would have lightned all the Scripture Of Olympick vanity more below The 26. Levit. running still in Phrase upon Sevens in the punishments cometh at last to the captivity for ten Sevens of years and foretelleth such a confession of sins as Daniel maketh and how God will remember his Covenant which Gabriel there mentioneth Moses and the Prophets shall be vilely disjointed through quite if here we hold not the plain propriety of time 5. These former parts of time be no lesse clear in Scripture than the stars in the Skie that in the Seventh year the Land was parted that * That is 42 years six sevens Israel held it in quietnesse that Chusan held it the whole Seventh Seven That in the Iubilee Othoniel turneth them into their possession The golden Candlesticks with seven branches bowls 22. as the Hebrew letters knops half so many flowers thrice three all 42 commended not Bezaleets wisdome more and obedience to the prescript then we are bound to mark how the holy volumes record the Hebrew stories to fall out in times according to their ceremonies Thence the seventh Iubilee reacheth to †A kindler 〈◊〉 the golden candle-sticks land an erector and Rector of the Schools of the Prophets Samuels happy times Thence to the captivity of Babels seventy Sevens Moses did closely allude unto that space Now the Seventy years of captivity Moses and Ezra compareth with the Sabbath Levit. 26. 2 Chron. 36. 6. The Prophecy of Dan. 9.24 surmounteth all easie for memorie and celestiall for Meditation It had not been so harmonious to have chains of the time hitherto most certainly fixed if hence we should un clasp the links of it But we have the chains of times fastening hitherto-more closely than the Finnes of the Leviathan stick one to another Iob 41. All the works of God have perfection and so is the time from the Creation to the Redemption Mr. Bro. ex manus CHAP. XLIV A fourth expression of the holy Chronologie from the Creation to the Redemption THE golden chain of times are evident which draw from the apostasy of our first Parents unto our Lords Resurrection which when they are all known do bring unto Christ and we shall find much comfort and edification if we often think upon them for they are a greater ornament to the Scriptures than any chains of the finest gold or of the most rare or polished Jewels to the neck The first is from the beginning of time since Satans fierie tongue did set the wheel of the whole Creation on flame that nothing but the flood of waters nor that could quench it The second is from the Flood to the death of Terah Arahams father the authour of idolatry in Christ his Line and thereby causing to cease the royall accompting of the Churches annals by the ages of the Fathers Gen. 11. Jos 23. The next beginneth upon his death with a new promise of CHRIST making Abraham heir of the world not through the Justification of the Law of Circumcision but through the justification of faith in the promise of blessednesse in Christ to the Families Gen. 12. This Chain draweth along to the Lamb that is the Law of the Passeover Exod 12. The fourth chain is from the Lamb to the Temple the allurement of the Nations unto the worship of him that made the Temples of the heavens From the lamb to the Temple 480. Salomons 37. and year of division all 518. who in fullnesse of time would come to make humane nature his Temple to dwell with the children of men And further this chain teacheth to Salomons death his idolatry as Terah was worthy to have this chain ended for which his Kingdome was parted and Ieroboam did set up calves for God which doing is called the sinne of Israel These summes with the year of the Division of the ten Tribes from Iudah are years 518. The fifth chain is from that apostasie of Israel to the burning of the Temple that space is 390 years Iudah now is onely Gods Kingdome In that time is contained the books of the Kings Ezek. 4. and 2 Chron and most of the Prophets as the table before will shew Here must be considered Ierusalems ruine by Babel the flames of the Temple and the ending of Salomons race and Kingdome the breaking of the golden candlestick yea the Ark the speciall signe of Christs presence which had the two Tables of the Covenant was no more as Ierem. 3. They lost it at Shiloh but found it again in the woody field of Kiâ—iath Iaharim Psal 132. All Moses curtains Babel carried away for a spoil and all that Hyram the King and Proselyte procured and Hyram the artificer made c. all these goodly things left the Temple and shewed Christ his severity * Christ by Babel shook his own ceremonies by Moses and ended them by Rome that is the meaning of that speech in Aggei Yet once more I will shake never to have any setting yet some in their writings will re-edifie the low Jerusalem c. But as Israel had a first and second Temple so Jerusalem was twice builded by David Salomon and Nehemiah and twice razed now no other Jerusalem ever shall be but that which is from heaven and no materiall Temple ever shall be for the Lord God of Hosts even the Lamb is the Temple in the heavenly Jerusalem Thus in part he did shake these similitudes of heavenly things that they might look to the sure mercies and holy things promised in CHRIST unto David Acts 13.34 The sixth sheweth the earthly glory of this worlds Monarks with their abasement and sudden destruction all this is seen in the golden head Babels Kingdome which Christ made as chaffe before the wind Now the Jews had seen the end of Salomons progeny the fall of his Kingdome their hope the burning of the Temple their glory and the fall of Babel the glory of Nations by Cyrus and Darius Salomon foresaw all this and said all is vanity Eccl. 1 The seventh is from Cyrus Proclamation of bringing back the people of God from Babels yoke to the eternall freedome the Lord Jesus Christ purchased This time is the glorious and shining Prophecy of the Seventy Sevens Dan 9. This chain began with Cyrus of Sem and Darius of Japhet both which Princes proclaimed the God of heaven the God of Israel over an hundred and twenty Nations who gave Israel a liberall subsidie to comfort them in returning to Sion who by that faith in that joyfull Prophecy left great Babel for Jerusalem yet in her dust Psal 102. And this year the faith of Gods elect stopped the mouth of Lions c. And this chain endeth most comfortably by the death of Messias the Holy of Holy which endeth all Sacrrifice and offering in the low Jerusalem and it endeth the peculiar Prerogative of Israel and it bringeth the Gentiles into equall covenant and breaketh down the Partition wall and blotteth out the hand writing of Ordinances
of the Land of Canaan by Iesus the son of Nun unto the conquest of JESVS the son of God over Sin death and Satan and all our enemies are twenty eight Iubilees our Lord and Saviour the Lord Iesus Christ who is the second Adam and Sem the Great and Reverend The Jubilee year a wonderful◠〈◊〉 the joyfull sound of the Trumpet in the acceptable year of the Lord sounded all these things The victorious combate with the Serpent and his seed and his triumph over them the fullnesse of times the Sacrifice of eternall Redemption the just for the unjust the open recovery of Paradise the resurrection of the most holy the true Temple destroyed and raised the day of salvation the Jews Prerogative ended the Gentiles called the enmity of Jew and Gentile abolished the shadows flee away Christ shook and ended the things made with hands the Sun is darkned the Vail of the Temple rent because the way into the holy heavens was opend by a better Priest and Sacrifice c. c. c. died in a * Iubilee year The ancient holy Hebrews had an excellent and wonderfull saying among them that The Divine Majesty dwelling in our Tabernacle will be to Israel in a Iubilee remission redemption and finisher of Sabbaths Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the ninth Chapter QVest 2. and Ans upon the 2. verse of Dan. 9. The reading study and meditation of the holy Scriptures a great furtherance to prayer A man cannot pray with sound spirituall comfort that is ignorant in them as is manifest in this verse and the rest of the Chapter Blessed is the man that delighteth in them and in them doth meditate day and night Psal 1. And anathema maranatha be that man of sin and his locusts and Kingdome that with-holdeth and forbiddeth the reading and study of the holy Scriptures to the people Observe well 2 Sam 7.27 Gods revelation the ground of prayer yea boldnesse in it Upon Daniel 9 23. Conceive the word and perceive it c. By this commandement doubled for vehementer charge he condemneth the world that regardeth not to be instructed in this doctrine sent from heaven by an Angel unto Daniel and penned for all Nations use Wherefore we must give better heed unto the speech lest we perversly swarve for if the word spoken by angels fall out sure and every trespasse received just recompence of reward how shall we ever escape neglecting so great a charge of our King to our own salvation where the vision is so clear that no doubt can be moved by any plain heart that will rest in the clearnesse of the most bright message by an angel of glory who coming to teach all the world was to shine in words as Stephâ—n by him did in the face Acts 6 when he spake the angell Gabriels words that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the place City and Temple and change the Laws which Moses gave To this day the blind Jews stand in this that the Laws of Moses shall stand for ever Maymon Tom. 1. delege perek 9. Therefore God fore-seeing their dullnesse of hearing would have an angel of light to teach them by this Prophesie 490 years when from the year of that message unto Daniel the Laws of Moses should have their end and none of the Scribes when Herod was affrighted nor any of the Iews as is seen by their answers in all the Gospel objected disagreement for the time which thing had been done if there had been any colour of disagreement in time but they could not conceive of Christs person and office how that he should be the most holy and King and yet dy for our redemption how he should be Davids Lord and yet his son of these things the main objections arose Now let us look unto the Text sâ—il Mr. Bro. on the text on both his english Daniels Upon Dan. 9.24 c. In this Scripture we come to behold in its flaming brightnesse of the King that is Sacrificer also by whom and for whom death is vanquished sun is cleansed Iustice is brought redemption is wrought a vision is sealed our soul is healed sacrifice abolished and the Temple destroyed for defacing of this doctrine the Iews be reiected for embracing this doctrine the Gentiles be elected to open calling Mr. Bro. in S. sight surely the angel his message concerneth the sum of all the Bible The Jews went weeping to Babel seeing Salomons house and Kingdome ended and the Temple burnt and all Moses ceremonies shaken but they returned rejoycing bringing sheaves of all comfort by Gabriels heavenly message of the seventy sevens concerning MESSIAH the King the Holy of Holy Upon Dan. 9.25 Out going of the word to restore c. mark the word of Proclamation of Cyrus Ezra 1. how it answereth this Prophesie Meditate also how pleasing it is to our God to have a tender affection to his cause Daniel mourned and prayed for the holy City and the holy Mountain and had a gracious answer by the holy angel compare Dan. 9 21.22 Also observe a speech in Zephaniah I will gather them that are sorrowfull for the solemn Assembly who are of thee such are the children of Sion the genuine members of Christs mysticall body to whom the reproach of it was a burden Zeph. 3.18 Psal 137.5 6. So Daniel again was affected when he mourned so bitterly when the building of the temple was hindred by Cambyses in Cyrus his absence Ezra 4 Dan. 10.2 3 4. No losse to the losse of holy things when they are gone God is gone and the enjoying of them no gain so great and no time so acceptable Lam. 2.6 7. Hâ—s 9 12. Ezek. 9 3. 10 4.18 19. and 11.22.23 Micâ—hs idolatrous contestation in a contrary must be the thought of every Holy soul for the esteeming procuring and upholding of Holy Assemblies Jud 18 24. Upon Dan. 9.26 The City and holy place shall be distroy The holy Martyr Stephen was called into question and lost his life for this glorious Doctrine of the holy Angell and yet his countenance before the Councill was like the Angels that brought the message Act 6.13 14 15. and all Chap. 7. How did Despisers wonder and perish when Stephen and Paul taught this Act. 6 7 Act. 13.41 45. 21.28 they wondered and in the end perished As of old they wondered at the Prophets Esai 8 18. Jer. 26 6 7 8. Hab. 1.5 so they did at our Lord and his Apostles Doctrine And verily so it is at this day where ever the Commandements of God and the faith of Jesus is truly and zealously taught Upon the same verse verse twenty five about the attribute Messiah which in this message of the Angell is twice expressed as a proper name of the Son of God who became a Son of man the Son of Adam Dan. 7.13 to fulfill all the Angels message And from this time of Dan 9. this attribute Messiah was very usuall among the faithfull
Christ contained in Commandments Statutes and Laws which Abraham observed therefore the Families were cut off from the Sabbath and all the Ordinances of it and then followed abominable and law-lesse idolatries The observation of the Sabbath would have kept them in the faith of the Creation of the World and the faith of Redemption Object But it is not said they kept the Sabbath Answ It is comprehended most certainly in the charge of Christ which was contained in Commandments Gen. 26.5 Statutes and Laws which were extant in Sems and Abrahams dayes We may object as well they kept not Sabbaths for the times of three hundred and fifty years all the time of the Judges and but little mention of it for many years together And it is not recorded that they kept the Sabbatical year of Rest butonly once in Zedekians reign and he a wicked King and it is not recorded they kept any Iubilee yeare But we ought not to doubt but they did keep Sabbaths and the years of Rest and the Jubilees 4. In all their Sacrifices they invocated the holy name of Jehovah the everlasting God Psal 116.17 Psal 20.1.2 3 4. yea all of it Gen. 21.23 This is in commendation of Abrahams faith and in opposition of all the idolatries of the Families Here I think it is meet to observe sometimes offrings are mentioned and no Altar and sometime Altars and no Offring and sometime both are mentioned but not calling on the name of Jehovah and sometime an altar was builded and invocaâ—â—n was performed and no sacrifice is mentioned So in Moses and the Prophets holy convocations are called the presence of God False â—eatheys do as their first evil master did Satan promised our first Parents wâ—eâ—y when himselfe was a Servant of corâ—untion Satan used flattring speeches and fair words and great swelling words of vanity Ye shall be as Gods c. Gen. 3.5 semetime calling on the name of Jehovah is mentioned but no Altarnor Offering But we may be assured that all the faithfull did all three built Altars brought Ostrings and made invocation all this before Moses 5. The place of worship where the Saints assembled is called the presence of God Gen. 4. there he did put the remembrance of his name The Lord God thus shewed great merey to enjoyn such assemblies for our good we should else ay forget our MAKER and Redeemer and by this nercy of Sabbaths and alsemblies enjoyned we have communion with God our exceeding joy in the redemption by Christ Observe diligently Although our first Parents were shut out of Eden Garden or Paradise and from that Tree of life yet the Lord God would have an Eden in another way for the comfort of his chosen ones For where He puts the remembrance of His Name that is an Eden a Garden of God as Israel having Gâ—ds Ordinances among them The Ensigne of his presence was there set up for fourteen hundred yeares And it is called Eden the Garden of God Ezek. 28.13 And there Christ the Tree of life was fed upon by holy O. dinances No marvell that Salomon did sing so much of this Garden out of which he had almost excluded himselfe from the Tree of life but the Icdidia was helped to overcome himselfe and all Satans Instruments We should much think on this what a blessing it is beyond comparison that God should make us his Garden and set up his Tabernacle among us the Church is called the Garden of Eden from the first we are excluded by Adams sin but in this we are Inhabitants by faith in Christ and there Christ doth meet with us to blesse us Exo. 20 21. Exo. 29.43 And so Israel was Gods Garden Cant. 4. and so is the Church gathered from the Gentiles Apoc. 2.7.2 Cor. 6 16.17 And marke how Ezek. 28. and Cant. 4. and Apoc. 2. doe allude to the first stories It is said to us to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree of life which is in the midst ' of the Paradice of God this looketh to the first stories Ever since Adams fall mans corrupted nature is exceeding apt to forsake the faith and to cleave to the false Doctrine of Devils Our first Parents were pild by Satan of Gods Image and of created comforts and shut out of Paradise c. to be sojourners here they and their children as pilgrooms in hope of a better Countrey by Christ 1. Pet. 1.3 4. We are poore grooms pild and pold by Satan and his Seed and so shall be till we come to our Father which is in Heaven 2. Cor. 5.1 2 3 4. 5 6 7 8 9. Here we are pild-grooms and sojourners in this cursed World but live in hope of the Heavenly Paradise through the blessed tydings of the Gospell of Christ who hath brought life and immortality to light by that promise of Gen. 3.15 Israel being made Gods Eden and Garden they had the Tree of life among them so the Church of the Gentiles while they abide golden Gandlesticks and overcome false Doctrines and worldly lusts they doe and shall cate of the Tree of life and shall be nourished by it continually Apoc. 2 21. 22. The meditation of these things are a refreshing but my intent is not now for manifold explications The godly soul by holy study will help to enlarge an hundred fold 6. They had the Law of distinction of Beasts and Fowls of clean and un cleane and might offer in Sacrifice only of the clean Gen. 7. the like Law of distinction is Moses 7. They must not eat bloud that they might have a reverend apprehension of the bloud of Redemption by Christ Gen. 9. the like is in Moses 8. They had diverse kinds of Sacrifices the Meat-offering of Kain but the offering of Habell was of Beasts also they had Burnt-Offerings as in Noah the effect of Noahs sacrifice is termed as our Lord his passion and Drink Offerings Ephes 5. and Oyl Offerings Gen. 35. 9. They had Sacrifices often Job 1. they knew as they asked for dayly Bread so they needed dayly forgivenesse of sins so in Moses they had a dayly Sacrifice this Antiochus put downe for a while Dan. 12. 10. The cheif Father was Preist and * Jacob wrestled for that honour of the birthright most commonly the eldest as in Exo. 24 son was trained up to that function yet for many hundreds of yeares they had a peculiar Preist Sem the Son of Noah sir-named Mechizedek a figure of the Son of God Sem the great and reverend Deut. 28. the great High Pfeist of our profession who was Sacrificer to Iehovah God most high Possessour of Heaven and Earth And he was a directour and strengthner of the godly in holy wayes for five hundred yeares after the Floud to the fiftieth of Isaac Sem was a great stay to the Church of God to uphold the faith so shaken against the revelt of Nimred and the apostate Families Gen. 11. 11.
