weeds and Worms which otherwise would abound XVII The Church hath its Winter as well as its Spring and Summer-Season nay and the nipping Frosts and North Winds of Temptations and Afflictions are as profitable to the Saints as the Summer of Comfort Peace and Prosperity for God seeth need of the one as well as the other to destroy those Weeds of Corruption or indwelling Sin that is in our Hearts If need be 1 Pet. 1.6 ye are in Heaviness through manifold Temptations Disparity THere are divers Disparities Christ's Garden excelleth all other Gardens They are the Plantations of Men this is planted by Christ Their Fruit is temporal and fading this is spiritual and lasting They that plant other Gardens cannot make them grow but Christ can And many others might be minded which I here omit Inferences THis shews what a vast Difference there is between the Church and the World What is a howling and barren Wilderness to a choice and lovely Garden II. Bless God that this precious Garden is not spoiled and its Hedg of Divine Providence not removed nor pluck'd up III. Let us pray tho it be surrounded about at this day with cruel Enemies that it may never be moved taken and trodden down by Romish Wolves or other ravenous Beasts of Prey IV. Let the Adversary tremble whose evil Intent is fully discovered how they proceed in their Designs against God's Church Christ's spiritual Garden since it is so prized by him and his own proper Inheritance he alone being the Proprietor thereof How often doth he say My Garden my Vineyard It appears it is his 1. In that he bought the Ground with the Price of his precious Blood to make a Garden of it 2. He hath at his own Charge planted and sown it 3. He keeps it and waters it and watcheth over it Night and Day Isa 27 2 3 4. 'T is he only that gathereth the Fruit of it Wo therefore to them that adventure to crop and pull up and destroy any of its choice Flowers They that touch God's People Christ's Lillies touch the Apple of his Eye V. Let the Saints of Christ also learn from hence to be fruitful Christ hath been at great Cost and Pains in order thereunto And that you may be so 1. See that you are Plants of his own planting otherwise you will be pluck'd up 2. See that you are well-rooted such bring forth most Fruit. 3. Take heed of the Worm at the Root 4. Take heed whom ye chuse for Garden-Dressers and look to your Hedge or Wall of Church-Discipline You must know
your Bounds the Garden of Christ must not be opened into other Men's Fields Keep your Communion entire remember you are bounded by Christ's Laws and Institutions take heed you do not with Ephraim mix your selves with other People The Church compared to a Lilly Cant. 2.2 As the Lilly among the Thorns so is my Love among the Daughters CHrist calleth his Church his Love and compareth her to a Lilly among Thorns By Daughters are meant as some conceive other Churches who pretend themselves to be the Spouse of Christ Daughters saith the Learned Wendelin are either Nations Strangers to the Church of Christ which nevertheless are joined to us by the common Ligaments of Humanity and descend from the same Creator and therefore called Daughters or else such as profess their Names among the Citizens of Zion the Church of Christ But as the Church is compared to a Lilly so with the greatest Elegancy the Daughters are compared to Thorns Simile Parallel A Lilly is a very sweet Flower so fragrant that Naturalists tell us a Man's Senses will be easily turned with the Strength thereof SO there is nothing sweeter to Christ than the Church the Spouse Caâ—t 4.7 10 14. Thou art all fair my Love there is no Spot in thee The Smell of thy Ointment is better than all Spices Spikenard and Saffron Calamus and Cinamon with all Trees of Frankincense Myrrh and Aloes with the chief Spices The Church and faithful Children of God are unto Christ a sweet Savour And 't is said Noah built an Altar to the Lord and took of every clean Fowl Gen. 8.40 41. and offered Burnt-Offerings on the Altar and the Lord smelled a sweet Savour II. A Lilly is an exceeding white Flower nothing more pure nothing whiter saith the same Author than a Lilly II. So nothing is more fair and white or purer in Christ's Sight than the Church My Vndefiled is but one she is the only one of her Mother she is the choice one of her that bare her Thou art all fair my Love and there is no Spot in thee Hence said to be cloathed in fine Linnen clean and white Christ her blessed Bridegroom gave himself for her Eph. 5.25 26 27. that he might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of Water by the Word that he might present her to himself a glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing but that she should be holy and without Blemish III. The Lilly is a very fruitful Flower Plin. lib. 21. cap. 5. one Root saith Pliny often yielding fifty Pods The Dew of Heaven the Heat of the Sun and Fatness of the Soil make it fruitful III. The Church is fruitful nothing more fruitful saith Wendelin The which being planted in the Field of one Jerusalem in the Days of old watered by the Apostolick Men with the Dew of the Word and Miracles the Sun of Righteousness shining upon it Mal. 4.2 and infusing of his Divine Heat into it In what part of the World See Vine in the space of a few Years hath it not taken Root In the former Age after the Roman Winters of the Alpine Snow had for some Ages depressed this Flower and reduced its Leaves to admirable Paucity insomuch that they were scarcely visible to the World and had circumscribed its Roots into a narrow Space how great and swift were the Increasings of it the Heavens which before seemed shut again bedewing of it Then that Word saith he we saw fulfilled which was promised in Times past to Israel Hos 14 4 5. I will be as the Dew unto Israel and he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his Roots as Lebanon His Branches shall spread and his Beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree and his Smell as Lebanon Germany England France Italy Spain Poland Hungary Denmark Sweden hath and what Country of Europe hath not within a few Years seen the Roots and Branches thereof spread and smelt its Odor The Popish Waves Flames and Axes could neither suffocate burn nor cut up the Flower Leaves nor Roots of this Lilly The Shadow of the Highest hath restrained the Flames his Spirit bound up or constrained the Waves his Right-hand with-held the Axes that grinning and grinding Dragon that the Beast and false Prophet could do nothing c. IV. The Lilly is a very tall Flower few Flowers as Pliny observes are higher than the Lilly IV. So the Church and People of God are the tallest or highest People in the World they dwell on high Isa 33. Christ's Spouse is secure in that most high and Heaven-threatning Rock Mat. 16.18 not to be overthrown by any of the Enemies battering Rams nor to be reached by any Power of the Dragon This is that chosen Generation 2 Pet. 2 9. royal Priesthood holy Nation peculiar People who are said to dwell on high And tho they now seem to creep low upon the Ground and wander as it were in Darkness yet dwelling in God they rest secure c. Mich. 4.1 2. and shall in due Time be exalted above the Hills and the highest Mountains of the Earth V. The Lilly is a Flower most gloriously adorned and lovely to look upon so that our Saviour saith Solomon in all his Glory was not adorned like one of these It is furnished with beauteous Accomplishments its Form is excellent with six Leaves curiously set and within are seven Grains and all within of the Colour of Gold hanging down their Head much of the Glory of the Lilly is inward V. The Church and Spouse of Christ is very glorious her Clothes are said to be wrought Gold Psal 45. She shall be brought to the King in Raiment of Needle-Work Hence said to be as fair as the Moon as clear as the Sun The Church with every sincere Soul is gloriously adorned furnished with beauteous Accomplishments 1. With the imputed Righteousness of Christ a transparent and sparkling Ornament 2. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit which may answer to the Leaves of the Lilly 3. The Graces of the Spirit which may answer to the Grains within the Lilly 2 Pet 1.5.6 7 8. which as St. Peter layeth them down are seven Yet notwithstanding all this Glory with which Christ's Spouse is adorned and beautified she is not proud but as taught by the seven Grains of the Lilly or Graces of the Spirit doth humbly hang down her Head Psal 45. Her chiefest Beauty is internal The King's Daughter is all glorious within VI. The Lilly is a Plant that as Naturalists tell us doth shoot up suddenly nay and that it doth grow very much in the Night VI. So God's Church when his Blessing is upon it thrives marvellously in a short time To make this appear consider in the Primitive Time when the Dew of Grace fell upon the Christian World what abundance of Lillies sprung up suddenly Three thousand converted by St. Peter at one Sermon Acts 2.40 VII The Lilly is among
Thorns Thorns are things of little Worth low and base things in comparison of Lillies VII The Church of God grows in the Field of this World amongst base and vile Sinners Isa 27.4 who are compared to Thorns and Briars VIII The Lilly growing among Thorns is hurt thereby That being a tender Flower the Thorns coming up with it which are of a rough and pricking Nature the Lilly receives much Injury not only in its Growth but also they tend to spoil its Beauty VIII The Church like the Lilly growing amongst the ungodly and persecuting World are greatly wronged thereby The Inhabitants of Canaan Num. 3.53 that Israel drove not out were said to be Pricks in their Eyes and Thorns in their Sides by which they were sorely perplexed and vexed There is a Time coming when the Lilly the Church of God shall be injured by these cursed Thorns no more There shall be no more a pricking Bryar to the House of Israel nor any grieving Thorn Ezek. 28.24 Moreover the Church should be as Lillies among Thorns for Beauty and Purity they ought to out-do and excell the Ungodly as far as the Lilly doth the Thorn As beautiful as a Lilly among Thorns saith Mr. Ainsworth as innocent as Doves among ravenous Birds Simile Disparity A Lilly is a natural Plant and Flower of the Field THe Church is a heavenly or supernatural Flower a Plant of God's right-hand planting II. There is no care taken of the Lilly that groweth among Thorns any are suffered to pluck them up II. God takes great care of his People He has made a Fence about them nay He himself is as a Wall of Fire on every side and doth keep his Church Zech. 2.5 and water it every moment Isa 27.3 Mat. 10 30 He keepeth it night and day lest any should hurt it Not one Hair of your Heads shall perish III. A Lilly is a Flower that soon fades and withers away Mat. 6.30 and is at last cast into the Oven III. The Churches Beauty and Glory is encreasing Prov. 4.18 The Path of the Just is as the shining Light which shineth more and more unto the perfect Day Her Glory shall never fade but she shall be made an eternal Excellency Inferences THis may teach all true Christians to admire and exalt the free Grace of God in making so great a Difference between them and the Wicked amongst whom they live 2. It shews also what care he taketh of them in preserving them whilst they grow among Thorns who do not only prick them by Persecution but would utterly root them up 3. They are hereby called upon not to rest satisfied with the Name of Christians only but to be earnest with the Lord that whilst the Wicked do daily manifest themselves to be as Thorns they may be as Lillies holy and heavenly-born Souls growing up more and more in Grace and Holiness The Church compared to a Merchant-Ship Prov. 31.14 She is like unto Merchant-Ships Isa 54.11 O thou afflicted and tossed with Tempests and not comforted THe Church of God in these Scriptures as Expositors observe is compared to a Ship to a Merchant-Ship Simile Parallel A Merchant-Ship tradeth from one Place to another she fetcheth her Merchandize from afar THe Church of God trades to Heaven she fetcheth her spiritual Merchandize from thence Phil. 3.20 Our Conversation is in Heaven II. A Merchant-Ship hath a skilful Pilot to steer and guide her the right way that so she may not split upon Rocks or Sands or any other way miscarry in her Voyage II. The Church of God hath a most expert and skilful Pilot viz. Jesus Christ to steer her Course through the Seas of this World that so she may not be split upon the Rocks of human Inventions nor the Sands of false Doctrine Error and Heresy III. A Merchant-Ship is tossed oftentimes upon a troublesom and tempestuous Sea and yet keeps up and is preserved in a wonderful manner upon boisterous Waves III. So the Church of God is often tossed with Tempests or subject to and vexed with the Incursions of an envious and persecuting World the Ungodly being compared to the troubled Sea Isa 57.20 IV. A Ship is steered by the Compass from one Place to another IV. So the Church of God is guided in her Passage to Heaven by the Compass of God's Word in respect of Doctrine Discipline and Conversation Thy Word is a Light unto my Paths Psal 110.105 V. A Merchant-Ship takes in several Passengers of divers Kinds and Nations who sail in her to their desired Haven V. So the Church takes in many Christians and Professors and those of several Sorts and Degrees who all declare they are bound with the Spiritual Ship to the Land of Promise VI. Some Merchant-Ships have Nets belonging to them which are cast into the Sea to take up Fishes and bring them into the Ship VI. So the Church of God hath the Gospel-Net Mat. 13.47 Mark 1.17 which by the hands of the Mariners and skilful Fishers of Men is cast into the Sea or Multitude of People by which means many Men are converted and taken into this spiritual Ship VII A Ship sails sweetly along when she hath a prosperous Gale for unless the Wind blow she cannot sail VII So the Church under the powerful and sweet Influences of the Spirit which is compared to the Wind is carried gloriously along towards her desired Haven Joh. 3.6 7. but if this spiritual Wind blow not she is becalmed VIII What common Dangers a Merchant-Ship is exposed to all the Passengers who sail in her are liable to also viz. to the same Tempests the same Pirates c. Let Jonah and the Mariners be in the same Ship together and tho the Storm arose for Jonah's sake yet all the whole Ship 's Company were in danger So it was in Paul's Case with those other Prisoners Mariners and Souldiers that were in the Ship with him Let there be in the same Sip saith Mr. Vartue a Prince going to receive a Crown and a Malefactor going to receive Punishment according to the Nature of his Offence whilst they are in the Ship together they are subject to the same Storms and Tossings to be Sea-sick together to the same Pirates and alike ransacked and spoiled by them VIII So what common Dangers befall God's Church all the Members thereof are more or less exposed and liable to the same Let Enemies come let Persecution arise against it there are no sort of Men or Members whether sincere or not whilst they remain in the Church or hold fast their Profession let them promise themselves what Safety they will who can be secure or exempted from Violence Tho as in a Ship some speed oft-times better than the rest Jer. 45.5 as Baruch and Jeremiah who had their Lives given them for a Prey when Thousands were cut off yet went into Exile 2 Tim. 3.12 Whosoever saith the Apostle will live godly
