I laid ' That I should absolutely be obey'd ' So I their God my People they should prove ' And they to take the Paths I shew should love ' Thence all things should to their desires succeed Thus in the Prophet Hose we may read Hos 6.6 ' Beneficence does Sacrifice exceed ' Right thoughts of God before Burnt-Off'rings ' pleasd Thus where in Micah one the Question sees Mich. 6.6 7. What God displeas'd with us may reconcile Numbers of Rams or measures of rich Oil God thus is represented there ' I 'le tell ' What 's truly good and pleases me full well ' That you to ev'ry one render his due ' And unto all Bowels of Mercy shew ' While humbly before me your self you bear Which places if consider'd right declare That these things of themselves or i'th'first place As pleasing God we ought not to embrace But if the People by degrees were known As Superstition had upon them grown In them to place great part of Piety As if they slake the Wrath of the most High What wonder is' t if God did them remove Indiff'rent in themselves tho ill they prove Thus when the Brazen Serpent Moses rais'd Men as of Pow'r divine devoutly prais'd Good Hezekiah cast it to the ground And among them some Prophecies are found Fore-telling that these Rites should one day cease This from their Law we may collect with ease Where only Aaron's Race a Pow'r receive For off'ring these and while at home they live But then a (c) Psal 110. King is promiss'd far to reign ' Who should from Sion lead his humble Train ' And both a Priest and King always remain ' Resembling what Melchisedec was known And in Esaiah's Prophecy 't is shown ' That Men in (d) Esa 19.19 23. Egypt should an Altar view ' Where the Egyptians and Assyri'ans too ' Should joyn in Worship with the happy Jew Again ' (e) Esa 66.20 21. They whem vast distances divide ' Who have no common Language for their Guide ' Shall with the Isra'elites their Off'rings bring ' As Priests and Levites to th' eternal King This could not be till their Law were repeal'd Besides in (f) Mal. 1.10 11. Malachi it is reveal'd ' That God the Off'rings of the Jews did hate ' That East and West his Name should celebrate ' And Clouds of Incense should perfume the Skies ' As from pure hands it to his Throne did rise Dan. 9.27 Dani'el relating th'Angel Gabriel's words This Oracle concerning Christ records The Sacrifice and Off'ring he removes And God by Instances most real proves That all th' Oblations Moses had enjoyn'd Cannot with him any acceptance find When more than sixteen hundred Years are gone Since Jews have had no Temple of their own No Altar or distinction of their Tribes That they may know to offer as their Law prescribes IX The difference of Meats Their Law forbidding Meats of sev'ral kinds No better grounds for its continuance finds For it is evident after the Flood No sort of Meat under Injuncti'on stood Noah and his had the free use of all Which as a Right unlimited did fall To Abram Isa'ac Jacob sprang from Sem As well as unto Japhet and bold Cham But when th' Egyptian Superstition spread O're Isr'ael's Seed thither to Bondage led Th'eating some Animals was then deny'd As thence were the Egypti'an Rites supply'd And thence they thought things future were descry'd Or else their Law with Types and Shadows dark Did by some Ani'mals certain Vices mark That this was not a gen'ral Rule design'd We in the instance of those Beasts may find Deut. 14.21 Which free from outward force their Breath resign'd Of these unlawful 't was for Jews to eat Which for Inhabitants was licenc'd Meat Such too who met with this Indulgence were As God himself commended to their care Nay the old Jewish Rabbies did maintain That when Messiah should begin his Reign He should this Prohibition quite remove And Swines Flesh should as clean as Bullocks prove And surely since it pleas'd the Pow'r Divine People of ev'ry Land in one to joyn A liberty in these beyond dispute More than restraint must such Communion suit Let us consider next their Holy Days X. And of Days They first were kept in the Almighty's praise For their deliverance from th' Egypti'an hand And leading to the promiss'd Sacred Land But Jeremy a time to come did shew Jer. 16.14 When new and greater benefits t' ensue Should so the memory of this surpass That Men should hardly menti'on that it was Besides as 't was with Off'rings so with these 'T was thought they God so in themselves did please That keeping them they might indulge their Ease Thence representing God Esaiah says I hate all your New Moons and Holy Days Issa 1.14 They 're such a burden as I cannot bear Most confident they of the Sabbath are They urge that Precept always ought to bind That 't was in Paradise Adam enjoyn'd To which I say with Rabbies on my side The Precepts teaching this we thus divide One is that we the Memory preserve Th' other the day religiously observe The first of these is to this day obey'd In grateful owning how the World was