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A44247 The doctrine of life, or, Of mans redemption, by the seed of Eve, the seed of Abraham, the seed of David, &c. as it was taught in severall periods of time, from Gen. 3. 15. till Christ came in the flesh, to fulfill all typicall prefigurations of him by his death : wherein also sundry other fundamentall points are discussed and cleared from some common mistakes : as Daniels chronologie of seventy sevens, which is cleared from the uncertainty which too many expositors have unadvisedly cast upon it : and about the Jewes calling, that it must not be understand of any return to Canaan, or of their restauration to a perspicuous common wealth any more, but of the calling of a remnant of them to the faith, in the countries where they live dispersed : and with the true nature of our Lords sufferings, with sundry other such like points, as may be seen in the table : propounded by way of question and answer, with annotations thereunto annexed : divided into three parts / by Edward Holyoke of New-England. Holyoke, Edward, d. 1660. 1658 (1658) Wing H2534; ESTC R22353 401,616 468

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their properties Joh 1.14 Joh. 15.26 the Father from all eternity begetteth the Person of the Son the Son from all eternity is begotten of the Father the holy Spirit from all eternity proceedeth from them both These are incommunicable properties in the Persons the Fathers relative property is to beget and not to be begotten and therefore he is the first person in order so for our better conceiving we may say a Person in the God-head is a subsistence or a being considered in his relative property A 3. By their works to the Father is ascribed creation election predestination and adoption to the Son redemption to the holy Ghost sanctification Again the beginning of every action is given to the Father the dispensation to the Son the perfection and consummation to the holy Ghost these in some respects may be said to be communicable properties in the persons The reverend Mr. Richardson Mr. Yates and Mr. Antony Wotton c. Also it must be considered that every title attribute or property that in generall is spoken of the Deity is spoken of and attributed to each person as the Father is Jehovah so is the Son so is the holy Ghost Joh. 12.41 Act. 28.25 conferred with Esai 6.3 to 10. The Father the Son the holy Spirit be one co-essentiall and co-eternall infinite and unchangable c. And so in the attributes just holy good mercifull c. each person is so infinitely and unchangably c. Also in respect of the Creatures the attributes are communicable to each Person as the Son is called Father Esai 9. So it may be said of the holy Spirit who begetteth and reneweth us by the word of truth the Father is our teacher and so the Son and so the holy Spirit the Father sanctifieth the son sanctifieth the holy spirit sanctifieth Therefore it is very usefull to observe two things in the persons their co-operation and distinct manner of working the one is necessary in regard of this that they have the same essence and therefore cannot but co-worke in every thing the other is likewise as necessary because each person hath his distinct manner of subsisting All operation flowes from their essence co-operation from their unity in it and distinct manner from the distinct manner of their subsisting One essence one operation and Three being One must needes work inseparably and one being Three must needs worke in a distinct manner 6 Through faith we understand that the worlds were builded by the word of God that the things which are seen are not made of things which had appearance Ebr. 11. 6 It is the thrice holy Jehovah the Father the Son and their spirit all Three one infinite nature that hath created the heavens and the Earth and Seas and all things in them whether visible or invisible in a sweet dependency of order And He the Eternall Being gave them all their being with perfection of qualities that B was fit for each creature in its order and kinde 7 It is the same everlasting God that in his providence from the beginning to the ending doth in a most holy just wise and mercifull order preserve and govern all things with all their circumstances in the heavens earth seas C Therefore called an everlasting King But this King and D Kingdome is more specially to be understood of the son of God as Mediatour to whom the Father hath committed all authority and power Vt infra 8. The true God being thus glorious and a spirit infinite is therefore impossible to be perceived by our senses or comprehended in the short span of our understanding for hee is like to nothing in heaven earth or seas neither can all the wisest men of the world make any thing like to him but if any think so to do they dote and are follish and vain as Isui 40. and many more Chapters do speake and their images are no Gods E nor resemblances of him but works of errours and lyes They can do neither good nor evill those that make them are like unto them and so are all that put their trust in them And all that worship God by them are F haters of the eternall God and are hated and accursed of him 9 Here it is shewed that Gods worship is cheifly spiritual G and all outward worship otherwise then hee hath appointed is hatefull and abominable and uncomfortable as here and in other scriptures ceremonious and superstitious vanities and makers of images are reproved as bruitish senselesse and hopelesse 10 God being One and none other beside him the supream Governour whose is the Kingdome and power over all things he is only to be feared loved trusted in prayed unto and obeyed therefore he hath given us ten commandements with this entrance That he is Iehovah our H Elohim the Eternall the Mighty God our creator and Redeemer and he hath taught us to pray to him who is the everlasting father from whom all helpe comfort and defence cometh and is to be praysed and glorified in all his workes of goodnesse mercy wisdome justice c. 11 God being a most simple spiritual eternall and infinite Nature It followeth that he seeth at one instant and togegether past present and to come all things in heaven earth and seas There is nothing so invisible to our eyes in any place or so spirituall to our understanding but he seeth every particular Nothing is so secret as the imaginations of our thoughts yet God seeth them Many uses hence an understanding and beleeving heart will make for spirituall obedience and carefull watchfullnesse over his whole man Psal 139. all of it and 119 168. Job 31.4 1 Chron. 