145. c. And this Kingdome of Christ the second Adam is handled in 1 Cor. 15. Ebr. 2. Eph. 1.22 from Ps 8. Namely That the Son eternall should rule as the mediator of his Church till all things be restored but then his Kingdome shall be delivered up when the last enemies death Sathan are perfectly subdued and destroyed Then all the elect which have been called justified and adopted in Christ by the word of his kingdome by the work of his spirit shall be presented unto the father and all prophesying and all other new victory sweet helps of our edification in the body of Christ shall cease for then shall be the fullnesse Eph. 4.11.12.13 In Q 4. Heire of all David with great admiration doth handle this in Ps 8. He the second Adam upholds all by the word of his power and this he shewed in Noah when all beasts and Elements obeyed him at the flood and so at the destruction of Sodom Jehovah from Jehovah rained fire and brimstone Gen. 16. and so in the days of Joshuah 10.11 In like sort those noble and excellent descriptions of Christ his person and Office in the three fold Offices of Prophet Preist and King are wonderfull for all sorts of heavenly and terrible Doctrine in Psal 2. Psal 45. Psal 110. Esa 9. Dan. 7. Dan 9. Dan. 10. Daq 12. and that in Apot. 1. may well comprehend the summe of them all but all of them should first be minded as expounding Gen. 3.15 Eph. 1.22.23 Col. 1.14.15 the Epistle to the Ebr. all of it He is the blessed only potentate to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim 6. Apoc 19. Joh 3.35 The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hands wee must reverence the Heir and beleevingly obey him for Christ is appointed a Prince and a Saviour to give change of minde and forgivenesse of sins This was taught from the beginning that hee should be this horne of Salvation and of this Doctrine there have been prophets to declare it ever since the world began Luke 1.70 Act. 3.21 In Q. 4. From the day of mans fall All the time from the time of mans fall to the restoring of all things by the Messiah is called The World to come and it is subjected to the Messiah Ebr. 2.5 but the restitution of all things is first prophesied in Act. 3.21 In Q. and Answ 5. Satan brought man n. 1. Man was ever the object of Satans harred and as Christ was man of the seed of the deceived woman and appointed to combate with Sathan for mans Redemption so Christ was the object of Sathans most deadly hatred but such was the perfection of his obedience under his greatest enmity that hee spoiled principalities and powers even in his death on the crosse Col 2.15 and this comfort also belongs to all the persecuted Saints that this great Red Dragon is chained Apoc. 20. and shall shortly be utterly troden under our feet Rom. 16. In Q. 5. Christ the second Adam Christ destroyeth Sathans workes not only in us but from without us and this is â—n unchangeable truth in all those that are called according to Gods purpose Joh. 13.1 Christ is the restorer of all things in him wee have all things that appertaine to life and godlinesse he is the Corner stone that couples all the building and there is no other name under Heaven whereby we can be saved Act. 4 None but Christ as blessed Lambard said Him hath God the Father sealed Joh. 6.27 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to all the Israel of God and forgivenesse of sins And this is a sure rule from the beginning He that beleeveth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that beleeveth not the son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 3â—36 so then cursed was he that said Si illa illa colantur neque esse noxium si inter Gentilium aras Dei Ecclesiam quis transiens utraque vâ—nercâ—ur and little better are the Atheisticall moderators of our dayes 1631.1632.1633 1634.1635.1636.1637 In Q. 5. And Adoption And now little Children abide in him the second Adam that when he shall appear we may have boldnesse and not be ashamed before him at his coming 1 Joh. 2. By him wee have adoption Joh. 1.12 and his spirit doth enable us to cry Abba Father mark these scriptures Ebr. 4.14.15 16. Rom. 8.15 Eph. 2.18 Rom. 5.1 2. In Q 5. N. 11. Christ the second Adam Now Sathan the old Serpent spirituall weaknesses and the God of this world doth by Gods just judgement make war against us about super-celestiall things and wrastleth cunningly to hold us still in our most miserable estare of blindnesse imprisonment and bondage but by the power of the second Adam and by the word of his Grace we are set free and such as are blinde do receive their sight and by his grace we are made able to stand resist and overcome his Grace is in us and over us and the Apostle of the Gentiles salutes them all thus The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen Esa 42.6.7 Esa 49.9 Ephes 6.1 Ioh. 2 Rom 7. Esa 45. 24. In Q. 5. The life of holinesse In him was life and the life was the light of men Ioh 1. Ioh 8.12 The second Adam saith I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darkenesse but shall have the light of life his Law restoreth the soule Psal 19 Ps 23. Ephes 2.1 Eph. 4.24 Col. 3.10.1 Coâ— 15.49 Esa 11 9.1 Ioh. 1. Ioh. 2 4. He is the true Shepherd and Bishop of our Soules In Q 5. N. 3. Christ the second Adam The appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ as it was promised hath brought life and immortality through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. Marthas and our Lords conference was heavenly the shewes that she expected life and immortality through him Ioh. 11.21 and 1 Cor. 15.1 Thess 4. And Iohs faith for this point is worthy of all consideration Ioh 19. Ps 46.15 Ps 17.15 Sin reigns to death through the first Adam but grace reigns through Righteousnesse or freedome to eternall life through Christ the second Adam Râ—m 5. The comparisons of the first and second Adam are most sweet in Rom. 5. and 1 Cor. 15. Secondly Consider further how our Lord doth sustaine us in this our pilgrimage he is said to hold our soules in life in him wee live he is our life and the lenghth of our dayes he provides and gives meanes of life meat to eat and cloathes to put on he is our preserver in all places and at all times he speaks to diseases to come and to go and when hee pleaseth to withold his preservation wee languish and dye the Godly have the feeling and knowledge of all this they finde they have their life from Jesus as from
fulfill the measures of their forefathers impieties in persecutions massacres treacheries gunpowder-plot cruell mockings c. ungodly men cannot trample on God but they reach as high as they can against his image both in his Ordinances and his saints and his graces in them this is the highest step they can go as Achab Jerom Joash Jehoiakim fretted against God and they would be revenged by imprisoning and killing his Prophets Christ his Doctrine have been called esteemed â—nathema even from the beginning of all that wil not receive his Doctrine in the love of it so it was accounted of Kain when Christ would not accept his bodily exercise so he saith Visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me Exâ—d chapt 20. So they despised his Statutes and did abhor his judgements Levit. 26 15. In 10. Quest and Answ A great Apostasie All flesh had corrupted his way both in religion and conversation Gen. 6. Job 21. and 22. Mat. 24. Iudas Thad 14.15 So Iudah were corrupters Esai 1. Ier. 6. They were but flesh they cared not for regeneration nor the Doctrine of it to serve the Law of God in their minds for the imagination of their heart was only evill continually They mocked the religion of the Second Adam Ion 21. and 22. they desired not to know the waies of Christ In Q. 10. Ungodly marriages The Sons of God the visible Church regarded not Gods distinction of the holy seed so after times found them to be snares and traps treachery profanesse and abomination to the Gospel Common-Weale and Family In Q. 10. Glorious house Glorious for Cities Wealth Musick Pleasures Feasting Strength Arts and vaine deceitfull beauty the flourishing estate of the wicked doth commonly prevaile for apostacy with the open Church or multitude In Q. 10. A confluence When people have not a sincere care to know but set light by the faith of the Son of God the mystery of godlinesse then all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse will be seene in mens conversations This is evident through all ages of the holy story and in all Common-Weales Families and persons at this day which either retaine not or cast off the mystery of Faith in a pure conscience no religion teacheth nor worketh in the heart and carriage such strictness of a peaceable and holy life as the paterne of wholesome words faith and love which is in Christ Jesus Deut. 4.5 6 7 8. And verily there can be neither holinesse nor righteousnesse in truth but in them that are renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created them that is of the man Christ Jesus the second Adam