made Th' other requires from all those Works t' abstain Which on the common days full licence gain The first the Pious kept before the Law Obeying this Men Enoch Noah saw This Abram Isa'ac Jacob kept in Mind Whose Travels we at large recorded find With them this is not found a day of Rest As after leaving Egypt 't is exprest From that and the strange progress thro the Sea We th'Institution of the Sabbath see On (a) Viz. Of their Progress the first day their Thanks to God they sung And from that time the sacred Rest begun The first observance which is enter'd found Was (b) Ex. 16.26 when they heavenly Food took from the Ground And (c) Exod. 13.8 their deliv'rance from th' Egypti'an Land Is mention'd as the cause of this Command Care of those Servants too this Law exprest Whose cruel Masters would allow no rest Who sojourn'd there were to it likewise bound That the same face of Quiet might go round That this does not take other Nations in May be from hence most evidently seen That we in many places find it nam'd A (d) Exod. 13.9 Sign a Covenant God with Isra'el fram'd But that those Laws which did their Sanction gain In mem'ry of be'ing freed from Egypt's Chain Were not intended ever to remain Appears i'th'Promise we observ'd before Of greater benefits preserv'd in store Add to this farther If Sabbatick Rest As indispensable at first were prest All interfering Laws could not but fail When against this some Jewish Laws prevail Thus Circumcision on the Sabbath's good Beasts then were offer'd while their Temple stood It 's mutability their Doctors preach Who working on the Sabbath lawful teach If authoriz'd any Prophet's
prevail The Pow'r of Daemons totally did fail That Christ in Aegypt Magick-Arts did learn To have less shew of Truth we may discern Than the like Accusation Pagans raise To blemish Moses his less setled Praise As is in Pliny and Apuleius seen But that in Aegypt Christ had ever been Does only from his Follow'rs Books appear Who that he went an Infant thence declare Moses and other Jews expresly own That he resided there to Manhood grown But then the Laws Moses and Christ promulg'd Should stop the progress of this Charge divulg'd Since both of them against such Arts inveigh As hateful to that Pow'r all should obey But that in Aegypt such had ever Birth While Christ or his Disciples blest the Earth Or any other place who can believe To do what we as done by Christ receive The Dumb to speak the Lame to walk the Blind All of a sudden long-wisht Light to find The Emperors Tyberius Nero more Who spar'd ho Costs th' utmost of this t'explore Had th' Art thus far arriv'd had known 't before And if the Talmud we admit as true The Jewish Such'drim th' Art of Magick knew The better to convict the Guilty here And since to Christ they th' highest hate did bear Envy'ing that Pow'r his Miracles declare They would the like by the like Art have done Or shew'd them thence by Proofs which none can shun Some Jews ascribe the Miracles Christ did IV. Or by the force of Words and Sylables Unto a Secret by King Sol'mon hid Which for above a thousand Years had slept By two fierce Lions in the Temple kept That this was read by Christ a Fiction bold Since of those wondrous Lions nothing's told In any Book of the Old Testament Or by Josephus or the Romans sent Along with Pompey to the Temple's spoil But if the Jews confess the Fact the while V. It is shewn that Jesus his Miracles were divine because he taught the Worship of one God the maker of the Word It follows from their own Mosaick Law That none should from blest Jesus Faith withdraw Moses in (a) Deut. c. 18. Deuto'my expresly says God after him would other Prophets raise And that the People should obey them shews Denouncing Penalties if they refuse Of these are Miracles the certain sign Nor can we more illustrious ones divine If one a (b) Deut. 13.1 2 3. Prophet shall himself declare And make by Miracles his Title fair He bids them not to listen to his Speech If he to worship other Gods should teach For God will (c) Vers 3. such among his People bear To try if to his Worship they 'l adhere Hence their Interpreters rightly collect That as true Prophets they should all respect Who don 't the Worship of that God divide Who does unequall'd over all preside It being enjoyn'd that in this case alone They should not trust the greatest Wonders shown No Worship to false Gods Christ taught to pay Nay shew'd it penal unto such to pray Moses and foll'wing Prophets he requir'd To be receiv'd as Men of God inspir'd Against his Miracles then nothing lies That he and Moses differ can't suffice VI. Answer to the Objection taken from the difference between the Law of Moses and of Jesus where is shewn that a more perfect Law than that of Moses might be given For this their Rabbies as a Rule maintain That he who does a Pow'r for Wonders gain And proves himself a real Prophet thence With any sacred Precept may dispence Except