greatly rejoyce A proud look and a lying Tongue the Lord hates Prov. 2. Lord give me Wisdom to direct my ways I beg not Riches nor yet length of days Be well advised and wary Counsel take Ere thou dost any actions undertake Defend the Truth for that who will not dye A Coward is and gives himself the Lye Ever thy credit keep 't is quickly gone Being got by many Actions lost by one Hear much but little speak a wise man fears And will not use his Tongue as much as Ears Judge not between two Friends but rather see If thou canst bring them friendly to agree Keep thyself humble Pride hath ruin'd many The proud man 's seldom well belov'd of any Never to gather Wealth through fraud presume A little evil got will much consume Grasp not for Honour wish no blazing Glory For these will perish in an ages Story Quietly learn all crosses to endure Repining doth more misery procure Fame Honour Beauty State Train Blood and Birth Are but the fading blossoms of the Earth When thou livest well mind not what people say It 's not in our power their Tongues to sway Those whom God doth by his own Spirit lead They are his Sons you in the Scripture read Safe in thy Breast close lock up thy Intents For he that knows thy purpose best prevents Zeal is a fire and useful in its kind But nothing is more dangerous if blind 'T is use and practice that becomes each skill For that makes perfect what neglect doth kill Shun Rumors lest thou beest as the Author nam'd Silence hurts none but some for words are blam'd To set on a May-Pole What is there no good man in all this Town Will help to pull the Devils Sign-post down This is a sad and lamentable case That Men do shew themselves thus void of Grace Work as if thou was to live for ever Live as if thou was to die to morrow A short Catechism for Children Question VVHo made thee Answer God made me and all People Gen. 2.7 Question To what end did God make them Answer To glorify him and to live in his fear all the days of our lives 1 Cor. 10.31 Question What is thy duty to God Answer To do justly love Mercy and to walk humbly with my God Micah 6.8 Question What is thy duty to Man Answer To serve them in true love even mine enemies though they are not of my Religion Mat. 5.44 Question How canst thou perform thy Duty to God and Man Answer Only by obeying the Light Spirit or Grace of God in my heart or conscience which God hath given to me and all people a measure of to overcome Sin and enables to perform good things Joh. 3.21 1 Pet. 1.19 Heb. 10.16 1 John 4.13 Eph. 4.7 John 1.4 To believe and obey the Spirit of God which he hath sent into the world placed in Mens hearts which convinceth and reproveth for Sin is the only way and means which God hath ordained for the restauration life and salvation of Mankind and is indeed the Christ of God which in Scripture hath many names but is but one pure eternal holy thing see W. S. concerning good thoughts c. Question What is the first step to Eternal Life Psal 119.9 Answer By taking heed unto the Word of God in my heart which troubles me when I am doing evil or told a lye Joh. 3.18 16 8. Deu. 30.14 Eph. 5.13 Sin was the occasion or cause of the Law the labour of the Prophets and the coming and suffering of Christ W. S. p. 39. Question Who shall dwell in the endless Joys of Heaven and so escape Hell-fire by the Blood of Christ Jesus Answer Such as obey with all their might the Grace of God in their hearts Ps 119.10 Ephes 2.5 Question To whom is Christ Jesus a Saviour Answer To all those that know him to save them from sinning here Mat. 1.21 Tit. 2.14 Question What sort of Children doth God love Answer Such as fears God by departing from iniquity and doth as their true friends bid them Col. 3.6 Question What is the true Religion Answer To visit the Fatherless and the Widdow in their affliction and to keep our selves unspotted from the world James 1.27 Question Whose Religion is vain Answer Those that are often angry and ready to quarrel for opinions and have not a Bridle for their Tongues James 1.26 Eph. 4.31 Prov. 29.22 No opinion or profession of Religion c. where evil thoughts and evil doings stands avails any thing W. S. page 25. Question What is it that moves in Children to lying and rudeness Answer It is the Serpent that beguiled Eve the Father of Lies John 8.44 Question How dost thou think to be established in the true Religion if thou dost not trust to Mans teachings 1 John 2.27 Heb. 8.11 Isa 30.21 Rom. 14.12 2 Pet. 1.19 Answer God has given me and all people a teacher within us that is he will teach his People himself by his Grace in our hearts being many go astray that trust to Mans teachings John 6.45 14 26. Isai 2.22 48 17. Rev. 3.20 Heb. 8.10 11. John 14.26 Question Then is this Grace of God the one thing needful and the place into which God will bring all Nations that are or shall be saved Isaiah 2.5 Eph. 2.8 Rom. 1.19 Answer Yes it is Maries choice and God said unto Paul my Grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 Do not Kings acknowledge that it is by Gods Grace they are Kings and the Teachers in England often say to their Hearers we commit you to Gods Grace as Paul generally did the Churches in his Episties to them