the Lord from heaven 1 Cor. 15.47 Esa 11.1 to 9. In Quest 10. Remember After our first Parents were turned to dust the rest of the holy Fathers dyed not long one after the other except Henoch yet they had three witnesses of Christ to the floud that contested against their apostasie Methuselah Lamâ—ch and Noah But Henoch had before spoken of terror to the wicked and godly Lamech of comfort to the faithfull In 11. Quest and Answ Through faith Now faith is the expectation of that which is hoped and a tryer out of things which are not seene for by it the Elders are well reported of by Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with feare prepared the Arke to the saving of his house by which he condemned the world and was made heir of the justification that is by faith Ebâ— 11. A beleever will be carefull of the salvation of his houshold In Q. 11. Good report Faith in the Son of God is most glorious faith evidencing things not seen made all the Elders honourable in a good report in life and death and after death whose faith we are exhorted to follow a godly man should so walke as all hee doth should evidence to the soule things not seen All Ecclesiastes tendeth to confirm this in us as godly Lamech testified In Q 11. Sons The floud in the faithfull doth shew the benefit of adoption and covenant the faith of God is not without its effect though many did â—all away and the Ordinances were unsavoury to them 2 Cor. 2.16 Our Natures so universally depraved that whilst we are in the flesh unconverted we cannot please God without saith it is impossible we should please God or that God should please us Jus divinum 31. In Q 11. City and country They beleeving on the Son of God had everlasting life and came not into condemnation but passed from death to life Minde it a present possession and immediate passage no judgment intervenning nor torment All the faithfull till the fulness of time had perfect joy in an immortall state of life and glory with God in the Kingdome of Heaven Matt. 8.11 and therefore are termed Them in Heaven Eph. 1.10 and the family of Heaven Chap. 3.15 Away then with the dotages of Lymbo and purgatorie and all other cursed opinions of the heathens and heathnish Kingdome Abyssigena Apoc. 9. Psal 17. and 22. 4 5. Psal 36.8.9 Dan. 7.18 Psal 49.15 and 73.24 Esa 3.10 Pro. 14.32 Job 5.24 In Q. 11. Wherefore they had preservation The fleed was a sacrament to the faithfull of Salvation to which answereth Baptisme 1 Pet. 3. Though these three men Noah Daniel and Job were in it they should deliver but their own soules by their righteousnesse faith the Lord God Ezek. 14.14 confer this to Gen. 6. many observations may be collected see the effectuall saith of Noah which he shewed by his workes beleeving he seared made the Arke and was carefull to save his houshold he prayed for the wicked mocking world he stood in the gap to turne away wrath so Jâ—b prayed for his freinds and God heard him so Daniel Chap. 2.18.23 and was heard so Christ had heard Noah but would no more after the decree came forth for one hundred and twenty yeares so Jeremiah prayed but at last would not be heard hee was forbidden to pray Things come to an extremity when Gods forbids his remembrancers if the whole state will not humble themselves yet let Noah Daniel and Job do it they shall have comfort they shall be sealed to be kept safe When Unbeleevers despisers mockers feasters drinkers and all abominable shall be shut out of the Arke and the heavenly Ierusalem to be in the floud and lake of fire Ezekiel and our Lord citing Noahs story gives to consider of the like generall Apostasie of the Jewes And that the Apostasie of the old world was as generall as the Jewes both in Ezekiels dayes and our Lords In 12. Quest and Answ Corrupters of the faith This phrase is elegantly expressed in Apoc. 11.8 The Papacy was an apostate policy and did depart from and corrupt the saith and so the whole earth was corrupt Therefore God hath and will corrupt that policy as God did corrupt the corrupters Gâ—â— 6. The former be
Floud Gen. 26.5 Answ Sem Arphaxad Selah Heber Peleg and the rest of the godly Fathers and their faithfull posterity to the dayes of Terah and Abraham QUest 5. Was there any that contemned and apostated from the God of Shem and his true religion Answ Yea Cham and Chanaan and Nimrod the grandchild of Cham drew away many of the sons of the open or visible Church to despise Christ in Shem sirnamed Melchisedeck who was ordained over them King and Preist who governed in Justice and peace so that there was a great apostacie of Sems own families Japheths and Chams QUest 6. Shew further how this apostacy went on Answ The outward glory of the false church was so great that some of the Fathers of the holy line as Terah and Abraham fell to the idolatry of Nimrods Kingdome Jos 24. But they being called repented Gen. 11. QUest 7. How did Christ break and bruise the seed of the serpent for their enmity and wickednesse that would not bave him to reigne over them Answ I. With his unspeakable severe judgements for even those families for despising the faith were excommunicated and cut off both Father and child from being of the houshold of God by the confusion * So Judah for despising the faith were plagued by a Nation of a strange tongue Deut. 28 49. so the world by the man of sin 1 Cor. 14. mind seriously Jer 44 26. of tongues and so were No-people and foolish Nations by being estranged from the life justice and peace of God in Christ that they did not hear nor see the light of his truth for two thousand years but followed Divells the Prince of the darkness of this world in endlesse and lawlesse Idolatries and of all the miseries that befell them they in speciall lost the Sabbath which would have kept them in the faith of the creation and redemption And let this sinke into the hearts of all men that all men ever were and will be Atheists or Idolaters that Christ speaks not to in their owne language by his holy law and to this answer ever seriously minde 2 Joh v 9. II. From these dayes the wrath of God was revealed from Heaven against them for their ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse by wars and commotions and suffered them to walke in their own wayes by giving them up to a regardlesse mind and to the power of grosse darknesse and wilfull ignorance and to their hearts lusts and vile affections c. c. QUest 8. What benefit had the godly in Sems Tents and house by cleaving to the faith of Gods Elect Answ Through faith they obtained good report with God and confessed that they were pilgrims and strangers in this cursed world wherefore God was not ashamed of them to be called their God and accounted that the world was not worthy of them And as he promised builded and prepared so they hoped for an heavenly City and Country And Sems Tents had this glory that all the while that those families were cut off the hidden mystery of godlinesse was carefully kept in his Tents and house and the Hebrew Tongue also as all the old Testament doth witnesse QUest 9. Then the Prerogative of Sems Tents did not alwaies continue Answ No When the God of Shem tooke mans nature of the seed of the woman and gave his life a Ransome not for the Hebrewes or Jewes only but for the Heathens also Then that he might raigne and judge the world in righteousnesse he turned the curse of tongues to preach to and perswade all those families to obey the same faith from which their forefathers had apostated even to the Religion of Shems Tents QUest 10. How and to whom was the Revelation of the mystery of Christ continued to be revealed after the blessing to Sem Answ In the promise to Abraham that Christ should come of him according to the flesh QUest 11. How many yeares are from the floud to the promise made to Abraham Answ Foure hundred twenty seven yeares and so from the promise to our first Parents whom the Serpent murdered unto the promise to Abram given presently upon the death of Terah whose faith the Serpent corrupted to flames of Idolatry are years two thousand eighty three QUest 12. How many Chapters of Genesis are contained in those 2083. yeares Answ The eleven first chapters and also part of the first chapter of 1 Chronicles and also Luke part of chap. 3. Note that all the rest of the holy scriptures doth not containe so many yeares for the writing of them A breife summe of the former Questions and Answers JEhovah our God Jehovah is one the Father the Son and the holy spirit be one coeternall and co-essentiall The Son is called the word by the word the Father made the world and by the spirit beautified the heavens And because the word would become flesh the world was made to serve once Adam the first The Angells that grudged at that fell for ever and deceived Adam and made him dead in sin and brought him to be dayly turning to dust untill hee dyed And for him the whole frame of the creation was pronounced corrupt but after divine Revelation he beleeved that Christ made of a woman made