in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution Through much Tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom of God Hypocrites in a Day of common Danger and Persecution are in the like Circumstances with those who truly fear God Satan that Arch-Pirate and his Emissaries will favour them no more than others until they renounce their Religion c. IX When a Ship is in a Storm all the Mariners have their Hands and Hearts full they are at their Wit 's end every one takes hold of a Rope and endeavours to the utmost to save and secure the Ship if possible from sinking IX Isa 64.17 So in an Hour of Trouble and Persecution every Christian should do his best to secure and save the Church of God from sinking or from being cast away or lost Every one should have their Hearts up to God and their Hands to work wisely for her and their own Safety X. Merchant Ships greatly enrich those Places Cities and Kingdoms to whom they belong bringing to them rare and excellent Merchandizes which are offered to Sale or to be exchanged to Traders X. So the Church of God by daily Trading to Heaven greatly enricheth poor Sinners What she receiveth from Christ her Merchants or Ministers offer to Sale Prov. 23.23 to the Nation or Nations where she lives Truth Peace Pardon the the Pearl of great Price and other excellent Merchandize she furnisheth the World with XI A Ship 's great Safety consists in her being well built having a good Bottom a skilful Pilot and sure Anchors c. XI So the Churches Safety consisteth in her being truly constituted Heb. 6.1 2 according to the Apostolical Prescriptions or that Pattern left in the Gospel by Christ and the Primitive Saints and in having Christ for her Governour or chief Pilot who as Jerome observes sits at the Stern and guides her Course as he sees good And lastly by having Hope that precious Grace of the Spirit for her Anchor Which Hope we have as the Anchor of the Soul Heb. 6.19 both sure and stedfast c. The Nature of which is opened under the Fifth Head of Metaphors concerning the Graces of the Spirit to which we refer you Inferences THis may inform us that Trouble and Persecution must be expected No Ship sets out to Sea but meets with Storms and Tempests at one time or another and therefore the Mariners look for them and provide accordingly to secure the Ship and save themselves and so should spiritual Sea-faring Men do 2. It may also be Matter of Comfort to the Godly What assurance is here of Safety Christ who guides the Ship can at his pleasure still the Seas and make the greatest Storm in a Moment to be a Calm Psal 65.7 He stilleth as the Psalmist saith the Noise of the Seas the Noise of their Waves and the Tumults of the People Therefore tho Satan that cruel Pirate and other malicious Enemies of the Church seek daily to sink this spiritual Ship and tho he be a Spirit and therefore of great Power against us yet he is nothing to God who is the Creating Spirit That which is said of Behemoth is no less true of him He that made him Job 46.18 can make his Sword approach unto him Let therefore the Power and Rage of our Enemies be never so great and their Opposition at this day never so fierce against us yet we have an Assurance from our blessed Saviour that the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against the Church She shall never be broken to pieces nor suffer Shipwrack O thou tossed with Tempests and not comforted The Church compared to a Golden Candlestick Rev. 1.20 The Golden Candlesticks are the seven Churches MR. Brightman and others understand this Metaphor of Golden Candlesticks is taken from the Candlesticks that were in the Tabernacle erected by Moses and the Resemblance between these holds good in two or three Particulars which take as follow Metaphor Parallel IN general the Use of a Candlestick is to hold out the Light to others No Man saith our Saviour lighteth a Candle and putteth it under a Bushel but into a Candlestick and it giveth Light to all that are in the House SO the Church holdeth out the Light of God's Word to all that dwell therein in which respect the Apostle calleth the Church the Pillar of Truth 1 Tim. 3.17 Exercit. Divin Exer. 9. Way to the true Church p. 80. Gurs Theol part 2. Col. 324. because she holds out the Truth to be seen saith Weemse the Expression being taken from the Custom of many Nations who are used to write their Laws in Tables and so to hang them upon Pillars of Stone that the People whom it concerned to know them might see and read them as amongst us Proclamations are nailed to Posts in Market-Towns Dr. White The Church holds out her Light three ways 1. By her Doctrine she having divers approved Ministers belonging to her that she calleth forth to preach and publish the Word of Truth Hence the Law is said to go forth of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem 2. By her holy Discipline 3. By her godly Example and Conversation Let your Light so shine before Men that they may see your good Works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5.16 Walk as the Children of the Light Eph. 5.8 The Church ought to meet publickly to make a publick Profession II. Candlesticks of Gold are of great Worth and seldom found but in the Houses of Princes II. So the Church is very precious in God's sight Exod. 19.5 6. Mal. 3.17 Ye shall be a peculiar Treasure unto me above all People Hence they are called his Jewels This Candlestick only belongs to the Prince of Heaven and Earth they are Christ's Churches III. Those Golden Candlesticks had some part of them for Use and some part for Ornament there were Knobs and Flowers curiously set upon them III. The Church of God is not only of use to hold out the Light of God's Word 1 Pet. 3.3 4. but it is also richly adorned with several choice and heavenly Graces that make it and every Member thereof who truly fears God amiable in Christ's Sight IV. The throwing down or removing of the Candlestick throweth down and removeth the Light or Candle also IV. So when a Church is removed out of its place the Light of God's Word is many times removed from a Nation or People likewise which severe Judgment hath befallen the People of Asia long ago by God's taking away or removing those seven famous Golden Candlesticks or Churches that once were there Inference LEt the Saints and People of God take heed how they walk before Him It behoves them to strive to recover themselves from whence they are fallen lest He remove their Candlestick out of its place The Church compared to a Flock of Sheep Cant. 1.7 Tell me O thou whom my Soul loveth where thou feedest and where thou makest thy
is a Habitation a Place built for some Man or Men to dwell in THe Church is the Habitation of the Holy-Ghost I will dwell in them 1 Cor. 6. Joh. 14.17 and walk in them c. For he dwelleth with you and shall be in you 2 Tim. 1.54 That good thing which was committed to thee keep by the Holy-Ghost which dwelleth in us Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you II. A House is built by a wise Builder upon a sure and firm Foundation some are built upon Rocks II. 1 Cor. 3.16 3.11 The Church is built upon a sure Foundation viz. Jesus Christ Another Foundation can no man lay c. Vpon this Rock will I build my Church III. A House is builded with or doth consist of divers Materials as Timber Stone Brick c. which are well hewed and squared before III. So the Church doth consist of several Members who are called or compared to Stones Ye also as lively Stones 1 Pet. 2.5 are built up a spiritual House an holy Priesthood And these Stones are also well hewed and squared by the Word and Spirit of God IV. A House hath some main and principal Parts appertaining or belonging to it as Pillars Beams Rafters c. IV. So the Church or House of God hath some famous Pillars Beams and Rafters as the Holy-Ghost calleth them The Beams of our House are Cedars Cant. 1.17 and our Rafters of Fir. The Righteous are compared to Cedars in Lebanon those Trees are tall and durable Cedar was used in building of Solomon's Temple a Type or Figure of the Church which denotes the Strength Usefulness Beauty and Excellency of the Saints or some among them who are called Pillars Gal. 2. And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be Pillars c. And Christ saith Rev. 3.12 Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God V. In a House Pillars Beams and Rafters are of great tho of different use all are to support strengthen perfect and compleat the Building the least Material is needful and cannot be wanting V. So in the House of God Eph. 4.7 to 12. the Prophets Apostles Pastors Teachers Deacons c. are of great Use tho of different Offices and all for the support of every part of the spiritual Building and the least Member cannot be spared Some are strong and some are weak some have five Talents and some but two Mat. 25. yet one ought not to despise the other As in a material House Beams and Rafters tho divers in Strength and Use yet all have a firm Connexion amongst themselves to make up one compleat Structure even so in Christ's Church tho there be divers Members severally gifted and placed as we see in the Body natural yet as the Apostle there shews verse 25. there should be no Schism in the Body 1 Cor. 12.24 but such a Conjunction of one another as they have of themselves a holy Sympathy in Supportation Suffering and Rejoycing VI. The House of a Prince when built is furnished and most richly adorned that it may become a meet Habitation according to the Degree Glory and Grandure of him who is to dwell therein VI. So the Church and Temple of God being built for the glorious Prince of Heaven and Earth is most richly and curiously adorned with the precious Gifts and Graces of the Holy-Ghost For as the Materials of this House are Silver Gold and precious Stones so its Ornaments or Furniture doth infinitely excell it being the King's Palace The King's Daughter is all glorious within Psal 45.13 VII A House is a Place of Security it defends from many Dangers which those are exposed unto that are harbourless and forced to lie without Doors besides some Houses have Walls about them VII So the Church is a Place of Security God having made such a blessed Wall about her And the Lord will create upon every Dwelling-Place in Mount Zion and upon her Assemblies a Cloud and Smoke by Day and the shining of a flaming Fire by Night for upon all her Glory shall be a Defence I will saith God encamp about mine House because of the Army because of him that passeth by c. He hath promised to be a Wall of Fire round about her Zech. 2.5 VIII A House is a Place of Repose a Resting-place it is hence greatly desired by every one that belongs to the Family that dwells therein VIII The Church of God is a sweet Place of spiritual Repose Sion is called a peaceable Habitation Isa 32.18 19. and sure Dwellings and a quiet Resting-place IX A House hath a Way that leads to it and a Door that openeth into it that so those who are Strangers may be readily directed how to find it IX So the Church or House of God hath a Way that readily leads to it In a strict Sence Christ is both the Way and the Door If any enquire more directly how they may find the Way into the Church if they take the Counsel of the Holy-Ghost they cannot miss Thus saith the Lord Stand in the Ways and see and ask for the old Paths Jer. 6.16 where is the good Way and walk therein c. This good old Way is the Way of Repentance Faith and Baptism the Saints of the Primitive Time walked all in this Way and knew no other Door into the Church And they that gladly received the Word were baptized Acts 2.41.42 and the same day there was added to them about three thousand Souls X. A House is a Place of Devotion there a Man reads prays meditates and instructs his Family X. So the Church of God is the principal Place of Publick Devotion there Prayers are made the Word is preached and the Sacraments are duely administred XI A House is subject to go to decay and therefore needs often to be repaired By the Slothfulness of the Hands the House droppeth through XI So the Church of God will soon decay if it be not often repaired by a wise and careful Discipline Metaphor Disparity AN earthly House in which Men dwell is the Work of Mens Hands BUt the Church or House of God is called God's Building the choice preparing of the Matter and the framing and jointing every part as to the Manner is of God II. A House is built with such Materials as are without Life II. But this spiritual House consists of Believers who tho they were once without Life yet now are quickned who are therefore called living Stones 1 Pet. 2 3. built up a spiritual House III. Some Houses are left desolate without Inhabitants and so go to decay and at length fall III. But it is impossible that ever the House of God should be without Inhabitants For the Lord hath chosen Zion Psal 13 2. 13 14. he hath desired it for his Habitation This is my Rest for ever here will
