6. Who were enemies that did hate and cruelly mock and persecute the doctrine of God and his people Answ The wicked Kingdome signfied by the Bear Leopard and beast with ten horns Hamans wickednesse and Sanballats and others under the Government of the Breast and Arms of silver must be remembred QUest 7. Who did neglect and apostate from this prophesie of so great salvation Answ Many in Israel that associated with Sanballat and Malachi sheweth that some began to be Atheists and to speak stout and wearisome words against God and his doctrine The Angel foretold of * Antiochus caused stars to fall Dâ—n 8. 11. so did the tail of the Dragon the new Antiâ—chus Apâ—c 12.2 Thes 2. The fourth beast cast down truth to the ground Dan â— forsakers and wicked dealears against the holy Covenant of Daniels own people under the iron legs and fourth Beast Also Zacharias spake of wicked Shepherds that loathed Christ and his Kingdome And that came to passe in those Hereticks and false Teachers the Sadduces Scribes and Pharisees They were great oppugners of all Gabriels heavenly message as in all the Evangelists the Acts and in the Epistles to Rome and to Galatia to the Hebrews is seen QUest 8. How did Daniels holy people find Gods goodnesse in cleaving to this Doctrine Answer By faith they obtained good report with God and God was not ashamed of them to be called their God By faith the Jews in Esther escaped the edge of the sword Also we are to consider that Zachariah Haggai and Malachi enlarge Gabriels Oration for many things that a fountain for sin and for uncleannesse should be opened by the King and Sacrificer even Iehovah of hosts that should glorifie the second Temple with his presence And that although the low Jerusalem and Temple should be destroyed a larger should be builded and a better raised up And the Covenant shall be confirmed with the many Gentiles from East to West among whom in every place incense of prayer and pure offering of lips praising of God shall be offered unto his holy name That Him the Angel of the Covenant the Sun of righteousnesse shall arise with healing in his beams and that God enrolls in the book of life all that fear him and thought upon his name to glorifie them in that day of the better resurrection to shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and as the stars for ever and ever Quest 9. How was Gods service executed on the Seed of the Serpent the open enemies of his name and people Answ Streams of fire came from the fierie Throne through the Mediation of the high Sacrificer in the heavens which overthrew the thrones of Kingdomes Dan. 7.9 10. Zac. 1.12 13. and destroyed the strength of the Kingdomes of the heathens contained in the image and Beasts Dan. 2. and 7. That same vengeance hanged that Courtier and favourite Haman and his sons and brought to confusion their assassines and others were told that they had no right nor portion nor memorial in Jerusalem Nehem. 2.10 QU. 10. With what reward did Christ recompence the disobedience of scandalized revolters from the Doctrine of salvation Heb. 2.1 An. 1. Malachi denounced that Gods wrath should burn them up as an oven and tormenting sorrows befell them afore and after the bright morning Star of Jacob appeared as Zachariah also had foretold them for as they abhorred and loathed Christ and his Doctrine so Christ abhorred and loathed them leaving the lost sheep to perish that would needs be perishing whom yet he pitied before that wrath came on them to the utmost 2. And Christ the Rock of Israel having confirmed the covenant for the Jews and the many of all Nations the last year of the last Seven did forty years after grind to powder the Jews his own people by the Romane infidels and destroyed City and holy Place with utter and small (a) Then the corner stone fell on the Iews and the vineyard was let out to other husbandmen Mat. 21.41 c. desolations and such miseries and sorrows (b) Read Heb. 25.31 and Iosephus on the wars of the Iews befell the Nâ—tion that they could rather have wished the mountains to fall upon them and the hills to cover them read Luke 23 39 30. QUest 11. But shall not the Land of Canaan City and Temple and Kingdome be restored to the Jews Answer They shall never be restored yet the Jews shall have a generall glorious calling in all places where they are scattered when the fullnesse of the Gentiles is come in and when they are called and the veil (c) Then they shall see the 12 Tribes over our gates and the apostles doctrine to be fastened in Aharons jewels Apo. 21 taken off their heart and know Christ and his spirituall government they will esteem Canaan and Ierusalem no more than any City or countrey in the world they will then look to the heavenly Rest yet here begun and to the holy City from heaven in which the Lord God of hosts even the Lamb is the Temple Apocal. 21.22 QUest 12. What Scriptures are contained in those Seventy Sevens Answ The two last verses of the last of Chronicles Daniel the 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. chapters Ezra Nehemiah Hester Haggai Zachariah Malachy and the 4 Evangelists which finish their storie with the death resurrection and ascension of Iesus Christ our Lord whose death was the very last day of the Seventy Sevens or 490 years at the time of the Evening Sacrifice Note all the rest of this New Testament was written within 70 years after our blessed Saviours ascension QUest 13. What do you observe in the Scriptures of the old Testament as speciall occasions of the Churches apostacies and revoltings Answ 1. Wicked marriages as is manifest from the times of the old world to Malachies dayes 2. The open or visible Church never careth for nor cleaveth to the written word unlesse there be faithfull Governors but ever men are declining to their own vain inventions 3. Wicked sacrificers and false Prophets who came without Gods sending both came with outward shews of truth but were base sycophants and parasites alwaies falsely accusing and persecuting the godly and flattering Princes and people in their exorbitant courses 4. The abuse of sweet peace health and plenty turning these blessings of the Gospel to pride wantonnesse idleness gluttony drunknnesse oppression worldly confidence and carnal and carelesse security for Church and Common-weal c. c QUest 14. How many years hath Palmoni the wonderfull Numberer numbred from the Creation to the Redemption Answer The Sun in his Tabernacle of the heavens had joyfully run his race as a servant to the SON of righteousnesse Three thousand nine hundred and sixty years from the first promise of Christ to Evah till the SUN lost his light the SON brake the Serpents head dying rising and ascending QUest 15. How many Iubilees were there Answ From the Conquest and partition
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
Apostasie to Baal Peor c yet many of their hearts were false So it is with us at this day in our nation although God hath spoken to us by his Son have the blessed Scriptures which have in them a blessed comforting flaming light and brightnes and 70. years and more under Gods gracious husbandry yet how rebellious Oh mourn for the Corruption of our natures and see how the tradition of a false religion from fore-fathers prevailed and prevaileth with many afore the written word Our Teachers must earnestly press the reading of all the holy Scriptures but surely they do but coldly and seldome do it The Serpent and his seed are great enemies to the holy Scriptures and a surer note of a wicked man need not be sought after then the slighting and the scorning of the Scriptures Ibid As of the Canaanites And an Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim and said I have made you to go up out of Egypt and have brought you unto the Land which I sware unto your fathers and I said I will never break my covenant with you And you shall make no league with the inhabitants of the Land you shall throw down their altars but you have not obeyed my voice Why have you done thus Wherefore I also said I will not drive them out from before you but they shall be as thornes in your sides and their Gods their religion shall be a snare unto you And it came to passe when the Angel of the Lord spake all these words unto the Children of Israel that the people lift up their voice and wept And they called the name of that place Bochim and they sacrificed there unto Jehovah Judges 2. observe all that chapter Quest 12. and Answ Joyful presence dwelling among them It is a joyful thing indeed and a glorious priviledge to have the Tabernacle reared that Christ may dwell among us and for us to tread in his Courts Look what any Father Husband or King is to a Kingdome and familie such is Christ to his After Christ had promised many blessings Levit. 26. as the basis of all he saith And I will set my Tabernacle among you and my soul shall not abhorre you and I will walk among you and will be your God and ye shall be my people And look these texts for meditation to see the glory of Christ in his Tabernacle as our Prophet Priest and King Exodus 20.24 25.22 29.42 43 30.6.36 Psalm 2. 1 Sam. 12.12 Psalm 45. 47. 48. 84. 95. 100. 145. 146 c. So when they were to come from Babel this is mentioned as the foundation of all comfort Ezek. 37.26 27. also we must mind what is to be done of us ye shall reverence my sanctuary and keep my sabbaths and never appear before Christ empty Exod. 23.15 Levit. 26.2 Now observe the same glorious mercies are related and applyed to us under the New Testament 2 Cor. 6.16 Apoc. 21.3 and their holy practise in their worships 2 Cor. 7.1.1 Cor. 11. 14. And their Alms-deeds every Lords day in their holy meetings 1 Cor. 16.1 2. as Deut. 16.16 17. Now of the uses of application how many how great how full of comfort and terrour First to instruct God would not have a Church or family in the world but because he would have holy worship Religion is the essence of a Church family or person 2. The world is not continued but for this 3. Great are the priviledges of the Church that Christ is among us by his ministery and ordinances for our Prophet Priest and King 4. What an heinous wickedness it is to interrupt or pull down holy things 5. They are cursed of God that do so Secondly to exhort 1. to study 2. to procure 3. to maintain 4. to be zealous for 5. to esteem above all and to be thankful for 6. to take up with content 7. to relish this glory Psalm 42. 63. 122. 132.8 To lay to heart to mourn for the absence and desolation of holy things Dan. 9. 10.2 3 Lament 1. 2. 3. Thirdly To reprove the wretchedness and deadness concerning these things Acts 18.17 c. Also we must ever observe that Moses Tabernacle was according to the Pattern of that which was in heaven They that enjoyed the peace of God in the earthy tabernacle had the same still in the heavenly as Psalm 15.1 2. And it is said our Lord with his own bloud went through the veil of his flesh into the most holy place the very heavens as the high Sacrificer went with bloud into the holy place made with hands This touched often and needful to be observed in all the Ceremonies of Moses else we shall have a veil over our hearts as Jewes and Papists who see not Christ the end of all these things that were to be abolished Ibid. 12. Quest and Answ Victories By faith they waxed valiant in Battel and turned to flight the Armies of the Alians Their faith saw the dâ—ies of Christ that he would overcome him that had the power of death the Devil the Prince of darkness the old Serpent Therefore by faith they overcame the Serpents seed All true souldiers should be doctors in divinity such will conquer with small loss as Israel under Josuah and the Elders surviving Josuah who delighted in the study of Moses Jos 1. 23.6 And Davids Captains by knowledge of Moses were mighty in Battail Heb. 11.34 Quest 13. and Answ N. I. Analek discomfited Amalek of Esau despised the faith as Esau his Father and became a fierce persecutor of the faith of Christ and his people which was the break-neek of that State Gods curse and the Churches War were never reversed nor appeased to the daies of Haman A warning to persecuting States especially to mystical Edom. The form of the pattent and promise that God gave to Abraham is for comfort to all the Israel of God for ever I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee as see in Numb 24. and Balaam foretels the like destruction to Kittim as to Amalek The same enmity the same war and the same curse shall follow the Serpents seed in perdition to the end N. II. a partition wall This was the vail and covering on all nations which Christ would abolish Esay 25. Dan. 9.24 c. Ephes 2.15 God hated the apostate families like Devils that he gave by Moses an hedge of Lawes to keep Israel from amity and communion with them And this was one special Law that certain Beasts fowls and fish prohibited to distinguish them in diet from heathen are called unclean So be all without the Gospel in their high learning Ro. 1.21 22. as Socrates Plato Tully Varro Plutarch and the civilest These things were continuall occasions of enmity between an Israelite and an Heathen Ephes 2.15 Hest 3.8 Ibid. N. II. Separated and made Aliens But being blessed in