28.9 Men not understanding or not beleeving say in heart there is no God or like the wicked in Job chap. 22 and Psal 94. Who say Jehovah shall not see the God of Jacob will not regard But God doth both as the Psalme is notable Secondly Hence a world of outward Christians do shew themselves but Atheists Yea thirdly The godly not seriously and constantly considering this fail much in their sincerity for holy and just obedience 12. Another singular use is for afflictions When wee have any cause of fear wee may be preserved that this passion do not too much assaile us by meditating often wee may be throughly acquainted with I our God his titles properties and attributes both incommunicable and communicable Also of his works of creation redemption and Government in any evill felt or feared we may quickly turn and seek to god and so may not fear above measure as David saith K They that know thy name will trust in thee Psal 9.10 Againe When I was afraid I trusted in thee Psal 56.3 Remarkable also is this in Jehosaphat 2 Chron. 20.12 Also transcendent in those three noble confessors and Martyrs Dan 3.16.17.18 So in all temptations yea in death it selfe These things when they are well graffed and as nailes fastned in our soules will prepare us to contentednesse in all
but surely the Second Temple had more glory then the first Hag. 2.9 None of all the Prophets told the definitive time of fulfilling the promises to perfect the event of the Predictions of the Prophets and the joyful singing Hosanna to the King of Israel who made the day to break and the shadows to flee away c. c. The Second Temple had this glory and the performance of that which Moses Tabernacle and Salomons Temple with all their appendancies figured Therefore these things being well considered we may well give Sentence that the prophecies of Daniel cha 2.7 8 9 10 11 12. chapters with the Prophecies of Haggai Zachariah and Malachi were a thousand fold more comfort to the Faithful then the loss of those exteriours could be sorrow That worthy noble man Lord Plessi Truenesse of Christian Religion hath written somewhat of these five things chap. 29. pag. 455. Thus Christ was taught yesterday Heb. 13. The SECOND PART OF THE DIALOGUE Drawn from the NEW TESTAMENT CHAP. XIII How the New Covenant or the way of Redemption was taught or opposed under the first preaching of the New Testament QUest 1. Hitherto we have in part seen how God at sundry times and in divers manner spake of Redemption to the Fathers and faithful of the times of the old Testament Now give me some text in the New Testament which may call to minde the Prophecies of the old Testament that our hearts may be comforted being enriched in the full assurance of understand-standing to know the mystery of God even the Father and of Christ Answ Matthew 17.5 This Scripture is very pertinent This is my Beloved Son (a) Psal 2. Es 9.6 Prov. 30.4 2 Sam. 7.14 in whom I am well (b) Esa 42.1 Psal 132.10 pleased (c) Exod. 23.20 21 22 as Moses received the lively oracles from the Angel of the covenant to teach Israel so the Apostles received from him words that have spirit and life to teach the Israel of God John 6. Hear Him This text doth graciously look back to all the Prophesies that have been spoken of that now he was come this is He He that was promised in Paradice to Eva and afterwards to Sem to Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah David c. and figured by the Passeover Tabernacle and Temple Cloudy-fiery-pillar Manna Rock Brazen Serpent The Sacrifices c. By Melchizedecks and Aarons office and promised in Daniel to be the complement of all All the New Testament commenteth on this Oracle that came from the excellent glory QUest 2. and Answ What are the points that you observe out of this Scripture of Mat. 17.5 Answ 1. The Gospel consisteth in the true knowledge and belief of the person and office of Christ John 17.3 1 Cor. 2.2 Col. 2.3 4 5. 2. The doctrine of his person is clear in that the Father calleth this man Christ his son so that he is the son of God and man where this word Son is not to be understood in regard of Creation as were the Angells or of adoption as are the elect but by nature and generation eternal and in-effable John 1.18 Col. 1.15 3. Observe the distinct person of the Father acknowledgeth the distinct person of the Son to which add out of Matthew 3.17 the distinct Person of the Holy Ghost 4. This Son is called Beloved to shew that in that love the Father hath to the Son Pro. 8.31 Ephestans 1.6 John 1.14 15 16. there flow the joyful streams of love to his Elect so that he is the fountain of grace unto us 5. Unto those two points of his Person are joined two of his office answering unto them first In the beloved he is well pleased This sheweth the Mediation of his sacrifice-hood to God for us Secondly Him being Son he would have heard this sheweth the Mediation of his Soveraign Kingdome from the Father over us 6. This Mediation of his Sacrificehood is to be understood in two parts First John 17. What he did for us on earth And secondly What he did and doth for us in heaven On earth he made intercession for us and was delivered to death a sacrifice for our sins and was raised again for our justification from sinne and death to a resurrection Rom. 4.25 1 Pet. 3.18 Rom. 5.1 By his death and Sacrifice he purchased reconciliation justification and adoption also the word of reconciliation and the ministery thereof In heaven he entred with his own bloud into the holy Heavens and purchased eternal Redemption and the possession of the heavenly Mansions John 14.2 17. and in his ascention is our Fore-runner thither to prepare them he sitteth at the right hand of the Father making request for us he presenteth all our supplications 1 John 2.1 There is one God and one Mediatour 1 Tim 2. Ayoc 8.3 Eph. 3.12 2.18 intercessions and giving of thanks for our selves and others The effect of these things are joy peace hope of glory the giving and the in dwelling of the holy Spirit who mortifieth sin sanctifyeth our natures blesseth all holy means quickneth in duties perswadeth and assureth of free accesse to the throne of grace c. more then we can ask or think 7. These words In whom 1 Cor. 3.11 do exclude from this mediation all other Saviours and Mediatours whatsoever and condemneth such doctrine as stubble for the fire 8. In that he decreed to please himself with Christ it sheweth our free election justification adoption and salvation Galat. 