under the Law God being in him to reconcile the world unto himself should give him free forgiveness for justification by faith and renew the inner man in knowledge holinesse and righteousnesse and raise up his body and make a new world by his power Whereby he can subdue all things to himselfe All faithfull travailed in soule to have Christ brought forth to the knowledge of their posterity that all might know that all this world was made obedient to a man at the first which man fell from God his first day and then God opened his counsell that the Son eternall would be made man of a woman to destroy the works of the Angells that fell who all are collectively Satan Satan brought Adam to loose the life of his soule and his body to death and dust and all this world to corruption Christ kindled light in Adams soule and after 930 years heavinesse for sin took it to his joy and will raise up his body and make a new world that all men who will receive the abundance of Grace of free forgivenesse for justification may reigne by Christ and all who will not regard this mercy so clear as the sun they all by Adams fall dead in sin shall be damned for ever with the Devills This is the travell of the christian minde speech of this full of joy is in all the books of the old and new Testament Or thus The summ of the Bible is short how of Gods eternall counsell the world was made for man because the son of God by whom he made the world would be a man to give life to them that rested in this wisdome *** All this dialogue will evidence this or doth desire so to do * The faith of Gods elect in
all evil and Ierusalem admonishâ—â—â— all States to be warned by her example Lam. chap. 1. and 2.14 and chap. 4. Ibid. Then Solomons house ended David shewed his house would not be upright with God but would be Belial and thorns and should be burnt A terrour to Princes that will not rule justly and in the fear of God 2 Sam. 23. Observe Lam. 2.5 6. The Lord is become a very enemy he hath swallowed up Israel he hath swallowed up her palaces he hath destroyed his strong holds and he hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation And he hath violently taken away his Tabernacle as it were of a garden he hath destroyed the places of the Assembly Jehovah hath caused the solemn Feasts and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Sion and he hath despised in the indignation of his anger King and Sacrificer Let not the wild olive branches be high-minded Rom. 11. CHAP. VII With Questions Answers and Annotations Shewing how the Covenant of grace was taught and opposed in this space of time from the burning of the Temple to the end of the Captivity of Babel QUest 1. Shew some Scriptures concerning the Captivity of Judah under the Babylonian Kingdom with other things thereupon depending Answ Levit. 26.14 (a) observe how the holy history and the prophets comment upon this Scripture of Moses very useful to confer history to prophecy to the end of the chapter 14. But if ye will not hearken to me and will not do all these commandments 15. And if ye shall (b) consider here how the holy Gospel Law of Châ—ist delivered to Moses was unsavory to the outward Israelite it was a savour of life to some and to others a savour of death to death so it ever was and ever shall be as it was to Kain and Habel and Esay 6.9 10. 11. chapters 2 Chron. 2.16 despise my Statutes or if your soul abhor c my judgements so that ye will not do all my commandments but that ye break my covenant 16. I also will do this unto you I will appoint even over you terrour consumption and the burning ague and that shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart and ye shall sow your seed in vain for your enemies shall eat it 17. And I will set my face against you and ye shall be slain before your enemies they that hate you shall reign over you and ye shall flee when none pursueth you 18. And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me then I will punish you seaven times more for your sins 19. And 〈◊〉 will break the pride of your power and I will make your heaven as iron and your earth as brass 20. And your strength shall be spent in vain for your Land shall not yield her increase neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits 21. And if ye walk contrary unto me and will not hearken unto me I will bring seaven times more plagues upon you according to your sins 22. I will also send wild beasts which shall rob you of your children and destroy your cattel and make you few in number and your high waies shall be desolate 23. And if ye will not be reformed by these things but will walk contrary unto me 24. Then will I also walk contrary unto you and will punish you yet seven times for your sins 25. And I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant and when ye are gathered together within your Cities I will send the Pestilence among you and ye shall be delivered into the hands of the enemy 26. And when I have broken the staff of your bread Ten Women shall bake your bread in one Oven and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight and ye shall eat and not be satisffed 27. And if for all this ye will not hearken unto me but walk contrary unto me 28. Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury and I even I will chastise you seaven times for your sins 29. Moses foresaw captivity and Dan 9. doth comment on all this chapter And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat 30. And I will destroy your high places and cut down your Sun-Images and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your filthy idols and my soul shall abhor you 31. And I wil make your Cities wast and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation and I will not smell the savor of your seed odours 32. And I will bring the Land unto desolation and your enemies which shall dwell therein shall be astonished at it 33. And I will scatter you among the heathen and I will draw out a sword after you and your land shall be desolate and your Cities wast 34. Then shall your land enjoy her (a) Mark how the holy Story commenteth on all Moses Sabbaths as long as it lieth desolate and ye be in your enemies land even then shall the Land rest and enjoy her Sabbaths 35. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest because it did not rest in your Sabbaths when ye dwelt upon it 36. And upon them that are left of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the Land of their enemies and the sound of a leafe driven shall chase them and they shall flee as fleeing from a sword and they shall fall when none pursueth 37. And they shall fall one upon another as it were before a sword when none pursueth and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies 38. And ye shall perish among the heathens and the land of your enemies shâ—ll eat you up 39 And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies lands and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away 40. If they shall (b) So Daniel did and God remembâ—ed his Covenant in Christ Dan. 9.24 25 26 27. read Ezek 36. confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers with their trespass which they have trespassed against me and that also they have walked contrary unto me 41. And that I also have walked contrary unto them and have brought them into their enemies lands if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled and they then (c) A justified person wiâ—l justifie God in all his providences so Neh. 9. all of it Dan. 9.5 If we judge our selves God will not judge us but remember his covenant 1 Cor. 11.1 Ioh. 1. The better a manis the more unworthy he thinks himself to be Iob 42.6 accept of the punishment of their iniquity 42. Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob and also my covenant with Isaac and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember and I will remember the Land 43. The land also shall be left of them and shall enjoy her (d) Obseâ—ve 2 châ—on 36.21 though the prophets departed this life yet the ward