in his reformed Catholike declareth the impossibility of reconciliation and which was written of purpose against such intendments and many others have testified against such State-abominations Yea Christian reformed States and Common-Weals that have departed from Abaddons Kingdome should be well advised what treaties they make with the King of Locusts Subjects But by no means to yeild them while such aid of men or ammunition not to receive from them any help It is best that the reformed look to their own Common-Weals States and polities Let the holy stories of Asa and Jebosaphats Kingdome with Achabs House be our instruction as also the holy Scriptures that shew us the mis-carriage of a maziah King of Judoh 2 Châ—on 25. 18. 19. and 1 King 22. confer also Esai 30. c. c. Let all Princes and Common Weals take heed of idolatrous and wicked weomen there are wealthy politike and of high countenance Such have caused much greif and trouble to the Church of God and the Republick a common mische if in most places from Gen. 6. even to this day But godly gracious woemen that have in them the power of godlinesse to love the word of God in the holy Scriptures of the Prophers and Apostles and to love the holy publick assemblies of Christ Jesus and be sober discreet temperate mercifull meek humble chast and be keepers at home to train up their dear children in godly wayes and to have a speciall care that servants doe not corrupt their children they have been an occasion of much evill in children also to be carefull in overseeing and guiding the affairs of the house especially in the husbands absence c. Such are a Crown of glory to their husbands the Common-Weal Town and Family I will transcribe a speach out of Iosephus pertinent to this conference of Tirzana the Lady of Moab which will also manifest the wickednesse of these apostating and perilous times Iosephus Lib. 4. chap. 6. When Moses the faithfull servant of the Angel of the Covenant the Son of God was zealous against the Apostasie of Israel especially of the Tribe of Simeon for joyning themselves to Baal-Pebor and seperating themselves to that Shame then Zimri to make a mutiny most audaciously uttered this speach to Moses Moses saith Zimri use thine owne Laws whereunto by long use thou hast added strength and confirmation which hadst not thou done oft times ere this hadst thou suffred punishment and learnt to thine own misery that the Hebrews were not to be deluded for my selfe thou shalt never tie me to thy tyrannicall decrees for hitherto hast thou endeavoured nought else but under pretext of Law and Religion to bring us into servitude and subjection and thy selfe by thy subtle and sinister means to honor and soveraignty taking from us the pleasures and liberties of our lives things that belong to free men and such as appertaine or live not under any mans government For this should be worse then an Egyptian thraldome to punish every man by thy Laws according to thine own pleasure whereas thou thy selfe art more worthy to be punished in that thou disannullest that thing that is approved by all mens consent and desirest that thy decrees should be of more force then all the resolutions of all other mortal men whatsoever But I as touching that which I doe in that I suppose it to be wel done am not affraid to confesse in this Assembly namely That I have taken a stranger to wife thou hearest mine actions from mine own mouth as from a free and resolute man neither doe I desire that they should be hidden I likewise sacrifice to the Gods contrary to our custome because I suppose it to be both just and necessary that from many I seek the truth and not depending as it were upon a tyrany or living there under to build my faith upon one onely for no man shall please me that will have more interest in my actions then my selfe Dear and beloved Reader this expresseth the uncleane and vile spirit of Satan in these evill dayes CHAP. XXXII Breif considerations about Sheol Gehenna and especially about Hades as it relates to the Article of the Creed he descended into Hell BEloved Reader there hath been in some places not a little stir about the sufferings of our Lord which doubtlesse were marvellous great even greater then can well be expressed But yet unlesse a man will say as some say that he suffred the very Essentiall Torments of Hell they will account such little better then Heretiques The very first occasion of his assertion was as I conceive from the mis-understanding of the holy Article of the Creed commonly called the Apostles Creed which speaks thus in the originall Greek K 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latine descendi ad infeâ—os in English he descendâ—d into Hell But this Latine and English Translation doe come much short of the large sence and meaning oâ— the originall Greek I meane the said Translations do not fully expresse the large elegant meaning of the Greek word Hades as it ought to be understood and therefore from this barren and bad Translation sundry erroneous Expositions have been broached by sundry Authors which hath filled most Churches with much trouble 1. The controversy between Doctor Bilson and Master Broughton was this Whither the holy soul of our Lord Christ went at his death hence to Hell or hence to Heaven Doctor Bilson after much sweat and labor for his journey to Hell at last concludes thus in his Sermons p. 219. we have no warrant in the word of God so to fasten Christs soul unto Hell for the time of his death but that it might be in paradise before it descended to Hell 2. On the other hand there are some learned men not all and some Churches not all that expound this Article of Christs suffering the essentiall Torments of Hell in his soul in the Garden and on the Crosse Now that we may attaine to a true understanding of the Article we may do well to consider the Termes Sheol Gehenna and Hades 1. The word Sheol is onely Hebrew and it hath severall exceptions of which see Ains in Gen. 37.35 in Ps 16.10 and in sundry other Authors also 2. As for the terme Gehenna t is a dialect from the Hebrew and 〈◊〉 signifies properly and only the place of Torment for in all the New Testament it is ever taken in that sence in Mat. 5. Maâ— 9. Luk. 12.5 c. 3. As for Hades It is very needfull that light may shine in our pathes to consider well in what sence it is used in the New Testament and in what sence it must be taken in the Creed It is noted by Mr. Bro and Mr. Robert Wilmos and by some others also that Hades hath these three principall significations 1. It signifies death to the person or destruction to things 2. It signifies the grave to the dead body 3. It signifies the world un-seen namely the world of
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 Ieâ— 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 sacâ—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 yeâ— 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 Thesâ— 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
satanical and Julian fancies that would not have Schools of Prophets Christ will curse such and their posterities Quest 7 and Answ blessed protection Upon their glorious faith was a defence and the last speech of Moses was made good through all their State while they hold their glory Deut. 33 26 c. That Scripture is full of heavenly joy to all Christian States that hold the faith of Christ sincere Esay 4. Where this glory is seated there shall be a defense Blessed hast thou been O England who is like unto thee O people saved by Jehovah from the â—eed of the Serpent sundry times but especially in eighty eight and in the Gan-powder plot and in 164â— c. Ibid. Written word The sweet blessed Scriptures are to make Kings and Common Weals wise and learned that the wrath of Christ burn not up their States and in special the books of Kings and Chronicles with the prophets of their times are for instruction to Christian Kings and polities in many things of State but chiefly to take heed how the true Church doth tamper with the false and apostate in treaties and affinitie Psalm 2. 2 King 22. 2 Chron. 34. 35. c. The holy Scriptures will yield more fundamental conclusions and sure rules for government then all the Machiavels in the world Quest 8. and Answ Aholah for their apostasie Our blessed gracious and merciful Lord God doth never cast off his people till they have first cast off and contemned his word for then idolatry will begin and all ungodliness and unrighteousness like a torrent will follow Then will God hisse for a flie and a Bee What Prince is able to keep a flie or a Bee from comming near his Court yea or into his Chambers and Excheqâ—ers God is as able to bring an enemie even of their lovers to enjoy and possesse them See the stories of Râ—choboam Ioram Ioash Amaziah c. 2 Chr. 12. 21. and 24. 25 And Pharoah with all his wisdome and multitude Ezek. 29. and 30. and 31 c 32 could not prevent Nebuchadnezzar from his spreading his royal Pavilion near his Court Gate Jer. 43.9 10. and who caused that the Babylonian Princes sate in the Gate of Ierusalem but the Lord Iehovah the God of recompenses Jer. 39. Esai 42.24 Esay 5.26 7.18 Pro. 13.13 Jer. 6. 7. 2 Kings 22.13 Ibid. N. 1. and gave them over to the lying Spirits Wo to them saith God when I depart from them then followed a secret dedication of them to devils transferring his right of them to idols Ephraim is joined to idols Let him alone Hos 4.17 Acts 7.47 1 King 22.23 Psal 81. Ezek 14.9 and so 2 Thess 2. Apoc. 16.13 1 Tim. 4. Ibid. N. 1. To walk in their own Counsels Ezek. 20.25 Psal 81. 