1.4 Mat 11.28 Iames 1.18 to exclude all mans merits free will and works fore seen and to establish an unspeakable comfort to the man that findes in himself that God hath given him faith that he may know God hath predestinated him unto Salvation in his Beloved Son 9. The second part of his office is his Soveraignty in this Hear Him which sheweth his Soveraign authority over all Nations which standeth in this that He is the chief Prophet over all Kings Powers and Principalities and in all things Head to his Church 10. Under the word Hear is commanded our obedience that we should hear Him with our ears hearts and deeds that is by learning his word by believing it and practising it by works 11. This word Him is spoken exclusively there is no other Head of the Church but Christ none other to rule and make Lawes and Offices and Officers for the well ordering thereof but Christ none other Priest or Sacrificer to offer sacrifice for reconciliation of iniquity and lastly none other in (*) That doctrine of the Papalines that Christ is not in heaven sole mediator of intercession anathema sit Rome 8.34 Heb. 1. 8. Acts 2.36 5.31 heaven to offer with his own odours the prayers of the Church militant QUest 3. and answ What Seals hath Jehovah our King Judge and Statute-maker the Lord of the House hung and fastened to the writings of his new Covenant Answ Baptism and
Babel had so ruinated them they could not chuse but have many sad thoughts of discomfort that they should never return So when the Churches saw wrath so full of fierie indignation on the Jews they thought the day of Christ was at hand The Apostle satisfied them and the Prophet Jeremiah comforts them with this speech as yet and the Prophets often reiterate these words which must be marked And in all those prophesies of their return there are many promises of Christ mixed for he is the radix of all comforts to the Church because God will send Christ to destroy Satans work and his seed and to blesse us All promises are made in him to be yea and Amen as that promise to Achaz although he despised it Esai 7. and would not put the safety of his Kingdome on such promises but would seek as his stubborn and unbelieving heart taught him help from Assur but because God had made promise yet to protect Ierusalem the City he had chosen to put his name there therefore he would protect it and because our heavenly Father would send his Son to be immanuel God with us therefore he would yet save Iudah Sion and Ierusalem Ieremiahs Prophecies are of this nature to be understood Esaias before Ieremiah had said by prophecie that although Babel had sorely afflicted the Church Isa 14 1.2 3. notwithstanding the Lord would have mercy on Iacob and would yet choose Israel and set them in their own Land the Land of Iehovah called elsewhere the Holy Land and pleasant Land and so it was to the ending of the Seventy Sevens but then any Land City and Assembly where the Gospel of Christ was and is taught believed and professed was and is as holy as that Land CHAP. XXVI That the Covenant of God in Christ made with Israel in Deuteronom is the very same that God made with Israel in Exodus and Leviticus and so to the end of the 19. chap. of Numbers in answer to them that hold the former to be only a covenant of works and the latter in Deut. to a covenant of grace because it is said in Deut. 21.9 beside the Covenant which he made with them in Horeb. Mr. Ainsworth saith it is the same Covenant but onely renewed to the children And Tremellius speaketh to the same effect we must remember that Malachi in shutting up the old Testament chargeth Israel from Christ to cleave to the Law given by Moses at Horeb Mal 4. as the onely good means to secute them from the Apostasie that would come upon them in the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes yea it began even in the dayes of Malachi then stout words were spoken that it was in vain to serve God c. Like the apostacy of the old world Dan. 11.14.30 31 32. Job 21. 14 15. and 22.17 Mal. 3.13 14. And the angel foretold of the lawlesse crew of Daniels people that would deal corruptly concerning the holy covenant 2. It was greatly consequent to renew the covenant to the children for now all their fathers were dead of the first numbring and so it was very fit that the children should be taught the fathers holy Religion by way of covenant the better to watch over their hearts before they went over Jordan to possesse Canaan 3. Moses repeats divers passages of Christ in three former chapters of Deuteronomie as a preparation and then most pathetically exhorteth to the obedience of Christ Deut. 4. and prosecutoth the same exhortation in chap. 5. where he repeat Exod. 20. and mark the second and third verse of chap. 5. in these words The word onely must be understood as in Cor. 1.17 Deut. 6.13 10 20. and so the Rabbins of the Jews understood it vid. Mr. Ainsworth Not with our fathers onely made Jehevah this Covenant but with us This doth not onely look to them of the first numbring that died in the wildernesse but to Jacob Isaac and Abraham and so Tremellius it was verily the same covenant for substance that was made with Abraham renewed in the wildernesse and exhibited fully and plainly in Christ but in respect of times and persons it is called a divers form of covenant vid. Heb. 8. So he yea I doubt not but we may go higher even to that promise of God to our first Parents Gen. 3.15 and to Noah Gen. 6. Promise and covenant are often taken promiscuously and it is for our comfort so to understand It is much for our edification and comfort in the holy faith so rounderstand the same promise made to our first Parents concerning Christ for they had sacrifices to seal the covenant of their salvation to him the same was made with Noah Gen 6. and the same with S●m whose God was God blessed for ever Abraham Isaac and Iacob and in that covenant all the visible Church were ingaged before Moses to observe it and it is called the way of Christ and his charge in his commandements statutes and Laws Gen 26.5 These were enjoyned by Christ and by most godly tradition propagated in godly families from father to child untill Christ commanded Moses to put all these Laws and histories of Genesis into writing with sundry other Laws because the Church was now grown into a large common-weal and were to dwell in a Land by themselves as Christs peculiar people I will adde one Text in Leviticus to stablish our hearts in sound Doctrine chap. 25.23 The Land shall not be sold for ever for the Land is mine for ye are strangers and sojournens with me This text shews what all the Polity of Christ by Moses aimed at even faith and love in the Son of God Christ Iesus this text hath irradiant beams over all the holy Doctrine What a worthy exercise might a godly Oratour of a congregation a Scribe taught unto the Kingdome of heaven that hath his wits exercised in the word of righteousnesse make hence to an Auditory 1. You are strangers and sojourners with me How might he amplisie this from other Scriptures 1 Chron. 29. Psal 39. and 119. Heb. 11. by the godly example of the Nobles of all ages 1 Pet. 1. and 2.11 2. From the coherence of matter in the verses preceding and following that those that confesse in heart this Doctrine of Christ that they are but strangers and sojourners in this cursed world they must not oppresse and vex one another in setting and leting in buying and selling but deal justy and mercifully one with another 3. It will afford an heavenly meditation to consider how and why the Lord should say he is a stranger and sojourner in this world surely this Text sheweth how Light Life and immortality was brought to light by the Gospel in Moses and in Leviticus 4 All Deuteronomie is the abridgement of Moses Sermons for one moneth The Apostle Heb. 9. doth dilate much on Exodus and sheweth it was a Covenant of grace in Christ Deuteronomie must be understood to be the same covenant with Exodus