thee Isa 41.14 c. Why should Worms seek to destroy one another 6. Lastly What cause is there these things considered to admire that the glorious God of Heaven and Earth should be mindful of a Worm Job 7.17 nay to set his Heart upon him and give his Son to die for him and to take such a poor and contemptible thing as Man into Union and Communion with himself Man compared to a Flower Job 14. He cometh up like a Flower and is cut down Isa 40.6 All Flesh is Grass and all the Goodness thereof as the Flower of the Field A Man in his best Estate and in every Estate is altogether Vanity Caryl so he is in his best Days and in all his Days but a Flower or may be compared to a Flower Metaphor Parallel A Flower hath a Root from whence it grows and springs up SO all Men have one common Root from whence they spring up viz. the first Adam II. A Flower springs up out of the Earth suddenly and at first is but a tender Bud fresh and flourishing II. So Man springs up like a Flower and at first is like a tender Bud fresh and flourishing III. A Flower hath but a little time of continuance tho some abide longer than others yet most Flowers last not long III. So Man that is born of a Woman is but of few Days Job 14.1 his Time is but short upon the Earth tho some continue longer than others yet generally their Days on the Earth are but few in a comparative Sence IV. There are divers Sorts of Flowers some fair to look upon very lovely to the Eye but of an ill Savour IV. So there are divers Sorts of Men and Women some very fair and amiable to the outward Sight but of an ill and stinking Savour in their Lives and Conversations in the Nostrils of God and all good Men having no Grace and are besides of a perverse and crooked Nature V. There are some other Flowers that are not beautiful to the Sight whose Nature and Virtue is most excellent V. So there are some Men and Women who tho they are not lovely and beautiful to carnal Eyes yet are of most sweet and gracious Dispositions and whose Worth and Excellency is exceeding great Psal 45. VI. Great Care is taken of some choice and rare Flowers they are prized at a high rate by such as own them and know their Worth VI. So the Saints who are choice Flowers in God's Esteem are greatly cared for He esteems them above what Men esteem of their choicest Flowers they are his Jewels and prized by him as his chiefest Treasure of them he hath said the World was not worthy Heb. 11. VII Some Flowers greatly magnify the Wisdom of their Creator there being many great Rarities to be seen in them VII So the Wisdom of God appears in the Creation of Man He is a curious Piece of God's Workmanship in his first Make in respect of his Body but more especially touching his Soul But the greatest Rarity that appears in this Flower shines forth in his second Creation in his being new made or transplanted into Christ Jesus whereby he is adorned with all those most transcendent and incomparable Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit VIII The rarest Flowers grow in Gardens what is a Field-Flower to some of these VIII So the best and most choice spiritual Flowers grow in God's Garden the Church What are those sinful Ones who grow in the Field of the World to some of these IX A Flower is most beautiful when it is fully ripe IX So Christ's choice Flowers his precious Saints are most lovely and amiable when they are fully ripe for Heaven X. The Owner of Flowers knows the best Time to crop them and who shall be offended at him when he takes to himself this or that Flower out of his Garden He may do what he pleaseth with his own X. So God knows the best Time to crop off or take away by Death this and that precious Flower Sometimes he cuts them down before others think they are half ripe but God knows better than we He never pulls nor takes any of his Saints unto himself till he seeth they are fit to die And who shall be offended at him in what he doth tho he take such out of the Garden that we would fain have grow still there because they are such a sweet Ornament to it but may not God do what he pleaseth with his own XI Some Flowers are gone on a sudden Naturalists tell us of a Flower that lasteth but one Day and I have read of others that fade in the very Budding XI So some die as soon almost as they are born they are taken away and fade in the very Bud. Also some Christians God crops off and receives to himself as soon as they are born again they come up and are presently cut down c. XII Some Flowers have Seed in them which if sown will produce a Flower again the next Spring XII So Man tho he wither away and die yet his Body is laid but like a Seed in the Earth at Spring viz. in the Resurrection-day he shall arise again Every Seed shall have his own Body it shall not be another but the same Body shall arise from the Dead My dead Body shall arise c. 1 Cor. 15.38 Isa 26.19 Act. 24.5 There shall be a Resurrection both of the Just and Vnjust Inferences WHat a fading thing is Man Let every one from hence learn to make ready to die Happy are they who are fit and prepared for it for Man in his Beauty and chief Flourishing is near unto withering 2. How fading and transient is all our Glory 3. What Fools are Mortals to value themselves so high 4. How vain a thing is it also to set our Hearts inordinately upon our dearest Friends There is mention made of the coming up of this Flower and of its cutting down but nothing of its growing Alas its standing is so small a time it is not taken notice of we are born to die and we die as soon as we are born Saints compared to Babes 11 Pet. 2.1 2. As new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby Simile Parallel A Babe is begotten Abraham begat Isaac Hearken to thy Father that begat thee A Babe in Christ is begotten by the Word and Spirit of God Jam. 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us by the Word of Truth not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God that liveth and abideth for ever II. A Babe hath not only a Father but also a Mother II. A Saint hath not only God for his Father but the Church for his Mother Jerusalem that is above Gal. 4.26 is the Mother of us all III. A Babe partakes of the same Nature of its Parents That which is born of the Flesh John 3.6 is Flesh III. A Babe
needful for him to see to his proper Work and Business he may not acquit his Command when he pleaseth The Commander in chief may prefer or degrade his Souldiers as seemeth good to him but he may not he cannot dispose of himself Pastors must keep their Places Deacons keep their Places Members of each Church keep their Places and not when they please withdraw themselves and get into another Company but must abide under particular Command where Christ hath set them Shall any one think that God who hath placed such Order in other Creatures in Heaven and Earth is not strict touching that holy Order set and appointed in his Church If the Sun Moon and Stars keep in their own Sphere and move in their own Orbs if the Sea hath its Bounds and Limits set beyond which it must not go can it be imagined that the Church of Christ should be a more disorderly Piece than the inanimate and irrational Creatures God is the God of Order and not of Confusion 1 Cor. 14.33 in all the Churches of the Saints Therefore if any Christians that are of this or that particular Company or Church do break the holy Order and regard not to keep in their Stations or neglect their proper Work what a Reproach is it to them and to Religion it self Besides the Danger they are exposed to if Saints neglect Prayer or hearing the Word or the Lord's Supper or are divided amongst themselves is very great unless they rally the sooner and unite again and keep their Ranks they are in danger of being utterly routed and undone by Satan Many hence have been enticed by the Subtilty of the Devil to desert their General and flie from their Colours XII Souldiers must follow their Leader this is one Word of Command XII So must every Christian follow Jesus Christ he ought to have his Eye upon him how often hath he commanded us to follow him Shall any list themselves under his Command and refuse to be subject to his holy Laws and Authority or follow him for a Time and then grow weary Mat. 16.24 If any Man will be my Disciple let him take up his Cross daily and follow me We read of a great and famous Army consisting of Forty Four Thousand a certain Number put for an uncertain Rev. 14.1 2 3 4. that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth We must follow Christ in every Ordinance follow his Doctrine and follow his Example in every one of his gracious Qualifications viz. in his Patience how contented was he in the midst of his greatest Poverty in his Lowness of Mind and deepest Humility in his Tenderness Bowels and Compassion towards those that deserved nothing how kind loving and merciful was he Follow him in his Reproaches Afflictions and Indignities follow him in all Difficulties and Dangers with Peter follow him to Prison and to Death it self when he calls us thither Be ye Followers of me as I am of Christ Jesus Joh. 10.17 My Sheep hear my Voice and they follow me XIII It behoveth a Souldier to be well-skilled in all Stratagems of War for that conduceth much to his just and needful Accomplishments Policy having many times out-done Power and humane Strength XIII So a Christian ought to be well-skill'd and expert in all Divine Wisdom and Policy in the Management of the Spiritual War against the Enemies of the Soul Christ's Counsel is Be ye as wise as Serpents but as innocent as Doves And indeed nothing is more necessary for spiritual Souldiers than Wisdom and Policy in the carrying on of the War against their internal Adversaries because of their Craft and Subtilty Their Adversary the Devil is compared to a Serpent upon this very account and in other Places we read of his Devices and Wiles Eph. 6. That ye may stand against the Wiles of the Devil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly the Methods of Satan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gurnal which signifies that Art and Order one observes in handling a Point we say such a one is methodical Now because it shews Ingenuity and Acuteness of Wit so to compose a Discourse therefore it is transferred to express the Subtilty of Satan in laying of his Plots against a Christian Indeed the expert Souldier hath his Order as well as the Scholar there is Method in forming an Army as well as in framing an Argument The Devil is a subtil Enemy and Saints are most endangered by his Craft and Policy he hath always got the greatest Advantage upon Christ's Souldiers by this means It was the way he took when he set upon Man at first and if he overcame him when he was in his perfect State no marvel if he prevail upon him in his depraved and maimed State And therefore Wisdom is needful and more especially to discover his Stratagems 2 Cor. 2.11 We are not ignorant saith the Apostle of his Devices Some of which I shall note here for the spiritual Souldier's Profit and Observation with respect to his drawing Men and Women to Sin First He shews his Subtilty in chusing the most proper and advantagious Season for Tempting An hundred Souldiers at one time may turn a Battel and save an Army when Thousands will not do it at another Satan knows when to make his Approaches and the Time when he is most likely to prevail Gurnal The Time he takes to tempt in is 1. When newly converted No sooner is the Child of Grace the new Creature born but this Dragon pours a Flood of Temptations after it 2. When a Saint is beset with some great Affliction this is a blind Lane or solitary Place fit for this Thief to call for his Purse 3. When a Christian is about some notable Enterprize for God's Glory then Satan will lie like a Serpent in the Way An Adder in the Path that biteth his Horse Heel Gen. 49. Zech. 3.1 2 3. so that his Rider shall fall backward Thus he stood at Joshua's Right-hand to resist him The Right-Hand is the working Hand and his standing there implies his Desire to hinder him and his Enterprize Indeed the Devil was never a Friend to Temple-Work and therefore that Work is so long a doing What a handsom Excuse doth he help the Jews unto The Time is not come Hag. 1 2. Mat. 4.1 2. When our Saviour was baptized and was just entring upon his Ministry then Satan set upon him 4. When he hath the Presence of some Object to enforce his Temptation Thus he took Eve when she was near the Tree and had it in her Eye 5. After great Manifestation of God's Love then the Tempter comes Such is the Weakness of Grace sometimes in a Believer that he can neither well bear Smiles nor Frowns from God When Paul was exalted with abundance of Revelation 2 Cor. 12.1 2 3 c. then was the Time that Satan set upon him with his strong Temptations 6. At the Hour of Death
and Silver such Love O Lord hast thou laid up in my Breast that I hunger for thee Take heed you consult not with carnal Reason rely wholly upon Christ and never consult thy present Strength with thy future Sufferings Take heed you do not overvalue your Lives Alas you cannot live long what if you die a little sooner than you might do according to the Course of Nature Also consider is it not better if God calls you to it to glorify him by dying than to die otherwise Remember You are not your own let God therefore make what Improvement of you he pleases Lastly Pray continually pray always for this is the way to overcome Prayer hath done wonderfully And this is one great Thing that is enjoined on the Christian Souldier Ephes 6.18 Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all Perseverance and Supplication for all Saints and for me c. HEre are two Things to be noted 1. A Duty enjoyned Prayer 2. Blessed Directions about it Viz. 1. The Time Always 2. The Kinds All Prayer and Supplication 3. How viz. 1. In the Spirit 2. With Diligence 3. Constantly 4. For whom 1. For all Saints 2. More particularly for the Preachers of the Gospel Note Souldiers of Christ ought to pray to be much in Prayer to pray always to pray in the Spirit to pray for themselves and to pray for others also First Tho we are to pray always Yet there are some special Times for this Duty Prayer is twofold 1. Ordinary 2. Extraordinary We must in some Seasons more especially be at this Duty to pray hard to pray mightily c. Quest What is meant by praying always Answ 1. It is as much as to say Pray in every thing according to that Word Phil. 4.6 In every thing by Prayer and Supplication let your Requests be made known to the Lord. Some pray in nothing they do In all thy Ways acknowledge him 2. In all Conditions in a full State in a naked State in Poverty in Plenty in Sickness in Health in Prosperity and in Adversity 3. For every Thing we need for Spirituals for Temporals so far as God seeth them good for us 4. Daily frequently Morning and Evening David said to Mephihosheth Thou shalt eat Bread at my Table continually 2 â—am 7 7 He cannot mean thou shalt do dothing but eat he would not have him to be such a Cormorant but commonly every day c. 5. To have a Heart always for this Duty to be always fit and ready for this sacred Ordinance Quest What are those special Times and Seasons for Prayer Or when is extraordinary Prayer to be made Ans 1. When a Saint hath any great Work to do for God or eminent Business and Service for his Church See Nehem. 1.5 Acts 4.2 9. When Abraham's Servant had special Work to do for his Master he was much in Prayer 2. When a Saint is in the dark concerning any one Truth of God and cannot get Satisfaction Dan. 9.1 2 3 c. then 't is a Time for extraordinary Prayer When Daniel was at a loss about the Time of Deliverance out of Captivity how much did he give himself to Prayer 3. When a gracious Soul is under any sore and grievous Affliction David in his Distress and Affliction cried mightily to God Is any afflicted let him pray that is let him be more abundantly in that Duty James 5.13 4. When Sin abounds or in a Day of great Rebuke and Blasphemy When Hell seems to be let loose or the Flood-gates of Wickedness opened wide in a Nation then it is a Time for the Godly to be much in Prayer Jer. 13.19 Isa 37.23 5. In Times of great Distress upon the Church when the Danger is imminent as at this Day this is a Time for extraordinary Prayer See Isa 22. When many Nations came up against Judah then Jehoshaphat cried mightily to Heaven 2 Chron. 