2 Kings 17.8 Hos 10.6 13.1 Observe Mich. 6. ult Salomon fitted many Proverbs and told them the words of the wise do bear grace and that the words of the fools of the ten tribes and of Judah also would be foolishness and wicked madness to swallow them up Eccles 10. Behold still how Christ the Corners stone was rejected and became a stone of offence to both the houses of Israel as Esaias and David had told them Psalm 69.22 Esay 8.14 and 28.16 and so is ever to all that will not receive him in the way of his own ordinances and mark how these texts are pressed by our Lord and his Apostles in the Acts Evangelists and in the Epistle to Rome and 1 Pet. 2. and this is written for us Rom. 15. confer Esai 6.9 10. with John 12.40 Acts 28.26.27 c c. Ibid. N. 1. Could not live the life of a State c. Observe how the Holy Spirit compares the dead State of the ten tribes being in Apostasie with the apostasie of the families 2 Chron. 15.3 with Ephes 2.1 to 12. Dead from a Church life Hos 13.1 false worship breeds atheism and corruption in manners heresie frets like a gangreane and such Authours and fautours wax worse and worse The ten tribes were without the true God by their apostasie and so the heathens were atheoi atheists without God in the world and note that speech of Asa King of Judah was spoken of Israel before the idol Baâ—l was brought into Israel 2 Chron. 15.3 Ibid. 8. Quest and Answ N. 2. He did pour out his fury God was angry for the provocation of his sons and of his Daughters Deut. 32. Gods four sore judgements followed Aholah and Aholibah for their backslidings Ezek. 14. and the Earthquake in Amos 1. had in Israel its events Jeroboam the second his son was two and twenty years in getting his Fathers Throne such trouble in State all plagues and curses Levit. 26. Deut. 28. came on them not for breaking a Covenant of Works but for accounting Christ and his Kingdome Anathema They did as all apostates do loath his word they abhorred his Statutes they obeyed not the Son of God the Angel of Gods presence as Mediatour and so had not life John 3.35 36. they served not God in their spirits in the Gospel of his Son He that hath not the Son of God hath not the Father 1 John 5.12 2 John 9. and so come all plagues and curses on men Let the wilde Olive branches fear Ibid. Vpon them famine pestilence Famine and Pestilence are chiefly the Plagues of the meaner sort and the sword is the plague of the rich Ezek. 21.14 when the heavens dealt with the subjects Levit. 26. the Governours felt the other The spirit of Christ hath long and wonderful patience afore the sword cometh Lev. 16 23 24 25. then the sword doth avenge the quarrel of Gods covenant not a covenant of works but for despising the covenant in his Son against the godliness of high place who were and are the hinderers of all good and the promoters of all evil as it is said A great man grieveth all and he hireth the fool he hireth also the transgressors Prov. 26.10 Ibid. By secret corroding mischiefs Christ was as a Lion to tear in pieces by their domestick dissentions as in the overthrow of the houses of Jeroboam Baasa Omri Iehu c. and by forrein enemies and also he was as a Moth insensibly eating and consuming their riches honour and people by one ill project or other And for this read Hosea 5.12 Ibid. House of Assur They made Israel Iezâ—eel Loruchamah and Lo-ammi till the latter daies as Hebr. 1.1 But then they were gathered in Christ and pittied and again made Gods people The Apostles of the circumcision preached to them that were dispersed in Asia Galatia Pontus Bythinia Cappadocia and Chaldea c. 1 Per. 1.1 and chap. 2. all tribes then are called Iews Ephraim mixed himself with the heathens Religion therefore God mixed them among the heathen Ibid. Out of their own Land There nettles and thornes grew in their pleasant palaces then the thorne and thistle grew on their
of God to them that believe in his name John 1.12 chap. 5.24 is fit for this answer both of the commendation of faith and the blessed fruit of believing eternal life and rest Ibid. heavenly exercise of prayer Who shal stand before the son of man at that day of his bright appearing even such that watch their hearts that pray much watch therefore pray continually that you may he counted worthy to escape all these things that shal come to pass Luk. 21.36 Ibid. Of eternal Rest c. As all the faithful of the old Testament in their blessed spirits had an immortal life with God in the heavenly Tabernacle in the boâ—omâ— of Abraham the happy part of Hades in Paradise and were the heavenly family so all since that have died in the faith are In heaven and also of that blessed family We are taught to pray Our father which aâ—t in heaven therefore as our affections should â—e heavenly so heaven is our Countrey And therefore aâ— they of old were not to mourn immoderately being the sons of Jehovah their God Deut. 14.1 2. neither are we to sorrow as men without hope of the better resurrection 1 Thess 4 Behold what love the Father hath given us that we should be called the Sons of God 1 John 3.1 This adoption is from the Son of God who died and rose again to give us hope who is Lord of quick and dead Rom. 14 9. Quest 3 and answ Sitting as King on a Throne Observe the fourth and fifth chapter of the Apocalyps is to be considered as a Platform of the divine Majesties administration through the stories of the Church and the enemies thereof we shall finde mention made of the Throne of God and the twenty four Elders and the four lively wights under the Dracon Caesars and Dracon Papacy and after that the King of Mount Sion beginneth to consume the Kingdome of Abaddon with the breath of his lips and to shine in glory to the comfort of his people Apoc. 11.16 14.3 19.4 The Rainbow about the throne Apoc. 4. is an â—â—lusion to Gen. 9. and Ezek. 1. and is to be remembred through all the stories of the troubles of the Church also minde that in all the Apocalyps the Church is tearmed commonly heaven to shew that its Polytenmâ— conversation trading dealing should be heavenly and also that the State of Abaddous Kingdome is called the earth and the bottomless-pit as indeed it tends to these two Quest 4. and answ The cares of ambition Schismes and Heresies of Ecclesiastical Teachers Note that Church-men and for the most part Bishops were the beginners of Schisms and founders of heresies and then with open and full mouth like dogs Enemies of the heavenly Icrusalems peace and glory Apoc. 21. they cryed heresie heresie schism schism faction faction sedition sedition anarchy anarchy of all that would not obey theiâ— constitutions c. so of old it was The Leaders of my people have caused them to erre who destroy the way of their paths Esay 3. So the Scribes and Pharisees made constitutions and canons c. and then all were questioned and hereticks that questioned their traditions John 9. Acts 24.14 28.22 Maâ— 15. They cannot be truly called Schismaâ—icks and Hereâ—icks that cleave to the Words and commandements of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour but they that do depart from the puritie and sincerity of the Apostles doctrine Romans 16.17 Mark what is said of your own selves and St. Paul spake to Bishops shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them Acts 〈◊〉 so such although Bishops were Schismaticks factious sedâ—ious and heretical persons and it was they that brought all to anarchy and Princes became subject to King Abaddon that lawless man of sin And let Princes take heed of such Spirits that still speak lies through hypocrisie The Prelates of our native Countrey for most part have been exceeding culpable in urging their Canons and inventions and for setting the hearts of Q. Elizabeth K. James and K. Charâ—s against faithful Teachers Quest 6. and answ Yea for the Spirit spake evidently 1 Tim. 4. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils speaking lies through hypocrisie having their consciences seated as with an hot iron Teaching not to marry and to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth It hath been observed before for the old Testament and so it must be for the New that the Government of Christ for essentials is the same The plot of his counsels expressing it self in an uniform manner Men of old time apostating and pleading against the Gospel were given over to Devils and false Prophets So men despising the healing doctrine in the Words and commandements of the Apostles were given over to lying Spirits and strong delusions of â—lse Teachers Mr White Way of the true Church page 385. hath this speech cited out of Egesippus That the Church continued a Virgin undefiled as long as the Apostles lived but when that generation was passed the conspiracy of wicked heresie through the seducement of those which taught other doctrine took beginning Consider the like speech Iud. 2 6 7. and so long as the flames in Smithfield and other cruelties of King Abaddon and his Locusts were fresh in memory so long Orthodox Bishops and zealous Protestants and no peace with Rome and our good Laws were executed against the Locusts and other Babylonish trayterous sectaries of the man of sin but now against Christ and his ambassadours and servants how were the godly of late disgraced at the assizes c. and now the Catholick Roman church is a true church of Christ c c. The first love and works are best Apoc. 2. and we hope and pray Christ will make his Scriptures good upon us which are written Hosea 2.6.7 Ezâ—k 20.32 33. c. c. Ibid. N. 11. For the mighty Creation Aâ—oc 4. Setteth forth Gods glory in the Creation and affordeth meditation against Heathenâ— Romes Gods They worshipped Stars and Juno in the aire Aeolus in the winde Neptune in the Sea Pan in their sheep c. c. These were their Divâ—s and Divas He gods and Shee gods c. And this was the the cause of the wars against the heaven of the Church Apoc 12. whether Jupiter Apollo c. and the heathens oracles or the eternal Son and his Gospel were to be followed and the same war was with the tail of the Dragon for their refined idolatry Ibid. and gracious redemption Apoc. 5. Gives Meditation for Christs Mediation by whom all is restored who is the Head of all Principalitie and Power as all Creatures acknowledge joying that they shall be for the service of Christ for being turned to service of idols they groan in Gods esteem as corrupted