is good for us to hearken to the counsells of the Scriptures of God the surest way is to consult with them It saith aske for the old way Ie● 6. Againe it saith he that knoweth God heareth the Apostles 1 Ioh. 4. Againe we are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himselfe being the cheife corner Stone Eph. 2. And againe for perfect resolution we are referred to the words of the holy Prophets and commandments of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3. And Iudas Thaddaus speaks the same And they all were the Sons of Sem. The Scriptures of the Prophets is the faith of the Nations and it is said often in the Apocalips that Christs Witnesses suffered for the word of God and the Testimony of Jesus with which orthodox Churches must have no vote granted to them to stand in competition for authority 17. The Pontificians so dealt and deal that they will in shew at last yeeld honour to the Scriptures so that we rest in their Churches exposition and determination we suppose godly Christians should not be like them in such tergiversations Beloved Reader do not conceive that we dis-esteem and reject Orthodox Churches or the writings of their godly Divines no such matter But we highly prize them as most gracious mercies of Christ Jesus our Lord and as they by whom the Temple of God in the Heaven of the Church hath been opened and the Ark of his Testimony manifested And as such by whose voices teaching and praying writings and martyrdome they have made such a thunder in the Pontifician Ayre that the smoake of the Pit is much vanished and a tenth part of Abaddons polity is fallen And the great Angell of the Covenant the Lord Jesus Christ will still send forth godly Teachers that the whole Barth shall be lightned with his glory Apot. 18. We may and ought to have them in godly and respectfull remembrance for their works sake both of them that are departed and of those that are yet living though we make them not Lords of our faith 18. I will yet-speake a little more of that speach which some affirme of Christ that he did combate with his Angry Father shall the Son of God faith that treatise suffer the second death for you Shall he unchrist himself for a time for you Shal he suffer Hel Torments for you † Treatise of sac●ed divinity published by Mr. John Downame in the yeare 1619. p. 1. 317. Shall the Son of God enter the lists to fight the great combate hand to hand with his angry Father for you God the Father to fight with God the Son Is this good Orthodox Theoligie to be sould or taught in Pulpits or in Books to the people of God doubtlesse there is a deep silence of such expressions in the Book of God And from this time forwards I hope our godly Teachers will have the same deep silence and make no stir and utter plaine Doctrines and then our inventions will vanish 1. I pray consider it well did the humanity of our blessed Saviour and Mediatour cope or combate with the Divine nature of the God the Father Alas the humanity though holy yet it was but a finite creature created in time and what is a finite creature to the infinite creator The humane nature in a such a case could not abide the least touch of contradiction But I suppose we must seriously consider that the humanity did evermore from its conception subsist in the Divine nature of the second person by way of support else it could not have borne such sufferings as the holy Scriptures declare from the power of Satan death the grave and wicked men ye● else his oblation of himself had not been meritoriously satisfactory and therefore it is a strange saying that the second person did combate with the first for then the whole person of the Mediatour must combate if any combating my heart yea whose heart would not tremble at such speaches as this 2. Gen. 3.25 doth hold forth a declaration of a combate of enmity between the seed of the woeman namely her speciall seed Christ and the seed of the Serpent but no mention is made of any such combate with God the Father nor that the second person should combate with himselfe the humane with the divine nature Thes● Tenentes do jar much from the Divinity that was taught to our first Parents in Gen 3.15 3 Is it not strange Doctrine to affirme that the Lord Jesus with the helpe of a holy Angell did combate with God for in his Agony in Luk. 22.43 there was an Angel sent from Heaven to strengthen him 4 Was it ever heard that a Mediator between two at variance should fight with the stronger opposite to bring him to agreement some Teachers in teaching such Doctrines must use some such like strange language 5. The Lord Jesus did commit his cause to him that judgeth righteously 1. Pet. 2.23 This argueth although the Divils instruments did in wrath and rage condemne him for a sinfull malefactor as all presecutors did the Martyrs yet that God the Father did not judge him for a sinner but justify him as one that was every way Innocent therefore the Heavenly Father did not combate with his Son for he committed himselfe and his case to him as to a righteous judge 6. The Martyrs in like sort being Baptised with the Baptisme of Christ in sufferings committed their case to their Heavenly Father in Apoc. 6.10 And therefore as Gods essentiall curse Hell Torments and the second death was not on the Martyrs in their sufferings so neither was it on the true and faithfull Martyr the Lord Jesus in his sufferings CHAP. XXXV Observations upon that distinction which some make between the locall and penall Hell which penall Hell some say Christ suffered 1. SOme say that God can make a mans Hell here in this world by which speach they must meane if they meane any thing to he point in dispute that God can so plague a man in this world that the will not bring him to eternall destruction in Gehenna in the world to come I grant that the eternall Lord can do what he pleaseth both in Heaven Earth Sea and in all deep places Ps 135.6 2. The same eternall Lord can also make a Heaven for his children here in this world and never bring them to everlasting glory in Heaven in the World to come But Teachers must not bring their own speculations let them be true seers to shew us the visions of God from his word rightly expounded even his Revelled will for nothing else belongs to us and to our children 3. The holy Scriptures tells us that there is an everlawing blessed estate for all Gods chosen not heare but in the Heavenly paradise though each blessing is here begun by justification is freedome from sin death Satan whence ariseth peace and joy in the holy Ghost the first fruites of the spirit