20.12 When Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews and cut off Israel at once and the Writings were sealed and sent forth then Esther and the godly Ones pray mightily Thus did Jacob when his Brother was coming to meet him fearing he would cut off the Mother with the Child Gen. 33. how did he then wrestle with God! 6. In Times of Temptation When Christ was assaulted and his Hour was come he prayed hard he spent a whole Night in Prayer Mat. 26.44 And what saith he to his Disciples Mat. 26.40 41. 2 Cor. 12. Watch and pray that ye enter not into Temptation When Paul had that Thorn in the Flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet him he besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from him That three times as some conclude might be threescore times 7. Lastly In a Time of great Expectation when great Things are near and much look'd for When Daniel expected great Things understanding by Books Deliverance to the Church was at hand he set himself to seek God Dan. 9.2 Secondly Consider Prayer is a great Ordinance And that doth appear 1. In respect of God it gives him the Glory of three great Attributes 1. Of his Omnisciency We hereby acknowledg that he knows our Wants and Necessities Psal 39 9. All my Desires are before thee and my Groanings are not hid from thee 2. His Omnipotency We acknowledg in our crying to God and relying upon him in this Duty that he is able to help us and supply all our Wants 3. It gives him the Glory of his Goodness O thou that hearest Prayer A Saint knows and confesseth hereby if he pray aright that God is willing and ready to help and save him 2. Prayer is a great Ordinance if we consider the Power and Prevalency of it Luther ascribed to Prayer a kind of Omnipotency It hath prevailed over Fire Water and Earth it hath stopp'd the Sun in its Course It hath prevailed over evil Angels it hath cast the Devil out and broke his Kingdom down It hath had Power over the good Angels as appears in the Case of Elisha it fetched them from Heaven to be his Guard and Protection 2 King 9.6 17. Nay it hath prevailed with Christ himself the Angel of the Covenant as appears in Jacob's Case As a Prince thou hast wrestled with God and hast prevailed It hath healed the Sick raised the Dead stopp'd the Lion's Mouth and hath subdued and put to flight the Armies of Aliens Heb. 11. hath opened Prison-Doors and broke in pieces Chains Gates and Bars of Iron and Brass There is none of the battering Rams or Artillery of Hell can stand against it 'T is like an Engine as one observes that makes the Persecutors tremble and wo to them that are the Buts and Marks that it is levell'd at when it is fired with the Fire of the Spirit and discharged in the Strength of Faith 'T is said Mary Queen of Scots dreaded more the Prayers of Mr. Knox than an Army of Twenty Thousand
we reade their Brightness and Glory was very great V. Christ's true Ministers are lively and very beautiful when the Spirit of the Lord is eminently upon them they shine gloriously in Grace and Holiness Act. 6.15 Stephen who was a glorious Preacher was said to shine like the Face of an Angel VI. Angels are very obedient to God they do his Commands and wait for his Word VI. The faithful Preachers of the Gospel are very ready to obey God's Commands tho they are thereby exposed to great Danger if God bid them go Rom. 1.15 they go VII Angels are swift in executing their Business hence said to have Wings VII The Ministers of the Gospel are swift in their Spiritual Motion they are said to fly in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach c. Rev. 14.6 VIII Angels have made known much of the Mind of God to the Sons of Men. VIII Christ's true Ministers daily make known the Mind and Will of God 't is one great part of their Work and Business IX Angels admire reverence and adore the glorious Majesty of God and therefore vail their Faces before him and give Glory to him Yea as Mr. Venning observes 't is their very Business to sing Hallelujahs to God Angels Worship is singing and praising of God they seek not themselves in serving God IX The Ministers of Christ and all true Christians admire and adore God and his glorious Majâ—sty and with self abhorrency vail their Faces as it were ascribing all Glory and Honour unto God Not unto us O Lord not unto us Psal 115.1 but to thy Name do we give Glory the Servants of God desire only to rejoice in God they know no other Name to Glory in but in the Name of the Lord and hence they sing his praise tho in Prison Act. 16. in all which they seek not themselves in any Service they do for God but the Honour and Glory of his Name only X. Angels do their Service to the Lord with joyfulness the Morning Stars 't is said sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for Joy X. So Christ's true and faithful Ministers and People take much delight in their Service their Minds run exceedingly upon their Work to do for God to spend and be spent for God and his People is the desire and delight of their Souls XI Angels are without wearisomness in their Work and Service they are as strong and as lively at the end as they are at the beginning XI So Christ's faithful Ministers and People by the help of God's Spirit labour and faint not 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not c. They shall run and not be weary Josh 14.7 8 9 10 11. Caleb was as strong and as able to do Service for God at fourscore as he was at forty Years old XII Angels serve the Saints and watch over them and daily administer to them and tho glorious Creatures do not think it below them so to do XII So the true and faithful Preachers of God's Word serve the Churches Members and Saints of God and daily watch over them and minister unto them and tho possibly some of them may far excell in Parts and Wisdom yet they think not his Service below them XIII Angels are often sent to comfort the Saints when cast down as they ministred to Christ in his Bloody Agony XIII So are Gospel-Preachers sent and commanded to comfort the Feeble-minded and support the Weak they know how to comfort others with the same Comfort whereby they themselves are comforted of God 2 Cor. 1.4 Inferences THis may inform us what Glory and Dignity God hath conferred upon his Servants who labour in the Ministry they have a glorious Name and are greatly honoured by the Lord and therefore should be received with all due respect and esteemed very highly for their Works sake II. It shews us who are true Ministers of the Gospel III. It shews Christ's faithful Ministers how they should do their Work and behave themselves before the Lord. Ministers compared to Stars Rev. 1.20 The Mystery of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my Right-hand and the seven Golden Candlesticks The seven Stars are the seven Angels of the seven Churches and the seven Candlesticks are the seven Churches BY Stars in this place it appears the Ministers of God's Word are meant Metaphor Parallel NAturalists say the Sun communicates his Light to the Stars SO Christ imparts of his Spirit and saving Light and Knowledg to his faithful Ministers II. The Stars are placed by the Lord in the Heavens II. So the Ministers of the Gospel are placed by the Lord in the Church III. The Stars are a great Ornament and shine gloriously in the Heavens III. So faithful Ministers are a great Ornament to the Church in which they shine forth gloriously in Doctrine and Conversation IV. Stars differ one from another in Glory IV. So there are Diversities of Gifts of the Spirit in the Ministers of the Gospel some shine more than others in Parts and Piety V. Stars sometimes are obscured by Clouds and shine not V. So Ministers sometimes through Temptations are beclouded and shine not as at other times VI. Stars are a Guide unto Mariners VI. So the Ministers of the Gospel are Guides to spiritual Mariners VII A Star led the wise Men to Christ VII A true Minister's design in Preaching is to lead Men to Christ VIII Stars give light to Men only in the Night VIII So Christ's Ministers shine forth and give light to Sinners and others whilst the Night of this World doth last IX The Stars send down sweet Influences on the Earth Job 38.31 Canst thou bind the sweet Influences of Pleiades or the seven Stars IX So the faithful Ministers of the Gospel in a blessed manner influence by their heavenly Doctrine and Life the Souls of Men to whom they preach and daily converse with Inferences O What a Blessing are faithful Teachers to a People or Nation where they live Is it not a lovely thing to see the Gospel-Stars Pray that the Heavens may be clear and that these Stars may not disappear nor withdraw their shining Ministers compared to Labourers Luke 10.7 The Labourer is worthy of his Meat THe Lord Christ compares his faithful Servants that preach his Word to Labourers to such as externally work and labour with their hands Labourers Parallel Labourers usually are hired and then set to work We read of one that went to hire Labourers Mat. 20. c. SO Christ spiritually is said to hire Labourers and send them into his Vineyard he assures them of a glorious Reward when they have done their Work II. Some Men labour in the Field they are Harvest-Men II. Such Labourers are the Preachers of the Gospel The Harvest is great Mat. 9.37 and the Labourers are few c. They labour to make ready and gather in Christ's Wheat III. Some labour so hard
Christ and the Things of Religion of which Justice and Charity Holiness and Compassion are not the least Part and yet under this Vizard and in the very time of these Pretensions perpetrate the greatest and most unparallel'd Villanies in the World 1. In being the Top of Pride 2. In committing palpable Idolatry 3. Fill themselves with Excess and Drunkenness 4. To curse swear and blaspheme the very Name they profess to be sacred 5. To cast down the Truth burn the Bible deface the holy Books and Laws of God 6. To assume not only a Power to dispense with Violations of the highest Nature but to pardon and forgive them at pleasure 7. To commit Adultery and account it a venial Crime 8. To break Covenants drive a Trade in Perjury forswear every thing they are justly charged with and is fully proved against them 9. To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Country where they have Power contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places Cities Countries and Kingdoms by Fire Sword and most cruel Devastations 10. To slaughter kill and barbarously murther both Men Women and Children even all that dare make a shew of Conscience and Religion so far as to abhor and dissent from these Villanies This is such a Scheme of Religion and Systeme of Divinity to come from an Apostle a Shepherd a Vicar and Successor of Christ from a Church Sheep Saints and the pretended Followers of the meek peaceable and innocent Jesus who taught altogether otherwise by his Doctrine and Example that it might well be wondred at and is the strangest Mystery that ever appeared of which we challenge the whole World to shew the like in the Turks and Saracens For Men to swear lie and forswear themselves and yet be true Men to contrive Rebellion Murther and Treason and yet be as innocent as the Child unborn to be elevated to the highest Pinacle of Pride even above Emperors and Kings above Jesus Christ and God his Father and yet be humble and lowly To commit gross Idolatry and yet be the Servants of the Living God To be filled with and make a Trade of Excess and Drunkenness and yet be the Paterns and Standards of Sobriety and Temperance To cast down the Truth to the Ground deface the Laws of God and burn the Scriptures and yet be the true Witnesses to it To forgive Sins and yet be the greatest of Sinners themselves To commit Fornication and Adultery and yet be spotless and pure in Heart To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Country where they have Power to contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places Cities Countries and Kingdoms by Fire Sword and cruel Devastations and yet be as harmless as Doves to all Mankind the only Sons of Peace and Quietness To slaughter kill and barbarously murther Men Women and Children that dare not be so wicked as themselves and yet to be full of Mercy tender Pity and Compassion an Apostle Shepherd Vicar and Successor of the meek and Lamb-like Saviour And for the dear Consort of this impious Head or Man of Sin to be not only confederate with him but a Principal in all these unparallel'd Villanies and most butcherly and rapacious Murthers and yet be the Holy Catholick Church of God the pure and spotless Spouse of Jesus Christ the true Sheep the harmless Lambs the best of Saints and close Followers of the Lord Jesus who always taught the contrary by his holy Doctrine and meek Example We say these Things not being found by secret Search but are written in Capital Letters upon her Forehead appear in open view to be read by every one that is not wilfully blind Let any one shew us a greater Mystery in the World than this and we will subscribe to it 4. It cannot be the Turks because they are not the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth which this Babylon is said to be Rev. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH And here we demand in excuse to the Turks this one Thing From whence did proceed the Murthers Massacres and Martyrdoms of all the Religious Professors of Christianity that have died by violence in the Christian World for the space of twelve hundred Years last past And from what People did proceed those horrid Oaths Blasphemies and Execrations that the World hath wofully been acquainted with most horrid and strangely astonishing to repeat Came these unparallel'd Degrees of Impiety from the Turks from the Waldensians Lutherans Calvinists or any Non-conforming Protestants No no. Why whose Language then is it Whose Why 't is the Language of the Beast of the bottomless Pit and bloody Whore who bare these blasphemous Sons of her own Body daily nourishes them at her Breast and strengthens them in their sinful Courses by accounting them the Sons the precious Sons of Sion the true Sons of the Catholick Church the Darlings of Heaven the beloved Ones of the Virgin Mary and giving them Pardons for these bold and Heaven-daring Sins as often as they do commit them and come to ask Pardon for them so that Sin and Pardon is as constant and common with them as Breathing and Eating And these Things are done to seal and confirm Lies which is the more heavy heinous and prodigious For if Men may lie by allowance may kill and shed innocent Blood without Controul of Conscience and Church-Censures may swear and blaspheme and challenge God himself to damn them may burn Men for Religion consume Cities to Ashes conspire the Death of Kings the Ruine and Overthrow of Kingdoms whore and murther Infants and yet be accounted a Church the Members and Parts of it called Saints holy Children and Sons of the Most High God Then may we claim a Patent and take a License to change the Name of all Things and alter all the Idea's of the Minds of Men call and account Beelzebub a good God and all his black Tribe the pure Saints of the Most High call the lower Regions of Blackness and Darkness to which he is confin'd the Heaven of Glory and eternal Light Of which Things we ought in Justice to clear the Turks until Witnesses of undoubted Credit shall come forth and evidence that the Turkish State is the Mother of as great Abominations as these are 5. And lastly The Turks cannot be Mystery Babylon because they never were made drunk with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus which this Woman Mystery Babylon is expresly said to be Rev. 17.6 And I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great admiration Now let any Man shew such Bloodshed Saints Bloodshed by Massacres and Martyrdom for the professing of Christianity which must be if the Text be answered in that Clause Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus by the Turks either within their Dominions or