therefore it is the one thing needful Question What will be the end of wicked Children and Lyars if they do not mend Ezek. 33.11 Rev. 21.8 Rom. 6.23 Answer They must be turned into fire and brimstone in Hell for ever Matthew 8.12 Mal. 4.1 Eph. 5.6 Question Wilt not thou pray to God to be delivered from evil that thou may escape Hell-fire and dwell in Heaven with God for ever Acts 10.2 Answer Yes being Christ Jesus hath said suffer little Children to come unto me therefore I should alwaies pray in my heart to this effect Mat. 19.14 Luke 18.1 O Most Merciful God and my Creator make me to remember thee now in the days of my Youth I humbly pray thee to incline my heart more and more to take heed unto thy word in my heart that daily reproves and troubles me for every evil thought word and deed and stirs me up to good things so shall I be enabled to praise thy name here on Earth that I may dwell with thee in thy Kingdom of Heaven for ever and ever Amen John 16.8.13 Good thoughts are of Gods own begetting and very comfortable to a Christian and are the fruit and effect of keeping and obeying the Law of God within the heart Romans 2.14 15. W S. page 27. Question Now if thy heart be inclined to pray
the Lust of the Eye cannot bewitch him For saith W. Salmon in his Book of Drawing Painting c. pag. 244. this imitation of the Life gave the Artizan fame which fame quickned his aspiring thoughts adding more fuel to the Flames till such time as he brought forth a most absolute work whereby he conceived a joy content and satisfaction mark that as durable as the work it self upon which he now conceived himself a happy man and through a just affrance of his Vertues knows himself to be lifted up above the reach of Envy where he stands secure of his fame enjoying in this life as if he were now consecrated unto Eternity the Veneration that is like to follow him after his Death thus an honest emulation and confidence bringing forth works of general applause procureth unto its Author an everlasting glory then not given only to God Again in Pag. 246 saith he Berosus excelled in Astrology wherefore the Athenians for his divine Prognostications mark that erected him a Statue with a Golden Tongue set up in their publick Schools as Pliny saith lib. 7. cap. 37. Publick Libraries were furnished also with golden silver and brass Images of such whose immortal Souls did speak in those places The provocation of Vices have also augmented the Art mark that it hath been pleasing to engrave wanton Lusts upon their cups and to drink in Ribauldry and Abominations as Pliny saith in the Proem of his 33. Book Are these things good to be dedicated to a Nation professing Christianity And this Author goes on and tells us how the Ancients depicted their Gods as Saturn Jupiter c. Diana Juno Neptune c. In the greatest imaginary Glory to bespeak their fame c. when all these things and the pleasant Pictures with all the Babyloniâ—h rubish are for the fire of Gods wrath that draw the heart from God And it is great pity that the Author whom God hath given so much Wisdom should rake in this Heathenish and Babylonish rubish c. And though God once commanded Moses to make some things under the Law who hath he commanded in this Gospel time to imitate or make the likeness of any thing that may so affectionate the Heart as to draw it from God to commit Idolatry And also though God to shew his wonderful works hath made variety of Colours in the Flowers Hearbs c. It is no part of Christianity to deck or cloath our selves in imitation of the colours of Flowers or to make the likeness of any of them to so affectionate the Heart as to forget the giver or take any Glory to our selves in drawing the likeness of them as aforesaid as some have done but rather give all Glory unto God admiring his wonderful power in creating these Flowers Hearbs c. for the use of Man Lastly Hast thou made any likeness or pleasant Picture of Religion for others to imitate or set up any spiritual Gift given thee of God above Gods Spirit in thy heart and dost administer it unto others without the immediate leadings of the same Spirit Thou hast set up an Idol in thine heart 1 John 5.21 Little Children keep your selves from Idols Amen If any shall yet deny that there 's an Idolizing of Pictures and graven Images whereby the Lord hath not the whole Heart I shall for proof recite some more words out of the aforesaid Author's Book of painting graving c. in pag. 232 233 246 253 262. saith he And therefore those that would profit much must take care and pains to furnish their minds with all sorts of useful Images and Ideas And Proclus saith If you take a man brought forth by nature and another by art of carving that by nature shall not seem the statelier because Art doth many things more exactly Where 's God's Glory W. M. To which Ovid assents when he saith that Pygmalion did carve the Snow-white Image of Ivory with such a happy dexterity that it was altogether impossible that such a Woman should be born Are not all things possible with God W. M. The estimation of the Artists were also understood from the esteem and high rates their works were prized at A Picture of Bularchus a Painter