thy prayer came forth the word which I am come to tell thee because thou art greatly beloved therefore conceive the word and perceive the clear vision Which is seventy Sevens of years are accounted for thy people and for thy holy City to finish trespasse offerings and to end sin ofierings and to make reconciliation for iniquity and to bring righteousnesse everlasting and to seal vision and Prophet and to shew Christ the holy of holy c. Thus we see the ground-work of Mr. Bro. is a Rock as firm and stable as Mount Sion that we might build on Christ the Rock spoken by an Angel So the Angel speaking from heaven makes the begininng of the seventy Sevens to be from Daniels prayer and their ending to be at the glorious manifestation of MESIAS i.e. Christ to be the Holy ef Holy which was seen in his healthy passion and glorious Resurrection 5. Let us further consider the speech of the Angel which I noted before and think it worth the noting again who saith to Dantel Conceive the word and peâ—ceive the clear vision By this commandement doubled for more vehement charge he condemneth the world that regard not to be instructed in this Doctrine sent from heaven by an Augel unto Daniel and penned for all Nations use Wherefore We must give better heed unto that speech lest we wilfulyswerve for if the word spoken by Angels fall our sure and every trespasse received just recompence How shall we escape neglecting so great a charge of our King unto out own salvation where the vision is so clear that no doubt can be moved by any plain heart that will rest in the clearnesse of the most bright message by the Angel of glory who coming to teach all the world was to shine in words as Stephen by him did in the face when he spake the Angels words Acts 6. That Jesus of Nazaret would deftrroy the place city and Temple and change the Lawes which Moses gave To this day the blind Jews stand in this that the Laws of Moses shall continue for ever Maymon Tom. 1. de lege Perek 9. Therefore God seeing their dullnesse would have an Angel of light to teach them by this Prophecy 490 years when from the year of that Message unto Daniel the Laws of Moses should have their end And none of the Scribes when Herod was affrighted objected disagreement for the time which thing had been done if any colour of disagreement could be brought so none in all the new Testament touched disagreement in the time Mr. Bro. upon Daniel 6. Who would think to say the sveenty Sevens are a time not certain when as the holy Angel divides them into three parts seven sevens and sixty two sevens and one seven for the seven sevens he sheweth the troubles the â—â—â—dly returned from captivity should undergo before the Temple should be built and City walled and Christs should be born towards the latter part of the 62 Sevens and the last seven the last half of it our Lord would by his preaching and teaching three years and an half and by his death confirm the Covenant 7. Another weighty reason though noted other where That there was great need that Gods Israel and all the world should have know a definitive sentence from God how long Canaan and Jerusalem and Temple should have their Prerogative and how long sacrificing should be there lawfull and acceptable and when the partition-wall should be broken down and when the Gentiles should be brought into equal Covenant and this definitive and determinate time is most graciously demonstrated to us in the seventy Sevens It is not mans * Vâ— Mr. P. his Epistle prefixed Eulogia nor his Chrestologia nay rather nor his Mateologia that shall dis-anull the holy Chronologia of the holy Bible And therefore most cordially we do protest against the unworthy dealing of Mr. Sarson and Mr. P. in the premises not doubting but one of them will seriously think of his doings and be humbled though he saith he is unmoveable pa. 65 and that hence forward he will adhere and subscribe to the propriety of the word for tropes may not be sought where propriety standeth well enough and cleave to the lively Oracles of Iehovah the God of Israel And what Chronologie can be plainer then those of the holy Scriptures on which we rest and rely First on the accounts of the Fathers to the Floud Secondly the Fathers ages to the death of Terab upon whose death the promise to Abrabam was given Thirdly From that promise to the Law of the Passeover Exod. 12. Fourthly Thence to the building of the Temple 1 King 6. Fisâ—hly Thence to the burning of it which was in the nineteenth of Nebuchadâ—ezay Sixthly Thence to the ending of the Captivity in Babel Seavenshly Thence that sweet Heavenly scripture the I amp of all the Old Testament and the Abridgment of the New the Seavensy Seaveus which began from Daniâ—lls prayer and ended at the death of Christ All these Journeys of the Sun before largely shewed now breifly expressed were created to serve the Son of righteousnesse and are sure clear and certain and in their holy use have the power and strength of the Almighty But as for the Olimpiad accounts in this respect D.R. and Mr. P. c. would have us fall into the plame of 2 Tim. 4.4 we do not reston them but detest to take up their names into our lips it was the offering to a strange God to Divels to new Gods which came newly up which the holy Patriaâ—ks and Prophets and Saints of old feared not nor served What is this must we and our children regard the * fabulous toyes stories and accounts from this man that wan the Stadion this Olympiad or from that man that wan it in another or from that man that acted his part bravely as a gladiator this Olympiad or from him that acted the next Olimpiad or from this foot race and this horcerace that this man atcheived at this Olympiad or the foot race and horse-race that another man archieved at another or from the accounts of the Archontes of Athens or from the accounts of the building of Rome or from the accounts of the lying Caldeans as Daniel ever found them so to be Must I and our children hearken to these abominations and neglect the word spoken by an Angell from Heaven no surely but let all this cobweb-stuff of Doctrines of Divels be left to them to whom it belongs we are sure not to Christians this further warning I give to the people of God our Brethren For it is a shame that our godly learned Mr. Bro. in Advertis pa. 25. or any should contend to teach or to be taught by these Olym piads how to understand an * Angel of light sent by the grace of God to teach all the simple world into whose lips if grace were not poured to be unnerstood as soone as he spake Heaven would say Daniel
Buy the truth buâ— sell it not c. and redeem the time for the dayes are evil I doubt not he that will be constant will say it is as profitable an hour as ever he spent 3 I take it for granted that he that will hearken to this counsell must be godly disposed and full of courage for Christ our Lord doth give to his servants not the spirit of fear and slothfullnesse but of courage of love and of a sound judgement I confesse that Gods people had need be backed with heavenly strength in this degenerating time to meditate in the Law of God day and night But a good heart must mind what Christ said to Joshua chap. 1. and he had as much businesse in his hand as any man that now liveth Oh that I could perswade young men to trace me in all these directions I know the Lord would then blesse them 4 I have heard of a godly man in London that did read over the â—ibâ—e twelve times in one year and that made him so prompt as he was in the holy Scriptures and yet he was diligent in his calling and died wealthy he pleased not himself in much steep and shunned unnecessary pratling discourses and vain frothy company he was of a sober and stayed conversation his name was Mr. Roger Cotton a Woollen Draper in Canning street But alas there are but few at this day that do search into Gods word the wealthy and principal of state remit that work over unto others as a base work for themselves to regard but God doth greatly chastise the world for this neglect and Hosea from God doth thus complain of the people of Israel I have written to him the great things of my Law but they were counted as a strange thing Hosea 8. read chap. 4. 5. I pray the beloved Reader to consider that these dayes are dayes of triall of shaking and winnowing both of the outward and inner man and that Satan is a great Malignant both of godly parents and their children and that he labours to plunder them of an able godly and learned Ministery and of the Sabbath and of the seals of the Covenant yea of the Covenant it self as touching their infants and Satan would not have children catechised by forms which was yet the prctise of the Apostles times Heb. 6.1 2 3. that so they might be a prey to every foul spirit but the Lord our God will rebuke Satan and all his instruments 6. Consider there hath been ever and in these dayes is an aptnesse to depart from the Gospel of Christ but that neither we nor our posterity should apostate publick and private ordinances must with all godly care be attended All cannot be Angels of Churches and the Angels of Churches receive gifts and graces from Christ for the good of the Church It was an holy wish in Moses to say I would all the Lords people were Prophets and that he would put his spirit upon them and who is but would so wish but yet ever since the world began Christ in his administrations never did it nor ever will therefore they that despise ordinances it is of Satan and also for men to think they are above the holy Scriptures and need them not and that therefore they look for new Apostles this is also most certainly of Satan the old liar and deceiver 7. Let all such at neglect the Ordinances of Christ and the blessed Scriptures pretend never so much illuminations and Revelations of the Spirit and new light c. all such vanity is but Ignis faâ—â—â—s thus even thus did the old Serpent deal with our first Parents but Christ that restoreth all things saith to his disciples and children To the Law Isa 8.28 19.20 and to the testimony and if men speak not according to it there is no morning light in them it is also said Psal 138. â— The Lord hath magnified his word above all his name and also hath said in his new Testament Search the Scriptures John 5. c. c. They are not worthy the new name by which God hath called his chosen I mean the Christian name that set light by the word of Christ and a godly learned teaching Ministery 8. They that look for new Apostles and are not content with the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles Christ never prayed for such he prayed for them that believe in him through their word and preaching John 17. that makes the Spirit of Christ he foresaw this evil to admonish us to be mindfull of the words and commandements of the Apostles and he that knoweth God heareth the Apostles and they know not God that do not hear their doctrine and the apostle Paul saith That he with the other were the last Apostles 2 Pet. 3.2.1 John 4.6 1 Cor. 4.9 Judas Thaddeus 17. 9. Their faith is not worth a rush that neglect or reject the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles Ephes 2.20 the holy doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ with which he inspired and sent his apostles to preach to all nations is most pure glorious and full of all consolation and they filled the world with the fruit of their doctrine which hath remained to this day and shall to the end by a faithfull succession of an holy ministery 1 Cor 11 26. Brethren beloved you know who saith What singular thing do ye An unbeliever and a misbeliever will provide meat drink and cloathing and lay uâ— what they can for their children and will give wages to their â—â—â—â—â—â—ts and it is well so to do but what singular thing do yeâ— do that which none of theâ— will do let your children which Christ hath trusted you with and which you have born to him let Satanical spirits blaterate what they will be precious to you 2 Iohn 4. Ezek. 23.37 Deur 6.6 7. train them up in the blessed Scriptures that you and they may be blessed as those two blessed and godly Matrons the mother and grandmother of Timothy and also be carefull of your servants that they may blesse God for you when God shall visit their hearts and know this ye godly Parents and Masters * An acute aphorism of that Râ—man of God Mr. John Trap Ye are really what ye are relatively 10. You see what leaven is laid by the marked of the Beast the Papist and by the Anabaptist and the wretched Gorton c. c. If the honour of the word of God the blessed Scriptures be glorious with you if the glory of the Churches of Christ be of any value with you if the glory and comfort of the Covenant of God in Christ be of account with you teach your children unweariedly the sweet Scriptures that they may be delivered from the vanities and idols of these inchanters 11. But above all Popery is to be taken heed of and indeed the Dialogue was and is chiefly intended against it It is the greatest mysterie of iniquitie in the world and the most
and cast their spirits into eternall prison for their unbeleeving disobedient striving against the b Spirit of Christ in his Prophets preaching the Gospel So dangerous it is when people will not be wise * Consider Psal 2. through the whole volume how Christ breaketh the plots counsells c. of the serpents seed and kisse the Sonne The next generall judgment of the world and of wicked and ungodly men shall be by fire God hates c the wicked unbeleevers and hyppocrites in all ages like Devills according to that most constant doctrinall position 2 Joh. 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son QUest 13. How long was it from the first pronouncing of the curse upon the Earth to the open manifection of it by the Floud of waters Answ It was sixteen hundred fifty and six years Some Annotations upon this second Chapter with References to the number of the Questions and Letters of A B C c. In Answer to the first question in expounding Gen. 3.15 This scripture is the Basis of all the Doctrine of Gods Counsell concerning Redemption by Christ this scripture declares the decree of Gods eternall counsell and covenant as it was concluded and agreed on by the holy Trinity for mans Redemption from Satans head-plot Satans plot and purpose was to spoyl man and so consequently to have spoyled and undone the whole work of God in the Creation But this that sets forth an heavy threatning against Satan and the serpent his instrument that one from the seed of the woman should break his headplot and heal that misery which he brought on man and because that should be done a new heaven and a new earth should be made to the praise of Gods counsells which over raught the plot and project of Satan So this scripture containes in it a threatning to the serpent and his seed and a promise to Eve to all her beleeving seed of Christ Beloved Reader concerning this Text and the threatning in it to the terror of the serpent and his seed be pleased to read Mr. Pynchons booke of the meritorious price of mans redemption printed 1655. there you will have plentifull satisfaction but for this little worke I purpose cheifly to enlarge my selfe not as it is a threatning but as it is a promise concerning Christ The refore I will further observe from Gen. 3.15 I. That in this Text The eternall Gospell hid in God before the foundation of the world was now in Paradise manifested even the hid wisdome II. To this first and precious promise the Apostle hath respect when he saith He was made an Apostle of the faith and truth that is for the hope of eternall life which God that cannot lye promised before the times of the world but made his word of promise manifest in due time by the sending of Iesus Christ Tit. 1.1 2 3.2 Tim. 1.9.2 Pet. 1.4 The times of the world are counted by the birth of the first ten Fathers to the flood Thence by ten holy Fathers to the promise to Abraham Thence to the coming from AEgypt Thence to the building of the Temple Thence to the burning of it by Babels King Thence to the end of the captivity in Babel Thence by seventy sevens of yeares to the death of Christ or to the glorious redemption of man by the death of our Lord Jesus Christ III. This comprehendeth the Faith of Gods elect which was once delivered that is first and once for all delivered to the Saints and never after to be changed All other promises of Christ are but commorations and expositions of this The Doctrine of Faith can be but one because there is but one God and one Mediator Eph. 4. Note this phrase againe once delivered but still expounded This is Genus generalissimum And for this faith the Saints of all ages have contended to keep and uphold it against the serpent and his seed as all the Epistle of Iudas Thaddaeus is upon this argument All sins and punishments come on the world for despising this faith and comforts for imbracing 2 Thes 1.8 IV. From this first preaching of Christ till the mystery of God which he hath spoken by his holy Prophets and Apostles be finished wee must mind this constantly that Gods purpose was not to bring man fallen to life by the remains of any naturall abilities there was a Bar that wee should not think of any hope in that Gen. 3. ult But by a new and living way in the second Adam This is a Covenant of Grace not to him that worketh but to him that beleeveth and receiveth the Son of God as Mediator him hath God exalted in holy doctrine from the begining with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give change of mind and forgivenesse of sins to all the Israel of God Acts 3.21 5. 31. Now this new way is very foolishnesse to us naturally therefore wee dream of great excellencies in our corrupt dead stinking graves But we must hear the voice of the Son of God in his owne ordinances Iohn 5. and he must say to us live afore we can have the first Resurrection as we cannot have the second without his powerfull voice Ioh. 5. Isa 2.1 2 3 4 5 6. V. If the first Adam or any of him could helpe themselves what need the Son of God to be promised from the beginning to be a second Adam and to appear to destroy the works of the Devill 1 Joh. 1. and 3. he only knew how and was only able to mannage the whole officâ— of mediation and to performe all righteousnesse according to covenant in his own person without pressing and by his glorious Ordinances effectually to call and unquestionably to justifie and to prepare for glory all them of his mysticall body which the Father gave him Neither Adam nor any of his posterity had such abilities and for any thing they could do they should have born their own iniquities which was such a yoke that neither Patriarch nor Apostle were able to bear change of mind and forgivenesse of sins was ever preached to be by the second Adam Luke 24.47 Be it knowne therefore to all men saith this first promise that through this blessed seed the son of God made man is preached to us the forgivenesse of sins and by him all that beleeve are justified that is made free from the guilt of sin and punishment from which we could not be justified or made free by the Law of Moses Acts 13. The world was 3960 yeares from the Apostasie of the first Adam to the Redemption by the second Adam and who in all that time saved himselfe from death Death reigned over all old and young it is the second Adam that conquered death the reward of originall sin and hee rose againe for the justification or freedome of all Gods Children from sin