souls to the souls that are seperated fron he body without distinction of joy or sorrow that must be gathered from the person and his cause whether it be good or bad and therefore Hades is not alwayes used properly and only for the place of Torment to all departed souls but it hath two parts the one is a happy part for all the godly and the other is a most miserable part for all the wicked that dye in their sins 1. Hades doth signifie death to the person or destruction to things as in Mat. 11.23 Thou Capernaum which art exalted to Heaven shalt be brought downe to Hades that is to the lowest Earth this City was destroyed by the Justice of God because they despised the dayes of the Son of man and did not regard his blessed visitation although he was much conversant both in preaching and working miracles among them so that now there is but a little remainder of it left as Sir Walter Raleigh excellently shews in P. 347. The words of Christ doé shew the once greatnesse of that City both in temporall and spirituall respects It was one of the principall Cities of Decapolis and the metropolis of Galilee and though some marks of this Cities magnificence were seen in Saint Jeroms time it being then a reasonable Burge or Towne yet those that have seen it since as Brochard Bradeinbech and Saliniac affirm that it consisted but of six poore Fishermens Houses and thus it hath pleased God by his providence to direct that Histories should shew the sad event of Christs propheticall threatning and in this sence Sheol is also used in Num. 16.33 for the death and destruction of persons and things 2. Hades in Mat. 16.18 doth meane ' eath to the person as the scope of the place doth best bear it and by the Gates of Hades is meant a cruell and violent death which should be inflicted by the Roman persecuting Emperors after them by the Popes by the Substitutes of each that should have power to fit in the Gates of Judgement to condemne to death by greivous tortures all those that did build their faith on the Rock Christ as Peter did and for saying as he did Thou art Christ the Son of the living God on this Rock Christ faith Christ I will build my Church so that the Gates of Hades shall not by any sentence or torture of death prevaile against them to extinguish them 1. Hades is used to signifie the grave to the dead bodies 1 Cor. 15. 55. O death where is thy sting O Hades where is thy victory Hades in this place faith Master Bro. in Exp. Anti. P. 15. Is the holy bodies lodging 2. In Act. 2.27 Thou wilt not Jeave me or my vitall soul in Hades the Grave that it should corrupt as other mens bodies do in that space of time before it was raised 3. In Apoc. 6 8. death sat on a pale Horse and Hades followed him now that which follows death must needs be the grave to the body called Hades and in that respect Master Bro. in Apoc. 56. calls Hades the gulfe of the grave and saith he in P. 165. A gulfe of a grave was opened to shew how the Casaâ—s warred and perished miserably three hundred years with their great Armies and such a Sheol Grave or great Buriall is spoke of in Eze. 39.11 and in Es 14. which places the Seventy translate Sheol by Hades and so Hades hath as wide a mouth as Sheol and therefore in Apoc. 6.8 death rides on a pale Horse to hasten the death of persecutors in aboundance and that Hades the grave follows death and therefore the Seventy translate Sheol in Pro. 30 15. by Hades the grave as being one of the three things that saith It is not enough and in Pro. 27.20 Sheol and destruction are never full in which place the Seventy have Hades 3. Hades signifies the world un-seen or the world of souls to the souls that are seperated from the body without distinction of joy or sorrow but as it may be gathered from the qualification of the person and his cause The Apostle Peter in Act. 2. was to prove the Resurrection of Christ from death to life against the Saduces he did not dispute of the second death nor of a journey to Hell as many understand Hell nor of suffering Hell Torments in his soul as some doe also understand Hell in Act. 2. for if he had so disputed with the Saduces which were many in those dayes he had disputed besides the question which was about the Resurrection of his dead body and it may also be a greiâ—e unto us that such an Heavenly Article of our Christan faith as is the immortality of the souls passing from the dead body to the joys of God should be so much mis-interpreted as hath been and yet is in some Churches in the aforesaid un-sound sences The holy rational soul of the Lord Jesus Christ at his death went to the happy part of Hades namely to that part of it that is called Paradise The rich mans soul at his death went likewise to Hades but yet it was to that part of it that is called Gehenna to torments in the lake of fire ' Abrahams Bosome was in Hades and the rich man was also in Hades and there Abraham and the rich man spake to each other which sheweth that they were in the same world of souls though in several distinct lots and it is evident by Es 66. that the godly and the wicked knâ—w one the others case therefore we are not to think that Hades is low in the earth It would be ridiculous that in a Dialogue one should talk with another above his head millions of miles see Bro. in Rep. 11 12 13. All souls ascend to Gods Throne Eccl 3. and 12 yea even the wicked ascend to Gods Throne in the proper term of ascending and have their lot there before the Throne of God and in the presence of the just and are tormented in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb Apoc. 14. these places shew that the place of joy and the place of torment are in sight and some near distance to each other and that Hades is the generall term of them both Hence therefore I conclude that it is the person and his cause that must interpret the word Hades as it respects the departed soul either for jâ—y or sorrow either for heaven or hell I may exemplifie my meaning by this similitude Traitors go from Westminster to the Tower of London and so do faithfull State 〈◊〉 men also but traitors and proditors go to prisons and torments in the Tower and so also faithfull States men go to the Tower but they go to the pleasant chambers and gardens in the Tower so in like sort all godly souls go to Hades but they go to the pleasant places of Paradise in Hades in the unseen world of souls but the wicked when they die their
second death after the first 5. When and where did the Lord of glory suffer the second death if you prophesy to the going down of the Sun there will be no answer many Ministers will have the Lord to suffer the second death before the first or in and with the first They must exercise their wit but there is no Divine Revelation what to affirme least their imaginary Doctrine be lost 6. We must know and that by Divine Revelation that as there is a first death so there is a second death and that the second death must be after the first or else if we by our wit and learning will affirme the contrary we shall destroy Gods order but no accutenesse of wit or learning shall ever be able to doe that what shall mans subtill wit nullifie the order of nature of first and second and the order of Divine Revelation which sheweth that the first death is in this world and the second death in the world to come The Spirit of Christ said by Iohn He that overcometh namely that overcometh the will of Tyrants by suffering the first death for the truth shall nor be hurt of the second death Apoc. 2.11 Lo the second death is after the first and in another world and this doth more fully appear by Apoc. 20.14 and by Apoc. 6.7.8 which placles doe shew first the place of punishment secondly the punishment it feâ—se thirdly the time when fourthly the company that shall he there heaped together first the place expressed is the lake secondly the punishment everlasting paine in fire and brimstone thirdly the time is at the last and great day of account when the Books shall be opened fourthly the company is the Devill the Beast the false Prophet the fearfull the un-beleiving the abominable and murtherers and whore-mungers and sorcerers and idolaters and all lyars c. of which second death the Lord Jesus the holy one of God under-went to part Therefore that Doctrine that saith so must be reprobated with the Reprobates 7. The primitive Churches were admonished to take heed of running after Fables and reformed Churches have as much need to look about themâ—men yea Schollers yea Ecclesiasticks are as subject now to fables and heresies as ever it hath been observed that Ecclesiasticks have ever been the Founders of fables errors and heresies The Apostle gave warning of this to the Bishops of the Churches and tells them that of themselves men should arise speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them Act. 20. 8. Some have not traversed these pathes as they should because they have been so long instituted and catechised in the Doctrine of Hell-Torments and that Christ the holy one of God was a sinner yea the vilest of sinners and when they are by modest arguing put out of their beaten track they run wild and utter sesquipedalia verba on their breathren that have and do desire that they and their Children should walke with God in soundnesse of judgement and in a godly and sober conversation 9. Let it be further considered that the first death hath foure parts first the death of the soul in sin secondly the death of the body by sicknesse thirdly the seperation of the soul from the body fourthly the putrifaction of the body First the death of the soul is thus expressed dead in Trespasses and Sins Eph. 2.1.5 and so the Gospell is said to be preached to the dead in Sin 1. Pet. 4.6 Secondly the death of the body is effected by fire water sicknesse c. Thirdly the body being dead then the soul departs to the world of souls untill the day of the Resurrection Fourthly the putrification of the body is evident by constant experience The first part of this death namely the death of the soul in Sin could not betide the Lord Jesus because of his ineffable conception in the sanctified womb The second part the Lord Jesus under-went when he gave himselfe a Ransome for the many when he was put to death as a Malefactor on the Tree Thirdly his seperated soul went from his dead body to the world of souls to the happy part of Hades to Paradise to Heaven The fourth part of this first death the Lord did not undergoe his body saw no corruption Act 2. 