Answ By what he is and by what he doth 1. He is called like Jeroboam (a) As God taught Adam to give names to expresse natures Gen. 2. so God in these names teacheth Princes and People what they shall finde in the Beast that was and is not and yet is A man of sin called the Son of Perdition like Ishcariot a new Antiochus an adversary and in the estimation of his corporation a God called also the Wicked and Lawless add hitherto the other names and titles of the Father of the Papacy an apostate Star Wormwood Angel of the Pit King of Locusts Abaddon Apolluon i. e. destroyer false Prophet Beast of the Pit Beast like a Lamb Healer of the wounded Head Tayl of the Dragon Antichrist Pope (b) The common name which we and Papists give the Pope unawares is to be marked how Christ over-ruleth our tongues for Pope and Daemon are all one as learned have observed or Daemon 2. His actions are he causeth an Apostacy or Rebellion from the faith and when that apostacy came to the height he set him and his corporation above all authority of the Magistrate And in the Church or Temple of God would do those things which are proper unto God forgiveth sins maketh new articles of faith (c) Vid. Mr. White way to the true Church Epistle to the Reader and Mr. Junius on the Apoc. 13.12 13 c. maketh his Decrees to be obeyed and followed as yea before and above the very Scriptures (d) He dispenseth with Gods Law of God and Lord of faith and conscience c. and saith of himself I am a God on Earth and that all the Kingdomes of the World are his and giveth them to whom he will Now all this iniquity is administred in a mystery by the effectual working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders in all force of deceit and violence Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the fifteenth Chapter QUest 1. The man of sin or the Pontificality The Corporation of Popes is termed as one man Mark such Corporation speeches Moses speaketh to all Israel as to one man so all the wicked from Kain to the wicked Jews are but one corporation yea to the end of the World Mat. 23.35 So the four Beasts are tearmed four Kings that is four Kingdomes Daniel chap. 7. So the ten horns of the Roman Beast are ten Kings that is Kingdomes that gave their power to the Beast And all the godly from the beginning of the world to the ending are one corporation in Christ Ephesians 1.10 Quest 3. N. 3. with the keys of the Dragon and his own authority Keys argue deputation of office as Esay 22. Matth. 16. Apoc. 1. And we may see what deputation to office Satan gave the Beast like a Lamb Apoc. 13.11 12 13 c. So here note King Abaddon is Satans Lieutenant to destroy Hebrews and Greeks Jewes and Gentiles by advancing and urging his Keyes to the rejecting not only the holy doctrine of Christ in the old and new Testament but those two languages of Hebrew and Greek and making a Scripture of his base Latine and urging it upon the Church Therefore he ought to be esteemed of Jew and Gentile not only Abaddon but Apolluon Ibid. Smoke of herestes to corrupt the earth Apolluons apostatical kingdome did corrupt the earth and the seven thunders of Gods judgments of the Lord God omnipotent attend to corrupt it as in the seven Vials as God did corrupt the corrupters Gen. 6. Ibid. and the Scriptures by which light c. the lawless man of sin and his Locusts by their strong violent and usurped authoritie and false doctrines set up a Religron more after Homer Ovid Virgiâ— and Plutarch then after the Prophets and Apostles such a fearful darkness they brought upon all the doctrine of Christ that to this day our nation in many places is full of heathenish customes and traditions N. 4. His false litigious rules of faith even their own learned men that were at â—rent could not understand the meaning of some points and wrote one against another like the old Babylonian builders Things were so crastily set downe of purpose like the oracles of Apollo vid. the Hist Coun. Trent page 229. edition 1620. read Mr. Cade Justif pag. 281. and 282. Quest 4. N. 1. Out of the smoke of the pitthe Popes Clergy ariseth Thus view them Devouring Locusts Stiâ—ging Seâ—rpions Arâ—â—â— horses Râ—nâ—â—ng Li ns Crowned usuâ—pers Croaking frogs Spirits of Devils All noisome creatures vermine not to be suffered in any wise or godly polity they are the creatures of a Destroyer These attributes shew their conditions Warm weather of policy puts quickning in the Locusts and then they will devour and if you look not to them betime they will prove stinging Scorpions then barded horses then rending lions then crowned usurpers if they find not their party strong enough then they creep like frogs into other Kings Courts to excite to war and then Spirits of Devils to walk over Land and Sea to destroy all them that oppose them they are the stigmaticall sworn slaves of Satan and Abaddoon O ye Princes and Nobles and Gentry and Commonalty our fathers found them so vid. the reigns of King Iohn Henry 2. and Henry 3. c. N. 2. Poysoning and terrifying Doctrine Singultu cruentato the Scorpions sting mens hearts that death was desired rather than life Apoc. 9. 6. Vid. Mr. Cadâ— his worthy labours Iustif lib 1.128 lib. 2.88 89. and the Appendix li. 1 3. So we may observe how the Histories of our forefathers do comment on the Aâ—ocalips Also observe these stinging Scorpions in their Doctrin of Purgatorie especially on mens death beds pilgrimage and anathemaes and treasons c. And how no man must dare to question any thing vid. the book of the Spanish Inquisition N 4. They wear Crowns like gold Note not onely King Abaddon wears a Crown but it is said his Locusts have Crowns like Gold each Locust dethronizeth and uncrowneth godly Princes in his heart A sharp Winter of policy will and must make the Scorpion-Locusts flee to the hedges to hide themselves or else we shall all grieve it is good to remember the two noble Henries of France Let our Nobles Gentry and Commons all our blessed Nation advisedly think of businesses for t posterity The Spirits of Devils are traversing the earth and Seas as much as Becket Petrus de â—uâ—ibus and the Arch-Priest under Henâ—y the fourth Gardiner Bonner Raviliac c. c. Ibid. N 4. Hating Gods Oâ—dinance of Magistracy Obedience to Princes the Doctrine of Sems Tents and the sons of S m Rom. 13.1 Pet. The contrary is the Doctrine of Apolluons Tents and his Locusts and their deceived who make but a mock of Princes and Governours as it was foretold of such Likewise these silt by dreamers defile the slâ—sh despise dominion and speak evill of Dignities Jude 8. N. 5. By good
corrupted the earth by apostasie and God would corrupt that is destroy it so the Lord will corrupt the policy of the man of Sin Apoc. 11.18 God plagued Sodom Gen. 19. Rome is called Sodom and God will destroy it Apoc. 11.8 We know how God plagued Egypt Rome is called Egypt Apoc. 11.8 and many of the plagues of Egypt are and shall be on Rome-Egypt Apoc. 16. Sichoâ— the King of the Amorites would not suffer Israel to buy and sell bread nor drink so the Popish policy Apoc. 13.16 but God destroyed the one and will the other Edom Isa 63. with Apocal. 19.15 Tyrus Ezek. 27. 30 31 32. with Apoc. 18.15 16 17 18 19. Niniveb 3 4 17. Apoc. 17.4 and for Ninivebs Locusts Apoc. 9. Apostate Jerusalem Jeremiah 25.10 Apoc. 18 22 23. Of the four beasts in Dan. 7. spoken of afore in applying them to the Romane beast All the Apocalyps almost every Sentence is taken from the Prophets expressing old rerms for new States and places and times but that would be too long a work here to describe it is done other where Quest 8. and Answ The same Kingdomes that gave their power A man even bymans wit might marvell why Princes would suffer such a deceiver as Apolluon to stand one year his Doctrine being against all light of the blessed Scriptures each Prince being able to cast him from his Territories Gods wayes are unsearchable God hath chosen a few onely and none can come to Christ unlesse the heavenly Father draw him but the things revealed belong to us and our children Ibid. They shall embrace the Gospel The holy City shall be yet more glorious The streets of the City are pure gold as clear as glasse then shall the Saints walk chearfully when Gods commandements and the faith of Christ are purged from the filthy scum of mans inventions Our Lord Christ the Teacher appointed of the Father and his apostles in their Doctrine were like Refiners fire and fullers sope to the Rabbies of traditlons and bodily exercise Mat. 5. and 6. and 7. and 156 and 23. but they were not able to abide it but as Cain persecuted with intestine hatred so Christ in his martyrs and his angels in the Reformed Churches hath been and will be as refiners fire and fullers sope to the King of Locusts and his Locusts Doctrine he will purge his floor of the fulsome stuffe and the chaffe of the decitfull hypocrites Ibid. And verily as that whorish polity hath been As Israel in Egypt under Pharaoh so the cause of the Gospel seemed unrecoverable under the Egyptiacall Kingdome of the Man of Sin but the sayings of God are true he is Jehovah performer of promise as Israel felt for old Egypt Exod. 6.3 so we have felt for Rome-Egypt and as we have seen the loving kindnesse of God so shall others Rome-Egypt shall be more and more desolate Queâ—â— 9. and answ With his Locusts is the faise Pro phet The Pontificality is a Beast of Empire in its power and it with its Clergy is the false Prophet a Corporoation speech false Prophet that is the body of false Prophets Ibid. Cast alive as sodomites The common-weal of King Abaddon is called Sodome and his Catholick company and Church faith of her self she is a Queen Apoc. 18. yet she is but the Queen of Sodome and Babylon all the Kings and Princes that are of that polity let them fear the punishment of Sodome unlesse they repent and make their common-weals our Lords and his Christs Quest 10. and answ Without rest day and night God gave men over that loved not the truth to believe lies that they might be damned Terrour it is said without Rest and then what lies and witcherafts do they teach and believe of Masses Trentalls Requiems Dirges Libera me 's c. No rest to them that follow the Beast Ibid. To use no garments Their Cannons and prayers and apparrell are all bent to a blind drift and not fittest to have been used in our tongue the whole frame is out of order Mr. Bro. in Apoc. 94. and 156. Quest 11. and answ But sentence is not so passed c. We judge well of many of our forefathers that they are Saints in heaven for they made divers good Laws against Devilish Popery and were still complaining of Popish enormities and many in their last Wills would not bequeath any thing to maintain Popish Masses c. c. and in their judgement and affection were much against Popery and did come very far out of that polity yet through fear went under the name of Papists and the number of his name and durst not through the diligent tyranny of the Scorpion-Locusts openly confesse the truth as there are now such in Spain and Italy c. that hate Popery yet go under the name of the Beast and the God that multiplieth to pardon the God of all mercies no doubt did and doth passe by the weaknesse of his servants in those dayes and places of darknesse but that is no comfort to Papists that are in Reformed Churches for they in obstinacy still worship the Image of the Beast and have his mark both in hand and forehead Ibid. Come out of her my people They must not be of worldly glorious mysticall Babylons part that will condemn her but absolute free from her We must be as in a wildernesse as Israel from Egypt and as on an high mountain in the Spirit as John and Ezekiel afore Christ will shew us the glory of his own ordinances and the great Whore and her abominations and till we be ashamed of all the wickednesse that we have received from the man of sin we cannot so clearly see the form and fashion of heavenly things Ezek 43.10 11. Forty nine thousand were perswaded to leave old Babylon in hope of Christ his first coming so they that hope of comfort at Christ his second coming must come out of all mysticall Babylons polity R. R. B. Jewell and other Worthies of Christ in our State Def. Apol. chap. 22. Divis 1. But in departing from the Papacy Godly Teachers must not think of a new Constitution of Churches but of Reformation part off all additions from the holy Scriptures from offices in the Church and officers seals and censures and the open profane from seals and the Primitiye apostolick purity will appear if we otherwise do we shall not avoid the ungodlinesse of Anabaptistrie and other pratlers that do dischurch Churches and Members Ibid. O thrice blessed The Lord JESUS faith Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophâ—cie of the Apocalyps and keep those things which are written therein Apoc. 1. and 22.7 Again Blessed are they that do his commandements that they may have â—ight to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the City Apoc. 22. 14 Mark the phrase Blessed are they that do his commandements what is this a covenant of works is not this the same