the worshipping the Pow'r Supream 'T is clear as if 't were wrote with a Sun-beam What Legislative Pow'r with God did rest When unto Moses he his Will exprest In times succeeding he the same must have Who in his proper Right Laws ever gave Is not thereby hindred from making those Which do directly former Laws oppose To urge that God's immutable is weak Not of his Nature but his Works we speak The Light for Darkness Youth for Age does change Summer for Winter works with God not strange Adam (d) Gen. 2.17 had leave only one Tree deny'd To feast himself with ev'ry Fruit beside The killing Men in general God forbad Abram (e) Gen. 22.2 to slay his Son his Precept had Off'ring elsewhere than at th' appointed place Now he refus'd now (f) 1 Kings 18.38 blest of his free Grace Moses his Law besides tho good we own Dos't follow that a better can't be known With Children childish Talk the Parents use Nor to connive at faults of th' Age refuse But when adult they will correct the Speech And Precepts of the strictest Vertue teach How great the beauty of an honest Mind And what Rewards it shall hereafter find But that the Law did of (g) Heb. 8.7 Perfection miss This to be thought a Proof suffici'ent is That in those times some holy Men out-do Whatever by the Law they 're prompted to Moses Revenge does partly lawful make Partly the strictest Justice bids them take Yet (h) Nub. 12. v. 13. 14.2.10 19. being wrong'd in the most high degree Him praying for those Murmurers we see So his (i) 2 Sam. 18.5 Rebelli'ous Son David would spare And (k) 2 Sam. 16.17 11. bitterest Curses did with Patience bear We read not that good Men their Wives did quit Altho their Law did plainly this permit Laws are adapted for the major part Some things were to be past by there with Art To a more perfect Rule then to be squar'd When Men God's Spir'it in larger measure shar'd By which out of all Nati'ons God would draw A People subject to a purer Law Moses propounded plainly no Reward Beyond what does this mortal State regard Who then can question but there might have been A Law more perfect than what that is seen Which might eternal Bliss clearly propound And this is in Christ's Instituti'on found Here by the way we this Remark may chuse VIII That Moses his Law was observ'd by Jesus while he was on Earth nor were any Commandments after abolish'd but what had no intrinsick Goodness in them With what Injustice the coaeval Jews Christ tho obedient to their Law did use He had been (l) Luke 2.21 circumcis'd like them did eat His (m) Mar. 9.20 Habit too was Jewish as his Meat He to their Priest sent (n) Mat. 8.4 Mark 1.44 Luke 5.14 Lepers which he cleans'd Nor with one of their (o) Luke 2.41 John 2.13.23 John 7.8 Festivals dispens'd The Paschal and the rest observ'd with Zeal When he did any on the (p) Mat. 12.5 Sabbath heal Shew'd that their Law and Commentators too Allow'd Men on that day such works to do Some of their Laws then (q) Acts 10. Colos 2.14 first declar'd repeal'd After his Triumph over Death raveal'd He being into th' inmost Heavens receiv'd The (r) Acts 2.33 36. Apoc. 1.5 James 1.25 Holy Sp'rit adorn'd those that believ'd And thus he his full
assign'd Their Faith in these we must a Judgment think Through which into Stupidity they sink Since chiefly the bright beams of Light Divine About them with commanding Lustre shine This Argument I need no farther press XI An Application to Christians who from what is before said are admonish'd of their Duty Here not to Strangers only I address But unto them as much who Christ profess What 's said already let 's to use apply Follow what 's good and what is noxious fly While we with spotless Hands invoke his Aid Who things unseen and seen equally made Assur'd that all things in his Conduct share And not a Sparrow falls without his Care Him let 's not fear who can the Body kill But who can Soul and Body crush at will Now must we in the Father only trust To place the like in Jesus is but just Who has obtain'd the only Name on Earth Through which the state of Happiness has Birth And yet in vain we call or God or Lord Unless we yeild Obedience to their Word Him to a Life of Glory God will raise Who does his Will not him who loudly prays Christ's holy Doctrine let 's a Treasure hold Exceeding far that valu'd triflle Gold Oft read those Books which shew what we believe Where none can be deceiv'd who don 't themselves deceive More faithful more inspir'd the Pen-men were Than that they'd necessary Truths forbear Or wrap them up in any envi'ous Cloud Minds we must bring obsequiously bow'd Which if we do our God will nothing shrow'd By us to be believ'd or hop'd or done He 'l perfect this his Work in us begun Will cherish and excite his growing Grace A pledg of what shall crown our finish'd Race From imitating Pagans let 's abstain First in their worshipping of Idols vain Nothing in truth but Names ill Spir'its brought in To make Mens very