10. Now as no man may say that Christ was spiritually dead in Trespasses and Sins so neither must they say that he under went the second death none ever under-went the latter that had not first undergone the former 11. I will cite two or three godly Authors that expound the second death First Mr. Ainsworth speaketh thus on the signification of the word death in Gen. â— 17 Finally death is the everlasting perdition of soul and body in Gehenna from the presence of the Lord and called the second death in Apoc. 2. 20. 21. Mat. 10.28 Mat. 9. he saith Hel but Gehenna is in the Text he citeth therefore I dare be bold to put Gehenna for it see his Notes on Ps 16. and see his communion of Saints last page Secondly Trelcatius saith that by second death is meant Eternall death Thirdly Master Perkins in Gal. 3. speaking of the parts of the second death saith the second degree is an absolute seperation from God but saith he into this second degree of this death Christ entred not because the Lord saith in the midst of his passion my God my God and saith he this absolute seperation could not be without the dissolution of his personall union Master Perkins was cautelous of going too far in the point of Carists sufferings and yet it seems he would have the Lord to suffer a part of the second death and he makes that part to be in this World and the other part in the World to come and that he suffered the first and second death together or rather some part of the second death be fore the first is this good Divinity is this Doctrine Orthodox 12. Master Perkins also saith in Gal. 3. That whole Christ Man-God God-man was accursed is not this another fearfull speach though with limitation and some retractation as it were in the same breath and yet all that he saith doth not nor cannot expiate the horror of the position 13. Master Perkins also saith further on Gal. 3. The second death is a seperation from Gods favor and speciall love whereby God ceaseth to be their God This is the second death indeed But now let any godly man whether learned or un-learned bethink himselfe whether ever this did befall the humanity of the holy one of God This speach conferred with some other mens doth infer that Christ was not Christ for a time 14. It is affirmed by some that Christ bore our deserved curse for our Redemption But bring this generall position to particulars and then they make a stand as first of the spirituall death in sin secondly touching the corruption of the body after death and some are affraid to say that he suffered any part
their properties Joh 1.14 Joh. 15.26 the Father from all eternity begetteth the Person of the Son the Son from all eternity is begotten of the Father the holy Spirit from all eternity proceedeth from them both These are incommunicable properties in the Persons the Fathers relative property is to beget and not to be begotten and therefore he is the first person in order so for our better conceiving we may say a Person in the God-head is a subsistence or a being considered in his relative property A 3. By their works to the Father is ascribed creation election predestination and adoption to the Son redemption to the holy Ghost sanctification Again the beginning of every action is given to the Father the dispensation to the Son the perfection and consummation to the holy Ghost these in some respects may be said to be communicable properties in the persons The reverend Mr. Richardson Mr. Yates and Mr. Antony Wotton c. Also it must be considered that every title attribute or property that in generall is spoken of the Deity is spoken of and attributed to each person as the Father is Jehovah so is the Son so is the holy Ghost Joh. 12.41 Act. 28.25 conferred with Esai 6.3 to 10. The Father the Son the holy Spirit be one co-essentiall and co-eternall infinite and unchangable c. And so in the attributes just holy good mercifull c. each person is so infinitely and unchangably c. Also in respect of the Creatures the attributes are communicable to each Person as the Son is called Father Esai 9. So it may be said of the holy Spirit who begetteth and reneweth us by the word of truth the Father is our teacher and so the Son and so the holy Spirit the Father sanctifieth the son sanctifieth the holy spirit sanctifieth Therefore it is very usefull to observe two things in the persons their co-operation and distinct manner of working the one is necessary in regard of this that they have the same essence and therefore cannot but co-worke in every thing the other is likewise as necessary because each person hath his distinct manner of subsisting All operation flowes from their essence co-operation from their unity in it and distinct manner from the distinct manner of their subsisting One essence one operation and Three being One must needes work inseparably and one being Three must needs worke in a distinct manner 6 Through faith we understand that the worlds were builded by the word of God that the things which are seen are not made of things which had appearance Ebr. 11. 6 It is the thrice holy Jehovah the Father the Son and their spirit all Three one infinite nature that hath created the heavens and the Earth and Seas and all things in them whether visible or invisible in a sweet dependency of order And He the Eternall Being gave them all their being with perfection of qualities that B was fit for each creature in its order and kinde 7 It is the same everlasting God that in his providence from the beginning to the ending doth in a most holy just wise and mercifull order preserve and govern all things with all their circumstances in the heavens earth seas C Therefore called an everlasting King But this King and D Kingdome is more specially to be understood of the son of God as Mediatour to whom the Father hath committed all authority and power Vt infra 8. The true God being thus glorious and a spirit infinite is therefore impossible to be perceived by our senses or comprehended in the short span of our understanding for hee is like to nothing in heaven earth or seas neither can all the wisest men of the world make any thing like to him but if any think so to do they dote and are follish and vain as Isui 40. and many more Chapters do speake and their images are no Gods E nor resemblances of him but works of errours and lyes They can do neither good nor evill those that make them are like unto them and so are all that put their trust in them And all that worship God by them are F haters of the eternall God and are hated and accursed of him 9 Here it is shewed that Gods worship is cheifly spiritual G and all outward worship otherwise then hee hath appointed is hatefull and abominable and uncomfortable as here and in other scriptures ceremonious and superstitious vanities and makers of images are reproved as bruitish senselesse and hopelesse 10 God being One and none other beside him the supream Governour whose is the Kingdome and power over all things he is only to be feared loved trusted in prayed unto and obeyed therefore he hath given us ten commandements with this entrance That he is Iehovah our H Elohim the Eternall the Mighty God our creator and Redeemer and he hath taught us to pray to him who is the everlasting father from whom all helpe comfort and defence cometh and is to be praysed and glorified in all his workes of goodnesse mercy wisdome justice c. 11 God being a most simple spiritual eternall and infinite Nature It followeth that he seeth at one instant and togegether past present and to come all things in heaven earth and seas There is nothing so invisible to our eyes in any place or so spirituall to our understanding but he seeth every particular Nothing is so secret as the imaginations of our thoughts yet God seeth them Many uses hence an understanding and beleeving heart will make for spirituall obedience and carefull watchfullnesse over his whole man Psal 139. all of it and 119 168. Job 31.4 1 Chron. 28.9 Men not understanding or not beleeving say in heart there is no God or like the wicked in Job chap. 22 and Psal 94. Who say Jehovah shall not see the God of Jacob will not regard But God doth both as the Psalme is notable Secondly Hence a world of outward Christians do shew themselves but Atheists Yea thirdly The godly not seriously and constantly considering this fail much in their sincerity for holy and just obedience 12. Another singular use is for afflictions When wee have any cause of fear wee may be preserved that this passion do not too much assaile us by meditating often wee may be throughly acquainted with I our God his titles properties and attributes both incommunicable and communicable Also of his works of creation redemption and Government in any evill felt or feared we may quickly turn and seek to god and so may not fear above measure as David saith K They that know thy name will trust in thee Psal 9.10 Againe When I was afraid I trusted in thee Psal 56.3 Remarkable also is this in Jehosaphat 2 Chron. 20.12 Also transcendent in those three noble confessors and Martyrs Dan 3.16.17.18 So in all temptations yea in death it selfe These things when they are well graffed and as nailes fastned in our soules will prepare us to contentednesse in all