was valued at its weight in Gold c. Caesar paid to Timomachus Eighty Talents of Gold about 14000 pounds Sterling for the Pictures of Ajax and Medea Many more examples we might produce saith he but these may suffice at length no price was thought equal to their worth c. Was not this Idolizing them W. M. Great minded men are most of all given to entertain stately conceits therefore saith he an Artizan or Artist ought to be of a magnanimous Nature if not yet at least he ought with a determined resolution to aim at magnificent things So it seems that Nature did dispose Nicophanes to a high strain of Invention Nicophanes saith Pliny Lib. 35. Cap. 10. was gallant and neat so that he did paint Antiquities for eternity mark that whereby he was commended for the magnificence of his work and gravity of his Art Such Artificers therefore as do bring any thing to perfection must be of an exceeding great Spirit then not poor in Spirit Matth. 5. and entertain upon every occasion great thoughts and lofty imaginations Isa 2.8 11. by this means they shall gain everlasting Fame c. mark that Lastly A good invention affects the mind true proportion draws the Eyes lively motion moves the Soul Is not then God forgotten W. M. exquisite colours beguile the phantasie and an orderly disposition wonderfully charms all the senses Here 's a joy but not in God if all these unite and center in one piece how great an excellence and perfection will appear what a comely Grace This Grace it is which in beautiful bodies is the Life of the beauty and without which its greatest accomplishments cannot please the beholder Grace in the heart is the greatest perfection of Beauty W. M. * The Image or Teraphim which Michal put in the Bed 1 Sam 19.13 was a compleat Statue or Image of a man The use of such Images saiâ—h T. â— was to consult with them as with Oracles concerning things for the present unknown or future to come To this purpose they were made by Astrologers under certain constellations capable of heavenly Influences whereby they were enabled to speak The Idols have spoken vainly Zec. 10.2 Vid. Aben. Esra Gen. 31. And among other Reasons why Rachel stole away her Fathers Images this is thought to be one that Laban might not by consulting with these Images discover what way Jacob took in his flight Gen. 31.19 And it is said that Zorcastes a King of the Bacirians in the time of Ninus he was an excellent Astrologer saith the Author and first invented Magical Arts. They are indeed the most likely men See pag. 77. For it is not so much saith he the perfection of Invention proportion Colours Motion Disposition apart which affects the senses but
he what I had to say for my Opinion if the rest shall not allow of my Judgment I ought to give over defending of it and cease to be troublesome to the Congregation concerning the same but I ought not to be compelled to confess that I have erred for so I should sin against God That we may wrestle with God saith he by daily prayers to grant that we may have the use of this so soveraign and saving Liberty so profitable to the Church c. Oh that people would but lay aside self-interest then may they see how they are falln from the true Worship of God by setting up Man's Reason as Judge in spiritual matters out of which Apostasie there is no Redemption till people come to own and obey the sufficiency of God's Grace in their heaâ—â—s their only Teacher â—â—it 2.11 12. which bears Witness against all sin God having said unto the Apostle Paul My Grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 And Paul committed the Saints to the Grace of God generally in his Epistles The Teachers in England do so likewise in words to their hearers And Kings also acknowledge it is by Gods Grace they are Kings Therefore it is the one thing needful and was Maries choice and it is the same at this day unto all that are willing and obedient to the guidance thereof in the whole course of their Lives which hath several other names in the Scripture as Light Word Spirit c. but is but one eternal pure Substance Enlightning every man that cometh into the World John 1.9 And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution 2. Tim. 3.12 Then it seems that Persecutors were ever blind 2 Cor. 4.4 Though they may read That Faith is the Gift of God And whatsoever is not of Faith is sin Rom. 14.23 Notwithstanding many thousands have been murthered or Martyred since the Apostles time or beginning when men began to force their Faiths upon the account of opinions in Religion upon such as had faith in Christ Jesus Act. 10.35 Heb. 12.1 Acted and done by such as professed themselves to be Christians or some faith in God even to the shame of the name of Christians amongst both Jews and Turks Some they have cut in pieces in cool blood some burned to death Bellies ripped open whilst alive some buried alive roasted upon Spits boiled to death with several other Torments some hanged and some baâ—â—â—â—ed in New-England in â—â—â—age some thousands it Old-England have been excommunicated and imprisoned some imprisoned to death some banished some knock'd on the Head whole Families undone all their goods taken from them only because of their meeting together most peaceably to worship God in Spirit and in Truth as God requires John 4.24 Which is hard-Measure to be inflicted upon such Christians as lives peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 upon such as was always willing and still are to Give unto Cesar or civil Magistrate the things that are Cesar 's Mat. 22.21 and unto God the things that are Gods The things which may be said to be Gods or of God is to worship and serve him in Spirit and in Truth as aforesaid to live in his fear by departing from iniquity and to seek after the good of all men to live in all Christian virtues to do unto all people as we would be dealt with Matth. 