as clear Demonstrations that the Head of Rome Papal is the Head of Babylon and the Grand Impostor or the Capital Manager of this Mystery of Iniquity he having most sacrilegiously assumed to himself all Heavenly Power of damning or saving and all Earthly Power both Temporal or Civil and Ecclesiastical or Sacred 11. This wicked Babylonish State comes forth with a great Pretence of Miracles which are but false Signs and lying Wonders to deceive and cheat the People and by this means they conquer Nations and carry away their Kings to their wicked Interest This Rome Heathen did not do For tho the Heathenish Power of Rome did conquer Nations and Countries with their Kings yet it was by State-Policy and Force of Arms not by pretended Miracles false Signs and lying Wonders Therefore Rome Heathen cannot be this Mystery of Iniquity or Babylonish State 12. This wicked State under consideration is declared not only to depart from the Faith by a palpable Apostacy but to forbid Marriage and command a long Lent and many other Fast-Days whereon some Sorts of Meats are prohibited to be eaten which doth so fully agree to the Papal State of Rome that nothing can be more plain unless the Spirit had expresly told us This will be fulfilled by Rome Papal For these two things we have their Canons upon Record the which if none can shew the like of the Heathen State of Rome then Rome Papal shall carry the Title of this Mystery of Iniquity and Babylonish State 7. If the Babylon under consideration be only confined to the Power of Heathen Rome then there is a more evident and apparent Mystery upon the State or Power of Rome Heathen than upon any Power or State that went before it or should come after it for so the Text imports Rev. 17.5 And upon her Forehead was a Name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT c. But there did no such Mystery appear upon the Power or State of Rome Heathen therefore this Babylon cannot terminate there What great Mystery appeared upon the Power and State of Rome Heathen more than appeared upon the Power and State of the three foregoing Monarchies 8. This Babylon cannot be confined to the Power of Rome only in its Heathen State because Babylon is to continue till the good People shall with the Horns that did support her which is the last Part of the wicked and persecuting Power answerable to the ten Toes in Daniel's great Image reward and destroy her for the Injury that she did unto them according to these three Texts of Scripture Rev. 18.4 Dan. 7.22 26 27. Rev. 17.16 And I heard another Voice from Heaven saying Come out of her my People that ye be not Partakâ—rs of her Sins c. Verse 6. Reward her even as she hath rewarded you and deal unto her double according to her Works In the Cup that she hath filled fill to her double How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much Torment and Sorrow give her And the ten Horns which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire Which the Power of Rome in its Heathen State felt not but ended its Course without being destroyed by good People and the ten Horns which is the last Part of the Image-Government And in the Days of these Kings Dan. 2.44 viz. ten Toes ten Horns ten Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed And the Kingdom shall not be left to another People but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever Which could not be fulfilled in what Constantine did in the Time of Maxentius as Dr. Hammond would have us believe for these three Reasons 1. Because the ten Horns that afterwards the Roman Power fell into were not come up and so could not destroy the Power of Rome in its Heathen State 2. Because Babylon's Persecution Misery and Confusion did not utterly cease which it must have done so as to rise no more for ever if the Power of Rome Heathen destroyed by Constantine had been this Mystery Babylon 3. Because tho there might be a Body of good People with Constantine when he overthrew Maxentius yet the Power of the Kingdom was not so established in the hand of good People as not afterward to be left to others as the Text affirms And the Kingdom shall not be left to another People For as we shall anon shew the Kingdom or Power that ceased to be in the hands of Heathens and by a mighty and divine Providence came to be in the hands of a worthy and renowned Christian Emperor came afterwards into the hands of very Devils incarnate who acted all the Violence of the Heathen Power over again and indeed out-did them 9. Those that are for confining this Babylon to the Power of Rome in its Heathen State are not well aware what they do for if they do demand it their Opposites who hold it to be Rome Papal may grant it for Argument's sake But then the Remedy is worse than the Disease for they slip into such a Precipice as neither Baronius Bellarmine Dr. Hammond or the Rhemists can save or deliver them from The true State of the Case is this Rome Heathen is Mystery Babylon this say the Papists And the more willing they are to say so because it is a good Argument to prove that Peter was at Rome he subscribing his first Epistle from Babylon 1 Pet. 5.13 The Church that is at Babylon elected together with you saluteth you c. But this being allowed the worst is to come This Babylon is destroyed when the Power of Rome Heathen is taken away so as to be no more for ever but then what Condition doth the State of Babylon fall into Doth it become the Throne of the Lamb the City of the Living God the Habitation of Holiness and Dwelling-place of Zion the true Church the Place of the holy Ones and Saints of the Most High O no! What then Hearken and an Angel from Heaven shall tell you Rev. 18.1 2. And after these Things of the Horns hating the Whore making of her naked and burning her Flesh with Fire I saw another Angel come down from Heaven having great Power and the Earth was lightned with his Glory and he cried mightily with a strong Voice saying Babylon the Great is fallen is fallen and is become the Habitation of Devils and the Hold of every foul Spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird. Now you Papists if you will needs have Babylon to be Rome Heathen take it and much Good do you with it but then make Rome Papal better than an Habitation of Devils if you can If it be not Rome Heathen then adieu to Dr. Hammond and the Rhemists we have what we desire If it be then Rome Papal is a far worse Place
learned Works makes out took their rise with Rome Papal upon the division or ruine of the Roman Empire in its Civil State the body of which Kingdoms may well be called many Waters viz. Peoples and Multitudes and Nations and Tongues or People of several Languages which were as well known to have been under the Usurpation and Jurisdiction of Rome Papal as their being so which doth fully answer to the very Letter of the Text The Waters which thou sawest whereon the Whore sitteth are Peoples Multitudes Nations Tongues 2. Her making all the European Merchants Rich that traffick by Sea Rev. 18.11 by the great expence of all Commodities which are swallowed up within her Territories and Dominions Which could never be effected unless she had Nations and Multitudes to contribute to her great Pride and Luxury 3. A third Instance is the numberless number of good Christians which she hath drawn in and murdered for no other cause than their fearing God and obeying his Laws by loving Jesus Christ and following his Example of which we have a large account in Fox's Acts and Monuments and other Histories Upon which we form this Argument Arg. If there be no Body of People professed Church or State in the Christian World under any single Denomination that sits upon commands or bears rule over Peoples Multitudes Nations and Tongues as Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth Then Rome Papal or the Church of Rome is this Babylon treated of But there is no Body of People professed Church or State under any single Denomination that sits upon commands or bears rule over Peoples Multitudes Nations and Tongues as Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth Ergo c. To the establishing this Argument let it be considered that the whole State of the Christian World consists of but these two parts as we shewed before viz. the Church of Rome considered as Head and Body and those that dissent from her and those are so inconsiderable whether the Waldenses Albigenses Hugonots or other parties of Protestants that no one party of them nay if we put them all together can be said to fit upon command or bear rule over Peoples Multitudes Nations and Tongues to answer the Text the Waldenses and Hugonots have been and still are a persecuted People the Lutherans never got up so high as to command many States or Kingdoms or places of many Languages Great Britain tho a Protestant State or Kingdom comes not near to fulfil the Text much less the seven Provinces that of late revolted from Spain So that if Rome Papal hath done so and no other People that dissent from her could ever yet do the like then this proves Rome Papal the Whore that sits upon many Waters c. VII Mystery Babylon or the great Whore is such a Woman such a City such a Whore that the Kings and great Men of the Earth have committed Fornication with See the Text Rev. 17.2 With whom the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication i. e. Spiritual Fornication or Fornication in a Mystery after a mysterious manner 2 Chron. 21.11 Isa 16.26 29. Rev. 18.9 and 19.2 such as Jerusalem of old was charged with which was a following the same Idolatry that this Woman Babylon had set up and was devoted unto and so great was her Fornication Isa 19.2 that 't is said she did corrupt the Earth with it VII Rome Papal or Church of Rome is such a Woman such a City of Confusion such a Whore that the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication with and that hath corrupted the Earth with her Fornications Fornications after a mysterious manner by following abominable Superstition and Idolatry 1. Hath she adored the Pope as her Lord God Universal Head and Bishop infallible acknowledged above all Laws so have the Kings and their misled People done 2. Hath she worshipped the Virgin Mary divers Angels and many departed Saints so have the Kings and their misguided People done 3. Hath she adored Images the Crucifix and Pictures of pretended Saints so have the Kings and their misguided People 4. Hath she foolishly debased her self with the Adoration of the Relicts of known and unknown Saints so have the Kings and their misguided People 5. Hath she grosly and superstitiously worshipped the true God in a false manner by crowding in an innumerous Train of Fopperies into his Worship and Service which he never ordained as Candlesticks Altars Vestments Spits Oyl Holy Water Beads and a World of such like Trumpery so have the Kings and their misguided People not only the Emperour of Germany Kings of France Spain Poland Portugal that are still under her Influence but the Kings of England and Scotland too before the Reformation got Ground Upon which we form this Argument Arg. If there be no Body of People in the Christian World pretending a Church-State that hath set up Idolatry to that Degree and with whom the Kings of the Earth have complied as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is the Mysterious Whore of Babylon treated of But there is no Body of People in the Christian World pretending to a Church-State that hath set up Idolatry to that Degree and with whom the Kings of the Earth have complyed as Rome Papal c. hath done Ergo c. To reinforce this Argument let any Man that will become an Advocate for the Church of Rome shew that any People called the Reformed who dissent from the Church of Rome are guilty of like Idolatry and that the Kings of the Earth have complyed with them in it as afore-mentioned and we will acquit this Argument but if this Character doth more fitly ageee to Rome than to the Reformed c. our Argument is good VIII Babylon is such a Woman City and Whore that hath not only had Kings committing Fornication with her but hath intoxicated the Minds of Multitudes and corrupted a great part of the World or common sort of People by wicked and false Doctrine And the Inhabitants of the Earth have been made drunk with the Wine of her Fornication Rev. 17.2 VIII Rome Papal or Church of Rome is such a Woman City and Whore that hath not only had the Kings of the Earth to commit Fornication with her in dancing after her Pipes in all her mysterious Allurements but hath intoxicated the Minds of the Multitude and corrupted a great part of the World or common sort of People by wicked and false Doctrine As first that a wicked Man should be appointed of God to be the Vicar of Christ as if God had no more regard to his own Name and the Good of his Church and Honour of his Son than to institute a Child of the Devil as every wicked Man is to be Vice-gerent to the most holy Jesus in the highest Transactions that relate to Heaven and the Souls of Men. Surely if God shut Judas out from his Bishoprick because of his