of the Land of Canaan by Iesus the son of Nun unto the conquest of JESVS the son of God over Sin death and Satan and all our enemies are twenty eight Iubilees our Lord and Saviour the Lord Iesus Christ who is the second Adam and Sem the Great and Reverend The Jubilee year a wonderful◠〈◊〉 the joyfull sound of the Trumpet in the acceptable year of the Lord sounded all these things The victorious combate with the Serpent and his seed and his triumph over them the fullnesse of times the Sacrifice of eternall Redemption the just for the unjust the open recovery of Paradise the resurrection of the most holy the true Temple destroyed and raised the day of salvation the Jews Prerogative ended the Gentiles called the enmity of Jew and Gentile abolished the shadows flee away Christ shook and ended the things made with hands the Sun is darkned the Vail of the Temple rent because the way into the holy heavens was opend by a better Priest and Sacrifice c. c. c. died in a * Iubilee year The ancient holy Hebrews had an excellent and wonderfull saying among them that The Divine Majesty dwelling in our Tabernacle will be to Israel in a Iubilee remission redemption and finisher of Sabbaths Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the ninth Chapter QVest 2. and Ans upon the 2. verse of Dan. 9. The reading study and meditation of the holy Scriptures a great furtherance to prayer A man cannot pray with sound spirituall comfort that is ignorant in them as is manifest in this verse and the rest of the Chapter Blessed is the man that delighteth in them and in them doth meditate day and night Psal 1. And anathema maranatha be that man of sin and his locusts and Kingdome that with-holdeth and forbiddeth the reading and study of the holy Scriptures to the people Observe well 2 Sam 7.27 Gods revelation the ground of prayer yea boldnesse in it Upon Daniel 9 23. Conceive the word and perceive it c. By this commandement doubled for vehementer charge he condemneth the world that regardeth not to be instructed in this doctrine sent from heaven by an Angel unto Daniel and penned for all Nations use Wherefore we must give better heed unto the speech lest we perversly swarve for if the word spoken by angels fall out sure and every trespasse received just recompence of reward how shall we ever escape neglecting so great a charge of our King to our own salvation where the vision is so clear that no doubt can be moved by any plain heart that will rest in the clearnesse of the most bright message by an angel of glory who coming to teach all the world was to shine in words as Stephâ—n by him did in the face Acts 6 when he spake the angell Gabriels words that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the place City and Temple and change the Laws which Moses gave To this day the blind Jews stand in this that the Laws of Moses shall stand for ever Maymon Tom. 1. delege perek 9. Therefore God fore-seeing their dullnesse of hearing would have an angel of light to teach them by this Prophesie 490 years when from the year of that message unto Daniel the Laws of Moses should have their end and none of the Scribes when Herod was affrighted nor any of the Iews as is seen by their answers in all the Gospel objected disagreement for the time which thing had been done if there had been any colour of disagreement in time but they could not conceive of Christs person and office how that he should be the most holy and King and yet dy for our redemption how he should be Davids Lord and yet his son of these things the main objections arose Now let us look unto the Text sâ—il Mr. Bro. on the text on both his english Daniels Upon Dan. 9.24 c. In this Scripture we come to behold in its flaming brightnesse of the King that is Sacrificer also by whom and for whom death is vanquished sun is cleansed Iustice is brought redemption is wrought a vision is sealed our soul is healed sacrifice abolished and the Temple destroyed for defacing of this doctrine the Iews be reiected for embracing this doctrine the Gentiles be elected to open calling Mr. Bro. in S. sight surely the angel his message concerneth the sum of all the Bible The Jews went weeping to Babel seeing Salomons house and Kingdome ended and the Temple burnt and all Moses ceremonies shaken but they returned rejoycing bringing sheaves of all comfort by Gabriels heavenly message of the seventy sevens concerning MESSIAH the King the Holy of Holy Upon Dan. 9.25 Out going of the word to restore c. mark the word of Proclamation of Cyrus Ezra 1. how it answereth this Prophesie Meditate also how pleasing it is to our God to have a tender affection to his cause Daniel mourned and prayed for the holy City and the holy Mountain and had a gracious answer by the holy angel compare Dan. 9 21.22 Also observe a speech in Zephaniah I will gather them that are sorrowfull for the solemn Assembly who are of thee such are the children of Sion the genuine members of Christs mysticall body to whom the reproach of it was a burden Zeph. 3.18 Psal 137.5 6. So Daniel again was affected when he mourned so bitterly when the building of the temple was hindred by Cambyses in Cyrus his absence Ezra 4 Dan. 10.2 3 4. No losse to the losse of holy things when they are gone God is gone and the enjoying of them no gain so great and no time so acceptable Lam. 2.6 7. Hâ—s 9 12. Ezek. 9 3. 10 4.18 19. and 11.22.23 Micâ—hs idolatrous contestation in a contrary must be the thought of every Holy soul for the esteeming procuring and upholding of Holy Assemblies Jud 18 24. Upon Dan. 9.26 The City and holy place shall be distroy The holy Martyr Stephen was called into question and lost his life for this glorious Doctrine of the holy Angell and yet his countenance before the Councill was like the Angels that brought the message Act 6.13 14 15. and all Chap. 7. How did Despisers wonder and perish when Stephen and Paul taught this Act. 6 7 Act. 13.41 45. 21.28 they wondered and in the end perished As of old they wondered at the Prophets Esai 8 18. Jer. 26 6 7 8. Hab. 1.5 so they did at our Lord and his Apostles Doctrine And verily so it is at this day where ever the Commandements of God and the faith of Jesus is truly and zealously taught Upon the same verse verse twenty five about the attribute Messiah which in this message of the Angell is twice expressed as a proper name of the Son of God who became a Son of man the Son of Adam Dan. 7.13 to fulfill all the Angels message And from this time of Dan 9. this attribute Messiah was very usuall among the faithfull
passeover of the Lord your God according to all that is in the book of the Covenant 2 Kings 23. Kings should so speak to their subjects if they have any portion in the Covenant Ibid. With holy judgement and faith We must discern by faith as Habel Heb. 11.4 The Lords body crucified and the bloud of the covenant shed opus operatum is not enough It is the Lords seal of the forgiveness of sins Alaâ—le alass for want of sound reaching in the most of our assemblies Ibid. To stay us in Christ c. Not only for increase of faith concerning our effectual calling justification adoption and redemption and for nourishment and strength to walk in the waies of holyness and righteousness being made comformable to his image renewed in us c. but for supporting us in the daies of trial and affliction which in this seal is represented by the sufferings of our Lord to whom we also must be conformable in sufferings to take up our cross daily As it is the cup of gladness of salvation so it is the cup yea of bloudy sufferings if our heavenly Father will put it into our hands N. 4. which figured his body and bloud The Pope and his corporation corrupted from the plainesse that is in Christ making an Altar Priest and Sacrifice have missed wholly of the truth in Christ By that blasphemous idol of his masse and other inventions they have abolished the remembrance of the death and sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Lord in the holy seal of the covenant Ibid. Bread and wine by Seal of things without life by Bread broken and bloud of the grape by the term Supper the whole tenor of Christianity is meant Apocal. 