6.12 which cannot be performed by any but as they obey the teachings of Gods Spirit in peoples hearts the Leader into all good the same that made David wiser than all his Teachers Psal 119.99 Isa 30.20 Heb. 8.11 and is a swift witness against every evil thought word and deed in every Conscience Obedience to which makes people happy for ever 1 Sam. 15.22 But what person soever pretends that Conscience or the Light therein is his guide and acts any thing destructive to Civil Society as Theft Murther or Adultery or are Traitors or Plotters or Drunkards or Cheats or Vagabonds or Mischievous Persons Gâ—â— 5.19 20. To all such the Ch istian Magistrate will be a terror and a praise to them that do well Rom. 13.3 if they be of Christs Religion for he did not compel his Brethren after the flesh to his Religion John 7.5 Yet did he and his Apostles bear a Testimony against all fair-sayers and hypocrites in Religion and left the Civil Magistrates to punish all open wickedness to which agreeth King Charles the 1st in the Collection of his Speeches pag. 91 123. In point of Consciencious tenderness I have often declared how little I desire my Laws and Scepter should intrench on God's Soveraignty which is the only King of mens Consciences nor do I desire any man should be further Subject unto me than all of us may be subject unto God And in his advice to the then Prince of Wales now King of England c. Your Prerogative is best shewed and exercised in remitting rather than exacting the rigour of the Laws there being nothing worse than Legal Tiranny c. But saith Christ Jesus Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them I will liken him to a wise man which built his house on a Rock Matth. 7.24 And doeth them mark that dost thou love them that hate thee c. The God of Israel said the Rock of Israel spake to me he that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God 2 Sam. 23.3.21.15 Now the Jews accounted the appearance of Christ Jesus in the Flesh as low and too mean for them saying is not this the Carpenter's Son and despised him Matth. 13.55 Even so do too many called Christians at this 〈◊〉 account his 2d coming 〈◊〉 â—â—iritual appearance too low and mean for them to bow unto that is his Light or Grace in their hearts which reproves for Sin calling it a dark Light or the Light of a Natural Conscience and a misguiding Light c. accounting it not sufficient to save from the evil of the World and so make merry over and crucifie afresh the just Spirit or Witness of God in their hearts by wilful kicking against it Pro. 4.18 John 3.20.16.8 Rom. 3.24 Tit. 3.7 Rev 1 5.3.14 But blessed be the Lord God there is a small remnant in this day that are come to witness in their hearts that little Stone Dan. 2.34 44. cut out of the mountain without hands which shall grow and fill the whole Earth with Righteousness and lay every Idol in the dust notwithstanding all the Opposition Art Wisdom or Violencâ— of men or Devils God will arise more and more in his spiritual appearance in the hearts of People until he hath conquered the enemies to Righteousness and the Glory of the Lord cover the Earth as the Waters cover the Sea and happy will all they be that meet him timely by turning from the evil Imaginations of their hearts and submit to his Grace the way to him for he is worthy to reign and rule in every heart and
their Land Deut. 18.12 14. Lev. 19.26 Therefore what man of sense will believe that all the Art of earthly men can procure one thing out of earthly things that may be but as the quantity of a pease that shall have power being put into a pound or two of melted Lead to change it into most fine Gold or that this one thing shall have also power as an outward Medicine to cure all diseases in the Bodies of the wicked that they may get strength to be wicked still But most happy is he that above all searching he seeketh after and waiteth upon God that he may give unto him that white Stone and in it a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth Rev. 2.17 Now before I conclude I shall recite some of the words of two of these Philosophical Writers as Geber and Villa Nova Saith Geber For wheresoever we have spoken plainly there we have said nothing but where under Riddles and Figures we have put something there we have hid the Truth Villa Nova saith The Alchymists of latter time are for the most part mockers and whiles by Sophistications they seek rather to seem wise than to be they deceive the yielders to them but the ancients not