and feare of death Oh that selfe conceited and proud iniquity would once stop its mouth for every mouth shall be stopped and all the world shall be subject to the judgement of God Acts 13. and 15. Rom. 4 ult What the Law of works could not do the election hath obtained Rom. 11. VI. Mark that from this first and maine free promise God hath conveyed all comforts of wisdome justification or Freedome Sanctification and Redemption on fallen man and no way else can or ought to be sought after It could never have entred into the heart of man to thinke of this way if God of his rich Grace had not first declared this rich mystery of his will in a free promise how could our first fallen Parents have thought of a Redeemer much lesse of the meanes of obtaining such a Redeemer at the hands of God This mystery was ordained in Gods eternal Council and providence before the foundacion of the world was laid to be revealed upon Adams fall his ways are unsearchable his wisdome mercy power and love is past finding out and doubtlesse our first parents and all their faithfull posterity could but with admiration say the Epitaph not seen nor ear heard neither hath entred into the heart of man the things that God â—ath prepared for them that love him 1 Coâ— 2. Of him and through him and to him are all things To him be glory for ever Amen Esa 43.25 Esa 48.9 10 11. Rom. 11. Jer. 31.33 Jer. 32.39 Ezek. 36.25.26 VII Christ was promised a Redeemer not only from the guilt and punishment of sin but to make us in himselfe Sons of God even new creatures VIII All outward comforts come by promise in Christ severall godly persons of late years have done well in composing Treatises of the promises IX It is to admiration That Jehovah the eternall God should seeke to enter into a covenant of Grace with fallen man with the slaves of the Devill with enemies and with children of wrath that he should enter into a free promise and Covenant with us to be our God and to make us to be his people See his kindnesse to the polluted infant in Ezek. 16. X. All things are made subject to Christ as the heir of all from the first day of Adams fail but Satan doth labour with all sedulity to withdraw mans Blind heart from the understanding of this doctrine and doth labour to suggest fond imaginations of idolatry superstition bodily exercises and Fables c. to corrupt it and by persecution to hinder it yea to abolish it This is a Doctrine of Faith which no naturall man can attain untill his mind and divine illumination be regenerate and made capable to comprehnd this hid mystery of God in Christ All precepts promises and threatnings are ordained to bring fallen man to obey the Son of God as mediator All the victory administrations of Christs Kingdome by the word seals censures c. are for this purpose till the mediatorian Kingdome be redelivered 1 Cor. 15. But all things are cheifly intended for the Elect 1 Cor. 14.32 11. The second not on Gen. 12.13 may be of use here 12. Thus from the first preaching of the Gospell we must observe why Christ is called Alpha and Omega the first and the last not only in causes and effects but also of all divine Revelation in the blessed scriptures all runs on him All the Promises Threatnings Commandements Examples Chastisements c. all drive us to Christ he also is Alpha and Omega in all the praises of the Church he is also the maine matter and marke of the holy Bible All things were created by him and for him and he is before all things and by him all things consist and hee is the head of the body the Church Col 1.18 In 3. Q. The seed of the woman Hence Children should be first taught to read Gen 3. with Luke 3. and Luke 4 together for two principall ends first To know how Jesus our Lord is of the blessed Virgin Mary of Eli and of Adam and Eve naturally and in this respect the Genealogie of men in Luke 3. are the glory of mankind being all Fathers to the Son of God after the flesh 2. The better to compare the sorrowfull combate of Adam being killed on his first day from the life of the soule to death in sin with the glorious combate and victory of our Lord the second Adam driving Satan to flight and the reason why the Son of God should take hold of mans nature is purposely handled by the Apostle in Ebr. 2. Ebr. 3. Ebr. 4. Ebr. 5. Great is the mystery of Godlinesse God manifested in the flesh It is most glorious to consider it and how it hath been diligently taught in every age from Gen. 3.15 and for the better knowing of this mystery the Law of Moses was made the Tabernacle and the frame of the world and well might David and Solomon say with admiration That God would dwell with man on earth also in his apparitions to the Saints before the Flood and to the Patriarchs and Prophets he spake with us marke this corporation speech in Hos 12.4 At Bethel and dwelt among us in his Tabernacle and Ordinances then in the Temple till the captivity then in the second Temple and then at last he became very man making our flesh his Tabernacle and dwelt among us Joh. 1.14 Cor. 6. but his speciall residence in us is in our hearts by Faith These things made singing affections in the Saints of old Ps 40. Ps 100. Ps 135. Ps 147. Ps 149. Ps 149.1 Chr. 16.1 King 8.2 Sam. 7. Joh. 17. Ex. 15. and any that duely consider this cannot but sing praises to the God of our Salvation In Q. 3. Of Adam in the Genealogie When the holy spirit bringeth Genealogies from the first man unto Jesus our Lord it may teach all men that the world was made and had a beginning so Moses Law taught Misgraim that is the Egyptians and others in his time and Ezra the Persians too before Aristotle and such Athean praters 1 Chron. 1.1 see Bro. in Manuscript In Q 4. and Answ He might govern Genesis sheweth how that by the word of Jehovah the Heavens were made all the setled Army of them by the spirit of his mouth and when man fell the word telleth That for the destroying of the workes of the Serpent hee would be made flesh and have a Tabernacle in our nature and so to be a second Adam to govern all things In which point the Patriarks faith is evidenced by the charge of Joseph to carry his bones with theirs unto the Land of Canaan where our Lords Resurrection should be a testimony of a new world see Bro. in Appo 1.108 The government of the world to come for so the Jewish Doctors did stile the dayes of Messiah is that meditorean Kingdome which the holy Prophet so magnifieth to endure through all ages and generations Ps 8. Ps 45. Ps 93. Ps
145. c. And this Kingdome of Christ the second Adam is handled in 1 Cor. 15. Ebr. 2. Eph. 1.22 from Ps 8. Namely That the Son eternall should rule as the mediator of his Church till all things be restored but then his Kingdome shall be delivered up when the last enemies death Sathan are perfectly subdued and destroyed Then all the elect which have been called justified and adopted in Christ by the word of his kingdome by the work of his spirit shall be presented unto the father and all prophesying and all other new victory sweet helps of our edification in the body of Christ shall cease for then shall be the fullnesse Eph. 4.11.12.13 In Q 4. Heire of all David with great admiration doth handle this in Ps 8. He the second Adam upholds all by the word of his power and this he shewed in Noah when all beasts and Elements obeyed him at the flood and so at the destruction of Sodom Jehovah from Jehovah rained fire and brimstone Gen. 16. and so in the days of Joshuah 10.11 In like sort those noble and excellent descriptions of Christ his person and Office in the three fold Offices of Prophet Preist and King are wonderfull for all sorts of heavenly and terrible Doctrine in Psal 2. Psal 45. Psal 110. Esa 9. Dan. 7. Dan 9. Dan. 10. Daq 12. and that in Apot. 1. may well comprehend the summe of them all but all of them should first be minded as expounding Gen. 3.15 Eph. 1.22.23 Col. 1.14.15 the Epistle to the Ebr. all of it He is the blessed only potentate to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim 6. Apoc 19. Joh 3.35 The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hands wee must reverence the Heir and beleevingly obey him for Christ is appointed a Prince and a Saviour to give change of minde and forgivenesse of sins This was taught from the beginning that hee should be this horne of Salvation and of this Doctrine there have been prophets to declare it ever since the world began Luke 1.70 Act. 3.21 In Q. 4. From the day of mans fall All the time from the time of mans fall to the restoring of all things by the Messiah is called The World to come and it is subjected to the Messiah Ebr. 2.5 but the restitution of all things is first prophesied in Act. 3.21 In Q. and Answ 5. Satan brought man n. 1. Man was ever the object of Satans harred and as Christ was man of the seed of the deceived woman and appointed to combate with Sathan for mans Redemption so Christ was the object of Sathans most deadly hatred but such was the perfection of his obedience under his greatest enmity that hee spoiled principalities and powers even in his death on the crosse Col 2.15 and this comfort also belongs to all the persecuted Saints that this great Red Dragon is chained Apoc. 20. and shall shortly be utterly troden under our feet Rom. 16. In Q. 5. Christ the second Adam Christ destroyeth Sathans workes not only in us but from without us and this is â—n unchangeable truth in all those that are called according to Gods purpose Joh. 13.1 Christ is the restorer of all things in him wee have all things that appertaine to life and godlinesse he is the Corner stone that couples all the building and there is no other name under Heaven whereby we can be saved Act. 4 None but Christ as blessed Lambard said Him hath God the Father sealed Joh. 6.27 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to all the Israel of God and forgivenesse of sins And this is a sure rule from the beginning He that beleeveth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that beleeveth not the son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 3â—36 so then cursed was he that said Si illa illa colantur neque esse noxium si inter Gentilium aras Dei Ecclesiam quis transiens utraque vâ—nercâ—ur and little better are the Atheisticall moderators of our dayes 1631.1632.1633 1634.1635.1636.1637 In Q. 5. And Adoption And now little Children abide in him the second Adam that when he shall appear we may have boldnesse and not be ashamed before him at his coming 1 Joh. 2. By him wee have adoption Joh. 1.12 and his spirit doth enable us to cry Abba Father mark these scriptures Ebr. 4.14.15 16. Rom. 8.15 Eph. 2.18 Rom. 5.1 2. In Q 5. N. 11. Christ the second Adam Now Sathan the old Serpent spirituall weaknesses and the God of this world doth by Gods just judgement make war against us about super-celestiall things and wrastleth cunningly to hold us still in our most miserable estare of blindnesse imprisonment and bondage but by the power of the second Adam and by the word of his Grace we are set free and such as are blinde do receive their sight and by his grace we are made able to stand resist and overcome his Grace is in us and over us and the Apostle of the Gentiles salutes them all thus The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen Esa 42.6.7 Esa 49.9 Ephes 6.1 Ioh. 2 Rom 7. Esa 45. 24. In Q. 5. The life of holinesse In him was life and the life was the light of men Ioh 1. Ioh 8.12 The second Adam saith I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darkenesse but shall have the light of life his Law restoreth the soule Psal 19 Ps 23. Ephes 2.1 Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10.1 Coâ— 15.49 Esa 11 9.1 Ioh. 1. Ioh. 2 4. He is the true Shepherd and Bishop of our Soules In Q 5. N. 3. Christ the second Adam The appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ as it was promised hath brought life and immortality through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. Marthas and our Lords conference was heavenly the shewes that she expected life and immortality through him Ioh. 11.21 and 1 Cor. 15.1 Thess 4. And Iohs faith for this point is worthy of all consideration Ioh 19. Ps 46.15 Ps 17.15 Sin reigns to death through the first Adam but grace reigns through Righteousnesse or freedome to eternall life through Christ the second Adam Râ—m 5. The comparisons of the first and second Adam are most sweet in Rom. 5. and 1 Cor. 15. Secondly Consider further how our Lord doth sustaine us in this our pilgrimage he is said to hold our soules in life in him wee live he is our life and the lenghth of our dayes he provides and gives meanes of life meat to eat and cloathes to put on he is our preserver in all places and at all times he speaks to diseases to come and to go and when hee pleaseth to withold his preservation wee languish and dye the Godly have the feeling and knowledge of all this they finde they have their life from Jesus as from
147.2 The Apostle saith the same Grace be to you and peace from God the father and from our Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world according to the Will of God which is our father to whom be glory for ever Amen Gal. 1.3 4.5 Eph. 1. 10. Abraham was gathered from the world and Christ hath and doth still gather and deliver us out of the world to be of his Israel John 11.52 so observe Iohn 17. Quest 7. Answ Abraham Isaac Iacob they to testifie their faith in the Promises of Christ built Altars in divers places and called on the name of the everlasing God And therefore observe the Apostle saith he served God with pure conscience from his forefathers in the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 1.1 2 3. and therefore the promises to the Fathers with the seal of circumcision were not carnal and fleshly as Mateologists wickedly prattle if they were carnal to them so they are to us for the promises and covenant belong to us as hath been laid from Acts 2.39 and chap. 3 25.26 Surely the faith of a good Christian is builded on Christ the Comer stone and on his religion practised of the godly Patriarks and on the blesse holy scriptures and hope in the resurrection all which by the work of the spirit doth make a man watchful to keep a good conscience in Church in Common-Weal by Land or Sea at home abroad in sâ—ops in labours c. see how all is taught in promise and seal He that is such an one shall look death in the face and needs not to be afraid before whom he comes nor needs be ashamed of the groundless criminations of schism heresie and blasphemy c. diligently ponder Acts 24 14 15 16. Quest 9. Ans A great apostasie for Israel in Egypt Read Ezek. 23.8 Israel with his family came as a pure virgin into Egypt and so continued all the dayes of Iacob and Ioseph while he lived held the whole house in life and faith but the Egyptians afterwards infected their poweritie with idolatry even in her youth lay they with this virgin Israel and bruised the breasts of her virginity and powred their whoredomes upon her False worship being a work of the flesh pleaseth and quickly insinuateth into our corrupt nature especially being conversant with idolaters Let all people beware of mystical Egyptians And let Common-weales Churches and families note that false worship and heresie increaseth and somenteth all projects of ungodlynesse and unrighteousness Ezek. 16.6 and 20. must also here be considered to the captivity both of Israel and Judah They were by apostasie rather of the Amoâ—ite and Heâ—hite then of Abraham and Sarah They were in the bloud of their false religion being foully corrupted with the idols of Egypt and so they were dead till Christ by his own law said unto them live So were we being under the bondage of Rome-Egypt until Christ by his everlasting Gospel made us to live Apoc. 14.6 20.4 5. And note as Terah his corrupt worship continued long in Israel so did that of Muzrajim i. e. Egypt Jos 24.14 Ezek. 23 8. Quest 10. Ans God was not ashamed But God will be ashamed of adulterers and adulteresses that follow superstitions lusts of the flesh lusts of the eyes and pride of life for such do and will deny Christ and be ashamed of him and his word and such cannot be pilgrimes and strangers and seek things celestial Iames 4. 1 Ichn 2. Mark 8. Col. 3.1 Ibid. To be called their God Christ saith I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob this is my memorial to all generations that is to all of their faith and heavenly conversation whether Jew or Gentile Exedus 3.6 15 16. Hebrews 11. Ibid. Heavenly City and Countrey The faithful to the fulness of time were in heaven and part of the blessed familie of the heavenly Father Ephe. 1.10 3.15 All the faithful in Israel were the adopted sons of the Eternal their God and if sons then heirs Rom. 8. so they were living and so they were dead Therefore the living might not sorrow as the heathens that had not certain knowledge of the joyful and glorious state of the immortal souls of the faithful nor any hope of the resurrection Luke 13.28 29. They might not cut themselves for the dead nor make any print or mark in the flesh Levit. 19.28 Dent. 14. 1 2 1 Thess 4 The loving kindeness of Iehovah is better than life because though life departs yet we be and live for ever in him Therefore it is said God is the God as of Abraham Isaac and Iacob and so of every true believer even when his body is dead and turned to dust and therefore Abraham must be held in spirit to be and live with God and shall have the resurrection of the body Luke 20.37.38 Matt. 22.24 Mark 12. The faithful enjoy the same inheritance and happiness with Abraham and this is one part of the blessedness in Christ promised to Abraham And Christ saith of Moses being dead Moses my servant is dead he was still the Servant of Christ though he went up to Mount Nebo and dyed and we know he doth live for he appeared when Christ was transfigure and death is one of the works of the divel which Christ was to dissolve Christ was promised from the beginning to destroy the works of Satan now called the old Serpent Acts 26. 6. Josh 1.2 1 John 3.8 Heb. 2.14 15. 2 Tim. 1.10 CHAP. V. With Questions Answers and Annotations on them How Redemption was taught From the Law of the Passeover to the building of the Temple QUest 1. Proceed to declare what Noble Pillar did Wisedome hew out to which the holy and golden Chaine of times is fastned by which life and salvation was taught to the Saints Answ This is the (a) Although they apostated to the idols of Egypt yet by the bloud of the Passeover God chose them again but again rejected them for their idols and vanity when Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us Passeover Exod. 12. QUest 2. How many yeares were from the Promise to Abraham to the Passeover or to the comming from Egypt or to the giving of the Law Answ Four hundred and thirty years QUest 3. How much of the Scripture is contained in those 430. years Answ From the beginning of the 12. of Genesis to the 12. of Exodus the book of Job and also part of the 1. 2. ch of 1 Chron. QUest 4. How doth the Passeover c. teach of Christ Answ Christ is called the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World also our Passeover Mark what the Holy Ghost saith Heb. 11.28 (a) The Levites in Hezekiahs dayes taught the good knowledge of Jehovah that is Christ The Levites taught the meaning of the Passeover as Moses by