19.9 But the acceptation of the Seal is an open action to distinguish us more then baptism doth from others The King of Locusts and his Locusts are fatal enemies to this seal of the Covenant in their idolatrous Nothing of their Sacrament of the Altar setting forth Christ both unbroken and unbloudy which cannot represent nor seal Christ for reconciliation remission of sins or nourishment As the Ordinance of Christ is blessed and shall be â—â—lessed to the day of his comming so this abominable corruption is cursed and shall be accursed of all that love our Lord Jesus Christ to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen As in the Ordinance of the Passeover the Angel of the Covenant did execute judgements on the Gods of old Egypt so where this Ordinance of the Lords Supper is truly administred the idolatry of the breaden gods of Rome-Egypt are demolished Ibid. To be in Covenant speech his body and bloud a seal of most high matters is most highly to be esteemed But none without Athean madnesse will say The Seal is the King the Kings authority it should have to be as himself but none of wit orgrace would make it the King himself All wise know proper speech and civil The Gospel thrice and St. Paul 1 Cor. 11. tell that Iesus gave bread and wine and that the disciples are and drank what he gave that no miracle was here but the native manner of a Covenant Eye-sight is Gods testimony by creation Law and allowed ever even in the seal of the Covenant which may contain no matter litigious And if the Apostles or Greck Fathers had said the bread and wine were altered from their taste and nature for so much the heathen would have sworn the world never bare wickeder Magicians nor worthier of death by Mases Law which Christ gave as eternal God and came as man to be judged of man how he did perform all so that the native power of reason which he planted in all souls for sense of eye sight taste feeling smelling and hearing of words should judg of him that he performed all justice to plain capacity of all nations and required none to believe further then Logick common to every man would require assent or tell of open Rebellion against the truth Transubstantiation a monstrous term for a monstrous matter Mr. Brou in Apocal. At the figure of the Star * according to the words and commandments Though it be but a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed no man disannulleth or addeth thereto Gal. 3.15 Heb. 9.15 16 17. neither altereth the Legacies nor addeth others nor taketh away nor maketh other Executors or Overseers c. Men must not be Rectifters of Christs Testament which is confirmed by the death and bloud as in his type Exod. 24 Of him the Testatour And the seals bind us all to look to the holy evidences Men may as well pull away the seals as falsifie the plain truth in the writings They bind us to observe whatsoever Christ hath commanded as circumcision did Israel Exod 12. Gal 3 5 the angel of the pit and his pit-bred creatures corrupt the evidences and utterly pull off one of the seals they are great impostors Quest 7. and Answ Martyrs and confessours of all Nations Us heathens were from Noahs dayes Loruchamab and Loammiâ— Deut 32.21 and so the ten Tribes Hos 1 but both in Christ Ruchamah and Ammi so that now many come from the East and West Isa 49. to be blessed with faithfull Abraham and to sit down with him and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of heaven no sitting there unlesse of Abrahams faith without shall be liars mark the terms of the Covenant I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob This is my memoriall to all generations that is to all of their faith whether Jew or Gentile else they are protested against not to be of Abrahams Gal. 3.7 8. John 8.39.40 41. c. and have been and shall be broken off Rom. 11.17 and cast out Gal. 4.30 At the mark of the †Then to him was given Kingdome power and glory See how our Lord commenteth on Daniel chap. 2. and 7. All power saith he is given to me in heaven and in earth therefore go and disciple all Nations c Mat. 28. Quest 8. and Answ 1. But what was taught in Sems Tents The Scriptures of the Prophets the faith of the Nations Rom. 1.2 and 16.26 The same faith and Covenant although the outward administration did differ How glorious is the Scriptures consent The Saints from the beginning to the ending have one and the same God and Saviour one and the same faith the same hope the same Covenant the same premises Behold how all is administred by one Mediatour from one eternall being who is A. and Ω. confer Gen. 3.15 and 6.18 1 Iohn 1.1 2. c. Exod. 19.5 6. Apoc. 21.3 2 Cor. 6.16 Exod. 29.45 Ios 1.3 Heb. 13.5 Ibid. Who went from Jerusalem Sems tents The faith of Gods elect came to us from Ierusalem Sems tents not from Rome Babylon with babbling language as the Locusts prate see Isa 2 1 2 3 4. Micah 4. Luke 24.47 The heavenly Ierusalem began to be built in the earthly Acts 1.2 And
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
in Sheol or in Hades Answer 1. I have foâ—merly shewed that Nephesh which we translate soul in Psal 16. must be understood of his vitall soul and not of his rationall soul But suppose it were meant of his rationall soul yet it is not to be scoffed at that he should blesse God for not leaving his soul in Hades heaven till his body saw corruption Câ—ristopher Carlile in his Descent shews in page 47 48. That souls in joy have an earnest affection to be united to their dead bodies that so they may both together partake of the same glory and Weams in his Portraiture Pag. 33.34 speaks just to the same effect Objection 3. Some object that many Creeds have left out this Article and thence they conclude that it is but a suppositious Article Answ 1. * Is it not strange that any should be so far blinded as to think that the pen man of the Creed should speak of the crucifying death and buriall of the Lords body and yet should omit to record the immortall state of his holy and precious soul when he sent out his Spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father sâ—eing there were so many Sadduces living in those ancient dayes that denied the immortality of the rationall sou 2. Some reasons may also be rendered why some Creeds might after a while leave it our 1. when the immortall state of the soul was generally believed and not doubted of it might be left out 2. When other tongues could not find a fit word that could attain to the large sense and elegancy of the Greek word Hades then the learned seeing it might be mis understood might in wisdome rather choose to leave it out 3. When the mysterie of iniquity did so increase that Christendome was darkned by the smoke of the Pit as hath been touched from Apoc. 9. and that learning was grown so weak that most did not know whether the soul of man did ascend or descend or whither the godly soul went after death I say when the holy doctrine was so exceedingly darkned aâ— it was in the 10 11 12 13 14 and 15 Centuries and that the Article of descending to hell was so corruptly expounded then also some learned of latter times might leave it our as they did in former times for the former Reason These things I thought necessary to advise the Reader of because not many though some have written of this Subject I thought it my duty therefore to adde these Considerations for the benefit of the godly and studious Reader and I hope that my endeavour will not be in vain in the Lord. CHAP. XXXIII Of the Phrase of Abrahams Bosome THis Phrase The Bosome of Abraham did arise and was made familiar as I suppose by the faithfull Hebrew Rabbins before our Lords dayes upon this Consideration 1. The Covenant of God in Christ was made with Abraham and his Seed that in his Seed all nations should be blessed and thereupon such as desired to be partakers of that blessednesse must be of Abrahams faith and must testifie their desire by receiving Circumcision the Seal of that Covenant and then they were also received into his house or into his Church and so they were as it were nourished in Abrahams Bosome where they were nourished by Gods Ordinances and so Abraham was very hospital to all but especially to them that were of the houshold of his faith he received and nourished such not onely with temporall but with spiritual food he taught them the way of God in Christ and instructed them in the true meaning of his Commandements Statutes and Laws all which Abraham observed and kept and he is commended of God therefore in Gen. 26.5 and long before this God said of Abraham I know him that he will command his sons and his house after him that they shall keep the way of the Lord that is the true Religion faith and obedience prescribed for men to walk in as in Gen. 18 19. compared with Acts 18.25 26. Deut. 8.6 and 10 12. and therefore all the faithfull of his house might at their death expect to be made partakers with him of the heavenly City which God had prepared for them and therefore when they died they might still be said to be in Abrahams Bosome for all the faithfull