Wickedness tho an Apostle he is not so far changed since to be fond of a wicked Pope as to make him immediate Deputy to Christ and to impose a Wolf as Shepherd upon the Universal Church 2. Who saith That he is an infallible Judg to determine Articles of Faith and impose them upon great Penalties so that as a Lord he hath Dominion over Mens Faith and Souls too which the Apostles disclaimed 3. Who saith The Church cannot err tho God and the World knows there are not such great Errors in Principles nor such villanous Enormities cursed Actions cruel and immoral Practices in the World besides which the poor Multitude believes and kill others that oppose it and venture Body and Soul upon it 4. That says that a Priest tho he be a treacherous Villain a Contriver of Murther an abominable Adulterer hath Power to absolve his equal and Fellow-Sinner from all his Offences if he come to Confession tho the pretended Penitent keep his old Habit of Wickedness still contrary to what God and Jesus Christ say That the Dauber with untempered Mortar and the Daubed the Layer of the Pillow under sinful Elbows and the Leaner thereon the blind Leader as well as the blind Follower shall all fall together 5. That saith There is a Purgatory that is no part of Heaven or Hell and that Men may be redeemed thence for Money Tho God saith The Redemption of Mens Souls is precious and ceaseth for ever after the Offering of the Body of Jesus once for all that Redemption is not with corruptible Things as Silver and Gold but with the precious Blood of Christ as a Lamb slain without spot 6. That saith That the Hands and Mouth of a filthy unclean Priest can make not only the Bread and Wine sacred but turn both into the real Body and Blood of the Son of God make whole Christ of a pitiful Wafer-Cake that after it is eaten turns to Corruption and before it is earen is a fit Feast for Rats and Mice not only contrary to Reason but the full Verdict of all our Senses 7. That saith That no Person how good and pious soever he be can be saved out of the Pale of their polluted ungodly and devilish Church tho the Scripture plainly affirms That in every Nation he that fears God and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him 8. That says 'T is no Sin to lie swear and forswear to kill slay and murther such as they call Hereticks tho never so good if it be for the Cause of the Church with a thousand Things of the like Import which the People do verily believe And as they dare not gainsay upon their Salvation so will they embrace and use all Opportunities to fight and make Wars overcome Cities and lay waste Countries and Kingdoms to kill and slay by Massacre and all manner of murthering ways all Ranks and Degrees of Men that oppose the horrid Principles and Practices of those cursed Children Nay they will go boldly to their own Death when convict and condemned for Villanies and deny that to day that they were convicted of but yesterday and tho never so notoriously guilty yet will take it upon their Death and Salvation that they are as innocent as the Child unborn What can this be tho they drink it down for most sweet and pleasant Wine but an Infusion of the rankest and most deadly Poyson that the lowest Celler of the Bottomless Pit can afford the very Wine of Fornications and the most dangerous Drunkenness and Intoxication in the World Which is attended with this Aggravation that the best prepared Medicines of the wisest Physician will not recover them for Babylon having made the Multitude drunk with this sort of poysoned Wine how rare is it to have any come to themselves to their right Mind again And to shut up this Head take this Argument Argument If no People in the Christian World hath made the Multitude or common Sort of People drunk corrupted and intoxicated their Minds by wicked Lies and false Doctrine such as before-mentioned as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is this Babylon treated of But no People in the Christian World hath made the Multitude or common Sort of People drunk corrupted and intoxicated their Minds by wicked Lies and false Doctrine such as before-mentioned as Rome hath done Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome is this Babylon treated of IX Mystery Babylon is such ill Company as to let Kings be dishonestly familiar with her and make the lower and ruder Sort of her Associates drunk She is said to sit drunk upon a Scarlet-colour'd Beast and this Beast is full of the Names of Blasphemy Rev. 17.3 And I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast full of the Names of Blasphemy c. So that the Woman and the Beast are distinct the Woman the Church the Beast the Secular Power or Civil State This appears evident from divers Considerations arising 1. From other Prophecies relating to the same Thing 2. From the Letter of the Text. 3. From Arguments in Reason 4. From the Confession of the Woman Babylon or the Whore her self Dan. 2. 1. From many Prophecies the latter part of the Image is partly Iron and partly Clay two States really distinct that could never so incorporate as to become one 2. From the Letter of the Text I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast Rev. 17.3 full of the Names of Blasphemy The Colours of the Royal and Imperial Vestments the Angel in the next Words declares distinct and the Apostle in the Vision beheld them distinct 3. They appear to be distinct from Arguments in Reason For 1. The Beast is in the Masculine the Whore in the Feminine Gender Ver. 11 2 4 6 16. compared 2. The Whore else did sit and ride upon her self an high Absurdity 3. The Horns being of the Beast shall hate the Whore if not distinct the Whore must hate her self even to Ruine and Desolation which is nonsensical 4. The Beast shall abide tho in Captivity after the Whore is thrown down or destroyed 4. From the plain Confession of the Woman or Whore her self who saith I sit a Queen I am no Widow Ergo she hath a Head or Husband which is the Beast little Horn or Man of Sin that Paul declared should rise after the removal of the then present Power which did lett which the Primitive Fathers as Tertullian Cyprian Jerome and others understood to be the Imperial Power in its pure civil iron or unmixed State IX Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath not only been ill Company to the Kings and great Men of the Earth in drawing them into her Idolâ—try Abuse of God his blessed Son the Christian Religion and blessed Books of the Old and New Testament but she hath made the lower and ruder Sort of People drunk too And 't is no Wonder she thinks she may do any thing
longer than they appear to walk strictly and holily according to the Principles upon which they first received them and as for their Officers they are soon summed up being no more than Bishops or Elders and Deacons But the Roman Church may be called Babylon or the City of Confusion very reasonably because she so fitly answers literal Babylon of old that was her Type and from whence she derives her Name 1. In setting up another way for Men to go to Heaven by than what God hath ordained and appointed viz. a Tower of their own making 2. In having so many Languages amongst them which is like the Confusion of Babel 3. In bearing the Glory and Sway over the Kingdoms and Countries of the chiefest part of the World therefore called the Lady of Kingdoms which is no way applicable to the poor Dissenters 4. In plucking up or razing out the true Worship of God which was setled at Jerusalem and setting up Idolatry in the room of it 5. In Captivating God's People who were carried away into literal Babylon 6. In their Doctrines Principles and Modes of Worship which is such a jumble mixture and heap of Things that may go for Confusion it self 7. In their Orders Diversity and long Muster-Roll of Officers that are so numerous as well as unscriptural that if Mixture and Confusion may be thought to be any where 't is to be found in this Church where you have Popes Cardinals Arch-Bishops Abbots Provincials Heads of Fraternities Priests Monks Fryers Followers of Dominick St. Francis Jansenius Augustine Caphucins c. and what not All which is many times more like to be Babylon Mixture or Confusion than the Dissenters from the Romish Church Thirdly For Mystery which is in the Description it no where agrees to them whom they call Hereticks but agrees very well to the Church of Rome in four Things 1. In calling themselves the Church of God and yet are the Synagogue of Satan that 's a Mystery 2. In calling themselves the pure Spouse of Christ and yet an abominable Whore that 's a Mystery 3. In pretending to be the Mother of Peace Purity and Charity and yet the Breeder Bringer forth and Cherisher of Division Falshood most bloody Butcheries and barbarous Cruelties this is a Mystery 4. In being Queen Regent riding upon the Beast in State and yet being that good Woman that fled into the Wilderness and abides there in a suffering Condition all the time of the Beast's Reign this is a Mystery See our fourth Argument One Proof of their Church is visibility yet it is evident the true Church for the space of 260 Years was to be in the Wilderness or in an obscure Condition c. Fourthly Mother of Harlots and Abominations better agrees to the Church of Rome than to Protestants 'T is against the Principles of Protestants to allow Fornication or Adultery in Persons of any Rank whatsoever maintaining constantly that Marriage is honourable but Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judg whereas Rome gives publick toleration to notorious Whoredoms and the most shameless and unnatural Beastialities as the whole World knows Fifthly For Mother of Harlots in a Spiritual Sense she is owned by all her Children to be the Mother-Church And 1. Therefore Protestants are exhorted to return into the Bosom of their Mother 2. All polluted and National Churches in the European Kingdoms sprang from her as the Churches of France Spain Portugal c. 3. All Corruption in Doctrine and Discipline may call her Mother that is to say the false Titles and Errours following viz. Universal Supream Infallible Head Holy Father the Pope His Holiness in the Abstract Our Lord God the Pope unerring Church Priestly Absolution Selling of Pardons Indulgences Dispensations adoring the Crucifix worshipping of Images foolish Crossings Anointings and Sprinkling with Holy Water the adoration of the Mass and many such things which from the beginning was not so 4. For Personal Vices from whence come horrid Oaths and Blasphemies most astonishing Perjury and subtile Equivocations and Hypocrisies all manner of Uncleannesses Lying and Adulteries Covenant-breaking and Bloody-mindedness is this allowed and practised by the Protestants No No they are the Brats and Off-spring of this lewd and filthy Mother who indulgeth those abominable pernicious Practices for which she is rightly called Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth Which we conclude with this Argument Arg. If this Name Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants nor any other People as it doth to Rome Papal or Church of Rome Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome and not the Protestants c. is Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots But this Name Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants c. as it doth to Rome Papal or Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal and not the Protestants is Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots XIII This Mystery Babylon Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth is very drunken Company for she not only makes others drunk with the Wine of her Fornication and commits Adultery her self but she is a Beastly drunken Whore that makes her self drunk after the worst manner of Drunkenness which is to be drunk with Blood the best Blood the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Christ Rev. 17.6 And I saw a Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints and the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great Admiration XIII Rome Papal or Church of Rome if she be guilty here it is enough to make not only good Men but even Angels wonder to see a Woman pretending to be nobly descended the Daughter to the great King of Heaven the Spouse of the Lamb the Mother of all Peace Purity Holiness Innocency Charity and Chastity I say to see a Woman by Profession such a drunken beastly Strumpet in Works and Actions and if Rome Papal or Church of Rome be guilty in this point she is the unhappiest Church in the World for she then gives cause to every good Man in the World to abhor her and indeed she hath very good luck if she scape this Charge for if she be Mystery Babylon the Mother of false Churches and Abominations of the Earth there is no avoiding but she must be this drunken Strumpet But because it is never safe judging a Cause before Trial and Examination of Witnesses we will 1. Consider what it is to be drunk 2. What things do necessarily contribute to it 3. The true and proper Signs of it 4. Whether such things can be fixed upon Rome Papal or Church of Rome And then conclude this Head 1. To be Drunk is an excessive taking in of such Things as disorder Nature in its Course and Operations This we take to be a general Definition of it including the
before this Division was but low and small being confined to his Episcopal Power over the Church till by his Arts he had got up gradually to the Regal Seat and Power of the Temporal Sword which he managed with so much Craft and Policy that afterwards he enlarged his Dominions but is very rightfully in his Infancy stiled a little Prince Power or Horn arising up amongst or after the rest which began presently after the Death of Julian about the Year 365 in which Time was a most fearful Earthquake the like never known before betokening the Decay of the Fourth Kingdom in its Civil State or Power by a Division or falling of Nations who set themselves against the Power of Rome and harrassed wasted and destroyed the Provinces thereof for near forty five Years together See Mede lib. 3. p. 659. III. This little Horn after his Rise to Temporal Power plucks up three of the ten Horns by the Roots Dan. 7.8 Before whom there were three of the first Horns pluck'd up by the Roots III. The Papal Power having gained the Temporal Sword tho but a little Horn at his beginning did practise and prosper so that betwixt the Year 365 and the Year 456 or soon after when Rome was sack'd by Gensericus he gained such Enlargements that he came to possess about three parts of ten of the former or old Roman Dominions according to the Rules or Measure of the Compass as we find in Mr. Mede lib. 3. p. 658. and famous Du-Moulin ubi suprà Upon which three Characters of the little Horn we frame this short Argument If the Pope of Rome did arise to Temporal Power upon the weakning of the Caesarean Dominion which before did hinder him in his aspiring Usurpation was but little in his first Rise and Appearance did enlarge and grow to a Possession of about a third part of the old Roman Dominion Then the Pope of Rome is the little Horn the Wicked Power and vile Person set forth by the Prophet Daniel But the Antecedent is true Ergo so is the Consequent IV. This little Horn hath Eyes like the Eyes of a Man c. IV. The Pope of Rome hath Eyes like the Eyes of a Man the Resemblance of a humane Look but a Heart like the Dragon out of which foul Mouth he utters presumptuous Things His Predecessors had Eyes like a Leopard a Bear a Lion a Dragon but this hath Eyes like a Man In which there are three things to be noted 1. He looks higher 2. Sees further and 3. Is more enticing than those that went before him 1. He looks higher that is makes a pretence of Piety and Design for