faith instituted it 2 Chr. 30 22. mark and consider the Psalm 22. 40. and 110. what was taught in those three great congregations the assemblies of holy beauty Through faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of bloud lest he that destroyed the first born should touch them The 12. of Exodus will afford many meditations And although three moneths after the Passeover they had the Law in two Tables given full of terror to humble man yet by a still and soft voice a pattern of heavenly things were enjoyned as a Tabernacle made with hands the Priesthood of Levi the Breast-plate with VRIM and THVMMIM The Ark of the Covenant the bloud of peace offerings sin-offerings whole burnt-offerings holy incense washings cleansings redemptions attonements remissions the Manna the brazen Serpent and holy garments of ministration and other holy feasts beside the Passeover distinction of times in new Moones years of Rest Jubilees c. enjoyned All which do teach of Christ the truth Who is Jehovah our righteousness Christ is all and in all QUest 5. But were not the moral and ceremonial Laws given to disannul the promises that we should seek righteousness or justication by doing of outward works through our own will and power Answ In no wise For although the Law of the passeover came 430. years after the promise yet it cannot disannul the faith in Christ taught in the promises The same must be said of all the Ceremonies QUest 6. Wherefore then did God give the Law Answ I. Because in those daies both among the apostate families and in Israel when they lived in Egypt all ungodliness and unrighteousness did exceedingly abound Therefore the Law was added because of transgressions that the offence of sin might abound to our feeling and that we might be loathsome to our selves And it must be noted that the Law was not declared to Israel only though chiefly to them but to the mixt multitude that came with Israel from Egypt II. That it might be a School-master to lead unto Christ to seek the justification that is by the faith of Him For Christ was the end drift and scope of the Law for justification to every one that beleeveth Moses politie ever aimed at him for Moses wrote of Christ And the Prophets and History still expound Moses Psalm 40. Esay 53. Daniel 9.24 And our Lord and his Apostles expound Moses and the Prophets III. Although our Lord Jesus Christ abrogated the Ceremonial Law in respect of the actual performance and took away the a curse of the Law to all that believe They were cursed and plagued if they did not observe the ceremonial as well as the moral for both were contained in the book of the Law Deut. 27. ult Mal. 1.14 yet the moral Law was and is still in force to be the rule of a sober righteous and godly life and so taught in all the New Testament And with all we are to note that the Ceremonial is inscructive and the moral is to humble as well as to direct in the wayes of peace and holiness Quest 7. Produce one text more out of Moses which may further open the mystery of Gods will in Christ Answ Deut. 30.11 12 13 14. This commandement which I command thee this day is not hidden from thee neither is it far off It is not in heaven that thou shouldest say who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it to us that we may hear it and do it Neither is it beyond the Sea that thou shouldst say who shall go over the Sea for us and bring it to us that we may hear it and do it But the Word is very nigh unto thee in thy mouth and in thy heart that thou mayest do it Quest 8. What hence in brief do you observe Answ 1. The holy Apostle called this text the word of faith and doth expound it of Christ concerning his incarnation and resurrection Rom. 10.6 7 8 9 10 11. 2. Moses bringeth his whole Law to this summe and so the prophets that Christ the son of God was to come down from heaven and to be man and to suffer many and great afflictions from the Serpent and his seed and being the first from the dead is to give life and light unto the world The wicked ever despised this life and light in Christ accounting this wisdom foolishness 1 Cor. 1.23 2.8 3. This Scripture with some verses preceding and subsequent sets forth to the spiritual man the excellency the glory the brightness the facility the preciousness the stedfastness and the efficacy of the Law of God being a revelation from heaven and a most blessed instrument of God to preserve his people if they cleave unto it to live in his covenant to comfort in affliction to restore the Church decayed cumbred and overwhelmed with errours and for conservation of outward and inward consolation c. But apostasie from it brings all Curses and utter ruine And therefore it is a most rich favour to Jesurun to all the Israel of God that they are glorified with such an inheritance of lively oracles 4. When Moses had wrote of the Creation of the apostasie of our first parents of the curse of all things visible of the incarnation and redemption in the Promises Tabernacles and Sacrifices Of Melchizedeks and Levies Priesthood c. Then saith he this doctrine is not an hid doctrine Moses face did not so shine with brightness as the Law did shine in the hearts of the faithful that looked to Christ the holy seed of the woman the end and scope of the Law It was hid to none but the blinded by Satan We should labour to reduce history and prophecy with the New Testament to Moses QUest 9. Who were followers of the doctrine of Justificacation by faith taught by tradition in (a) the doctrine of the seal of circumcision was believed of the faithful 406 years to Israels coming from Egypt the Promises for two thousand five hundred and thirteen years and now written by Moses Answ All the Patriarks as is said the people of Israel that came out of Egypt and that were in the wilderness and the faithful both Rulers and people in the Books of Josuah Judges Ruth Samuel c. and especially our Lords Fathers from Abraham to David the first fourteen are to be remembred Mat. 1.17 QUest 10. Who were the seed of the Serpent hating bruising cursing and persecuting the Religion and People of Christ his Israel Answ The Egyptians Amalek Moab Ammon Midian and the Canaanites c. QUest 11. Did the Church constantly reverence the religion of the Tabernacle Answ The eternal WORD came unto his own in providences and ordinances but his own received him not for six hundred thousand in the Wilderness at once through an evil heart of unbelief murmured tempted and denyed Christ and despised the Land of Promise and would have gone into Egypt again and many followed the religion of Peor And after in
Canaan many 〈◊〉 time they revolted and rebelled against Him called also the Angel of Gods presence despising his statutes abhorring his judgements and so brake his covenant and vexed his holy Spirit Jesurun chose new gods were defiled with their own works following divers Religions Idolatrous and foolish opinons both of their forefathers as of the Canaanites and of the peoples about Canaan QUest 12. How did Christ manifest his goodnesse while his people obeyed him according to his Written word as now and after he ever called them to it Answ Through the obedience of faith they obtained good report with God and God was not ashamed of them to be called their God and vouched them before all to be his peculiar people This he shewed by his joyfull presence dwelling among them in his Tabernacle whence joy peace victorie plenty and all outward comforts attended them in the promised earthly Rest and to all that by faith in the promises saw the daies of Christ joy and hope of entrance into the eternal Rest Tabernacle and inheritance QUest 13. How did Christ in this age bruise the head power and dominion and enmity of the Seed of the Serpent Answ 1. He cast upon (a) It is through all the old Testament Mitzrajim where it is translated Egypt Esay 43.3 Mitzrajim that is the Egyptians the fierceness (b) But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice and do all that I speak then I will be an enemie to thine enemies and an adversary to thine Adversaries Exodus 23. of his anger Amalek discomfited and utter ruin denounced Midian plagued the Canaanites destroyed and other enemies subdued II. Now a (c) The first separation and rejection of the families was by the confusion of tongues 2. by Circumcision 3. By the Lawes given by Moses third time Christ shewed his anger and enmity against the families by a partition wall of ceremonies and an hand-writing of ordinances that they were further separated and made aliens from the Common-weale of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise having no hope and were without God in the world Thus in every age observe how Christ called and kept his elect from the communion of Divels and the wicked world yet God shewed much mercy to the heathens through the limitation of Circumcision Exodus 12. QUest 14. What severity was on the Church for their revoltings from the fiery Law and lively oracles which Moses received from the Angel Jehovah the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob Answ Him the Angel of Gods presence who had the name of God in him was turned to be their enemie and would not pardon their transgressions but sware they should not enter into his earthly Rest so that heavy chastisements befell Israel in the wildernesse and in the Land of Canaan plagued by enemies on every side untill the Transmigration a of the Land that is the removing of the Ark b from Syloh yea untill the daies of David Bear diligently still in minde with all fear and trembling how Christ afflicted the Church for their communion with divels and idolators Psal 78. all of it Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the fifth CHAPTER QUest 2. Forth of Egypt The deliverance of Israel from Egypt is much celebrated in the old Testament And amongst other things of that bondage this is twice noted from a people of a strange Language Psalm 81 114 Israel could not be ignorant of the language of Egypt but I think their idolatrous Priests had a mumming language in their devotions like Rome-Egypt that taught our forefathers in their devotions in a language they understood not for which we have as great cause to sing praise to God as well as Israel of old that we are saved from that cruel bondage Quest 4. and Answ The breast-plate with Vâ—im and Thummim Consider from this time that as the twelve Tribes followed the faith in the promises to their godly ancestours so the Vâ—im and Thummim that was placed among the twelve precious Jewels upon the Breast-plate of the High Sacrificer never uttered any other faith And the same Jewels are the foundation of the Christians Jerusalem from heaven So our high Sacrificer more excellent then Aaron who is Vrim and Thummim light life and all perfections all in all all fulness dwelt in him and he came from the bosome of the Father and walketh in the midst of the VII Golden Candlesticks and never uttered any other faith but what he taught in Moses The Apostle alludeth unto this when he exhorteth to put on the breast-plate of Faith and Love Faith in Christ is our light and life and love is the perfecting and fulsilling of the Law and all our thoughts speech and action should ever intend these two In Christ we are made sacrifices and therefore with a constant spirit carry this Breast plate before God and man Ibid. The Ark of the covenant the bloud of peace-offerings c. All these things were shadows of good things to come and enjoined till the time of reformation when the new and living way was manifested The land of Canaan was also a shadow of the true rest in the Kingdome of heaven so David taught carnal Israel Psalm 95. which the Apostle handleth to the revolting Hebrews And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant for a Testimony of those things which were to be done and spoken after Heb. 3. God did draw them by these ordinances to give them to understand who should be their justification cleansing sin-offeâ—ing c. by many outward things and promise to the spiritual but when they made their belly their God and minded earthly things and thought to be justified by the outward action Then God shewed them to be poor elements as at Syloh and Salomons Temple burnt by Babel c. yea once more it is said God would shake them Dan. 9.24 25 26 27. shewes by whom and how Salomon told them of this also The labour of the foolish doth weary him for he knoweth not how to to go into the City Eccles 10.15 They knew not Christ the way the truth and the life for the heavenly City and Countrey not like children of faith of their faithful father Abraham The holy Prophets and Priests taught the meaning of the sacrifices in the great congregation Psalm 40.6 7. They preached Gods justification of a sinner and kindeness in Christ that would come to do Gods will They declared Gods faithfulness and truth that he would perform his promise concerning the sending of Jesus Christ his death resurrection and ascention Psalm 22 16. 68.18 conferred with Ephes 4.8 9 10 11. And the holy Tribes instantly serving God day and night in this hope went thrice a year to the Tabernacle and Temple which were the great Congregations to hear these things taught and to profess the same in their holy conâ—ocations Besides the Levites in their fourty eight Towns every Sabbath
and all other Prophets and Teachers in all their Synagogues which were very many had Sabbatical convocations and they preached upon Moses And there were divers Universities or Schooles of Prophets at Kiâ—jabjeâ—arim at Bethel at Jericho c. to educate young men for knowledge to teach this most noble and glorious doctrine of faith in the Son of God that should come into the world to make our flesh his Tabernacle Ibid All which do teach of Christ The holy Prophets Psal 50. Esay 53. 55 1 2. c. giving the people true Expositions of the Law shew that Christ is the end of all all priviledges of the Jewes and Gods own ordinances they not discerning or seeking Christ by faith in them were nothing nothing bread but Christ and in outward performances and bodily exercise to be most bountiful most exact accurate and unrebukable is a bestowing cost and pains and not for bread for all is but dung and doggs meat without Christ See how the Apostle urged this to the Jewes from Esay 55.1 2 3. Acts 1â— 38 39. read Mich 6.6 The Law of Moâ—es politie was not given that we should be justified ex opere operato by bodily exercise it was given for signification humiliation and direction that Christ might be our life without him it is a killing letter for so it is weak and â—e are weak But carnall Israel mistook the Law and so believed John 6. Their bodily exercise in eating Manna did not bring them into Canaan for they dyed in the desert And our Lord most heavenly draws all Moses to himself that he was the true Manna and was sent of the Father to be the true bread And there opens all the sacrifices that his flesh and bloud was the true sacrifice of which though now ascended by faith we must feed or dy and never come to the happy resurrection of the heavenly Râ—st And this was and is the heavenly Fathers will in the old and new Testament The spirituality of ordinances was cumbersome to them as to Kain Gen. 4. wherefore Christ in his wrath made them a snare to them and a stumbling block And this was the reason they hated Christ and his Apostles to the death Because Christ doctrine drove man out of himself and so all their labour to be lost for salvation seeking to enter in at the strait Gate and yet were not able Eccles 10.15 yea it is natural alass to us all to rest in outward performances as Kain and not to care for Christ the second Adam and the justification that is by the faith of Him The Ceremonial Law was weak to justifie Rom. 8.3 for it was impossible that the bloud of Oxen Goats washings c. could cleanse the conscience from the guilt and filth The moral could not justifie because we were weak nothing in us was able to do any thing to satisfy the justice of God and because the carnall heart of many being covered with a veil could not discerne Christ the end and intent of the Law yet they knew that they must labour one way or other to have peace with God and their own conscience they would thousands of Rams and thousands of Rivers of oyl and would be exact in outward doings for justification And they durst not touch about the spiritualness of the Law for it is the very pangs of death to understand the Law rightly Râ—m 7. Though sometime it could not be but the conscience was affrighted then they did busie themselves in outward acts of fasting praying almsdeeds washings c. to quier their heart And this was their Divinity and they were cursed by their censors that taught the Law otherwise The Pharisees are the true Fathers of the Popish company and we may very well yield the Papist antiquity because they talk much of antiquity even Esay 1. 58. yea higher Psalm 50. yea Gen. 4. in Kain who was the first that practised this doctrine The Phâ—risees thought Christ came to destroy the Law when he taught his holy doctrine he answered he came not to destroy but to fulfil it by orthodox exposâ—â—ions But they saw how it will go with them if Christs doctrine were received and they would rather kill him so it is now where the word of Christ is truly taught it makes the carnal heart mad and to persecute I did desire to remember these things often because of the cursed corruption of our nature who are so ready yea every mothers child of us to contend our selves without Christ and to rest in bodily exercise The Churcheâ— were warned of this evil springing in the Apostles times 1 Tim. 4â—8 And we have cause to fear that not only Papists but thousands of Protestants are leavened with this leaven of the Pharisees which is but hypocriâ—ie Quest 5. â—uâ— mine not the Moral I use the term Moral as godly Divines do because it is the holy Law of Christ that shall last for ever when the ceremonial was abolished And people must be taught that it is that which is called the form of sound doctrine of faith and love which is in Christ Jesus and we are to understand that the Son of God the Angel of Gods presence who hath the name of God in him who is very often called Ienovah he gave the Law as Mediator between God and man to train up his people in faith and love And all the Law and the Prophets are but expositions of the ten words therefore faith in Christ is taught in the Law as 1 Joh. 3.23 This is his commandment that we should believe in the name of his Son Iesus Christ and love one another as he gave commandement Again it is said when we carry our selves proudly and do not walk charitably one towards another we sin against Christ Rom. 14.1 Cor. 8. All relations in their obedience serve Christ Ephes 5.14 15. 6.5 6. Col. 3.24 1 Tim 6 3. Ibid. seek justification by doing This was the false doctrine of the concision and hath cast them off to this day see how sweetly the Lord Jesus calls them from this error Iohn 6.27 28. c. This is an idolatrous errour of all our hearts to be spiritual to come to God by faith in Christ and in our whole conversation so to be spiritual to come to God by faith in Christ and in our whole conversation so to walk as seeing him that is invisible as Hâ—bel as Mâ—ses and all faithful Oh how hard how impossible such a power of darkness and weakness is upon us O Lord God the way of man is not in himself till thou turn us from darkness to light from the power of Satan to thy self The glorious wisdom of Moses Law which standeth for the Marrâ—w still but not for the outward Sabbath circumcision Tabernacle and other rites of Levi. That Christ from the Law plagued the concision and made the Law held as their Table for the in â—ood 〈◊〉 succour them to be their snare unto death They would not