Worship prove their Sin If of their Rites held sacred we partake Christs Sacrifice to us we fruitless make Next let 's not live in their licenti'ous way Who servilely the Law of Flesh obey Christians should to far nobler things aspire Beyond ev'n what the Jewish Laws require Or the proud Phar'sees seeming to rise higher Their Right'ousness lay but in outward things Th'observing which to Heav'n none ever brings Heart-Circumcision not the work of hand With true obedience to Divine Command Are things in which we shall accepted stand God's Spirit must without resistance move And raise a living Faith working by Love This shews true Isr'aelites those mystick Jews Who sing God's Praises and whom he does chuse Diff'rence of Meats Sabbaths and holy Days Are shadows scatter'd by Messiah's Rays In him we the Completi'on of those Types should praise Mahometism may this t' our Thoughts suggest That in the Christian Law it is exprest That after Jesus many should arise Who should pretend their Missi'on from the Skies But tho an Angel should from Heav'n descend Did he another Doctrine recommend Than what Christ taught and Miracles maintain'd We should reject and think his Errand feign'd In vari'ous ways God heretofore did speak To them who did his Will sincerely seek At last to such his only Son he sent Who did his Father fully represent The perfect Image of paternal Light Which in the bright Reflecti'on feasts the Sight The Lord and Maker of the World 's great Scene Whose Influ'ence still throughout the whole is seen When for our Sins he had Atonement made He was immediately to Heav'n convey'd Where the offici'ous Angels give him place Whom with a Throne of Glory God does grace Such be'ing the Author of the Law w'obey For something still more noble should we stay On this occasi'on we should call to Mind What are the Arms Christ's Souldiers have assign'd Not such as bloody Mahomet enjoyn'd Such as the Spirit'ual Warfare does require To raze those holds to which our Lusts retire Which to subvert Gid's Law boldly aspire Faith would a Shield invulnerable lend ' Gainst all those fi'ry Darts the Daemons send A right'ous Life 's a well-wrought Coat of Mail Which in no Circumstance is known to fail The hope of Happiness an Helmet proves Which danger from the threatned head removes Instead of Sword the sacred Writ we find Piercing the close Recesses of the Mind Such Concord should unite each Christi'an Heart As Christ bequeath'd when he from hence did part We should not many for our Guides receive But him the only One from God believe Baptiz'd into his Name all Christians are Wherefore of Sects and Schisms we should beware His seamless Goat 't is impious to tear And that into this fault we may not fall Th'Apostle's Dictates we should oft recal Who bids each Man be temperately wise According to the measure God supplies T'another's Weakness Tenderness to show That we as in one Body may together grow If more than others one has understood In their Instructi'on let him make it good If yet they can't arrive to the true Sense Still hope that God will farther Light dispence I'th'int'rim let 's act up to what we know Our knowledg is imperfect while below We shall be fill'd above where the clear Fountains flow Each in particular should have a care Not t'hide the Talent fallen to his share But to lay out the utmost of his Pow'r That Men may close with Christ in happy hour For this as well as good Advice to give He an Example of his Rules must live That of the Master they may well conceive Who see what Men in him alone believe And they that Law may value as the best Whose Purity is in their Lives exprest If any thing which I have offer'd here Does under a good Character appear Let God from whom it came the Praises bear And let the Sense of humane Frailty move At least to pardon what you don't approve Think too of time and place when this came forth Rather an Embr'yo than a perfect Birth FINIS Virgil's Fourth ECLOGUE faithfully translated SIcilian Muse let 's take a nobler flight Vid. Grot. lib. 4. Sect. 9. Shrubs and low Sylvan Scenes can't all delight Yet if a Grove our Verses celebrate That shall become worthy a Consul's State Time i'th'appointed round presents that Age Which the Cumaean Sybil did presage The Virgin now visits the Earth again And peaceful Saturn brings his happy Reign While a-new Offspring comes down from above May chast Lucina but propiti'ous prove And with a gentle hand forward that Birth Which is to purge the Iron from the Earth No Metal to allay pure Gold be'ing known This is the time Apollo mounts the Throne This Pollio shall thy Consulship adorn This Age's Grace shall during that be born Hence shall the joyful Epocha begin While thou presidest is the fall of Sin No tracts of former Guilt shall stay behind Nor shall it longer terrify Mankind He shall ascend unto a Life Divine Where mingled with the Gods the Hero's shine Himself conspicuous above the rest