whether they continue alive in this world or depart this life in the faith of Abraham are called Abrahams children and therefore when they die their spirits go to Paradise to Abrahams Bosome In like sort the faithfull being yet abiding here in this valley of tears are said to sit in heavenly places and to eat and drink with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of God Mat. 8. and in this respect all the godly whether living or dying are called Abrahams children cherished as it were in his Bosome family and Church both militant and triumphant 2. The holy Patriarch Abraham was so highly honoured of God that he is called the father of the faithfull and the heir of the world Rom. 4 12.13 16. so then his house was the Bosome of the Church into which he received all that professed the true faith for almost 2000 years and in this respect the eternall and blessed estate of the faithfull might well be called the Bosome of Abraham 3. That Parable of the rich man in Hades in torments and of Lazarus Soul that was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome in Luke 16.19 c. Was spoken to the unbelieving Jews and Pharisees and Saâ—duces especially to such as were contemners of Abrahams faith and cared not for the dayes of the Son of Man and therefore they were not glad to see his day as their Father Abraham did and was glad but instead thereof they despised and disdained such as were godly Eleazars whose hope and help Christ is and that he will send his Angels at their death to carrie their souls into the happie part of Hades to Abrahams Bosome where note that Lazarus and Eleazar Faithfull factors in far countries for their Masters need not fear to be called home so the great Lord and housholder when the servonts are called to give account of their trading by the Talents they received we know what the Lrd will say to them that can give a good account Maâ— 25. are but one name though differing in Dialect 3. That Parable of the rich man in Hades in torments and of Lazarus Soul that was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome in Luke 16.19 c. Was spoken to the unbelieving Jews and Pharisees and Saâ—duces especially to such as were contemners of Abrahams faith and cared not for the dayes of the Son of Man and therefore they were not glad to see his day as their Father Abraham did and was glad but instead thereof they despised and disdained such as were godly Eleazars whose hope and help Christ is and that he will send his Angels at their death to carrie their souls into the happie part of Hades
to Abrahams Bosome where note that Lazarus and Eleazar Faithfull factors in far countries for their Masters need not fear to be called home so the great Lord and housholder when the servonts are called to give account of their trading by the Talents they received we know what the Lrd will say to them that can give a good account Maâ— 25. are but one name though differing in Dialect 3. That Parable of the rich man in Hades in torments and of Lazarus Soul that was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome in Luke 16.19 c. Was spoken to the unbelieving Jews and Pharisees and Saâ—duces especially to such as were contemners of Abrahams faith and cared not for the dayes of the Son of Man and therefore they were not glad to see his day as their Father Abraham did and was glad but instead thereof they despised and disdained such as were godly Eleazars whose hope and help Christ is and that he will send his Angels at their death to carrie their souls into the happie part of Hades to Abrahams Bosome where note that Lazarus and Eleazar Faithfull factors in far countries for their Masters need not fear to be called home so the great Lord and housholder when the servonts are called to give account of their trading by the Talents they received we know what the Lrd will say to them that can give a good account Maâ— 25. are but one name though differing in Dialect 4. Let me yet give the godly Reader one lift more to the placing of their souls in Abrahams Bosome when they come to die Remember that the Lord God our heavenly Father The Lord God our heavenly Father hath but one Familie part of it is in the heavens and part of it in the earth and when any one of his servants have finished their factorage Phil. 3.20 their Politeuma among that part of the Familie on earth then he sends for them home to the other part of the Familie that is in heaven all the faithfull for the dayes of the old Testament are so called And so the Apostle Paul finishing his course he went to receive his Crown in the Kingdome of the Father So Peter the Apostle 1 Pet. 1 2.3 4. 2 Pet. 1. therefore let us strive for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus that when we think or speak of death or are near to the approaching to it we may be without much disturbance in mind or heart as Abraham Isaac Jacob David c. Delight in the stories of the faithfull that ye may be more transformed This made the Saints to say Why should I fear in the evil day when our iniquities shall compasse us about and trip up our heels unto death for God will redeem us from the power of the grave for he shall receive us to himself to Abrahams Bosome Psal 49. Christ the second Adam the Lord from heaven hath destroyed death and him that had the power of death he hath opened the gates of death and himself hath passed through them to deliver the children of God from the guilt and bondage of sinne and from the fear of death unto which we are subject Christ our life is our justification for he hath freed us from the sting of sinne by his precious death and Sacrifice The Law the strength of sin Gen. 2.17 and 3.19 and although the curse of the Law is the strength of sinne yet he hath fulfilled the Law for us and so became a most perfect Mediatour for us For such an high Sacrificer and Mediatour it became us to have who was holy harmlesse undefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens Again death is but an harbenger to bring us to Christ it is said that death is ours it s our servant for our good Again it is said that Christ is our life and therefore death must needs be our advantage 2 Cor. 3.12 Phil. 1.21 and therefore we should not be troubled at that which is so advantagious to us we cannot live holily righteously and comfortably unlesse we live above the fear of death 1 Cor. 15 34.58 2 Cor. 5 15. to be well instructed in this point is a point of great wisdome Moses prized it at a high rate when he prayed Teach us to number our dayes that we may apply our heartes to wisdome namely to be prepared for death and Salomon doth exhort us saying Remember thy Creatour in the dayes of thy youth before the evil dayes come upon thee Ezech. 12. This wisdome is to be valued above gold and silver and the most precious Jewels of the earth but it is wonderfull how averse our hearts are by nature from the practise of this heavenly wisdome we commonly put off the thought of our death untill the Lord bring upon us bruising miseries and then we begin to think of God and Christ and of death as it is said Destruction and Death say we have heard of the fame of this wisdome with our ears and when men come to the doores of death then is this wisdome of some fame with men then they send for a godly Minister or for a godly neighbour whose person it may be they hated in the time of their health and abhorred his teaching with their godly counsels Death was a terror indeed to Aristotâ—e though a wise and great Philosopher and to all such Job doth call it the King of terrours that speech of Bildad in Job 18. doth import that God is a just God to whom all souls must ascend to have their judgement and so in 2 Cor. 5. knowing the terror of the Lord c This made that most miserable Cardinal to say that he had rather lose his part in Paradise then his part in Paris But let all the godly be still mindful that though they depart from their Families hereon earth yet they shall still continue to be of Gods family they go from brethren and sisters here to brethren and sisters there and above all remember the dying or rather the living words of the Lord Jesus the night before his death Job 13.14 15 16 and 17 chapters Oh the ineffable love and care of our blessed Mediatour for his apostles and for all his faithfull servants to the end of the world CHAP. XXXIV Some Propositions and Expostulations concerning the true nature of Christs Sufferings 1. BEloved Reader we are yet further pressed and orthodox Churches are called up as Troopers against us about the true nature of Christs sufferings we acknowledge that the very remembrance of them is reverend and doth joy us not annoy us I know we shall not fight but treat for they may perceive that we have otthodox Churches with us and as learned Leaders though perhaps not so many That is not much materiall for the book of God must lie between them and us and they and we must search the holy pages that so by them we both may be composed 2. It is to be lamented