enter into the rest of Christ where Baptism and the Lords Supper are no burden Mr. Bro. on Lam. 1.14 where Christ is not sought and found in his own ordinances all not the moral but also the ceremonial savours death 2 Cor. 3.7 to 16. what are we then to think of mens precepts voluntary religion and self-willed humbleness Take notice what our Lord taught Mat. 15.3 John 6.27 c. and his Apostle Rom. 10.3 Phil. 3.3 c. Colos 2.23 Quest 6. Num. II. Moses politie ever aimed at Him The Law Morall and Ceremonial was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ grace is two fold the one of Justification from the guilt and curse of the Law the other of sanctification the righteousness of the Law being fulfilled in them that are in Christ Iesus who inables them by his spirit most willingly to walk therein delighting in the Law of God concerning the inner man And Christ was the truth and substance of the Ceremonial Law as all the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth all was sponsorious of a better hope in him Heb. 7.22 8.6 And this was that the saints so fervently prayed for teaching and understanding the wonderous things of the Law how all was sponsorious of comfort in Christ Psalm 119. And so of this did Ethan sing Psalm 89.1 2 c. Ibid. Quest 6. N. III. The Ceremonial Law That is Gods ceremonial Law no man hath power to institute or sanctifie as of himself any teaching sign or ceremony of person or thing time or place to worship God thereby or to take away that which the Lord hath ordained Moses durst not add or diminish any thing no not any other colour as green which is as pleasant as blew purple and scarlet all colours of blood and susâ—â—ing The pattern was his Direction And therefore was Moses called faithful in Gods house the Church of God the Pillar and ground of truth Will worship is a corruption of all our hearts it likes us better then Gods commandments Amos 4. Mat. 15. Luke 16.15 And we have great confidence in it that it pleaseth God But it brings shame at last to any State and all the Priests of Bethel cannot quench the fire that it will kindle Amos 5. Hos 10.14 15. And let all will-worshippers minde that however they have a shew of wisdom in their will worship yet it makes the people forget their Maker Hos 8.11 12 13 14. 1 Kin. 12.33 Amos 5.21 8.10 And this too evident of later years in the ungodly dealing of the Prelates in their hinderance of sound teaching of the word in most paroches of England Ibid N. III. and the moral is still to humble Doubtless the Moral Law must be taught it is a part of Christs mediatorian kingdom God the Father made Him Lord and Christ to all the Israel of God and obedience is better than sacrifice It is a point of faith to believe that Christ gave the Law Exod. 23.20 21 22. They of old were commanded to hear him and so we under the New Testament must hear the Beloved Son and reverance the Heir Mat. 17.5 Matth. 21.98 It is said Felix called forth Paul to hear him of the faith in Christ and as he was teaching of righteousness temperance and of the judgement to come Felix trembled Acts 24.25 Therefore the Law ought to be taught it belongs to the faith of Christ And godly teachers are to lift up their voice like a Trumpet to make mens hearts shake and tremble for rebellion against the Mediatour and therefore the godly teachers 40.50 and 60. years ago taught the way of the Lord more perfectly then many now do vid. infra the note on Levit. 26.17 chap. 8. Quest 7. Answ Vpon the text of Deut. 30. Moses speaks this of the Law the Apostle of Christ taught in the Law Rom. 10. So Esaias faith In his Law shall the nations hope Esay 42.4 Matthew saith In his Name Mat. 12.21 The Apostle calleth this text the word of faith and the just do live by faith Moses sheweth the Law of Jehovab that is Christ is a law of Love and the Apostle calleth it A law of Faith So then it is a form of Wholesome words of Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus And how precious sweet dear rich pure is the Law of Christ being a Law of Life in him Deut. 32.47 Therefore Stephen saith that Moses received from the Angel of the Covenant lively Oracles Acts 7.38 And so the Apostles received from him words purer than snow whitter than milk sweeter than honey or the honey comb words of spirit and life to preach unto the dead apostate families John 6.63 So the Sacrifices washings tabernacle the land of promise c. profited nothing were a killing letter having the veil on the heart The words and doctrine that Christ spake to Moses they were spirit and they were life And so David knew and all of faith when he cryed to Christ to be his sprinkling and his hyssop Psalm 51. And so Esaias and Stephen taught them and the Apostle Rom. 10.6 Exod. 20.2 And all expositions of the ten words were a killing letter not looking to that which is within the Veile even the grace and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 15.11 The Prophets and Apostles unveil Moses face most brightly they have made it as open even as Moses made it when he took off the veil when he went to speak with Christ Read Quest 8. Ans N. II. To be man and to suffer Mark the cause of the Apostle I am accused for the hope of the promise made of God unto our Fathers Psalm 16.10 22.29 40.6 7 8. Acts 26. this was a constant doctrine from the beginning and to be declared from age to age to the end of the world that the Son of God should come down from heaven to be a second Adam and to give himself a sin-offering to death and be raised from the dead 2 Tim. 2.8 and so in this doctrine Christ is our bread and drink Joh. 6.27 28 29 c. The pattern was not yet to come down from heaven to take our nature to be his Tabernacle and his flesh and bloud by sacrifice to be our bread and drink Iohn 1.14 6.54 And till the Son of God came to be and do thus All that Christ revealed to Moses was sponsorius and an introduction of a better hope that is Christ hoped for by all faithfull of the old Testament by whom they and we come unto God Hebr. 11.1 2 3 4. Iohn 14.6 Heb. 8 Ephes 1.10 11 Esay 15 1 2 3. Acts 13. Ibid. N. II. Accounting this wisedome foolishness And the light shineth in the darknesse and the darkness comprehended it not Joh. 1. 〈◊〉 It was ever a stumbling block and foolishness to the wise and prudent of this world to the natural man Iohn 6.52.60.1.1 Cor. 1. 2. And so is was to many while Moses was yet alive
Deut. 31.11 27 28 29. such waited but for an opporeunity of Moses death and Ioshuahs and the godly Elders then they did shew themselves so blessed Paul spake of Wolves and apostasie Acts 20. It is hard for us to deny all of the first Adam and wholly submit to be taught and guided in the doctrine of the second Adam the Lord from heaven Quest 8. Answ N. IV. Of Melebisedecks and Levies sacrifice hood See the Apostles disputation concerning Melchesedeck Heb. 5. 6 7. who was still alive after a sort in discription As the holy Prophet David taught the people of his dayes and what use they should make of the Land of Promise Psalm 95. and of the use and end of the sacrifices and washings c. Psalm 40. 51. So he taught them that Levies Priesthood should have an end for that our glorious Lord Iesus Christ is made a sacrificer for ever ofter the order of Malchesedek and not after Aarons order of the Levitical Priesthood where neither the persons or things that Levi did could justifie the doers or commers thereunto Now the Lord Jesus Christ he was promised and prophecied of in all the old holy volume of the book of God that he was made a Mediator and a Surety a Sponsor of such an Administration that should perfectly save and justifie them that came unto God by him He was of God the Father none else could made a Sponsor a surety All the sacrifices that he commanded our Fathers they did them till the fullness of times did come and then he did send his beloved Son and Servant in whom his soul delights he took unto him true humanity and was a Sponsor a Surety of a better Testament i.e. The Mediatour of the New Testament for their full conâ—olation to comfort them concerning their works and concerning the sorrows of their hands and concerning the earth which God hath cursed He shall do that which all Levites tribe could not ex opere operato Levies Priesthood could not cleanse the conscience from the guilt of our sinful works not procure a blessing on our Labours nor make a new world his Priesthood could not cleanse the conscience from dead works to serve the living God c. And for this cause Christ was a Sponsor of a better covenant And Christ himself faith he will become this Sponsor and Mediatour to answer the will of the Father Lo I come to do thy will O God thy Law and appointment for the redemption of thy people that thou hast given me is in my heart to give my self a Sacrifice of a sweet smelling favour of rest God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not counting their trespasses unto them For be made him to be a Sin-offering for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. Much more might be said but let the people of God study the Scriptures their inheritance God hath a time and a day wherein he will burn up the hay stubble and rotten wood of impertinent applications and interpretations Ibid. N. I V. Is not an bidd doctrine It is not an hidden thing nor a wonder for thee O Israel for this doctrine that the Son of God should come down from heaven to be man hath been taught to thy Fathers from the beginning and that he should be the great High Priest and Sacrifice and that he should raise himself from death to give hope to all faithful of their resurrection Israel should not make doubt of this doctrine Yet it is a Wonder as Ethan sings of it Psalm 89. great is the mystery of Godliness But this hath been ever taught in the Church this doctrine is the faith of Gods elect and the Churches possession Ioh. 1. Levi the Tribe appointed to reach divinity should never have been graven in the bright and pleasant Smaragd if the stories of this Art had been dark â—et had been a fitter stone for darkness The minde of man may have abundant satisfaction and strong confidence concerning the doctrine of the way of life by holy and humble diligent study of the Scriptures And they that will not believe Moses and the Prophets will not believe though one should rise from the dead Quest 9. and Answ Taught by tradition Note the doctrine of faith one and the same whether by Tradition or Writing For those 2513. years the faith of the Gospel was propagated by tradition by great prophets of long life and great authority and sacrifices as seals of the Covenant added for confirmation of doctrine Quest 10 and Answ Midian Although Abraham taught his houshold the faith of Christ as is seen in the book of Ioh yet many of his posterity apostated to that idolatry religion and opinion with which he was corrupted at YR others fell to the false faith religion and opinion of Peor Jos 23. 24. and did seek to curse the true faith of Gods elect and the holy people of that profession Num 23. 24. Midian was of Abraham by Ketâ—rah The world was then full of false opinions and heretical Doctrines as now they could plead for Nachors Teraphim for Peor for Chemosh and Milâ—ham c. but Israel must hearken to the Law and Testimony that Christ gave them so Moses and Iosuah most pathetically a little before their deaths exhorted them to regard the holy Law and not to follow the traditions of their fathers or of the Nations Ios 24. Deut. Quest 11. and Answ And wou'd have gone into Egypt again Like them are our Popish fools that would go into Rome Egypt again for their Fish Flesh pots Leeks Garlick Onions Cucumbers Melons their doctrines of bodily exercise of Images Pilgrimages the dotage of Purgatory c. goodly Cates sure to be compared to the heavenly Manna of Gods word and Gods dwelling in his tabernacle among us We do not consider the glorious presence in Christ in his Ordinances and protection c since he brought us from among them By the Gospel the way of Christ the face of God shineth upon us The Gospel is the object of promise joy and gladness to every honest hearted Christian Let our apostate hearts remember Lots wife in looking back to Rome-Sodome Christ complained Israel would none of me Oh that we could think of these things What one nation on the earth hath been like us for mercies and how ill have we requited the Lord as Israel did so do we Psal 81. Deut. 32. Ibid. Of their forefathers The idolatry of Terah and Abraham continued above 500 years to the death of Iosuah yea long after Iosuah 24. 2.14 Observe how fast idolatry and superstition and will worship sticks in the heart of posterity Although they had the fiery Law expounded by Moses and miracles to confirm them of the truth of that Religion that holy faith of the Son of God Moses taught and possessed Canaan in the obedience of that holy faith and many chastisements for
c. QUest 3. What do you in general observe out of these portions of Scripture Answ These Scriptures are a confession of faith proceeding from the holy Spirits illumination and experience in the inner man agreeing with the doctrine of the promises wherein the faithful soul applyeth the doctrine of the corruption of nature and of justification and the fruits thereof unto special uses of information confession prayer and praise containing two parts what we are without Christ and what we are by Christ for he is the Mercy-seat Quest 4. What more specially may and is to be minded Answ I. It is necessary that each one Job 11.12 14.4 15.14.16 Gen. 6.5 8.21 Gen. 1.27 compared with 5.3 Psal 51.5 58.3 Esa 48.8 and circumcision enjoined in infancy sheweth the corruption of nature though in a visible Church-estate know and be perswaded of the truth of the doctrine of the uncleanness and filthiness of the corruption of nature taken from parents derived from the first Adam and that all actual sin proceedeth from this birth-sin as from a fountain 2. That the Son of God became a Second Adam to be to all that receive him and believe in him a fountain for sin and for uncleanness and to renew and create in us his glorious Image and to repair the lapses and decayes of the same The graces of which are from his fulness as a well of water springing up unto eternal life 3. The regenerate upon conscience of guiltiness can never be in quiet till with godly sorrow he do freely and ingenuously confess his sin which being done by the convincing power of the Spirit of Christ the soul which groans and sighs from the same Spirit earnestly longeth and prayeth for reconciliation and restoring to former favour peace and joy with God which is more sweet and satisfactory then all contentments in this World and on the contrary the withdrawing or withholding from the conscience his gracious Divine aspect nothing more dejecteth 4. No man can stand before God to be justified if God should judge him according to the Law 5. Here is shewed the blessedness of the saints touching justification and how them of the old Testament understood the doctrine that it consisted in transgression forgiven in sin covered iniquity not imputed speeches importing one and the same thing which grace is only procured by Christs redemption and satisfaction figured in the Gospel-Law And when the Lord God preaching his free promise of grace and peace in Christ Jesus by the words of reconciliation doth by his spirit unite a man to Christ then at that instant he receiveth and believeth in Christ as Mediator of his attonement justification and salvation and by this faith in Christ the saints in all ages had good report Heb. 11. 6. No man can fear God that is to say serve God as his Child unlesse he be set free that is justified from sin by faith and forgiveness Faith resting upon Christ and apprehending at least a possibility of forgiveness worketh love obedience reverence and godly fear Luke 7.47 (a) Ro. 5.1 Esa 26.3 4. Heb. 4 5-56 1.0.16 to 23. Psa 130. 62. S. Rom. 10.14 Also hope joy patience perfect or continual peace quiet waiting upon God and stirreth up to prayer with boldness and confidence 7. In coming unto God we must do it with an humble heart from an inner feeling of our sins and corruptions and a true desire to be eased or justified from thern not only for remission of guilt and punishment but mortification and sanctification For no man that stands upon his own righteousness or alloweth or is indulgent to himself in any sin secret or open of omiâ—sion or commission can be an humble and upright supplicant and petitioner to God nor can look for audience 8. The saints go only to Jehovah in prayer and onely to him for forgiveness and all kindes of mercies who hath set up his throne of grace onely in Christ Our Lord in his doctrine of prayer teaching us to pray confirmeth this Matthew chap. 6. Here is to be noted the glorious use of faith not onely for justification but how necessary it is for us in this our pilgrimage in all estates conditions and varieties of life that it settleth the heart and banisheth from the inner man heart-rending thoughtfulness that the minde will and affections are conserved from heaven in a flourishing green temperature the word of promise and the blessed Spirit that sealeth the promises do so water nourish and restore the soul that it is carryed above all wants and difficulties c. 10. Before we can have any comfort to be delivered from any danger by the seed of the Serpent or from any other affliction or for assistance consolation or direction in any thing for our selves or for the Church we must go to God by faith in Christ for forgiveness of sin 11. The inner feeling and apprehension of Justification Psal 103.1 2 3. Psal 32.1 2 3 c. Mortification and Sanctification doth greatly affect an holy soul with thankfulnesle and prayse and denyal of self-sufficiency c. deeply admiring the blessed Jehovah in those and in all other fruits comforts and effects of his favour c. c. Quest Go on to shew to what other famous Pillar the Spirit of endless wisdom hath fastened the holy and pleasant Chain of times which direct and draw unto Christ Answ To the building of Salomons Temple a figure of Christ the true Temple Quest How many years are from the Lamb of the Passover or since the comming from Egypt to the Temples foundation Answ Four hundred and fourscore years Quest What Scriptures are contained in those four hundred and eighty years Answ Exodus 12. to the end of that book Leviticus Numbers Deuterenomy Josua Judges Ruth two Books of Samuel the first of Kings to the 6. chap. and most of the first of Chronicles and the two first chapters of the second of Chronicles and very much of the book of Psalmes Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the sixth CHAPTER Qvest Answ David the sweet Psalmist David sung most sweetly of Christ and his Kingdome of his Person both of his divine and humane nature and offices and the benefits thereby He spake of Christs humiliation and exaltation This Patriark and prophet in holy Psalmes speaking by the Spirit of God 2 Sam. 23. Mat. 18. calleth Christ his Lord Psalm 110. the Son in whom they that trust are happy Psalm 2. Also after God had promised him Christ he called him David beloved Psalm 130.10 Mat. 3.17 c. Quest 2. and Answ Psalm 51 7. Purgeme with hyssop The High Sacrificer purged the unclean with hyssop he was to do the outward action and could do no more David did not believe the doctrine of bodily exercise So John Baptist saith I baptizâ—lyou with water but the Messias with the Holy Ghost So Daniel goeth to God in Christ who is the true