the faithfull or sure Creator in 1 Pet. 4.19 9. Ghosai a plurall signifying My Makers 1 Hence we may learn that there is a Trinity of persons in the Unity of the Godhead it is used in lob 35.10 and Psal 149.1 2. Hence we may learn that God hath not onely made us to have a being in his visible Creation but also that he doth make his Elect to have a being in his invisible Creation namely to be his people by a spirituall Creation as the double reading in Psal 100.3 doth well expound the sonse 10. Goel Redeemer This is most usually applied to the second person because he paid the price of our redemption But yet redemption is also often attributed to the first person in trinity as in Isa 63. because all our actuall liberation is from him The second person paid the price But the actuall Attonemont by which redemption is compleat is the act of the first person and the qualification that belongeth to the persons that are to be redeemed is the act of the third person and in this sence all the three persons may be called Redeemers 11. The other Attributes the Power the Feare c. are coincident with the former Titles and with their Expositions and uses Conclusion Seeing Elohim is the mighty Creators and Iehovah is Being of himselfe and giving being to all other things and the most High and onely Potentate to maintain and defend his Saints that are in Covenant with him and seeing he is our All sufficient four Pillars and stay alwaies unchangable and ever the same our breath in whom we live and move and have our being in whose hand is our breath and all our waies and seeing he saith that he is our Father and Redeemer through the everlasting Covenant confirmed in the blood of his deare Son we may well make all the Trinity in that eternall Covenant to be our Rock and Refuge for our Redemption Reconciliation Justification Adoption and Eternall Salvation Amen CHAP. LIII Of the Attributes of the Divine Nature of the second Person in Trinity JEhovah in Gen. 6.3 Rock Son The Word Wisdome Immanuel Lord. God Angel Michael Puissant Name Act. 3.14 Alpha and Omega Beginning and Ending First and Last 1. Jehovah is the Attribute of the second person as in Gen. 6.3 there the Spirit of Jehovah is in 1 Pet. 3.19 called the Spirit of Christ 2. Jehovah in Isa 6.8.9 is expounded of Christ in Iohn 12 37.38 3. In Icr. 23.6 that Christ is called Jehovah our Righteousness because he is by God made unto us Righteousness 1 Cor. 1.30 and 31. And saith Bro. in Ecclesi●stes the Hebrew Doctors do commonly say from Jer 23. as in Bathra Sect 1. fol. 75. B. that the Messias is Iehovah our Righteousness 4. In Gen. 19.24 Jehovah from Jehovah rained fire and brimstome c. hence we may learn that the second person as Mediator doth speak and work from the Father as Iohn 5.17 to verse 30. The Father must evermore be considered as the first in the order of working in the Trinity 5. From Iohn 5.17 c. we may see the reason why the Title Jehovah is so usually to be understood of Christ except in those places where the Father is distinguished as in Gen. 19 24. Psal 110.1 and some few other places as in Isa 26.4 there Jehovah is said to be in Iah the Father and our Lord doth thus insinuate the sense of that and such like places to Philip in Iohn 14.10 11. Believest than not that I am the Father and the Father in me so in Exod 23.21 My name is in him is thus opened in 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ 2. Hence we may learn that all the attributes that are given unto God essentially are likewise given to the second and third persons as well as to the first 6. Christ is called the Angel that Jacob invocated The Angel that appeared unto Moses in the Bush Exod. 3. The Angel of Gods presence Esa 63. And the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3 1. Likewise the Titles Jehovah Aelohim c. used by Moses in Geneses Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deutrenomy and used by David and all the Prophets These Titles are applied by the Apostles to Christ in 1 Cor. 10 and Stephen called Christ the Angel in Act. 7.38 7. The title God is applied to Christ as in Psal 78.1 Let Aelohim God arise and in v. 19. Thou art ascended on high is expounded of Christ in Eph 4 8.9 and the former sentence Let God arise is taken from Numb 10.35 and there it is Rise up Iehovah and in these words Moses also hath respect unto the promise in Exod. 23.20 21. Behold I send and Angel before thee c. Beware of him and hear his voice c. for my name is in him and in Gen. 31.13 he is called the God of Beith●l 8. The title Son is applied to Christ in Psal 2 12 Kiss the Son least he be angry likewise in Prov. 30.4 What is his name and the name of his Son if th●u canst tell Likewise God the Father doth call him Son This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear him Matth. 3.17 Matth. 17.5 9. Word as in 2 Sam. 7.21 For thy words sake but in 1 Chron. 17.19 repeating the same thing it is for thy servants sake So in the new Testament the second person is called the Word Iohn 1.1 he as Mediator is also so called in relation to the eternall Covenant which he in his Godhead made with his Father for mans redemption and that he is called the servant of God because he assumed our nature in relation to do the Office of a Mediator Matth. 12.18 compared with Esa 42.1 10 Christ is called the Wisdome of God first in Pro. 8.1 and secondly he is so called in the new Testament Luke 11.49 1 Cor. 1.24 11. He is called the Father of Eternity in Esa 9.6 because he did in his Godhead from Eternity covenant to undertake the Office of a Mediator by which means he procured the spirit for our Redemption and so consequently for our Adoption and thus Christ is called the Father of Eternity and in this respect he hath taught us to pray unto all the Trinity by this title Our Father Matth. 6.9 12. He is called Michael the Arch-angel by Iudas Thaddae is v 9. but this very person is called Iehovah in Zach. 3.2 being cited thence 13. He is called Gods Fellow in Zach. 13.7 with Mat●h 26.31 for he thought it no robery to be equall with God Phil. 2.6 14. He is called God over all blessed for ever Rom. 9. and the God of Beithell Gen. 31.13 and the mighty God Tit. 2.13 15. He is also called the Lord in Rom. 10.9 But that place is taken from Deut. 30 10. c. and there he is called Jehovah and in 1 Cor. 2 8. he is called the Lord of Glory and in Jam. 2.1 our glorious Lord Jesus Christ 16. He is called Name