Earth had haile and fire mixed with bloud cast into it which metaphoricaly importeth stormy fiery and bloudy contentions which Church-men were full of from Constantines times about Pâ—â—ority â—nd JESUS Christ his alone mediation waâ— neglected this made the profession of christianity to be full of Hypocrisie and ful of coldnesse in the pure worships among people thereby love to the truth waxing cold the people began to be given over unto fables c. for when B.B. Unlearned Schollars turned all to ambition and heresie to politicians to propsenenesse strove for superiority then Monachi fel to idlenesse and to extol Saints and Angels c and to hate painfull and orthodox Schollers as Athanasius Chrisoslome Basil c. In like sort from the first Phiall most greivous Ulcers and Boyles of State are powred upon the Popish Earth The plague of old Egypt is upon the mindes of Papists his Jannes'es and his Jambres'es namely on their seduced ones that resisteth the truth after the LAMBS appearing on Mount Sion with his 144000 attending on him in the fourteenth Century but more in the fifteenth SECT 2. The second Trumpet and second Phiall UNder the second Trumpet the Mystery of Iniquity still increasing towards the sixth Centry Ecclesiasticks never ceased affecting superiority and the spirituall supremacy one of the greatest Heresies that they became a Mountaine but not as yet come to his full growth of fire cast into the Sea of Nations burning and throwing out sulphurious and bloudy matter of contention by heresies errors Ceremonies c. every where so that true Religion was burned up greatly both in Magistrates and men of place and in ordinary Christians and in Teachers compared to ships This was a further degree of misery to the Church more then the first Trumpet warned to the quickning of the Beast In like sort under the scond Phiall the Sea of Nations namely the most potent Kingdome of King Abaddon hath been and is within it self full of bloody commotions through diverse factions and sharp contentions which came out of the Phiall of Gods anger to consume the bowels of that viperous Hierarchy and holy Martyrs discovered that the whole Sea of Ordinances of their Religion was of no more soul nourishment then the putrified blood of the dead so that all became his marked were like the dead Sea Asphaltes being full of hypocrisie trusting in bodily exercise idolatry sorceries idlenesse murthers pride covetousnesse filthy lusts c. This also was a great plague to the King of Locusts and to his Locusts The conscionable study of the holy Text from the Hebrew and Greek Testaments was much neglected by flothfull contempt and onely translations from translations were used with us bred uncertainty and it bred disdain and it bred blindnesse and it bred contempt of Christ and at last it bred rejection to Machomed and to the man of sin Locusts went from all professions as Franciscans Dominicans Carmelities Priests Levites c. SECT 3. The third Trumpet and third Phial 3. UNder the third Trumpet a great star fell from the heaven of the Church which denoteth an apostasie of many learned men and they became wormwood and each one to strengthen his Faction made bitter by false and bad expositions the sweet fountains and waters of holy Scripture so that a third part of their Church became dead in all abominations and through much addition of heathenish Customes They instead of being comfortable and clear lights were but stinking torch lights and full of contentions which caused much innocent blood to be shed This did further help on to the three Woes of great misery that were yet to come on the world So in like sort the third Phial pours out wrath upon the Papal fountains and and Rivers their canons decretalls cathedrall Expositions Monastick studies all their divine Services as they called them c. Also their feigned reliques Papal dispensations Papal indulgences hallowed amulets holy Shrines c. c. all which were rivers from their Sea to conveigh and transport maintenance and glory to their glorious Monarchy of the King of Locusts King Abaddon All these things by this Phial were made known to be but rotten dotages lying sables This bred effusion of much blood in all countries from their Princes Shipmen and their people which also in all occasions as rivers and fountains did shew their Subsidious relation to the great Pontifician Sea by all endeavours but especially in that their Princes were then Carnifices the executioners of the Papal Breves and determinations c. against the Saints and Prophets Now these from the just judgement of God do drink blood measure for measure by the Princes Teachers and people that fall from the Papacy God is unchangeable in his justice on the Cains of the earth from the blood of Abel the righteous to this day as he was so he is and will be still the same Our native countrey chiefly did pour out this phiall in wickliffes dayes bur more in K. H 8. and K. E. 6. and Q.E. and K.J. And Luther and others did it in Germany SECT 4. The fourth Trumpet and fourth Phial 4. UNder the fourth Trumpet the apostate churches not being warned by the three former Trumpets the fourth sounded a further degree of apostasie that sad and dark evils of most grievous blindenesse and ignorance should be in the Church yet in these times Christ that restrains apostasie had his two Witnesses that a third part of Sun Moon and Stars were smitten with the day and the night Jacob expoundeth Sun Moon and Stars to be his Church Learned men and Scholars greatly fell away that the Mountain of fire came to a further greatnesse and more burned in the world In like sort under the fourth Phial a great part of Apolluons Sunglorious universality and by Synechdoche all his inferiour glories is smitten by the godly Witnesses as Elias smote Achabâ— Kingdom that brought it into a desperate burning feaver and as men so affected speak strange things so the Pseudo-Catholicks be in a great boiling heat torment and vexation because as it is seen in all Countreys more or less cast off Popery So that whereas they should have repented and glorified God for his inestimable mercy of the everlasting Gospel they fret as Moab and Balaam and utter great blasphemies SECT 5. Of the fifth Trumpet and siâ—st Wo and fifth Phial 5. IN the fifth Trumpet is shewed that the Beast Abyssigeâ—a when he with his Locusts crept out of the Pit of deep darknesse they conjured up with them a smoke of all former errours and heresies and heathenish customes that Christ the Son of Justice his Throne and Kingdome and his blessed Law the air by which we see him were darkned And also he with his Locusts set up a pompous throne exercising universal Supremacy in temporal and spiritual things like old Babel And so as old Babel is callâ—d a destroying Mountain so now Abaddon of mystical Babylon became a
land doth shew from Daâ—â— 12. and Psalm 8. that the Lamb slain though he once were the afflicted Son of sorrowful Enosh yet that now he is â—â—â—lred above everyname and that to him all power in heaven and in earth was and is committed and that he rules all by Sea and Land and therefore little children and faithful evermore did Apoc. 6. 7. 12. 13 14. chap. and evermore shall say Hosanna to him that now is in the highest heavens The great Cry of Hosanna destroyed the Caesars Empire so it shall the Reviver of the Empire King Abaddon 5. His voice is as the voice of a Lion when he roareth he being the Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath made all the Beasts of the Pit to tremble and this teacheth what the Pope and Turk shall find Christ with his called chosen and faithful full of courage in teaching the Gospel shall take the prey and recover the spoil and the King of the Pit his Locusts and all his marked shall not be able to help themselves from his just judgements 6. The seven thunders from him uttered their voices of secret un-unspeakable wrath to the Enemies of the Church which the Phials in chap. 16. declare abundantly and the enemies shall not perceive it but go on in hardness impenitency as Pharoah did to their utter destruction 7. Christ hath in his hand the little book of the Holy Scriptures alwaies open for great consolation to the Church from which the Holy Angels of the Churches and other Witnesses do still prophesy to nations and Kings of their great Trespass in advancing the seven Mountain City All Abaddons power and his Locusts could never shut this book nor hinder prophesying This our native Countrey shewed in the days of King Henry the eight and Queen Mary and in times before See the story of the Saints Marbeck and Tindal c. c. 8. All this is mannaged with an oath to comfort and stablish the hoirs of promise that the Lord Christ the only Potentate 1 Tim 6. will put an end to all the troubles of the Church under the voice of the seventh Trumpet and last Wo and seventh Phial 9. It is of necessary consequence to observe some circumstances about the sad times of the fifth and sixth Trumpets because some say the Beast of the Pit King Abaddon did utterly root out the church of Christ and that no visible true church did appear when Anti-christ possessed all in outward shew 10. But this is impossible for the promise is that the gates of Hades death and destruction should not so prevail Matth. 16.8 and that promise also is firm as a Rock which saith that Christ must reign till he make his enemies his footstool 1 Cor. 15.25 Abaddon could not put â—he Son of God the Rock and his cause so under his feet for as iâ—â—aid Christ the great angel of the Covenant did ever shew that he â—uled as King in his Kingdome of mount Sion Apoc. 14. and had ever one foot on the Sea and the other on the Land and the fifth had sixth Trumpet to rule all things both by Land and Sea and that he had the little book of the holy Bible ever open in his hand which he still put into the hearts of his witnesses to prophesie though in sackeloth and full of troubles Apoc. 11. this book Christ still kept open in spight of all the new Antiochus devises 11. Therefore let this teach us with strong assurance that though the Papacy did so overspread yet that Christ had here and there two witnesses some godly ones that held the fundamentall truths when the Beast of the Pit had most darkned the surface of Christendome and they are also called the two Olive branches and the two Candle-sticks which Christ made still to abide before him that in every age his Saints might see the light of holy Doctrine 2. This likewise is for great consolation to the Saints that the Gospel of the Kingdome as it hath so it shall continue notwithstanding all the opposition that hath been and shall be in the world against it 3. Hence many are sharply to be reproved and rebuked that think and utter blasphemies that Christ did not reign and that he had no witnesses under the Papacy and that the Beast of the Pit had annihilated the Church of God And hence new upstarts vain men that wait for new apostles and new Râ—velations would dischurch the Reformed Churches and dischurch members thereof that have come according to the commandement out of mysticall Babylon And in great wickdednesse they cast off Magistracy and the ordinances of the publick ministery and the care of Religion in family c. and so themselves become very antichrists yea some in new England 1. Do abhor the baptising of the infants of godly parents 2. Account our Congregations antichristian 3. Make no