people 2 Chr. 20. Dan 7.1 Sam. 7. Psalm 84. Hest 4.16 humiliation of his people he alway heard their cry (f) He had ever respect to his glorious and great Name Exod. 34. Num. 14. Deut. 32. Ezek. 20. and this the Saints perpetually remember to God Psalm 74. 79 149. his promise and covenant is ever working and remembred his covenant in Christ breaking the head and head-plot of the seed of the Serpent in his unsearchable judgements (g) Consider Psalm 2. 110. through all stories at the word from Kain to all that follow his waies putting away all the wicked of the earth like dross treading and trampling them in the (h) Let this text of Esay 63. be cited no more impertinently not erronionsly Apoc. 19. teacheth to expound it Wine-press of his anger and fury and overthrowing Kingdome after Kingdome with great desolation as it is said Lo I begin to bring evil on the City whereupon my name is called and should ye be utterly unpunished Read Jer. 23. Esay 30. Very many more are the observations which these Scriptures of Moses and the Prophets will afford to the wild Olive branches but to the godly and deligent student they will be familiar QUest 8. Was not the Kingdome of Salomon restored after the captivity Answ 1. No They were told that they should never have an earthly Kingdome any more for God had sworn that Jechonias of Salomons posterity and of the direct line of the Royal descent should dy childless and that none of his seed nor of Jehojakim his father should bear rule any more in Judah Jer. 22. 36.30 2. Also God had told them in Babel that the 4 Kingdoms signified by the four mettals of the Image by the four beasts Dan. 2. 7. should over-rule their outward estate and that the Crown and Kingdom should be overturned overturned overturned and cast to the ground till he came to whom it belonged that is Christ the King QUest 9. If Salomons race was ended in Jechonias how was Gods promise fulfilled that Christ should come of David according to the flesh Ans David besides Salomon had a son of Bathsheba called Nathan and of him our Lord Jesus Christ linealy descended QUest 10. If Jechonias dyed childeless how is it said that he begate Salathiel 1 Chron. 3.17 and Mat. 1.12 Answ Salathiel was the Son of Jechonias by legal right of succession to the kingdom not son by nature and so Ezra teacheth 1 Chron. 3. That Jechonias being in (a) See how Tremelius translates 1 Chron 3.17 the term Assiâ— is not a proper name strait prison adopted Salathiel his heir And in the same manner the Evangelist Matthew handles our Lords case declaring that he was right heir to the kingdome of Israel QUest 11. Which are the Kingdoms signified by the four mettals and by the four Beasts Dan. 2. 7. Answ By the Head of Gold and the Lion is signified Babel the Brest and armes of silver and the Bear signifie the Medes and Persians the Belly and sides of Brass and the spotted Leopard the kingdom of Graecia the thighs and legs of iron and feet of iron and clay and the Beast with ten horns the kings of Gog in the north and the kings of the South QUest 12. What was the end of those wicked kingdomes that oppressed the Saints the holy Hebrews Answ The whole Image was beaten to dust and made as chaff before the winde the four Beasts were cast into the fire unquenchable before the Son of man came in the clouds QUest 13. What reasons may be rendred why God did abolish some of Moses Ceremonies and Salomons race and everthrew Temple City and kingdome Answ Israel which is after the flesh looked not to the sure mercies of David in the eternal throne and kingdome promised to them in Christ But that which was for their welfare became to them through misbelief an occasion of falling they stumbled at the Stumbling Stone and seeking by the outward work to be justifyed as Esay 1. 58.59 Psa 50. complains and made their Belly their God and minded outward and earthly things therefore God did shake all those poor rudiments by Babel read Jer. 3.16 52.13.17 c. and once more finally said he wouldâ— that they might be better perswaded to embrace the New Covenant that God had promised to make with them to look to Christ the end of the Law and to entertain his easie yoke and to enter into his rest to be more spiritually minded to look to him the true Salomon and to his Priesthood and kingdom QUest 14. How many years was it since the 19. of Nebuchadnezar or the third captivity to the end of the Captivity Answ Full 50 years then the golden head was made dust the Lion thrown in the fire Then Cyrus K. of Persia overthrew Babel The eighth Chapter of Dan. for the fufilling of it belongs to the time of the Seventy Sevens and likewise much of chap 2. and 7. and made a decree for the return of the people and building of the Citie and Temple in the first year of his Reign QUest 15. What Scriptures are contained in those 50. years Ans Part of the last chap of 2 Kings and part of the last chap. of 2 Chr. much of Jeremiah and much of Ezekiel so much as is noted to be after the 11. of Zedekiah or the burning of the Temple the 4 5 7 8. a chapters of Daniel the prophesie of Obadiah The Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the eighth CHAPTER QUest N. 4. Moses saith from Christ People should be taught this constantly that the Son of God to whom the Father hath committed all authority and power so as Mediatour he gave the Law And when we are careless or wilful and break the law and do not obey it then we dishonour the Son for this is the holy revealed will of the Lord that all men should honour the Son as they honour the father Exoa. 23. Mat. 17.5 So it is said of Servants they serve and obey Christ when they perform their duties in conscience to their masters the same is said of wives and children And so we must say of all relations divine and humane in all the Ten Words Mark Jeremy chap. 34. all of it That is a great Word which is spoken Obdience is better than Sacrifice This well understood will make to vaniâ—h the term Legalists and the vain doctrines that have been about keeping and walking in the Law of the Lord as though it were not made for the righteous to be a rule of life but we may not once to think to be justified by the doing of it for the Law is more spiritual then the best Christian in the world But we ought to be very careful that we walk in his holy covenant that our hearts by his spirit may comfort us that we are honest subjects of the Kingdome of so good and gracious a
passeover of the Lord your God according to all that is in the book of the Covenant 2 Kings 23. Kings should so speak to their subjects if they have any portion in the Covenant Ibid. With holy judgement and faith We must discern by faith as Habel Heb. 11.4 The Lords body crucified and the bloud of the covenant shed opus operatum is not enough It is the Lords seal of the forgiveness of sins Alaâ—le alass for want of sound reaching in the most of our assemblies Ibid. To stay us in Christ c. Not only for increase of faith concerning our effectual calling justification adoption and redemption and for nourishment and strength to walk in the waies of holyness and righteousness being made comformable to his image renewed in us c. but for supporting us in the daies of trial and affliction which in this seal is represented by the sufferings of our Lord to whom we also must be conformable in sufferings to take up our cross daily As it is the cup of gladness of salvation so it is the cup yea of bloudy sufferings if our heavenly Father will put it into our hands N. 4. which figured his body and bloud The Pope and his corporation corrupted from the plainesse that is in Christ making an Altar Priest and Sacrifice have missed wholly of the truth in Christ By that blasphemous idol of his masse and other inventions they have abolished the remembrance of the death and sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Lord in the holy seal of the covenant Ibid. Bread and wine by Seal of things without life by Bread broken and bloud of the grape by the term Supper the whole tenor of Christianity is meant Apocal. 19.9 But the acceptation of the Seal is an open action to distinguish us more then baptism doth from others The King of Locusts and his Locusts are fatal enemies to this seal of the Covenant in their idolatrous Nothing of their Sacrament of the Altar setting forth Christ both unbroken and unbloudy which cannot represent nor seal Christ for reconciliation remission of sins or nourishment As the Ordinance of Christ is blessed and shall be â—â—lessed to the day of his comming so this abominable corruption is cursed and shall be accursed of all that love our Lord Jesus Christ to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen As in the Ordinance of the Passeover the Angel of the Covenant did execute judgements on the Gods of old Egypt so where this Ordinance of the Lords Supper is truly administred the idolatry of the breaden gods of Rome-Egypt are demolished Ibid. To be in Covenant speech his body and bloud a seal of most high matters is most highly to be esteemed But none without Athean madnesse will say The Seal is the King the Kings authority it should have to be as himself but none of wit orgrace would make it the King himself All wise know proper speech and civil The Gospel thrice and St. Paul 1 Cor. 11. tell that Iesus gave bread and wine and that the disciples are and drank what he gave that no miracle was here but the native manner of a Covenant Eye-sight is Gods testimony by creation Law and allowed ever even in the seal of the Covenant which may contain no matter litigious And if the Apostles or Greck Fathers had said the bread and wine were altered from their taste and nature for so much the heathen would have sworn the world never bare wickeder Magicians nor worthier of death by Mases Law which Christ gave as eternal God and came as man to be judged of man how he did perform all so that the native power of reason which he planted in all souls for sense of eye sight taste feeling smelling and hearing of words should judg of him that he performed all justice to plain capacity of all nations and required none to believe further then Logick common to every man would require assent or tell of open Rebellion against the truth Transubstantiation a monstrous term for a monstrous matter Mr. Brou in Apocal. At the figure of the Star * according to the words and commandments Though it be but a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed no man disannulleth or addeth thereto Gal. 3.15 Heb. 9.15 16 17. neither altereth the Legacies nor addeth others nor taketh away nor maketh other Executors or Overseers c. Men must not be Rectifters of Christs Testament which is confirmed by the death and bloud as in his type Exod. 24 Of him the Testatour And the seals bind us all to look to the holy evidences Men may as well pull away the seals as falsifie the plain truth in the writings They bind us to observe whatsoever Christ hath commanded as circumcision did Israel Exod 12. Gal 3 5 the angel of the pit and his pit-bred creatures corrupt the evidences and utterly pull off one of the seals they are great impostors Quest 7. and Answ Martyrs and confessours of all Nations Us heathens were from Noahs dayes Loruchamab and Loammiâ— Deut 32.21 and so the ten Tribes Hos 1 but both in Christ Ruchamah and Ammi so that now many come from the East and West Isa 49. to be blessed with faithfull Abraham and to sit down with him and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of heaven no sitting there unlesse of Abrahams faith without shall be liars mark the terms of the Covenant I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob This is my memoriall to all generations that is to all of their faith whether Jew or Gentile else they are protested against not to be of Abrahams Gal. 3.7 8. John 8.39.40 41. c. and have been and shall be broken off Rom. 11.17 and cast out Gal. 4.30 At the mark of the †Then to him was given Kingdome power and glory See how our Lord commenteth on Daniel chap. 2. and 7. All power saith he is given to me in heaven and in earth therefore go and disciple all Nations c Mat. 28. Quest 8. and Answ 1. But what was taught in Sems Tents The Scriptures of the Prophets the faith of the Nations Rom. 1.2 and 16.26 The same faith and Covenant although the outward administration did differ How glorious is the Scriptures consent The Saints from the beginning to the ending have one and the same God and Saviour one and the same faith the same hope the same Covenant the same premises Behold how all is administred by one Mediatour from one eternall being who is A. and Ω. confer Gen. 3.15 and 6.18 1 Iohn 1.1 2. c. Exod. 19.5 6. Apoc. 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 Exod. 29.45 Ios 1.3 Heb. 13.5 Ibid. Who went from Jerusalem Sems tents The faith of Gods elect came to us from Ierusalem Sems tents not from Rome Babylon with babbling language as the Locusts prate see Isa 2 1 2 3 4. Micah 4. Luke 24.47 The heavenly Ierusalem began to be built in the earthly Acts 1.2 And
language of Levit. 26. and Deut. 28 and 30 vain talkers must vent their Mateologisme Quest 12. and answer That know not God c. Many will not be Papists and yet are ignorant and love to be so superstitious ungodly and unrighteous in all their life they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord and such shall eat the smit of their own wayes Prov. 1. and 5.12 Answer without shall be dogs Without the Lord Jâ—sus Christ in his holy ordinances coth make a marvellous separation of the precious from the vile but at that day shall be the perfection Psam 1. Mat. 25. Also note all these sorts of sinners are not to be understood as commonly men apprehend them but they stand in opposition to the peace quietnesse holinesse zeal purity of worships truth grace and glory of the heavenly Jerusalem Shall be dogs The Concision were dogs and murderers Psalm 22 Phil. 3. and cast our Gal 4. they resisted the building of new Ierusalem maintaining bodily exercise opus operatum their idol and vanity this made their house and habitation desolate to this day And is not this written for our admonition Those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me Luc 19. 2 Thos 1.9 as it was observed at the beginning that CHRIST his Doctrine and servants were held anathema of the godlesse so it will ever be Ibid. And sorcerers Or poisening Sorcerers read Thankfull Remembrance page 193. Aâ—ias translates venefiei Apoc. 22.15 It is thought the Jesuites are such creatures the book of their State mysteries mentioned doth imply such things it must be taken also spiritually bewitching people by feined words c. to make them believe false Doctrine Gâ—l 3.1 All this the Locusts must do for we are sure that the holy Lord God doth not answer them by dreams nor by Vrim nor by Prophets so that the next course is to go to Eudor they know who will there readily attend them 1 Sam. 28.6 Ibid. And the fearfull And I say unto you my friends Be not asraid of them that kill the body and after that have no more that they can do Luk. 12. I I aâ— he that comforteth you Who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die and the Son of man who shall be made as grasse and forgettest Iâ—bovah the eternall being thy maker that hath stretched out the heavens and laid the foundation of the earth in the waters Isa 51. If Gods word bear Supremacy in our hearts and faith evidence to us things not seen we shall as men of another spirit and independent as those three noble martyrs and Confessors Dan. 3. and as Daniel himself chap. 6. as Moses Heb. 11. as Calch and Iosua c. c. Quest 13. and Answ Saying Write Observe still the blessâ— comforts of the written word and mark the command Write Apoc. 14.13 Psal 103.18 Ibid. For they rest from their labours Let him that hath an ear to hear let him hear what the spirit saith to the Churches Those that keep the commandements of God and the faith of Jesus Write it they shall have rest They shall have Rest that follow the true Lambs Religion let liars and cursed dogs bark never so much to the contrary let all that bear the name of Christian hate and accurse the fables of the heathenish Papacy of Purgatoty that men walk when they are dead and their vain Doctrine of prayer for the dead and their anniversaries and other ceremonies and superstitions numberlâ—sse as the Christian Disputations of Mr. Viret shew O ye all that are Gods Iesurum the Israel of God study the blessed Scriptures your inheritance cursed smokie Poperie and all deceitfull vain Doctrines will flee before the glorious light of the word Amen Amen A Postsrcipt BVl ye Beloved Remember the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our LORD IESUS CHRIST 2 Pet. 3.2 and Iudas Thaddaeus verse 17.1 Iohn 4.6 c. c. The holy spirit seeing and foreseeing that false Teachers were and continually would arise after the apostles times with fair speeches flattering and feigned words philosophy a shew of wisdome cogging and vain deceir spurious Epistles feigned revelations of the spiri and hâ—ocriticall lies and slanders and by bringing in fables superstitious voluntary humility will-worship mens Precepts Decrees Doctrines of Devils perverse things damnable heresies and rejection of Magistracy to cause divisions and offences to beguile men and to carry them for a spoil from the plainnesse and simplicity of the Apostles Doctrine and these evils were pursued by all deceit and violene of flesh and blood being driven on by the fury of spirtuall wickednesses principalities and powers the rulers of the darknesse of this world that did war against the Church about super-celestiall things therefore this warning and many others were given to regard the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine Thus the Holy Ghost did as is noted in the conclusion of the old Testament referre them that feared God to the Law of lively oracles given by the inspiration of the SON OF GOD the angel of the Covenant and by the ministery of Moses at Horeb Mal 4. Thus Christ was taught to day and so shall till the time of his coming 2 Cor. 11.26 Heb. 13.8 The Caesars persecuted the faithfull for The word of God and the Testimonie of JESUS Apoc. 6.9 ch 1.9 Keeping of the commandements of God and holding the testimony of JESUS Christ Apoc. 12.17 The Popes persecured the faithfull for Keeping of the Commandements of God and the faith of Iesus Apoc. 14.12 The Testimony of JESUS and for the word â—of God Apoc. chap. 20.4 THE THIRD PART CHAP. XVIII Of the seven Trumpets in Apocalyps 8 9 10 11. chapters In which the Popes Rising to his Antichristian Hierarchy is first described compared with the seaven Phials in chap. 16. under which the Antichristian Hierarchy doth fall and is consumed by degrees THE Seaven seals destroyed the Roman Empire and the seven Trumpets do forbid that Rome being overthrown as Jericho should be built again and as Hiel endeavoured to re-edify Jericho contrary to Gods will for which act God in Justice took away his eldest and youngest son So Princes that joined with the Pope to hate the Greek Empire that they might seâ— up Rome for which act the Lord in justice made it the means of their wo and great misery The comparison of the Phrases for the Trumpets in Apâ— 89 10 11. chapters with chap. 16. for the Phials is diligently to be marked for the understanding of the true scope of the Apocalyps The Phases concerning the Plagues for the ruine of the Papacy in the Phialls are wonderfully fitted to the former Phrases in the Trumpets by which the Popes rising was first described SECT 1. The first Trumpet and first Phiall .. UNder the first Trumpet Satan endeavouring to advance his project The Mystery of Iniquity then the