in Exod. 23.21 My Name is in him and in Heb. 1.3 he is said to be the expresse Image of Gods person and in 2 Cor. 4.4 he is called the Image of God and in Col. 1.15 he is said to be the Image of the invisi●le God begotten before all the Creation for by him were all things created which are in Heaven and which are in Earth the visible and the invisible whether Thrones or Dominions or principalities or powers all things were created by him and for him and he is before all things and by him all things consist yea he is called the beginning of the Creation of God Rev. 3.14 and hence it followes by necessary consequence that seeing all things were created in the first six daies both the visible and the invisible Creation both the earthly and the spirituall Creation namely because some of all these kinds were then created it must needs be that Adam Eve were then created not onely for an earthly Paradise but for a spirituall and for an heavenly Paradise for he presently lost the possession of the earthly Paradise and therefore seeing some were elected to an heavenly Paradise Adam and Eve must be belonging to that kind of Creatures that were elected to that place for there were no other that should be created for that Paradise in the first six daies but Adam and Eve or else if they were not then created a new for that place in the first six daies then it will also follow that God did not finish all the Hosts of Heaven and Earth in the first six daies But it is affirmed that he did finish all the said Hosts namely some of every Host in the first six daies and therefore it doth necessarily follow that Adam and Eve were then created as a part of the Host of the spirituall Paradise here and as a part of the Host of the heavenly Paradise hereafter by a re●creation on the same sixth day in which they were created and fell 17. He is called the blessed and onely Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who onely hath immortality and dwelleth in light that none can approach unto whom no man hath ever seen nor can see To whom be honour and power everlasting Amen 1 Tim. 2.15 These and many other Texts which are cited in the new Testament from the old do prove the Godhead of Christ by an undeniable consequence against Turks Jewes and Arrians CHAP. LIV. Of the Attributes of the humane nature of the second Person THe Seed of the woman The seed of Abraham The seed of David The root of Jesse The off-spring of David The Son of God the Son of Man Shiloh Immanuel 1. Christ in his humane nature is called the seed of the woman in Gen. 3.15 Then God said thus to Satan I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed he shall break thy head plot and thou shalt pierce him in the foot soal This seed of the woman must not be expounded in a not collective sense for Christ and his members but of Christ onely because he onely could break the Devils head-plot 2. God said to Abraham in Gen. 18. In thy seed Shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed This word seed is expounded in a collective sense but of the individuall person of the Mediatour and of his humane nature only as it is expounded in Gal. 3.16 3. It is said in Rom. 1.3 That he was made of the seed of David according to the flesh though it was also united personally to his divine nature as in Mat. 9.27 O thou Son of David have mercy on u● let the beams of thy divine nature shew forth its power in thy humane nature taken from the loins of David 4. Christ is called the Root and the Offspring of David in Rev. 22.16 as it was prophesied in Isa 11.10 In that day there shall be a root of Iesse which shall stand for an ensign of the people to it shall the heathen seek and his rest shall be glorious 5. He is called Shiloh in Gen 49.10 The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah nor a law-giver from between his feet untill Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be 6. The titles Son Son of God and Son of man are often applied to the humane nature of Christ as for example 2 Sam 7.14 I will be to him a Father and he shall be unto me a Son this word Son is applied to his humane nature in personall union with his Divine in Heb. 1.5 because he doth there make him above the angels 7. God called him Son in Psal 2.7 Thou art my son I this day begat thee Now Christ is called Gods son in sundry respects 1. He is Gods son from Eternity by divine generation 2. At his incarnation when his humane nature was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the Virgins womb and therefore that holy thing was called the Son of God Luke 1.35 3. He was called Gods Son in Psal 2.7 by being begotten into the Mediatours office when he was extrinsecally installed by the visible anointing of the Holy Ghost when we was baptised of John at Jordan Mat. 17. and of this begetting of Christ the Apostle speaks in Acts 13.23 32 33. Of this mans seed namely of Davids seed as verse 22. hath God according to his promise in Es 11.1 2. raised or begotten as it is after expounded unto Israel a Saviour Jesus and this raising he takes up again in verse 32 33. We declare unto you glad tidings how that the promise which was made unto the Fathers God hath fulfilled unto us their children in that he hath raised up Jesus again as it is also written in the second Psalm Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee The word again is not in the Geneva nor in Ains who translates the verse in Psal 2.7 and being added it carries the sense to the Resurrection of Christ which is not intended in this verse though it be intended in the next verse but that which is intended in this verse in the beginning of the raising up of Christ on the spirituall throne of David to be a King Priest and prophet by his extrinsecall anointing into the Mediatours office which was not done till he went to Jordan to be baptised then the Holy Ghost did anoint him visibly before Johus Auditory by sitting like the dove upon him and Christs extrinsecall installment into the Mediatours office is also proved by Heb. 5.5 from the second Psalm Christ glorified not himself to be made an high Priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee hence it is evident that he called him his son glorified him with the visible anointing of the holy Ghost at his Baptisme before all Johns auditory and in this respect he is said to be his son by being begotten extrinsecally into the Mediatours office 4. He was also begotten