profiting according to their own Covetousness have wrapped up this Art in Riddles shewing rather their own Ignorance than Science c. Eph. 5.11 And have no fellowship saith the Apostle with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Eph. 4.17 18. Yet the word Philosophy has signified a love to Wisdom and the way to holy Living and not vain and impracticable things See Pythagoras his works and the Speech of Palamedes at his Execution manifesteth that some of them sought after Righteousness For saith he I never hurt or injured any but on the contrary have advantaged all that conversed with me to my utmost ability communicating what good I could gratis and not for gain O that all called Christians was but come so far into a righteous Life as this Palamedes who was called a Heathen as his Speech declareth then would England be happy and all other Nations Note that if William Lilly and the rest of the Astrologers do not study to be acquainted with the seven Planetary Angels of the Magicians why did he write thus viz. For though Philosophy and Philosophers teach us that Comets have a matter or Ethereal Substance of which they are created yet those learned men wanting Angelical conversation are deceived Above all things saith he let the Artist rather judge by the strength of his reason guided by Art upon the Configurations of the Planets than by ill digested Aphorisms c. Nor are the secundian Intelligences viz. what Angel then governs to be omitted in Consideration for the judging of future Events c. There is in the Art of Astrology saith â—â—e which some ignorant persons are pleased to villifie Arcanum quoddam equivalent To prophesie c. Woe to the rebellious Children saith the Lord that take Counsel but not of me and that cover with a covering but not of my Spirit that they may add sin to sin Isa 30.1.9.6 Josh 9.14 But the most sure word of Prophecy is by Astrologers neglected 2 Pet. 1.19 Many also of them which used curious Arts brought their Books together and burned them before all men and they counted the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of Silver so mightily grew the World of God and prevailed Act. 19.19.20 A Rule for a Baker When the Bushel of Wheat is worth 3 s 4. the peny wheaten Loaf weighing 20 ounces what shall the peny Loaf weigh when Wheat is 5 s. the Bushel How much Cloath of 3 Quarters broad will serve to line 9 Yards of 7 Quarters broad Of the right placing of points in Writing Comma Semicolon Colon Period Interrogation Admiration Continuation Perenthesis A Comma is the most frequent point and of least force it is to be set when the least stop of the voice is as But when the Husbandmen saw the Son they said among themselves this is the Heir come let us kill him c. When there is a stop somewhat bigger set or as They that would destroy me being mine Enemies wrongfully are mighty Then I restored c. When the sense and sentence is perfected and full then write as Pray without ceasing In every thing give thanks Quench not the Spirit After a Question asked set this as Whose Ass have I taken Whom have I defrauded After a wondring admiring or crying out set this point as O wretched man that I am O death where is thy sting When you must divide a word at the end of a Line and with a part of it begin the next Line then at the end of the Line where the first part of it is you are to set down this point or when by way of Elegancy two or more words are put in one as Self-love A Perenthesis is when some words may be left out and yet the sentence perfect as I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing Of the Globe of the Earth the Pole-Stars and some hints of Dialling THe Globe of the Earth on which we dwell is supposed to be 2 third parts water or Sea and the other third part Land and two third part inhabited Seeing the Earth and Water is coâ—pared to a Globe or as a round Ball being in the Air by the wonderful work of God That it so remaineth held up by Gods hand only appeareth by what follows that is to say There is two fixed Stars called the two Poles of the World the North Pole and the South Pole opposite one to the other the Earth being in the middle or betwixt them and a Line supposed to be held from the one to the other Star The Sun Moon and Stars moves round them and the Earth continually The Sun giving Light to one place of the Earth at all times * The People in New England and New Jersey are rising out of Bed when we in England are at Dinner so that we differ six hours in time the Sun making the day c. for mans outward sight to guide him in outward things and to refresh the Earth as the Son of Righteousness Christ Jesus causeth his Spiritual Light to shine in the hearts of all men to light them out of Darkness or Sin Joh. 1.9 Luk. 1.78 So that all earthly things presseth to this Earth upon every part thereof to the middle or Center from whence they sprung Now to make it more plainly to appear Suppose I draw a crooked line to represent some part of the Earth upon which we dwell in England and extend a doted Line to see which of the two Stars or Poles is above our dwelling or Horizon so called Now he that travels 60 miles Northwards the North Star will be a degree higher or Southwards the contrary but altereth not to go Eastward or Westward directly