and Leviticus for we must observe that the Son of God the holy Angle of Gods presonce repeateth diverse Laws that were formerly commanded in Exodus and Leviticus the holy Law with the exposition was first delivered in Exodus and Levitecus See Exod 10 21 22 23. and 24. chapters and that holy covenant was made in the bâ—ood of the covenant Exod. 24. as it is said Assemble my Saints together that have made a covanant with me by Sacrifice to walk in his holy Law and as the breach of it is charged on them Ps 50. So it is the same covenant that is made with the children in Deut. for as it is said Moses repeats the Law to them Deut 5 and makes large Expositions upon it and then renews the covenant even the same Covenant in Deut. 29. Note also that the same promises for obedience to the law of the Gospel and the same curses are spoken to the fathers as are repeated to the children Lev. 26. Deut. 28. Yea which must be well observed Numbers 20. Numb 20. to the end of that book and all Deut. is but the history of one year and Aharon died the fortieth year in in the fifth moneth Num. 33. and forwards may and must be called Deutera-nomie a second Law for all is spoken to the people of the second numbring all the Fathers being dead Consider Num. 28.2 also confer Exod. 19. with Deut. 76. and 14.1 and 26. And the covenant that Iosua made with Israel a little before his death is but the renewing of the former and saith Mr. Ainsworth in Deut. 29.1 Here the covenant is renewed between God and the people and it is the same in effect with the covenant made at Horeb Exod. 19. and 24. save that Christ who is the end of the legal covenant is here more clearly recalled and saith he on Exod. 20.2 here he especially intendeth the covenant of grace made with his people whereby they are blessed that have Jehovah for their God Psal 3â— 12 and Tremellius speaketh to the same effect and divers others might be cited to their sence Men man and will speak their pleasures but let us take heed we do not darken Gods counsels by our own words or by his words mis-interpreted CHAP. XXVII Short Collections out of Genesis Job and some part of Exodus shewing that the Gospell of the Son of God Mark 1.1 2 was manifested and taught among the faithfull before Moses wrote the same SECT 1. CHRIST the eternall word the light and life of men inspired holy Prophets in all ages to teach men his way and charge which consisted in Commandments Statutes and Laws from the apostasie of our first Parents to Israels coming from Egypt that is two thousand five hundred and thirteen years all which Laws were to bring men to feare and love Jehovah and to love the holy Seed their Brethren and to give no just occasion of offence to any no not to the seed of the Serpent Gen. 18.25 26.5 And that this holy faith and religion might abide and the fruit of it remaine Christ gave holy Prophets who were of long life and of great authority which were a great helpe to preserve the faith for those years and propagate the same by tradition to posterity till those commandments statutes and lawes were written And because many things before the Floud and after the Floud doe set forth the Law of faith rather by way of narration then by manifest precept though doubtlesse they were commanded even from the beginning I will breifly set down some particulars in which the Son of God reveiled himselfe even before Moses 1. The Holy faith for Doctrine was taught in that great and precious fundamentall promise coucerniâ—g the Son of God his person and office I will â—uâ— enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her sâ—â—d He shall break by head and thou shalt break his heal Gen. 3.15.2 We are to consider that this holy promise or covenant was opened by diverse providences and ordinances which the Saints most religiously observed that so they and their posterity might abide in the Doctrine of Christ and not transgreâ—se from it For they knew they that did not so had no communion with the holy Trinity but they that did abide in it had communion both with the Father and the Son SECT II. 1. TThey had Sacrifices to make profession of this holy faith of the son of God taking humanity of the Seed of the Woman to be the Mediatour and Procuratour of justification sanctification wisdome and redemption by his death and sacrifice and thus sacrifices ever taught of life coming by death Now we are to consider how this way and charge of Châ—ist was made known to Moses in commandments statutes and laws he wrote the very some that was formerly practised by the Saints Christ indeed commanded more laws to Moses because the church of God became into a great common-weal and kingdom Therefore hence observe that all ancient godly tradition is according to the written word 2. Moses is frequent in this They had Altars on which they sacrificed their offerings which made the sacrifices acceptable because it sanctified the offering signifying the in effable Divinity of the Son of God made man to uphold the humanity in that great work of our Redemption 3. So in Moses most sericusly the Sabbath is enjoyned likewise in the Prophets The holy Trinity Father Son and holy Spirit Jebovah Eloim appointed the Sabbath to be a signe between him and his people that in it they might meditate on the mighty Creation and gracious Redemption And it was to sanctify them unto himselfe and to sâ—perate them from all the prophane and so to be a means of holinesse in their persons soul body and spirit The Sabbath was made for man to meditate how the holy Trinity rested in Christs Redemption And the Subbath was kept before it was commanded in Exo. 20. for Moses speaks of it in Ex. 16. as being observed before and teacheth them there further the holy use of it as it was at the first enjoyned Exâ—d 16 23. but Israel in Egypt apostating from the faith and following the Idols of Egypt neglected the Sabbath very great ly as the word Remember in Exo. 20.8 doth argue and we see that where men care not for or do corrupt the holy Doctrine of faith that they either neglect the Christian Sabbath the Lords day or utterly cast it off Eze. 20. And 100 manifest miserable experience in our days of rejecting the fourth Commandment and its Doctrine as Papiâ—ts doe the second Commandment do witnesse Again further note all the Patrarchs entred into the Sabbaticall Rest from Gen. 1. to Moses times God did not rest but in Christ and the Sabbath taught that and the faithfull kept it but the Families most wickedly followd Nimrod Gen. 26.5 and would not be perswaded to embrace the faith of Seâ—â—s Tents which was the charge of
They paid Tythes to maintaine holy worships and other charitable uses And so it was in Moses 12. They had Teachers which were Preachers of righteousnesse of the justification that is by faith which of old was called propheseying Noah was a Preacher of this righteousnesse and the godly Peophets did teach others the ways of Christ as it is said Abraham would and so did Iacob c. and so it was under the polity of Moses 13. The Spirit of Christ in the Prophets did strive with the people of their days to turn them from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God Gen. 6. Neh 9. 14. Although the Prophets were godly yet what ever profection or any earthly or spirituall comfort they had from the Lord all was of grace as it is said Noah sound grace in the eyes of the Lord Gen 6 to be saved by waters and if of grace it is no more of works So Moses saith understand this day it is not for thy righteousnesse that God brought you from Epypt and placed his Tabernacle among you and gave you Chanaan but Gods love and mercy Deut. 9. 15. The corruption of nature taken from Parents is told Gen. 5. that they were but flesh that the thoughts of mans heart were evill from his youth Gen. 6. 8. and so all the apostate Families were un-regenerate Iob is plentifull on this subject Col. 3.5 Rom. 12 1. This sheweth how Abraham taught his Hous hold and Circumcision taught the same and the offering and burning of the rump kidneys and far taught them Mortification 16. In matters of doubt that concerned their particulars they went to holy Prophets to eâ—quire of God as Rebecca did to Eber or her Fatherinlaw Abraham Gen 20. and so it was in Moses if any doubt did arise they asked Moses and he inquired of God for them 17. We are constantly to observe that the same holy Covenant made to our first Parents was continued to some speciall persons for the comfort of the present age and posterity as to Noah Sem Abraham c. 18. As occasion was offered they made vows to God to bind themselves to a watchfull care and to chearfull thankfullnesse and willing obedience and so it was under Moses 19 In all which holy Doctrine and holy profession of it they knew that without faith in the Son of God it was impossible to please God therefore in all their worships they came in faith receiving and resting on Christ in the holy promise and Covenant Gen. 4. Heb. 11. and so Moses taught them in Exed 12. and in Dent. 30. 20. And by this holy faith receiving the Son of God as Mediatour from the Father for their Prophet Sacrificer and King Receiving and accepting the Son of God in all his Offices trusting in him for doctrine government and exâ—iation That speech of John ch 1.12 As many as received him is expounded of them that believe in his name Remember it still for a more clear definition of faith is not revealed and resting on him for Doctrine expiation and government were adopted the sons of God Gen 6. and were made heirs of the Julification that is by faith Heb. 117. and this receiving and believing on the Son of God was accounted of God above any righteousnesse they could do and this is the same holy faith that the Son of God imbreathed in the Prophets and Apostles to teach and write and all Moses taught the same Doctrine Deut. 30. Rom. 10. 21. Want of love to the brethen hypocrisie envy ill Gestures and hanging down conntenance bodily exercise murderous thoughts c. in the woship of God is reproved as in Cain and Christ in all Moses called them to holinesse truth and love c. * See hers how the Prophets expound Moses and teach the people of their generations and the Prophets do so expound him Psalm 50. Esai 1. God seeth not as man seeth the Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord but the prayer of the righteous is his delight again the Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord how much more when he bringeth it with an evil mind Proverbs of experience from the first and last counsels Prov. 15. and 21. David saith I will wash mine binds in innocency and so compasse thine a taâ— Psal 26. So Christ faith to us Let men pray every where â—â—fung up puâ—e hands without wrath and doubting 1 Tim. 2. 22. That the holy faith of the holy Son of God might not be violated or adulterated they were to take heed of unequall yoking by ungodly morriages Gen. 6 1 2 3 Christ in Moses speaks mâ—ch to this purpose 23. Upon any great design they sought God by the intercession of Christs Sacrifice as Jacob Gen. 46.1 2 3. And Abraham still shewed the same in building altars so did the faithfull in after times as Psalm 20.3 24. To all the holy Doctrine revealed they had Seals of the Covenant The Sacrifices were Seals of the justification that is by faith and the flood was a Sacrament of saving by waters as Baptismâ— is to us 1 Pet. 3 21. Christ renewing his Covenant to Abraham instituted Circumcision a seal of faith Rom. 4. and so in Moses was the Passeover and the other Sacrifices 25. It was required of all that did call on the name of the Lord to be upright in heart and to walk as before him and to testifie their faith by good works of obedience as Habel Enoch Noah Abraham Job c. the same is taught us 2 Tim. 3 Tit. 3 and Christ in Moses taught all this 26. They had washing or persons and garments that they should hate the garment sported by the flesh or for any defilement of worship c. c Thus for many things we may see The Modern Doctors af the Jews say that all was Tohu till Abraham that in him their glory might begin Mr Br. 1 in Mele. p. 75 76 all was not a Tohu an emptinesse from the apostasie of our first Parents to the death of Terah that apostated to idols but that the Gospel of Christ was revealed to out first Parents and by them taught as is evident to the Fathers and great severity came on despisers neglecting the word of faith both in the flood and in the confusion of tongues And we may well perceive what was their conversation Jesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same holy Doctrine in him shall be for ever Their conversation was acccording to Christs way and charge in his commandements statutes and laws as in all Genesis and Job it is said they walked with God and before God Hence we may see and discern the close life that is scattered in the short sayings of Moses especially for 2083 years to the death of Terah in Gen. 11. and in all Genesis and to the twentieth of Eaodus CHAP. XXVIII Of Divine Tradition I Think it is to some purpose to write a litle about
Who is able to utter the comfort of these Scriptures 4. God in Christ was the Shepherd of Israel and they are called the sheep of his pasture and in all places where he put his name there he fed his flock first at Shiloh 350 years seven Jubilees and after in 〈◊〉 to the end of the Seventy Sevens in both places three times a year most solemnly they did enter the Courts of Iehovah there they ascended his presence with great joy praise and thanksgiving c. The godly did so (a) 2 Chr. 29. and 30 35. and when they did not serve the Lord with gladnesse of heart see what was threatned and performed Deut. 28 47. c. all were exhorted so to do also they had other smaller Sabbatical Convocations in their Synagogues the Tents of the Shepherds where also Christ fed them and where God manifested himself it was called the presence of God and the gate of heaven where alwayes the ladder stood as the godly Shunamite found and many thousand even among the ten Tribes 2 Kings 4. Thus the Common-weal of Israel was the Kingdome of God above 1400 years 5. I will shew some Scriptures where the Saints felt the comfort of the promises when they did meet with Christ in the greater and lesser Assemblies Psalm 65.4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to come to thee that he may dwell in thy Courts we shall be satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house of thy holy Temple So Psal 36. Let the godly heart meditate on Psal 42 an 63. and 81. and 84. and 100 c. and in Psal 122. In all their holy assemblies they testified â—heir faith in he incarnation and redemption by the Son of God The twelve Tribes came to bear witnesse by their faith to that holy Testimony of the Son of God in expectation of him the Testimony to be manifested in due time 1 Tim. 2.6 and the twelve Tribes instantly serving God day and night did hope of immortality in the Resurrection of the Son of God the second Adam the Lord from heaven Acts 26.6 7. 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4 5. 6. A little more for the smaller Sabbaticall Assemblies Psalm 111. It is is said I will praise the Lord with my whole heart in the Assembly of the upright and in the congregation The Hebrew word as the learned say signifieth lesser Assembles and in Psalm 74. it is spoken in a mournfull manner that heathens making inrodes into the Land of Israel burnt up all the Synagogues of God in the Land which sheweth the great benefit Gods people found in the exercises there performed Now the new Testament is plentifull for these Sabbaticall Convocations how the dispersed of Israel practised in all nations This hath been plentifully shewed of late in a book entituled A Discourse touching the Jews Synagogues that there is no necessity to insist more upon this Argument SECT II. Now I will speak promiscuously upon what hath been observed with reference to the errours of the concision 1. ALthough the Law of the passe over came foure hundred and thirty yeares after the Promise yet that was not another Covenant but a further exposition and confirmation of the former promises The Concision mistooke the meaning of the Law and regarded not the promises teaching of Christ but thought after the Law was given by Moses to be saved by bodily exercise whereas the Law truly understood was but an expansion or dilatation of the promises 2. And they might have learned the same from their fore-Fathers even the pattern of the holy faith and love that is in Christ Jesus For Abraham when he called upon God he called upon him by an Altar and Sacrifice as it is said Abraham built an Altar and called on the name of Jehovah the †The same holy saith was taught to the Gentiles at the commandment of the everlasting God and not Gentiles worship the same everlasting God as Abraham did Rom. 1. 16.20 everlasting God so Jacob although Joseph had sent for him with all necessary accommidations for the journey to Egypt yet he durst not or rather would not proceed till he had sought God by the intercession of Christ Gen. 46.1 2 3. To teach us what we should doe in all our journies and undertakings so it is said when they sacrificed call upon me in the time of trouble and I will hear thee and thou shalt glorifie me Psal 50 See Psal 20.3 And so Samuel by faith in Christs sacrifice had good report and put to flight the armies of the Aliens And thus also did David and Salomon and all the Prophets and all the faithfull 3. And Malachi by Christs command concludes all the old Testament to Israel to regard the holy Law that he gave in Horeb and to look for no more Prophets till John Elias the Baptist but study the statutes and judgements of the Law and cleave to it that Fathers and Children might be blessed Mal. 4. 4. And thus the Concision should have understood all for Moses wrote not a new Covenant for Abraham received circumcision as a seal of the justification that is by faith and so all Israel should have professed the same in faith as our Lord tells them that circumcision was of the Fathers not so much of Moses Joh. 7.22 5. It is true circumcision did further oblige Abraham to keep the way of the Lord and his charge which was comprehended in commandments statutes and laws and those Lawes c. with many others that Christ ordained Moses wrote as hath been at large before noted 6. And what did this way and charge of the Lord tend unto even surely this repentance towards God and faith in the Son of God our Mediatour and love to the holy Seed Which way and charge was taught ever since the promise Gen. 3.15 even the Breast-plate of wholesome words Faith and Love And all Moses and the Prophets and Apostles doe still bring their Doctrine to these two heads Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus 7. This is in Habell how he made the like holy uses of the Sacrifices as 1. Pet. 4.1 2. Tit. 2.14 he did bear on his Breast Faith and Love as he was a beleiver so he ceased from sin being purified to be of Christs peculiar people and was zealous of good works as it is said his works were good Habel by all this we see was gathered into Christ the Head Eph 1.10 8. The promise saith to Abraham that in the holy Seed Christ we are blessed what is this blessing but cheifly in spiriturall things in Christ Jesus Eph. 1. Him to be our Peace-Offering Sin-Offering Trespasse-Offering Whole burnt-Offering to be our Washing cleansing hissop c. And in the yeares of Râ—st and Jubilee to be our freedome or justification from the bondage and servitude of sin as deaths death and Satan and to be our fore-goer into the mansions of the Heavenly Paradise Luk. 23 c. c. Now