Iohn 15.26 I will send the Comforter to you from the Father for our Covenant and Contract was so from eternity that in case I did perform the conditions of the Mediators Office I should have a joynt hand with my Father in the sending of the holy Spirit 10. He is called the Spirit of his mouth namely the Spirit of Iehovah Father and Son Psa● 33 6. 11. He is called the Finger of God in Luke 11.20 by which the humane nature of Christ did his Miracles 12. He is called the power of God Luke 1.35 The Angel said unto Mary The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the most High shall over-shadow thee namely as it did over-shadow the confused Chaos in the Creation as Mr. ●rap speaketh 13. Peter calls the Holy Ghost God in Act. 53 4. These and such like blessed Attributes of the third person in Trinity are sufficient to convince any Iew Turk or Arrian that the holy Spirit is true God except such as God hath given up to the Spirit of slumber and to the hardnesse of their own hearts to perish in their own impenitency CHAP. LVII Of the Attributes of the Holy Ghost in relation to its opperations and effects in the various manner of his working 1. AS the Spirit of Aelohim in the beginning did move upon the face of the waters to the producing of the visible Creation Gen 1.1 so it moved also upon the water of Gods word to Adam and so to all the elect for the producing of the spirituall Creation For except a man be born of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Iohn 3.5 And there are three that beare witnesse in the earth the spirit and the water and the blood and these three agree in one 1 Iohn 5.8 And so Moses Doctrine is compared to raine in Deut. 32.1 and so Tit. 3 5. 2. Saith God in Gen. 6.3 My Spirit shall not alwaies strive with man for that he is but flesh Hence take notice of the Spirits working or striving with men that are given to the flesh it doth often strive along time with such but if after some time they will not hearken then God saith it shall not alwaies strive but it shall at last give them up to their own hearts lusts to perish in their sins Noah ●a a preacher of righteousnesse to the old world for a hundred and twenty yeares and this long time the Apostle calls the long suffering of God 1 Pet. 3.19.20 2 Pet. 2.5 3. It is said in 1 Pet. 3.18 That Christ was quickned by the Spirit by which he went and preached to the Spirits that now are in prison that were disobedient in the daies of Noe hence two things are observable 1. That Christ was called Iehovah in Gen 6 3. 2. That the Sp●rit by which Naah preached to the disobedient world is here called by Peter The Spirit of Christ 4. In Esa 6.10 They rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit which did strive with them for their conversion by the preaching of his Prophets Therefore was he turned to be their enemy and he fought against them as he threatned to do if they did not obey his voice Exod. 23.21 and he did also fulfill it in Psal 78.40 c. and 1 Thes 5.19 5. God saith thus to his Elect I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and yee shall keep my Judgments and do them Ezek. 36.27 This is the operation of Gods Spirit in the Elect at one time or other while they attend upon him in his Ordinances for the walking in his Statutes and the keeping or doing of his Judgments doth imply the obedience of faith to all his statutes in their spirituall sense and meaning as in Ezek. 11.19 20. and Ezek. 36.27 and in Rom 2.26 Yea the Spirit doth by its operations work upon baptized Infants that belong to Gods Election by vertue of the Covenant which is the word of promise for their Regeneration and knitting to Christ if they dye before they come to knowledge by the outward hearing of the word as Esa 59 21. 6. It is said in Esa 11.2 That the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon the root that shall proceed out of the stem of Jesse and the Prophet doth repeat some heads of those endowments of the Spirit whereby the humane nature of the Messias should be furnished But the said heads are expressed in such large and copious words that it implies he should be furnished with the whole Spirit and with all the gifts and graces of that Spirit and from thence it is said in Reve 1.4 that he hath the seven Spirits of God that is to say the whole Spirit and all the graces of the Spirit and this Endowment of his is often repeated as in Revel 3 1. Revel 4.5 and Revel 5 6. 7. It is said in 1 Cor. 1● 4 That there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit And in verse 8. to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdome and to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit And in verse 13. by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body 8. It is said because yee are sonnes God hath sent forth the Spirit of his son into your hearts which hath this operation it inables you to cry Abba father Gal. 4.6 and in this Text the holy Trinity is also expressed 9. Sundry operations are ascribed to the Spirit in Rom. 8. 1. in verse 5. They that are after the spirit do mind the things of the spirit 2. In verse 6. The wisdome of the spirit is life and peace 3. In verse 11. If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you c. he shall also quicken your mortall bodies by his spirit 4. In verse 13. If ye mortifie the deeds of the flesh by the spirit ye shall live 5. In verse 14. As many as are led by the spirit are the s●ns of God 6. In verse 15. Ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby ye cry Abba Father 7. In verse 16. The same spirit beareth witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God 8. In verse 26. The spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what to pray as we ought but the spirit it self maketh request for us with fight and groans that cannot be expressed 9. In verse 27. The spirit maketh request for the Saints according to the will of God These sundry operations of the Spirit are expressed in this eigth chapter 10. Sundry operations of the spirit are in Gal. 5. 1. In verse 16. Walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the fl●sh 2. In verse 17. For the Spirit lusteth against the flesh 3. In verse 18. If ye be led by the spirit ye are not under the law 4. In verse 12. The fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse saith meeknesse