regard â—o sanctifie the Lords day 4. Despise Magistâ—acy 5. Scorn our godly Teachers the Lord grant that such as do openly professe this abomination may never have a toleration among us but if the Lord please to be gracious to them to enlighten their minds by the word of truth then they will soon see how they are given to Satan and lying spirits 12. Remember that apostasie from the faith was foretold and that the brethren must be put in it that they might be carefull to be nourished up in the words of faith and in good Doctrine such holy brethren ever were and ever shall be because God from the beginning hath elected such to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and the belief of the truth 13. Can such a thought enter into our hearts that the Man of sinne hath destroyed Christs kingdome utterly that it should not have a being ever since the apostles dayes Let us mark what our Lord Jesus Christ hath said to his apostles I have chosen you and ordained you Iohn 15.16 that ye should go forth among the Nationâ— and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain Let us not therefore be deceived that Antichrist hath ever been able to root out the Kingdome of Christ although they killed some witnesses yet still Christ raised others to prophesie and the most holy faith is builded on Christ the rock the polity of the heavenly Jeâ—usalem is builded more sure then that the seed of the Serpent should ever be able to prevail so far as to destroy it utterly It is builded on the twelve found ations of the faith of the holy Patriarks and apostles Doctrine and this city is compassed with a wall of holy truth unvinâ—ible And what hath shaken Abaddons Kingdome but the prohesying of the two witnesses from the opened book that is in Christ his hand Thus much by way of Parenthesis to Apoc. 10. Now I will go on with the Trumpets and Phials SECT 7. The sixth Trumpet and second wo and sixth Pbiaâ— 1. THe sixth Trumpet sheweth how Christ raised up the Turk from
Thes 3. 6. The Doctrine of Devils should ever be remembred or tradited to Posterity to be warned and taken heed of all the Doctrine of the Gospel should be tradited or delivered by the faithfull to others that there might be a godly feed in the Church 1 Tim. 4 6. 2 Tim. 2.2 But all these Traditions are now written by the Apostles yea what they taught was according to the Scriptures of the old and new Testament as ever they proved their Doctrine bâ— the old Testament 7. The Doctrine to the Galathians was by Tradition at the first but we see what the Doctrine was by the Epistle unto them it could not be but by word of mouth at the first and they were accursed that taught other Doctrine than the Apostle taught by preaching and Tradition and the same was as is written else the Apostle had incurred the anothema pronounced by himself Again consider the Doctrine to the Galathâ—an was no other but what was taught to Abraham Moses and the Prophets 8. Observe again 2 Thes 2.15 and 3 6. These two places shew what Traditions he gave them when he was present none other than those he wrote unto them as confer chap. 2.5 and chap. 3 10. So we may be sure by such conference of Scripture that none of the Apostles gave any Tradition by mouth contrary to their writings contra 9. Now then Traditions are of two sorts some agreeable to the Scriptures some disagreeable that make the word of God of no authority The Pharisees are the true fathers of the Pontificality and Papacy for these latter but for the former all that fear God and love the Gospel and love their posterity will follow the example of the old faithfull Psal 78 1 2 3 4 5 6. and obey the commandement of the Spirit of Christ of holding fast and standing fast in the now-written word and the comandments of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour 2 Pet. 3 So this Apostle exhorted the Saints of his Bishoprick to regard the Prophets and reproved them for follwing â—yain Traditions of their fathers 1 Pet. 18. and 2 Pet. 1.20.21 And therefore to conclude with the Text of Romanes The same holy Lord God as Abraham worshipped Gen. 21.33 in chapter 16.26 When the Apostles and Disciples were inabled with the gift of tongues they were sent by the commandement of the everlasting God among all Nations to preach the Gospell and mystery of Christ by the Scriptures of the Prophets for the obedience of faith Blesse Jehovah O my soul and all that is within me blesse his holy name Blesse Jehovah O my soul and forget not all his Benefits who mâ—de his wayes known to Moses the Prophets and his holy Apostles Psalm 103.7 CHAP. XXIX Being an answer to them that say that the Polity of CHRIST given to Moses was not a Covenant of grace SECT 1. TO answer this sorry assertion we are to consider that Moses on Mount â—ivai talking with the Angel of the Covenant saw the whole Doctrine of our salvation in what sort all ages had and should have it among men what Moses saw his Law offereth to our fight The Prophets and Apostles saw the very same and happy are they onely which study to see these things The Dialogue with its annotations and ch 14. doth endevour to shew this and therefore I shall not now be large I will touch a little of Circumcision and of the Passeover and of the place of holy worship with the practice of the Saints I will speak somewhat promiscuously upon all in which the errours of the Concision will be occasionally spoken of 1. Crn cerning the Seal of Circumcision we must mark diligently the Doctrine of it by the Lord himself Gen. 17. and of his Apostle Rom. 4. and of the practice of faith in the Sâ—iâ—ts how they understood it and made use of it the Dialogue sheweth these things 2. Of the Passeover it was a Doctrine of faith in Christ as it is most evident by Exodus 12. Heb. 11. Iohn 29.1 Câ—â— 5. c. and the practise of the Saints is much to be observed 2 Chron. 30.22 The Levites taught the good knowledge of the Lord concerning the Passeover and they did eat throughout the feast seven dayes offering Peace-offerings and making concession to the Lord God of their fathers Thus the Levites taught the good knowledge of Christ-Jehovah in the Passeover as well as the Apostle to us 2 Cor. 11. They made confession of their sins and of their faith in the Son of God thus the godly and faithfull did and did not doubt and say Who can go up to heaven to bring Christ down to dwell in our Tabernacle or who can go to the deep of the grave to bring Christ from the dead but they confessed the Son of God should come to be a second Adam and give himself our Passeover to be sacrificed for our atonement and that the Godhead would raise the manhood to ascend the heavens to find eternall redemption and heavenly mansion for us And the Apostle doth shew us how and what they understood of the Passeover and the feast of unleavened bread 1 Coâ— 5. So it is said of Iosias that he commanded the people to keeâ— the Passeover unto Jehovah their God 2 Chron 35. as it is written in the Book of the Covenant What is that a Covenant of works No such matter but a Covenant of grace in Christ Thus in brief of the Seals of Circumcision and the Passeover which were seals of the justification which is by faith and all parts of worship that Circumcision initiated them unto must be understood of the Doctrine of a Covenant of grace Covenant and Seal must not differ neither do they in Gods ordination Psalm 119.04.128 3. Of the places of worship these are to be understood generally and specially the place of their generall worship was of all the Tribes together the more speciall and particular places were their Synagogues Oâ— both which we must observe what Gracious Promises of the presence of CHRIST is spoken Exod 20. In every place where I record my name I will come unto thee and blesse thee Exod. 29. Where I will meet with you to speak with thee and there I wâ—lâ— meet with the children of Israel and Israel shall be sanctified by my glory and I will sanctifie the Table of the congregation and the Altar I will also sanctifie both Aaron and his sons to minister unto me in the Priests office * The same â—is said to us for all the faithfull christians are the Israel of God 1 Cor. 6. Gal 6. Apoc. 21 and I will dwell amongst the children of Israel and will be their God c. c. Vnto the place which the Lord your God shall chuse out of all your tribes to put his name there unto his habitation shall ye seek and thither thou shalt come Deut. 1â— 5. and seek his presence evermore Psal 105.4 1 Chron. 16.11
allusion to the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity c. To say there is not truth nor certainty in the holy Chronologie of the Scriptures 1. Let us take such heed that they deny not the truth and certainty of other doctrines of faith 2. It may be truly said because men have not loved the truth by a diligent search of the holy Bibles Chronologie they have been given up to believe the lies of heathen Chronologies 2 Thes 2.11 3. The holy Chronologie of the Book of God is a doctrine of faith as clear and certain as any other doctrine of faith and therefore that speech of the holy Apostle beareth supremacie in our hearts That the holy Book of God doth not onely teach and instruct us of the truth of its Chronologie but it doth also correct and convince the heathens Chronologie to be most false and abominable doctrines as some produce them 2 Tim. 3. 4. It is said that the holy Scripture is given by inspiration from God and is able to make children yea the man of God wise to salvation through the faith which is in Christ Iesus and this must be understood of Scripture Chronologie as well as of any other doctrine of the holy Bible and he that will rightly consider the holy Chronologie as it is above expressed by sundry calculations will say that the holy Scripture Chronologie teacheth doctrine of faith which is in Christ IESUS and in him by it wisdome to salvation 5. It is said we have a more sure word 2 Pet. 1. and that was the old Testament but now heathen Chronologie of the devilish worships of Apollo the heathens Olympiads are by some made more sure and certain criptures than the oracles from heaven We have more cause to yield to the Locusts that defend their Apolluon that alledge Fathers and Councils than to yield to men that authorise the vain Olympiads of Apollo of Delphos Therefore let us that are Christians hearken to the words and commandements of the Apostle of our Lord and saviour Beware lest any man carry you for a spoil through Phlosophy and vain deceit after the rudiments of the world and not after CHRIST Col. 2. it is the holy scriptures that have ditted up the mouths of Apolluon and his Locusts by the RR. Jewel Fulk Cartwright Perkins Calvin Beza c c. we doubt not but the holy scripture shall do the same to them that plead for the gamestry of Stanicall Olympian reckonings Verily all the scriptures should as well take a check as the wisdome touching the time of the seventy sevens be controlled by heathen We may as well believe the heathen spake true when the Sun went back that for Hercules birth the Sun made a longer night but the word of Christ shews that he that ruleth the heavens made it and did shew to all the world but specially to Israel that the heavens order was not so stable as Gods covenant in Christ for then that miracle was to confirm the faith of the church in Christ promised so the sunne performed service to the SON of righteousnesse surely the motions of the heavens declare the works of God in the harmonious measure of times Although many men be great Scholars