the concision mistook all and turned all to be their own idoll and vanity in their bodily exercise to be so justified from sins guildnesse and filthinesse 9 Questionlesse Moses polity was a Covenant of grace in Christ and not a bare covenant of works For all the ceremonies were implicite promises all sponsorious of a better hope in Christ and because they despised to beleive this God was a consuming fire to them though they were never so exact in bodily exercise Ebr. 12. examine well how the Apostle speaks the same speach to the Hebrewes as Moses did to them of his time Deut. 4.24 10. And whereas Saint Paul saith that the Law of the Passeover came four hundred thirty yeares after the promise Gen 12.2 3. He doth not speak it as his judgment that it was a new covenant or all the Laws following it to be a covenant of works but reasoneth against the false Apostles taking up their phrase a Law of Works for he knew and hath witnessed that Christ delivered to Moses the Law of faith Rom. 10. conferred with Deus 30. 11. And whereas the Apostle saith Rom. 10.5 For Moses describeth the justification that is by the Law that the man that doth these things shall live by them This speach he citeth as it may be supposed from the allegations of false teachers * There is a Law for the ransome of the Soul by half a Shekel of Silver and so this was a tradition even in the Apostles dayes The Jews dispersed sent Silver to the Temple for their Redemption but the Apostle calls it a vain tradition of their Abothenu not looking to Christ the end of all read Exod. 30. 12 13.1 Pet. 1. so did Papists in carrying the Hâ—st to sick mens houses c. that so interpreted all Moses to be of the outward letter to build their comfort on themselves by bodily exercise And in this doing they must not misle in any eternall point no or in ceremonials commanded because of the course Deut. 27.26 And suppose they could have fulfilled all externals yet they could not have eternall life as the reward thereof it is not any exteriors only that procures life eternall And in deed to all externalls was too heavy an Yoke as the councill sheweth Act. 15. 12 It is true the holy Apostle useth tho phrase as abovesaid Law of Works in diverse places I have often thought that the Apostle in reasoning and disputing with false Teachers useth their phrase not that Christ in Moses commanded a Law of works to attain eternall life ex opere opeâ—ato the * In those days Apostacy from the saith was great and Christ â—ame to revaine this deâ—ection Dan. 9. Teachers before our Lords incarnation invented this phrase to rupting all holy Doctrine a Law of wâ—rks as a Schooleterme of their own against the true intent of the Spirit of Christ They by their false interpretations and expositions made all Moses a Law of works to themselves Christ in Moses did not make it so for they are reproved for stumbling at Christ the drift aime and scope of the Law though they might be unrebukeable in exteriours 13. But one would think that speech in Leviticus 18.5 truly understood according to Christs intent was part of the Law of faith for that Text is pâ—osecuted in Nâ—h 9 29. but not as a Law of works for we may suppose that the godly did not in the day of their humiliation confesse their sins and the sins of their fathers for not doing the Law of works but for the disobedience * According to Exod. 23.20.21 22. and it is true also they despised Christ in not doing but casting off all the exteriors Christ commanded and when they did so they much lesse cared for internals Exod. 30.12 13. of faith to the Son of God our Mediatour that gave to Moses the lively Oracles of faith and Ezekiel ch 20.11 handles this Text of Leviticus to the like effect and that speech of Levit. 18. is among the Gospel Statutes and judgements 14. In one sense it might be truly called a Law of works as thus if an Israelite had touched any unclean thing he might not come to the Tabernacle in his legal uncleannesse that he died not by some sudden stroak as Nadab and Abâ—hu and so the Priests mast wash also that they died not c. c. These externals they might do though they cared not for heart-worship in the faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus and so have their bodily life continued but life eternal is only promised to them that look to Christ by faith as he was typified by Moses rites and so bodily exercise by doing the outward works of the Law did profit a little for a bodily life and for an outward justification in their persons in respect of liberty to come into the Sanctuary but not for eternal iustification in Gods fight 15. And in such exteriors the Apostle was exact but all his Justification by bodily exercise of the Law which he was mistaken in were most vile to him when he knew Christ as he saith Phil. 3 7 8 9. But the things which were vantage unto me the same I counted losse for Christs sake yea doubtlesse I think all things but losse for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have counted all things losse and do judgâ— alâ— things to be vile that I may win Christ and might be found in him not having mine own justification which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ the justification which is of God the Father through saith in Christ So 2 Cor. 5.19.2 16. And therefore if Levi. 18. be understood as some would yet then God was a consuming fire to all though exact in externalls that despised Christ resting in the most exact bodily exercise then what life was that in Levit. 18â— 17. Whereas it is said Heb. 12. Ye are not come to the fiâ—rie mountain but are come to Mount-Sion c. If they of the Concision had seen the Son of God according to the Prophets Mark 1.1 as Mediatour it had been no fiâ—rie mountain to them to destroy them but if they saw him not in his Law he would be a consuming fire and persecuting Saul would have found him to be so for all his Law justifications but he was received to mercy being in his unbelief of the Son of God 18. Mount Sion and Ierusalem in Canaan was a city of bondage an Hagar and a fierie mountain after the ending of the Seventy Sevens Dan. 9. they not giving diligent heed to the holy Angel Gabâ—iels message but perversely swerved from it But Ierusalem was not a city of bondage in Davids and in Salomons times but it was an holy City and a faithfull Town yea it was so for the most part to be accounted till the ending of the Seventy Sevens but not any longer they doing cleaving to and resting in Salems
for them for their calling to the Gospel All the Hebrew stories of the old Testament go upon the Families of Noahs Sons and Nephewes and on the latter off-springs of Terah It is very necessary for us to mark how the Prophets expresse these families by their wars or by their merchandize or by their calling to the Gospel Esa 11. 66. Ezâ—k 27. 38. c. All these wicked families despising the Tents of Sem a King of Iustice and Peace were cast off by the confusion of Tongues 2000. yea and were Lo-ruchama and Lo ammi not pitied and no people that is nor Gods Church nor people and did no more hear the Gospel till the true King of Iustice and Peace turned that curse of Tongues to a blessing and to gather his Elect from among them Acts 2. Then all those families were blessed in Christ as it was foretold to Abraham Gen. 12.3 Terâ—â— Gen. 11.26 27. Haren Lot Moab-Ruth Of him all the Kings of Judah from Rehoboham Ammon Of him all the Kings of Judah from Rehoboham Milcha Sarai Nahâ—r of Milcha and Reumah Uz Kemuel Hazo Iidlaph Tebah Tahash Buz of him Elibu Chesed Pildath Bethuel Laban Sons Lea Rachal Rebecca Sons Lea Rachal Gaham Maachah Abraham Of Sarah Isaac Esau vide his Geneologie Gen. 36. Jacob of him the twelve Patriarks Of Hagar Ishmael of him twelve Dukedomes in the Land of Chush They drove Chush further into the South Of Keturah Zimran Sheba Dedan Ashurim Letushim Leummim Iokshan Medan Midian Epha Epher Abidah Henoch Eldaah Ishbak Shuach of him Baldad Gen. 12.3 The Apostle opens the blessings in the Epistles to Rome Corinth Galatia Ephesus Philippi Colosse c. then us Gentiles were Ruchamah pitied and a people Ammi All these Families were scattered East West North and South by the confusion of Tongues for many Generations and followed Divels the Prince of the darknesse of this world but being blessed in Christ by the blessing of Tongues to be of Abrahams faith they came from East West North and South to sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of Heaven Matth. 8.11 Luke 14.29 The Posterities of these families shewed the corruption of nature received from parents manifesting it by their Idolatries and hatred against Israel one after another first by Chams house then Sems then Iaphets And unlesse the Lord Jesus Christ had sent to seek them they would never have enquired after him Acts 26.18 Ieremiah and David prayd against these families Psal 79. Ier. 10. Ioktans posterity dwelt in places further remote from Chanaan for seeing they had so many godly Ancestors whom they despised and cared not for the blessing to Sem but followed apostate Nimrod who built Babel which brought a Babylonian confusion over all the world even a scattering from Sems Tents and in this unexpressable Judgment but godly meditated Ioktans Sons were cast furthest off from the means of salvation This should make us have no society in Religion for phrase nor Apparell nor Court with mysticall Babylon the Issue will be scattering The Kings of the Images and Beassts in Dam 2 7 and see Mr. Bro. Preface I. Babel Nebuchadnezar Evil-Morâ—dach Belshazzar When the Golden Head Babel was made dust then the glorious prophesie of the 70 Seavens was brought from Heaven by an Angel Dan 9.24 c. II. Madaâ— and Paâ—as that is the Mâ—des and Persians Darius and Cyrus that sent the Iewes from Captivity Artaaxeâ—xes he hindred the Temple Ezra 4.23 Assuerus Heathen call him Darius Hyâ—taspis the Husband of Esther He hindred the Temple and sought to havâ— slain the Jewes Xerxes the Son of Darius Hystaspis spoken of onely in Dan 11. Darius-Artaxerxes a good King he built the Temple he as the Jewes think was the Son of â—â—ther by Darius Hystaspis he had two names Ezr. 6.14 it should be translated Darius which is artaxerxes so Mr. Bulling in an Epistle to one of his Decads Beroaldus and many good Authors Darius Nâ—thu These three are passed over in Nehemiah Artaxerxes These three are passed over in Nehemiah Ochus These three are passed over in Nehemiah Darius the Peâ—â—an Neb 12. whom Alexander over-came III. The Grecians whole Alexander and his posterity and the whole power of Greâ—ia IV. The Grecians parted the Kings of the North and South South North. Ptol. Lagides Dan 11.5 Seleucus Nicator Amiochus Soter Dan 11.5 Ptol. Philadelphus Dan 11.6 Antiochus Thens Seleuchus Callinicus Dan 11.6 Ptol. Eucrgetes Daâ— 11.7 Antiochus the Great Dan 11.10 Ptol. Philapator Daâ— 11.11 Selencus Philopator Dan 11.20 Ptol. Epiphanes Dan 11.18 Antiochus Epiphanes Dan 11.21 All these Kings were hard iron Legs against the Saints the other Kings after partly Iron and partly Clay the Jewes now had some strength to resist as Zach 9.13 14 15. and 10.6 7. Ptol. Philometor Ptol. Luâ—hurus Ptol. Anlaetes Cleâ—patra Antiochus Eupator Demetrius Soter son to Philip. Demeâ—â—ius Nicator his son Antiochus brother to Nicator Antiochus Gryphus Selencus his son Antiochus Cyzizenus Antiochus his son Antiochus Asiaticus I have not written Antio Sater and Selen Callinicus of the Posterity of them of the North they were not Horns of trouble to the Jewes After all these the Romans ruled CHAP. XXXIX The holy Chronicle sundry wayes expressed and every way agreeing to the same number of years being from the first promise in Gen. 3.15 till our Lords death 3960 years SEe Bro. in Texts of Scripture From the first promise of Christ to restore life upon death brought in by the Serpent to the promise of Christ made to Abraham up on the death of Terah who was the first of our Lords Fathers that the Serpent drew to idolatry are years 2083. The said time of 2083 years is secorded by the particular years of the Fathers in Gen. 5. and Gen. 11. Â From the second promise made to Abraham at the death of Terah Gen. 12. to the Lamb or to the Law of the Passcover Ex. 12 which typifyed Christ the Lamb of God are years 430. From the Lamb to the Temples Foundation 1 Kings 6. A type of the true Temple are years 480. From the foundation of the Temple to the burning of it Ez. 4. or rather to the captivity upon that are years 427. Thence to the end of the Captivity in Babel when Cyruâ— made a Decree of re-edifying the City and Temple 2 Chron. 36. are years full 50. Thence untill the Temple of our Lords body arose the third day are years 490. The whole Summe is 3960. Observe that in this page it is said from the foundation of the Temple to the burning of it is 4227 years but in chap. 44 it is said from the sin of Israel to the burning of the Temple is 390 years which is reckoned from Ezekiel 4. now to this 390. adde the 37 of Salomons Reign and then it is 427. for the foundation of the Temple was laid in the fourth year of Salomon 2. In the said 44. chapter you will find the
number of 518. which is thus cleared It was from the coming out of Egypt to the foundation of the Temple 48â— years which was laid in the fourth year of Salomon to which adde 37 years for the rest of Salomons Reign and the year wherein the Ten Tribes made their Division from Judah and so you have 518 years and this way doth also still maintain the generall summe of 3960 years CHAP. XL. Another expression of the holy Chronicle which the former Dialogue hath followed FRom the first Promise of Christ to destroy Satans works unto the Flood the first generall manifestation of wrath and judgement upon the seed of the Serpent for despising the Promise are years 1656. From the Plood to the promise made to Abraham of restoring blessednesse in Christ to the Apostate families in Gen. 10.11 are years 427. From the Promise to Abraham to the glorious and mighty Redemption of Israel from Egypt and the giving of the Law of the Passeover Gal. 3 are yeas 430. From the coming from Egypt to the Foundation of the Temple a figure that the Son of God would make not the nature of angels but the Seed of Abraham his Temple are years 480. Thence to the burning of the Temple That Israel should not glory too much in outward Ceremonies and therefore God did shake them by Babel are year 427 Thence to the overthrow of Babels Monarcy by Cyrus and Darius and sending the Jews home from Captivity are years full 50. Thence to he death of the MASSIAS and ending of all Moses ceremonies which is that once more that Christ said he would shake them to settle that which should remain untill his second most glorious appearance is 490. The whole summe is 3960. These seven Pillars may well be resembled to those seven that wisdome hewed out Prov. 9.1 which hath the golden chain of times fastened to them upon which hang the glorious Curtains of needle-work the embroidered prophesies and stories of the eternall wisdome In which there is a Table spread and furnished with all varieties of grace to feed the soul in Christ who is the cluster of Redemption and ought to find a lodging betwixt all faithfull breasts CHAP. XLI A third expression of the holy Chronicle IT is glorious to meditate how the Sun in all his journies did constant service to the SON Eternal in a marvellous distinction of times and most harmonious manner in which is seen how his Mediatorian Kingdome was exercised mall ages in mercy to the godly and in severity to the wicked opposers From the miraculous creation to the miraculous over flowing the world by waters are years 1656. From that inundation to the death of Terah who was first of the Fathers of the holy Line that corrupted the true sacrifice to flames of idolatry are years 427. From the death of Terah and the promise to Abraham made presently upon his death to the ending of Israels peregrination in the Land of â—am 430. Thence MOSES was to Israel a Shepherd in the wildernesse years 40. From Mâ—â—es death to the conquest and Partittion of the Land of â—anaan by Jesus a type of JESUS Christ the Son of God that hath procured for the people of God the true Rest Jos 14.20 are years 7. Thence by seven Jubilees the time of the Arks abode in the Tribe of Ephraim at Shiâ—oh at the ending of which Jubilees the Ark was captived but Christ gave them it again then was the Transmigratirn of the Ark to the Tribe of Judah those seven Jubilees are years 350 Thence by Seventy Sevens to the first captivity by Babel Then Christ did to Jerusalem in part as he did to Shi Ioh Jer. 2. 490 By Iudahs captivity and subjection to Babel then the Land of Israel kept Sabbath seventy years as Moses foretold Levit. 26. 70. Lastly by the most comfortable Prophecy and Promise of Reconciliation by the death of CHRIST at the end of Seventy Sevens of years Dan. 9 24. 490. The whole Summe 3960. 7 Iubilees are 350. 70 Sevens are 490. 10 Sevens are 70. 70 Sevens are 490 Â Â 1400. 28 Iubilees or 1400 years from the conquest of the Seed of the Serpent by Ioshua to the victory of our Lord Iesus CHRIST over sinne death and the grave and over him that had the power of death the Devil CHAP. XLII Of the Geometricall Frame of the processe of Times THE Stones in Salomons Temple were not more curiously fitted for the building then the times of the holy Scriptures are from Moses death neither is any army more orderly composed then the times revolution by the infinite providence of CHIST Seaven yeares of conquest and partition of Chanaan Seaven Jubilees the Tabernacle of Moses and the Ark of the Covevenant at Shile for Ephraim glory Seaven Seavensies began with the Transmigration of the Arke of the Covenant for Judahs glory Psal 78. Seaven Tenns for Captivity to feel Ieremies Lamentations And then againe the former measure of Seaven Seavensies to find comfort in servitude which none but the poor in spirit and mourning will ever find Vid Mr. Br. in Advert 72. CHAP. XLIII Further Considerations of these 28 Jubilees that the godly student may delight in the holy Book of God THE plainnesse of Gods dealing still calleth us to mind of a first Sabbath by a like account of Sevens which also is usuall through the Scriptures and especially from Moses times And that cannot be denied Now that the whole record of the Sunnes service for twenty eight Jubilees unto the Sunnes service prophesied Dan. 9.24 c. which was spoken by an Angel to make us shine in Justice and that it may shine in plainnesse diligently ponder and observe 1. Moses in Levitions chap. 25. telleth that the Jubilee shall be an holy year and the old Hebrew Doctors thereupon in the Zohaâ— as learned say write thus In the Iubile year Shecinetha that is the Majesty of God having his Tabernacle with us will be Freedome Redemption and Sabbatisme to Israel by the Angel Gabriels years the last Iubilee that ever the Jews had in their Land shall fall out at our Lords death in which year the Majesty shewed it self upon the Mountain to Peter Iames and Iohn with Moses and Elias and became to us freedome i. e. justification and redemption and finisher of Mosaicall Sebbaths consider the proceeding of times herein 2. Seven years were spent before Israel had conquered and parted the Land Before the Partition the Iubilees could not begin and by Moses words the next year after was to be the first of fifty for the Iubilee Thence unto our Lords death are 28. Iubilees exactly year 1400. 3. In that we have a long time broken the whole frame of both Testaments by suffering heathen Olympick toyes to call us from the wisdome which Gabriels healthy and heavenly message had and offereth to us we must confesse that God hath been angry with us justly in giving over the world unto blindnesse whereas that Prophecy