Heaven 2. Sees further that Deceit Flattery and Policy will do more than Strength 3. Is more enticing to Kings and People than the Eyes of a Leopard Lion or Dragon or the former Powers in their Heathen State V. This little Horn hath a Mouth speaking great or presumptuous Things above the rate of ordinary Men. Dan. 7.8 V. The Pope of Rome hath a Mouth speaking great or presumptuous Things above the ordinary rate of Men. This is evident in many respects of which we shall give you but a few Instances out of many 1. That he is the highest Deputy of God above all the Kings of the Earth 2. That he is infallible and cannot err which is an incommunicable Attribute of the Most High 3. That he is universal Head and Bishop of the Catholick Church 4 He assumes the Attributes of his Holiness and holy Father such an Oracle that has Right or Power to give Laws to the World to which all ought to subscribe and yield obedience and none ought to dispute Greater and more loftily can no Man speak unless he will say I am the Supreme Being and there is no God in Heaven or Earth above my self which would be so highly ridiculous that every Ideot would be able to detect it VI. The little Horn had his Looks more stout than his Fellows Dan. 7.20 Whose Looks were more stout c. VI. The Pope of Rome has Looks more stout than the Horns that have been contemporary with him which appears in three things 1. In his terrible Bulls that he makes to roar and stare most dreadfully 2. In his Power and Acts of deposing Princes 3. In asserting himself to be God's Vicegerent against whom no Person upon any Cause or Pretence whatsoever ought to lift up Hand or Tongue upon the Penalty of a total Ruine in this World and an eternal Ruine in the World to come VII The little Horn makes War with the Saints Dan. 7.21 I beheld and the same Horn made War with the Saints and prevailed against them and that for a long Time even to the wearing out of the poor Saints of the Most High Verse 25. VII The Pope of Rome hath made War with the Saints and prevailed against them and that to their Ruine as to Liberty Estate and even Life it self as the true Witnesses of Christ have most sadly experienced in many Countries in divers by-past Ages even for such a Series of Time that may be properly called a wearing out of the Saints of the Most High for his Cruelty ended not in a Month or a Year but hath lasted for many hundred Years So that for Length of Time Numbers of Countries and Multitude of Persons there is no Power that ever reigned hath out-done or equalized this vile and bloody Monster upon which we frame this Argument If the Pope of Rome may be more fitly said to have Eyes like the Eyes of a Man a Mouth speaking presumptuous Things and Looks more stout than his Fellows to have made War with the Saints to have prevailed against them and wore them out more than any other Power that ever yet reigned Then he is the little Horn or vile Person under Consideration But the former is true Ergo so is the latter VIII The little Horn is diverse from the rest of the Horns Dan. 7.24 And he shall be diverse from the first and shall subdue three Kings VIII The Pope of Rome is diverse from the rest of the Potentates in these four respects 1. The Manner of his Rise 2. His Pretensions to Power 3. In his progress to his Height of Dignity 4. In his Management of the Power he has usurped 1. He was small or little in his Rise but an ordinary Bishop before he came to be a Temporal Prince 2. He pretends not to hold his Kingdom by Inheritance or Gift of the People as other Kings do but by a special and Divine Patent 3. In his progress to the Height of his Dignity by leaving his fixed Station as Pastor of a Church and by Deceit Treason and Violation of all Laws mounts the Throne of Imperial Grandure 4. He rules by a supreme Ecclesiastical Power as well as Temporal pretends to the Keys of Heaven as well as the Sword of Justice on Earth shewing himself to be the Beast that hath two Horns
Leprosy c. BY the Plague of the Leprosy all Expositors agree was represented the hateful Nature of Sin Note Sin may fitly be compared to the Plague to the Plague of the Leprosy c. Parallels THe Leprosy proceedeth from poysoned and corrupted Humors in the Body So Sin is nothing else but the poysonous and corrupt Humors of the Soul II. The Plague of the Leprosy spreads over every part of the Body So Sin hath spread it self over the whole Lump of Mankind and over every Faculty of the Soul III. No Disease is more stinking and hateful to Men than the Leprosy So nothing is more abominable and detestable in the sight of God and sincere Christians than Sin IV. No Disease is more contagious and infectious than the Leprosy the Plague of the Pestilence saith a Divine is not so infectious as the Plague of the Leprosy Dr. Taylor it infecteth Houses Walls Vessels Garments c. So nothing is so infectious as Sin See Sin a Wound V. The Plague of the Leprosy separated the infected Person from the Fellowship of all Men whatever they were if incurable altho Kings they were utterly and for ever exclâ—ded the Host as Vzziah neither were they admitted to come into the Temple to join in holy Things So Sin unrepented of 2 Kings 15.5 separateth from God and Christ and from the Fellowship of the Saints it shuts Souls out of the Church nay out of Heaven it self VI. No Disease is more painful and mortal or more incurable therefore they were enjoined to put on mournful Apparel and Garments it was so rarely and seldom cured that most carried it to their Graves So Sin is very painful and tormenting as we before have shewed VII The Symptoms of the Leprosy agree with the Symptoms and Effects of Sin 1. There is a Dâ—bility and Weakness of all Parts in them that have this Disease because the Spirits are exhausted So Sin makes feeble weakens and debilitates the Powers of the Soul Hence Jacob when he blessed Reuben cries out As weak and unstable as Water because of his Sin Saints have weak Hands and feeble Knees oft times hereby 2. There is in a Leper a Tumor and Swelling in the Flesh So Sin swells a Man up in Pride Vain-glory and Self-conceitedness 3. There is in them saith my Author a burning Thirst through the adust and burnt Blood by Melancholy whereof it ariseth So Sin causeth an Inflammation and Burning of Anger of Lust and vehement Thirst after the World Preferment Pleasures Riches c. See Poyson 4. There is in them filthy putrid Matter breaking forth in a most loathsom manner So such as are greatly infected with the Plague of Sin cast forth nothing but horrid Pollution Hence wicked Men are likened to the troubled Sea that casts forth miâ—y Dirt. 5. They have a hoarse and weak Voice So Sinners cannot pray or if they do John 9. they cannot be heard God hears not Sinners 6. They have a stinking Breath and Mouth and therefore they must cover their Lips lest by their Breath they should infect others So Sinners have a filthy Breath Their Mouths are full of unclean and adulterous Speeches belching forth nothing but vile and abominable Oaths Cursings and slanderous Accusations against the Godly and sometimes also against one another but these seldom cover their Lips Inferences WHat an horrid Disease and Plague of Plagues is Sin Every Man hath a running Plague-Sore upon him Who is it that is not a Leper from the Womb We were all born with this Plague we brought it into the World with us Every Man as he is in himself may cry out Vnclean unclean Sin hath spread it self over us like a Leprosy II. Wicked Men are miserable whoever they are if not cured of this Plague Sin renders a Man more hateful to God than an ugly Toad is to us III. It may caution Saints to shun the Company of a vile Sinner and dread Sin and flie from it as from the Plague Nothing that Sinners touch but they defile infect and taint it till they are cleansed whether earthly or heavenly Things all Creature-Comforts and Actions are unclean to them hereby The very Plowing of the Wicked is Sin Prov. 20.4 Tit. 1.13 yea the Sacraments Prayers or Alms all is polluted so long as they are unconverted Vnto them that are defiled nothing is pure c. IV. A wicked Man can converse with no Man but as a Leper he infects him by his ill Example he endangers the Lives and Souls of Men. V. It may teach the Saints to bless God and admire his Grace who hath delivered them from the Contagion of Sin Joh. 5.14 But art thou made whole sin no more VI. None but the High-Priest pronounced a Person clean from the Leprosy so none but Christ can discern our Uncleanness and pronounce us clean and wholly free from the Plague of Sin O What is Sin it is a Leprosie When Scripture so compares it may not I Call it a Plague a Wound a loathsome Sore That doth corrupt and spread the Soul all ' ore Like to an Ulcer or infectious Biles Which the whole Man most wofully defiles O how do Men fly from the Pestilence And shall not we learn Wisdom now from thence Sin is a Plague that kills eternally All sorts of Men unless they swiftly fly To Jesus Christ no Med'cine will do good Nor heal the Soul but this Physicians Blood Sin compared to Poyson Rom. 3.13 The Poyson of Asps is under their Tongues POyson of Asps denotes 1. Sometimes great Punishments Job 6.4 20.16 He shall suck the Poyson of Asps c. 2. Sometimes corrupt Doctrine and Heresies wherewith Men poyson themselves and Followers Deut. 32.33 Their Wine is the Poyson of Dragons i. e. their Doctrine So Ainsworth Rev. 17.2 With the Wine of her Fornication Which intends Venom and Poyson of the Devil the old Dragon or the detestable Superstition and Idolatry of Antichrist and Church of Rome 3. It signifies the cruel Malice and Rage of Men. Note Sin is the Venom or Poyson of the Serpent or the old Dragon Parallels POyson inflames heats and as it were sets the Body on fire So Sin inflames heats and sets as it were a Man's Spirit on fire What a Heat doth the Devil put some Men in by stirring up their Wrath Rage and Malice against their Neighbours II. Poyson causeth a great and extreme Thirst Gross or dreggish Liquor will not quench the fiery Thirst of Poyson Caryl it drinks saith one nothing but pure Spirits So Sin stirs up an insatiable Desire or Thirst after Revenge as also after the Pleasures Profits and Honours of this World which nothing can allay but the Water of Life which Jesus Christ gives John 4.14 III. Poyson gets quickly saith one to the Spirit 't is subtil and spiritful Plutarch and in a very little time will corrupt the whole Mass of Blood c. So Sin in a little time
in the Rod which a wise Man strives to understand 1. There is a chiding Voice in the Rod. 2. And not only so but in some Rods an amazing Voice 3. A threatning Voice 4. An awakening Voice 5. A convincing Voice 6. There is an humbling Voice in the Rod. Quest Why do so few Men and Women hear and understand the Voice that is in the Rod Answ 1. Because the Affliction or Judgment perhaps is general 't is hard for Men to make special and particular Application of common Calamities 2. Because Men are more subject to look to secondary Causes in the Rod than to the immediate Hand of God 3. Because Men are so heedless and unsensible they will not trouble themselves to find out the Voice that is in the Rod. 4. 'T is because Men are so full of other Business that they have not Time to hearken to God's Voice in the Rod. 5. 'T is because they do not see any present Effects of God's Hand he is loth to strike How shall I give thee up O Ephraim c. Affliction compared to a Furnace Deut. 4.20 But the Lord hath taken you and brought you forth out of the Iron Furnace Jer. 11.4 Ezek. 22.18 And Lead in the midst of the Furnace A Furnace is either taken properly or figuratively 1. Properly 1. For a Place which Refiners refine their Gold in Prov. 17.3 2. A Place of Torment such as was that which the three Worthies were put into who refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Image Dan. 3.6 22. 2. Metaphorically for heavy and cruel Bondage Deut. 4.20 Jer. 11.4 For Hell-Torments Mat. 13.42 And shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire Note Afflictions or sore and cruel Trials are compared to a Furnace Parallels A Furnace is prepared for Gold The Refining-Pot for Silver and the Furnace for Gold So Afflictions are appointed for the Saints who are compared to Gold II. A Furnace refines Gold and makes it much more pure than before So doth Affliction refine and make more holy the Hearts and Lives of godly Christians Job 23.10 When he hath tried me I shall come forth as Gold III. A Furnace is made sometimes very hot So Afflictions are sometimes very sore and grievous to the Godly A weak Fire will not refine some Gold no more will small Trials refine some Christians IV. A Furnace melts the Gold and makes it soft before it is refined So Afflictions melt or make the Hearts of Believers soft And I will leave you there speaking of the Furnace and melt you Ezek. 22.20 V. A Furnace consumes Tin Lead c. and also the drossy part of Gold So those Afflictions and Trials God brings upon his People burn up or consume all loose and hypocritical Professors who are compared to base Metal as Tin Lead c. And not only so but also all the Filth and Corruption of such who are sincere Psal 37.20 Into Smoke shall they consume speaking of ungodly Ones See Gold and Refiner in the First Volume pag. 262 264. VI. Some Furnaces denote great Torment 't is an amazing thing to be thrown into a hot fiery Furnace So some Afflictions and Judgments brought upon an ungodly People are very terrible when they are in Wrath. The Wrath of God is to wicked Men like a burning and consuming Furnace Who can stand before his Indignation Nah. 1.6 or who can abide in the fierceness of his Anger His Fury is poured out like Fire See Furnace as it respects Hell-Torments Affliction compared to the Winter Cant. 2.11 For lo the Winter is past c. SOme understand by Winter the State of the Elect before Conversion but others Guild Durham Ainsworth in my Judgment upon better grounds those cruel Persecutions the Church of God shall be under during the Reign of the Tyrannical and Antichristian Powers of the Earth The Winter is past the Rain is over and gone c. These things saith Mr. Ainsworth may be applied to the outward Troubles and Grievances of this Life by the Malice of the World as when Israel was brought into the Bondage of Egypt and of Babylon and after was released likewise to the spiritual Winter Reign and Rage of Antichrist after which the Graces and Fruits of the Gospel began again to flourish It may also signify the Afflictions of the Soul Parallels WInter is a Time of Cold attended with Snow Frost Storms and sharp Weather So whilst the spiritual Winter of the Church continues sharp and bitter Storms of Persecution frequently arise upon the Godly II. Winter tho it be sharp yet it is a profitable and wholesom Season of the Year in respect of the Body of Man and Fruits of the Earth So is the spiritual Winter of the Church or Soul the Godly can no better be without Adversity than we can be without Winter III. Winter-Frosts c. kill the Worms Weeds and Vermine So do Afflictions and the Frosts of Persecution destroy the Weeds of our Corruption and free the Church from carnal Professors who are like Worms and base Vermine that hinder the Growth of God's choice Grain IV. In Winter 't is a difficult and hard thing to travel some Roads So 't is a difficult thing to travel in the Way to Heaven i. e. to keep on in the Path of Gospel Holiness and Obedience in a Day of Persecution V. In Winter many things look as if they were dead Trees Flowers and Plants have no Beauty in them they are not pleasant to the Eye So whilst the Winter-Time of the Church continues the blessed Trees and Plants of Righteousness seem as if they were withered and their Beauty and Glory gone by means of the Tyranny and Oppression of the Ungodly but when the Winter is past and the longed for Spring beginneth to appear they will sprout up and flourish again gloriously VI. In Winter we have now and then some good and comfortable Weather So now and then in the Winter-Time of the Church there is a sweet serene and calm Time of Peace and Tranquillity Acts 9.31 Then had the Churches Rest throughout all Judea Galilee and Samaria and were edified and walking in the Fear of the Lord and in the Comfort of the Holy-Ghost were multiplied VII The Winter makes the Spring and Summer much more acceptable and sweet So the Storms Tempests cold Frosts and nipping Time of Trouble Oppression and Persecution will cause the Golden Age of the World viz. the Reign and Kingdom of Christ like the Spring and Summer to seem much more sweet and acceptable to the Saints and all that fear God This is signified by the Singing of Birds c. They shall sing in the Heights of Zion Jer. 31.12 Isa 35.1 2. c. The Wilderness and the solitary Place shall be glad and the Desert shall rejoyce and blossom as the Rose it shall blossom abundantly and rejoyce even with joy and singing c. VIII In Winter Frosts and cold pinching Weather usually last not