and godly yet some of them do not consider that the sunne did run his race for the glory of Christ and his word For it is said All things were created by him and for him the second Adam For Him for his honour and glory not for Satans sports and pastimes of the Olympiads 6. What a grossenesse and crosse is this because we cannot make the heathens accounts to agree with the holy Scripture-Chronologie therefore we fly upon the word of the living GOD the Lord of hosts our God reproaching it and exclaiming against it that there is not truth nor certainty in many parts of it but we should say and do the contrary and should say let God and his word be true and the heathens and their Chronicles lies and liars For there is more to be said ¶ If that the Angel taught not Daniel certainty of knowledge and understanding for the Chronologie he taught him nothing that he knew not Daniel knew all the rest of the Message but the time of performance And so we make the holy Angel a deceiver an evil spirit a Satan And therefore D.R. and Mr. P. and all that follow their course have sorrily dealt with the Church of Christ Jesus our Lord. 7. Mr. P. saith that Mr. Bro. and his followers c. Let Mr. P. know that Mr. Bro. and those that use his godly and learned labours do adhere to and follow the lively oracles of the living God sent from him by an Angel from heaven to teach Daniel knowledge and understanding and to teach all faithfull Christians by him And therefore we are confident in the Lord and dare not otherwise say but that the holy Angel from God stake a true plain and proper speech and a most certain chronologie for the beginning and ending of the seventy sevens and that their beginning was from Daniels prayer and their ending at the abolishing of sacrifice and offering and confirmation of the Testament for the Many by the blood and death of the MESSIAS It is true many have objected against the holy Scriptures Chronologie before Mr. P. and Mr. Sarson which is to be lamented but we know there are many gracelesse speeches and objections against the very fundamental truths of Christian Religion But this I think 1. That it is good that the Scriptures chronologie should be clear and certain Isa 5. and can we think that God hath omitted this good for his church 2. Men should deem or ought so to do that the Scripture hath truth and certainty for chronologie though they see it not and they that oppose it should think and say they erre not knowing the Scriptures and they should think that the works of God the rock are perfect and that he that began the chronologie for the glory of Christ by the genealogie of his holy ancestours Gen. 5. and 11. would perfect it 3. To affirm truth and certainty in Heathen chronologie and to deny it in the holy Scriptures is an opinion scelerate and flagitious we cannot think how great the evil is and therefore Mr. P. hath done ill in justifying D.R. saying the holy Angel in his heavenly Oration to Daniel meant no certain time whereas the Angel taught him perfect wisdome for the chronologie of it and so professeth that he came to give skill of understanding that very thing 4. Whereas Mr. P. saith that Mr. Bro. denying the truth of heathen chronologie constituted the year of the seventy Sevens without grounds Mr. P. in this saying puts a stumbling block before the blind and causeth him to go out of the way and falls into a great offence of untruth not onely against Mr. Bro. for that 's little but against the Angel from heaven who said to Daniel at the beginning of
argue to them the birth of some noble and famous light even that Star of Iacob that should * Num. 24 â—id wonderfully expounded in 2 Cor. 10 4.5 unwall all the sons of Seth that was now come into the world and whither shotld they direct their journey and steer their course but thither the star guided them and that was to Iudea It should seem by the good hand of God that Daniel * As the Apostâ—e Paul did in Caesars Court Phil. 1.13 and 4.22 celebrating the cause of Christ by the angels seventy sevens at the City Susan where was the Royall Palace of the Kings of Persia Let these godl Authors be consulted with about those things Mr. Rollock Du Plessis Beroald Mr. Bro. Mr. wolphius and many others there were some that did expect continually the compleating of the seventy Sevens of which this celebrious Comet appearing gave them an undoubted hint For we are not to doubt but the seventy Sevens was a glorious Prophesie to lighten all the East And the Evangelist Luke ch 3.1 2 3. doth shew that he bringing in the Emperours annals into the Churches stories and John Elias Ministery to settle the stories of the times do make a sweet concent of all these things But to make things yet more plain it is said Luke 19. That the Nation of the Jews did expect * This scripture was spoken but few daies before our Lords death and resurrection the Kingdome of heaven should immediately appear according to the Prophesies of Dan. 2. and 7. and 9. no Prophesy shewed the time as Daniel and all falls our fit'ly according to the worlds expectation especially the Church of God 1. Mr. P. objecteth in page 52. If the restauration of the city Dan. 9.25 is of the materiall Jerusalem after Nebuchadnezzars captivity it must begin the first of Cyrus from which time seventy weeks of years will fully expire long before the birth of Christ Answ It is most true the seventy Sevens do begin at Cyrus first year of the reign of his monarchy In this Mr. P. saith true but to say they end long before the birth of Christ is a most manifest untruth for it is said they end at his confirmation of the Testament for the Many by his sufferings and death in the last Seven He must be born the Son of man before he could suffer death to redeem the sons of men I will stir no more in this for it is too too bad and that which hath been said will I hope make this assertion to vanish I am perswaded all the godly Churches in christendome hold MES-SIAS Yea Papists vide Cornelius a Lapide he hath many excellent passages on Dan. 9. but yet none but what the learned and godly reformed have and had yea more compleatly before him in Gabriels message to be the Son of God our Redeemer Scotland Heydelberg Geneva so doth and our dear native countrey by divers learned Expositers and in our Bible notes I think above eighty years since it is said In this last week of the seventy shall Christ come and preach and suffer death And a little after speaking of Christ confirming the covenant the note saith by preaching of the Gospel he confirmed his promise first to the Jews and after to the Gentiles And that Christ by his death and resurrection caused sacrifice and oblation to cease Are not we to mourn and lament that our ministers should thus deal to take us off from holding to the Messias the Rock of salvation as it was taught to Daniel by the holy Angel from heaven The Angel spake matter of salvation plain and fortified by Scripture and it is fortified also by learned Expositions recoived in all Orthodox churches but by Mr. P. is added much impertinent and false matter I will briefly recapitulate some things and let the people of God study the holy Scriptures and judge 1. The angel continueth the holy chronicle to the death of Christ Vide Mr. Bro. Advertis pag. Mr. P. breaketh it off altogether concerning that 2. The Angel nameth the Redeemer of the world Messias Mr. P. doth utterly deny that and will have Zisca the Bohemian to be his Messias 3. The Angell saith Messias shall confirm the convenant for many that is for the elect of all Nations both Jews and Gentiles Mr. P. telleth us of a covenant that Antichrist shall make with his antichristians and their favourites page 62. and 63. 4. The Angel prescribed for our Lord his preaching three years and an half and that is the compasse of the Evangelist Marks Gospel and of the Evangelist Iohn as it hath been noted by old and later writers by four Paschata's that is by four Passeovers which he kept after his Baptisme to his last Supper which proveth that publick administration of his office to be three years and an half or the half seven See Dr. Lightfoots harmony All this Mr. P. disgraceth 5. The Angel taught how long Ierusalem should be an holy City for use of sacrifice and how long Israel onely should be Cods holy people and peculiar treasure namely from the time of Daniels prayer seventy Sevens were exactly accounted for his people and the holy City But Mr. P. taketh from the Church which God hath gathered from the Gentiles these meditations c. c 6. Some ancient principall Rabbines confesse that by Messias Christ the Redemer is meant Mr. Bro. on Dani. Christians that dare put forth books to deny this against the honour of Christian name should think that here they do not well and Christians should loath such Treatises even as the godly converted did their books at Ephesus and account them and make them anathema as the Prophesies of Achab and Zedekias Much more might be said of Mr. P. Expositions of Dan 9. and of all his book It is said by the great Rabâ—oni the Lord Christ We be to the world because of offences and Mr. P. must yea he will lay it to heart yea it is marvell that the godly Teachers of new England did not question him for it in some of their Synods they have not convented a Synod for a greater matter than the agitation which that Book called for and I hope some godly and more learned men will consider of that book especially about Dan. 9. and by the fire of sound judgement consume it as hay stubble and rotten wood and Gods day shall declare it that that work is worthy of no better an end 1 Col. 3. CHAP. XLIX A Conclusion of the point of Chronologie 1. IT hath been observed that the holy Spirit of endlesse wisdome and foresight hath perfectly made up the holy Chronologie of the old Testament and that the seventy Sevens doth that by ending the Chain of Jubilees and all the ceremonies in the death of Messias 2. The first coming of Christ was most needfull to be known for the assured comfort of Jew and Gentile Little did Mr. P. consider the