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 Ala●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 ●●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 Loammi● 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
calling c. Ephes 1. 3. this is a mercy past evpression that God should make a covenant with such as we are this is the radix of all and therefore it is said 1. That they were his peculiar treasure 2. A Kingdome of Priests 3. And holy Nation 4. God placed his Tabernacle among them and 5. called them the Kingdome of God and the joyfull shout of so just good and mercifull a King was among them Who can but shout with all exultation if we did but understand our own comfort These things and other Scriptures shew they were under a covenant of grace if we be they were for their spirituall priviledges and promises are now conferred on us 2 Cor. 6.16 Apot. 21.3 Ephes 2. and 3.1 Pet. 2. conferred with Exod. 29.45 Levi● 25 23. and 26.12 D●ut 7.6 7 8. now as Israel was Gods peculiar treasure so the Gentiles called to the faith are T it 2.14 this well considered will make the Doctrine of Anabaptistrie to be abhorred of us touching our infants 6. If reformed churches can make it good that they are under a corenant of grace and we may truly say it blessed be the name of the Lord then they were and we could not be so but because their priviledges are transacted to the wild olives and we are graffed into their olive tree we received from them all our glory all our spirituall things for Christ our salvation and all his holy Doctrine is of and from them I will collect some brief heads of Doctrine which were taught believed and professed in the common Weal of Israel 1. They had the Doctrine of the Trinity and Unity Deut. 6.4 2. They had the Doctrine of election and rejection Psalm 65. Exod. 9.16 and 33.19 3. They had the Doctrine of the great mysterie of godlinesse God manifested in the flesh to be a second Adam and to be a sin-offering and to rise from death the third day Gen. 3.15 and 12 3. Gen. 49. and they went three times a year according to the Testimony to Israel to testifie their faith in this this was the main 4. They were taught that the Father the Word and the Spirit one infinite nature created the world Psalm 33.6 Prov●● 5. They were taught that the Father had committed all power to the Son for governing the church and the world Psal 2. and 8. and 110. Gen. 19.24 Exod 23.20 21 22. all expound Gen 3.15 6. They were taught justification by faith in Christ Gen 4 and 15 Heb. 11. 7. They were taught Sanctification Be ye holy for I am holy Levit. 19 2. 8. Under Moses Polity they had hope and rest in Christ Psal 130. Ephes 2. Jer. 6.16 and 50.7 Mat. 11.29 Christ complained they had forgotten him their resting place he was the rest of the Saints evermore Jer. 50 6 7. the Apostle saith the Gentiles were without hope but Israel had hope in Christ both for remission of sinnes and eternall glory Eph. 2.12 Ezra 10.2 9. The spirituall graces of Circumcision and the Passeover were required and so practised Deut. 10.16 and 30.6 Exod. 12. Heb. 11.28 1 Sam. 1.7.36 10. The heavenly inheritance was taught them Levit 25.23 11. They were taught to account themselves strangers and sojourners in this cursed world Levit. 25 23. and so David taught his generation 1 Chron. 29 and so believed himself Psal 39. 12. They had hope in the Resurrection Job 19. Psal 49. Exod. 3.6 Mat. 22 32. 13. They had the holy Spirit to lead them in all holy wayes 2 Cor 4. to write the Law in their hearts to seal to them all holy Doctrine of the word whether promises threatnings commandements all good examples c. One may make a large volume of this Subject I think this question may be asked what one new doctrine is taught in the new Testament that the Saints of the old Testament knew not when grievous crimination of heresie by the Councel were laid to the Apostles charge he protesteth he taught no new principles Acts 14.15 16 17. and 26.7 now if the common-Wealth of Israel had all this holy doctrine they must needs be under a covenant of grace CHAP. XXXI A Prosopopeia on Solomomons fall by the Temptations of his idolatrous wives to the ruine of his Kingdome and posterity in granting them the liberty of conscience for the practice of their idolatrous Rites framed by way of Dialogue between King Solomon and Tirzana the Queen TI●zana being a Princesse of the house of Moab and being called for did enter into the presence of King Solomon and after some dalliance with her and after she had fitted his humour by giving him all the best content she could she took the opportunity and said my Lord King Solomon I have an humble Request to make unto your gracious Majesty I pray you say me not nay K. What is that my sweet Ti●zana Q. My most gracious Lord and Soveraign I have been some years with you though you have often spoken to me to be a Proselite to the Religion of Israels common-weal yet I cannot bring my heart unto it you well know that my education was not in the way manner of Israel and my affection is not toward it it is not so pleasing to me for I cannot forget my fathers house nor forsake his Religion In this case I shall blemish my father and my mother brethren and sisters and people in case I should apostatise from our ancient Religion and in my opinion far the better we have more zeal in ours and many moe pleasures to give man and woman content than is in your profession your Religion is very crosse to mans nature and is urged with great terrour and strictnesse your Religion reproves thoughts words and most mens actions no Religion under heaven doth so as yours and that makes so few to embrace it Yea many of Israel have formerly been more addicted unto ours and the worships of neighbours Nations than to this of Israel and they will not follow it but by compulsion of Governors whereas religious worships should be freely exercised according to every mans conscience when if your subjects should be left unto you well know which way the ride will run it is a pitifull thing that man of a noble and free spirit should be so tyred with hard injunctions and heavy burdens as with bands cords and fetters and it may be that reformation that your noble Father indeavoured and your selfe have prosecuted would not and will not be so convenient as due liberty which would be a more noble design than rigid reformation And if Antiquity make things reverend then our Religion is more ancient or if not more yet as equall for Antiquity for ought I can learne I am but a poor Historian being a woman but I am able to prove the Religion of our God Chemosh to be above four hundred and fifty years old This I can attest and prove by your own Records and you had yours