so full communication of one Creature to another saith Mr. Burroughs as there is in that Condition of Marriage So in the Day of the Resurrection when the Church shall be married to the Lord Jesus the Godly shall have a full and perfect Enjoyment of him whom they so dearly love The Lord Christ in that Day will communicate of himself to his People in such a manner that it is inconceivable whatsoever may delight them rejoice their Hearts or add to their perfâ—ct Happiness he will not withhold from them They have now only the Joy and Comforts of his Spirit but then they shall have the Joy and Comforts of his Person Where I am there also shall my Servants be Joh. 14.3 I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Rev. 19.6 7. V. A Marriage-Day is a joyful Day So will the Marriage-Day of the Lamb be Let us be glad and rejoice and give Honour to him for the Marriage of the Lamb is come The Bridegroom rejoiceth in the Bride Isa 62.5 and the Bride in the Bridegroom As the Bridegroom rejoicâ—th over the Bride so shall thy God rejoice over thee VI. In a Marriage-Day the Bridegroom and the Bride have very great Attendance and are greatly honoured So Christ and the Church shall have great and glorious Attendance in the Day of the Resurrection viz. all the Angels of Heaven He shall come in the Glory of the Father with all the holy Angels The same Retinue the one shall have the other shall have likewise VII The Bride commonly makes great Preparation for the Marriage-Day to have all Things ready So the Godly make all due Preparation for the Appearance of Jesus Christ that they may be accepted of him in that Day The Marriage of the Lamb is come and his Bride hath made her self ready The Resurrection-Day the Saints Coronation-Day 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the righteous Judg shall give unto me in that day c. THat Day that is the Day of the Resurrection or Day of Christ's coming Note The Day of the Resurrection will be the Saints Coronation-Day Parallels CRowns properly belong to Kings Princes and Potentates of the Earth c. Saints are Kings Spiritual Kings He hath made us unto our God Kings c. Rev. 5. II. Kings are wonderfully honoured on their Coronation-Day So shall the Saints in the Day of the Resurrection the Angels of Heaven shall honour them Christ himself will honour them nay they shall be honoured by the Father If any Man serve me Joh. 12. him will my Father honour III. On a Coronation-Day some look upon it as their proper work to set the Crown upon the Head of the Prince who is to be crowned therewith So in the Day of the Resurrection the Lord Jesus will set as it were the Crown upon the Head of his Chosen Be thou faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Inferences LAbour to be fully established in the Truth of the Resurrection see that no Man deceive you 't is a perilous Age. And to confirm doubting Christians in this great Principle of the Christian Religion take a few Arguments 1. If the Dead rise not Then Christ is not risen from the Dead 1 Cor. 15.16 20. But Christ is risen from the Dead Therefore the Dead shall rise 2. That Doctrine that makes Preaching vain is a false and pernicious Doctrine But such who deny the Resurrection make Preaching vain 1 Cor. 15.14 15.2 Therefore a false and pernicious Doctrine 3. If the Dead rise not Then those who are fallen asleep in Jesus are perished 1 Cor. 15.18 But those who are fallen asleep in Christ are not perished Therefore the dead shall rise 4. If the Dead rise not Then the Godly are of all Men most miserable 1 Cor. 15.15 19. But the Godly are not of all Men most miserable Therefore the dead shall rise Obj. The Soul of a Child of God at Death is happy and with Christ and shall be for ever whether the Body rise or not and therefore they are not of all Men most miserable unless the Soul be mortal and die with the Body as some affirm Answ The Life of the Soul as well as of the Body depends wholly upon Christ's Resurrection and if Christ be not risen we are yet in our Sins and therefore this makes nothing either to prove Saints happy without a Resurrection or for the mortality of the Soul 5. If the Saints of God in the primitive time did believe and were well grounded in the Truth of the Resurrection Then the Dead shall rise But the Saints of the Primitive time did so believe and were so established Ergo. See these Scriptures Joh. 11.24 1 Cor. 15.22 23. Ver. 52. I know he shall rise again in the Resurrection at the last day For as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive but every Man in his own order Christ the first Fruits and afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming for the Trumpet shall be sounded and the Dead shall be raised c. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so those which are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him 1 Thess 4.14 And the Sea gave up the Dead which were in it and Death and Hell delivered up the dead that were in them and they were judged every Man according to their Deeds Rev. 20.13 6. If all the Saints of God and Holy Apostles waited for the Redemption of their Bodies Rom. 8.23 Then the Dead shall rise But all the Saints and Holy Apostles waited for the Redemption of their Bodies Ergo. 7. If the chief Reward of the Godly is reserved to the last day 2 Tim. 4.8 viz. to the day of the Resurrection Then the Dead shall be raised But the chief Reward of the Godly is reserved to the last day or day of the Resurrection Ergo The Dead shall be raised 8. If the expectation of the Godly Martyrs shall not be frustrated Heb. 11.35 36. Psal 9 18. Then the Dead shall be raised But the expectation of the Godly Martyrs shall not be frustrated Ergo The Dead shall be raised 9. If the Bodies of the Saints shall be made like Christ's glorious Body the Dead shall rise But the Bodies of the Saints shall be made like to Christ's glorious Body Phil. 3.21 1 Joh. 3.2 Ergo the Dead shall be raised 10. If the Dead at the last Day shall be judged then they shall rise again from the Dead But the Dead shall at the last Day be judged 2 Cor. 5.10 Rev 20.12 13. Ergo the Dead shall be raised 11. That Doctrine that gives the Scripture Christ and his Apostles the Lie is a cursed and damnable Doctrine But those that deny the Resurrection of the Dead give the
decide the Case who is clean and who unclean who is to be put out and who to be taken into his Church The Tabernacle and what it was the Type of THe Tabernacle in some respect according to the Learned was a Type of Christ's Human Nature 1. It was exceeding glorious within all the inward parts thereof were overlaid with pure Gold This might signify how the Human Nature of the Son of God was covered with the Diety that being the true Tabernacle that God hath pitched and not Man Saint John saith The Word dwelt or tabernacled amongst us speaking of his being in our Flesh or taking upon him our Nature it being conceived by the Holy Ghost and not erected by Man 2. The Tabernacle was the place where God met with his People now God meets with his People in Christ 't is in and through him we come to know or have the true Revelation of his Will and enjoy his gracious Presence c. Those who would be accepted with God and worship him aright must wait at the door of this Spiritual Tabernacle Others understand by the Tabernacle the Church or Mystical Body of Christ wherein God graciously dwells and hath promised also to meet his People 1. It was moveable signifying the troublesome State of God's People whilst they pass through the Wilderness of this World 2. The Tabernacle had three places 1. The outward Court wherein stood the brazen Altar 2. The Holy Place 3. The Holiest of all In the first it typifies forth the visible or outward Form of the Church in respect of the external Exercise of Religion and Worship hither the common People may come The second typified out the Spiritual State or more close and holy Fellowship of the Church which none have admittance into but sincere and sanctified Persons who feed upon the Spiritual and true Shew-Bread Jesus Christ The third typified Heaven it self or the Church of God triumphant where Christ is set down in Glory at the Father's right hand to intercede for us 3. The Entry to the Holiest of all was by the Holy Place and to the Holy place was by the outer Court c. So our Entry into Heaven is by being Members of the visible Church through Faith and a good Conscience He that would enter into the Holiest of all must first be Holy and he that would come into a State of true Holiness and Communion with God and his People must learn to know where the Candlestick and true Shew-Bread stands which is the visible Church 4. You read of the fixed Pillars of the Holy Place they might signify the Holy Apostles of Jesus â—hrist and his faithful Ministers who help to support the Spiritual Structure the Church as Pillars do support a House c. 5. The divers Ornaments and Instruments thereof might signify the diversity of Spiritual Gifts and Graces in the Gospel-Church the Tabernacle was exceeding glorious within and all the inward parts thereof were overlaid with pure Gold Exod. 35. Psal 45. So inwardly the Church of God is very beautiful the King's Daughter is all glorious within 6. The several covâ—rings thereof typified the Lord's sure and safe Protection of his Church by his own immediate Power and gracious ministration of Angels 7. Gold within and Skins without might signify tho the Church is glorious within yet outwardly to the sight and view of carnal Men she hath no Beauty but is look'd upon as contemptible 8. The Tabernacle and all the Instruments thereof yea the very Ash-Pans and Snuffers of the Candlestiâ—k must be made according to the Pattern shewed in the Mount which figured forth Exod. 25.40 that the Church of God and all the exercise of Worship that is therein whether Doctrâ—ne or Discipline must be exactly according to the express written Word nothing must be aâ—ded to nor diminished from no Alterations one way or other must be made 9. The voluntary Oblation of the People to build the Tabernacle signifies how willing Christians should be to contribute of their outward Substance to uphold God's Church and the publick Worship thereof 10. The glorious Door of the Tabernacle might be a Figure of Christ who saith I am the Door Joh. 10.7 't is by him we enter into the Kingdom of Grace and Glory The Veil of the Holiest Exod. 26.31 and what it figured forth IT was glorious of Embroidered Work this saith Guild signified the Body of Christ filled with the fulness of God Heb. 7.26 or beautified with all the most excellent and Heavenly Graces of the Spirit Joh. 1.51 II. It was replenished and wrought full of Cherubims noting thereby that serviceable and ready attendance of the Angels on Christ's Natural and Mystical Body III. It was born up by glorious and costly Pillars overlaid with Gold on Sockets of Silver to shew that the Humanity of Christ especially in his Sufferings should be born up by his Deity which his Manhood overveiled IV. By the Veil only there was entry into the Holiest place of all So by the Veil that is to say the Flâ—sh of Christ wâ—ich was rent as it were upon the Cross a new and living way is made for us to the Father Heb. 10.20 The Ark a Type of Christ THe Ark was an assurance of God's Presence amongst his People So Christ is the Cause and Assurance that God in a gracious way is present with us II. Where the Ark was there it was lawful to offer Sacrifice and no where else which might shew that our acceptance in God's Sight is through Jesus Christ If Christ dwell not in our Hearts by Faith if we have not the Ark with us Christ with us God will not accept of our Prayers nor Service III. In the Ark was the Pot of Manna to shew that in Christ is the Life Comfort and Spiritual Nourishment for our Souls IV. The Ark had a Crown of Gold round about it signifying the Majesty of Christ's Kingdom or his Regal Power V. The two Tables were in the Ark the Ark kept them which might signify Christ's keeping the Law perfectly for us and deliver us thereby from the Curse of it VI. When the Ark was set in the Temple of Dagon Dagon fell down and broke to pieces So when Christ and his Truth are set up in a Man's Heart or a Nation Sin and Idolatry will go down VII Where the Ark was there was the Glory of God and when that departed the Glory of God departed So where Christ's blessed Truth and Gospel is there is the Glory of God but when Christ leaves a People takes away his Gospel the Glory of God goes from that People Some run a Parallel between the Church and the Ark others between the Publick Worship of God and it But in my Judgment it more clearly was a Type of Christ which may comprehend much of what they say in respect of other things The Mercy-Seat Exod. 25.17 a Type of Christ IT was called the Mercy-Seat or as
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