state of time that the holy spirit did testifie in the Prophets for the coming of Mesas and his sufferings and glory that should follow in his Resurrection ascension and sending gifts to convert the Nations 1 Pet. 1.11 by his death to confirm the promises made to the faithfull and to be the truth of all the types which were all sponsorious of a better hope but of the time of his second coming there was not that need to know For it is said But of the times and seasons brethren ye have no need that I write unto you for your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night 1 Thes 5. 3. Of the Chronologie of the New Testament the spirit of Christ hath not disposed an orderly processe of times neither historically nor prophetically from his death There is no time cast in the Apocalyps For God would not begin to accompt the times after the death of Christ but he must have gone through with it else it had been a fault in art but that he would not because of the end of the world he would conceal that no man nor angel knoweth it the Son in respect of his humanity is said not to know the time who yet giveth the Apocalyps to Iohn but nothing is unknown to his Godhead who is the first and the last The thousand years are spoken of for the loosing of Satan Apoc. 20. but the history is not cast by course of time the thousand years begin we may best suppose from the writing of the Apocalyps 4. But behold the wisdome of God To teach us in whom we have rest that most graciously ordered times most exactly till the death of Christ in a most pleasant Sabbatick * accompt tres-remarkable from JESUS the son of Nun to our IESUS that saveth us from our sins Thus he did that the whole Nation of the Jews should not misse but by willfull and despitefull swarving to receive him the true Messias Heb. 2. 1. 6. and 10. to leave all the ceremonies and to look to him the end and scope of all and this time was it often noted and needfull often to be noted wherein the Gentiles should begin to be brought to Sâ—ms Tents and thence to learn salvation 5. When all this was done there needed no times to teach us ceremonially of Christ to come for his government and offices are perpetuall and shall never be abolished as Levies Priesthood till he re deliver up the Mediatorian Kingdome to the Father and till that time we all should joyfully look in watching when the Bridecrome will come 6. The Gencalogie and Chronologie served to the promised Lands glory The non-continuance of genealogies after the apostles times shall be to-ched else to the people of Israels glory to the Tabernacles glory to Ierusalems glory to the Temples glory and to Salomons Kingdomes glory for the glory of all these ended when the Chronologie and Genealogie ended for all the time of the old Testament they had that heavenly and glorious use 2. Blessed be the name of the Lord God for ever and ever for wisdome and strength are his and he it is that hath altered times places and persons to the glory of the unchangeable Priesthood and never ending Kingdome of his dear Son our Lord Iesus Christ to whom be glory and praise everlasting Amen CHAP. L. Being a Caveat to beware of such Satanicall spirits that prattle about the expectation of new Apostles and new Revelations 1. AS is said for the Chronologie and Genealogie of the the old Testament that the infallible use of them did cease after the new Testament was written so we may say for the other holy Doctrine of Christ that we need not to regard the vanity of wretched men in expectation of new Apostles and new Revelations but studiously to cleave to what is left and ordained to us in the holy writings of the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles 2. As our Lord and Saviour said He that will not hear and believe Moses and the Prophets will neither hear nor believe if one should rise from the dead so truly we may say he that will not hear and believe the holy Evangelists and the holy Apostles writings who wrote of the doctrine life death and resurrection of Christ is as far from holy faith as ever any Sadducie was for Christ is risen from the dead and after his Resurrection gave commandement what his Apostles should preach unto the Nations and we see what it was they taught by the four Evangelists by the book of the Acts by their Epistles and by the Son of God in his Apocalyps 3. And that we might not be deceived by the ungodly 1 Cor. 4s to look for new Apostles mark what the apostle Paul saith plainly that himself and Earnabas and other Apostles then living were the last apostles 4. Wherefore the apostles seeing the Churches began to be troubled with false apostles and with grievous and gangrenating errours and herefies and foretold of worse and more perillous times that men would not endure sound and wholesome doctrine but having sore ears should after their own lusts get them an heap of Teachers and should turn their ears from the truth and should be given unto fables therefore they gave warning as is seen in all their writings and have thus charged us from Christ That we be mindfull of the words which were spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the commandement of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour 2 Pet. 3.2 and Iudas Thaddeus saith thus in his Epistle But beloved remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ And the Apostle John saith He that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God beareth nos us hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour 1 John 4. 5. The faithfull obeyed this charge and commandement for many years after the apostles for the apostles had said what they had taught to the faithfull then living should be communicated to other faithfull for the instruction of others for above an 100 years after their dayes we have not writings of the Ancients they kept themselves to the holy Scriptures of the Prophets and apostles 6. And when the Ancients of the Primitive Churches began to write much about the second Century and after it is manifest they adhered to the holy Scriptures and commended them much to the people and some of the Ancients did so admire and advance the holy Scriptures that they adored the sufficiency of them for Doctrine of faith and manners 7. This is most clear for it is said the faithfull martyrs for 300 years suffered for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Apoc. 6.9 and so the two witnesses suffered under the Beast of the Pit King Abaddon For the keeping of the commandemâ—nts of God and the saith of JESVS Apoc. 14.12 sofar off they were
from heaven to comfort him and it is most evident that Christ was not forsaken for the holy Angel did not come from heaven to the Lord Jesus without a commission from the heavenly Father to whom the humanity prayed and therefore in the closure of his meritorious sufferings his heart rejoyced and his tongue was glad and being full of faith and comfort he said Father into thy hands I commend my spirit and then he sent out his Spirit from his Body 10. Again if some shall say the wrath of God as some understand wrath killed Christ We should be well advised what passeth the doore of our lips for Christ our holy Mediatour said I have power to lay down my life Jâ—â— 10.17.18 and have power to take it again This commission or commandement have I received from my Father also he said As the Father knoweth me so know I the Father and lay down my life for the sheep therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life that I may take it again Joh 15. As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love If ye keep my commandements ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Fathers commandements and abide in his love John 16. Ye shall be scattered every man to his own and shall leave me alone and yet I am not alone because the Father is with me These Scriptures and others are prevalent to make one think and believe that he was not under the wrath and curse of God in any respect or consideration as some understand wrath not for one minute of an hour for surely the Son of God our Lord Jesus Christ was a most willing Mediatour and Redeemer for us to God our Father he gave himself a voluntary and free will offering to our heavenly Father for us and therefore no force did separate his soul from his body but he did that act by his own power as the formality of his Sacrifice 11. Many Ministers have some expressions about our Lords Sufferings which many godly and learned Divines have testified are not warrantable for what are we dust and ashes to speak of God and our Redeemer and Mediatour words not comely but we all should consider that aâ— Moses spake nothing of his own mind nor Christ in the flesh nor his Apostles from him but what he taught to Moses and the Prophets So we should all speak from his holy Scriptures sound Doctrines wholesome Doctrines plain and pregnant speech sound and uncondemnable 12. The assertion that our Lord suffered hell-torments in this life in his soul or body appeareth not true by any Scripture True modesty would look to Scripture phrases in handling our Redemption The ill translation of the Article and the bad interpretation of it but especially the mistaking of the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath filled the Church of Christ with much trouble and the smoke of the Pit which hath troubled many mens eyes hath also been a great occasion thereof but now the smoke is much vanished blessed be God 13. Beloved Reader we desire to reverence his word by whom the world was made his word is of sufficient authority with us and to that we through the strength of Christ will cleave as to our life therein is these words And the Bread that I will give is my flâ—sh namely that I will give in sacrifice for the life of the world Joh 6. And this is at large expounded Heb. 9 But Christ being come an high Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands I mean not of this building neither by the blood of goats nor calves but by his own blood he entered once into the holy place having obtained eternall redemption for us And it is also sald that without shedding blood is no remission and this is further amplified How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God And for this cause he is the Mediatour of the new Testament that by the means of death this is not the second death for the Redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which were called might receive the promise of the eternall inheritance Chap. 10. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering the body of IESUS Christ once for al He. 10. And so he doth most sweetly and confortably speak in verse 19. 20 21. and in deed all that Epistle doth open Ioh. 6. most heavenly 14 Againe if Orthodox Churches yea the most Orthodox are so infallible that our faith must be resolved in part into their commentaries expositions c. how cometh it to passe that some do differ in Church discipline from so many reformed Churches both from Geneva Zurick Scotland Low Countries c. that they neither scotize it with the Scot nor Genevate it with the zealous Towne of Geneva they fall it may be under reproof in not agreeing with but discording the judgement and practise of the best and reformed and Othodox Churches in discipline And they had need to shew very good reasons of their so dissenting or they are to blame or else some may say came the word of God out from them or came it unto them only yea and may not others say so too of the best Orthodox Churches came the word of God out from or came it unto them only that men must be judged by them But the Holy Ghost hath charged us in his cause be not the Servants of men 1. Cor. 7. 15. The Pontificians said that our fore Fathers had the word of God from them and therefore they did by Egyptian Bondage tye our Ancestors to their Doctrines and Councils and at last to the Pontifician chaire and caused all Christs Witnesses to mourne in Sack-cloah that would not obey their constitutions But the Lord our God hath delivered us from that house of cruell bondage of mysticall Egypt And Christ saith his Magistrates must not bring his people back againe to Egypt Deut. 17. 16. We are of Japhets posterity And it is said God perswade Japheth to dwell in the Tents of Sem. So that we must know Japheth our Father and his faithfull posterity had their faith from Sems Tents and not from the Tent of the seaven Mountaine City of King Abaddons Kingdome And this holy faith was taught to Japheths posterity by the Sons of Sem the Prophets and Apostles The Apostles and Disciples taught this faith from the Scriptures of the Prophets at the commandment of the everlasting God to the Romans Corinthians and Galatheans Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians and the other Churches of Asia round about from Ierusalem to Illiricum and also to Dalmatia Croatia and doubtlesse to Spaine Rom. 15. And also to great Brittany as ancient Histories and as Master Speeds chronicle declareth Therefore it