in any of the Magicians could foresee the great dryness of the Earth which God was pleased to send this Year 1681 to shew how soon he can blast all if people turn not from the evil of their ways that Hay in less than six weeks time rose from ten shillings a Load to forty in some places and came to be plentiful before the Summer was ended therefore in God alone let us trust and in no Art of the Egyptians for the Devil was a lyar from the beginning and saith G. Abbot late Archbishop of Canterbury so called in a description of the World p. 115 116 for in India and all the Eastern parts so especially in this Country their Noblemen and Priests and very many people do give themselves to all Arts of Divination here were the great Sooth-sayers Enchanters and Wisemen as they call them here were the first Astrologians which are so described and derided in the Scripture it is thought that a great reason whereof these Chaldeans were expert in the laudable knowledge of Astronomy was partly because the Country is so plain that being without hills they might more fully and easily discover the whole face of the Heaven and partly because the old Fathers which lived so long not only before but in some good part also after the flood of Noah did dwell in or near to these parts and they by observation of their own did find out and discover many things of the Heavenly Bodies which they delivered as from hand to hand to their posterity but as Corruption doth stain the best things so in process of time the true Astronomy was defiled with superstitious Rules of Astrology which caused the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah so bitterly to inveigh against them And then in their fabulosity they would report that they had in their Records Observations for 2500 years which must needs be a very great untruth unless we will qualifie it as some have done expounding their year not of the revolution of the Sun but of the Moon whose course is ended in the space of a Month Quid enim iniquius quam ut oderint homines quod ignorant etiamsires meretur odium Tertul. Apologet The Lord frustrated the tokens of the Stars and maketh Diviners mad that turneth wise men backward and maketh their knowledge foolish Isa 44.24 25. Fortune telling by the Lines in the Hand an Egyptian Folly THE Astrologers pretend that they can prognosticate of the future happiness or unhappiness of Nations and also peoples good and evil fortune by the Stars or Host of Heaven which the Heathen worshipped as Gods And they also hold that the Bodies of Men Beasts Hearbs Mettals c. are under the Planets Government and that we are to advise or take Counsel of them according to their Astrological Aphorisms when we gather Hearbs go to War c. 2 Sam. 5.19 Can they yet say that they do not adore or worship the Host of Heaven as the Heathen did 2 Kin. 17.16.21.3 Act. 7.42 When the Lord hath said Jer. 10.2 Learn not the way of the Heathen c. And do not the Astrologers also run into Egyptian-darkness by telling Peoples Fortunes by the Lines or Marks in their Hands still going for Counsel Isa 30.1 to the Host of Heaven like the Heathen and Egyptians saying one Line in the hand is the Line of Saturn another part they call thâ— Mount of Jupiter another of Mars Sol Venus c. and so are leading People back into Egypt and taking the Heathen Gods for Leaders and Governers as if man was altogether in a brutish State and had nothing of God manifest in him Rom. 1.19 though in God he is to live move and have his Being and know him to govern his whole heart and Soul but not moved ruled and Governed by any of the heathen Gods yet the Lights in the firmament to separate the day from the night every Christian owns them in their places for signs and for seasons and for days and for years Gen. 1.14 as God hath placed them in in which they keep their places in dividing the day from the night c. though man hath not kept his place and we are not to fear them as having Dominion over us Jer. 10.2 but the Lord God only who made them and still to admire his wonderful works in the Creation But to be brief saith W. S. But if this Mount that is the Mount of Venus so called by him in the hand be infortunated by evil Lines or Lines from evil places and irregular figures shews a Lecherous person an Adulterer a poor base sordid wretch who shall spend his substance on Whores c. Now if the Fortune-teller gives this judgment on such a person by the Lines aforesaid and is really such a person will not this judgment by the Lines more harden his heart through this Idolatrous belief that he may have by these Lines aforesaid that may cause him to say this is my fortune I cannot help it God hath so made me c. and so remains in Darkness and Errour Oh! What will they make man to be whom God hath created in his Image 1 Cor. 11.7 A Beast nay of some men they liken to be created worse than a Beast to be born with such evil marks upon his hand these marks happen but to some say they but this blind belief happens to too many that believe that the Stars and the said marks in the hand shew the whole course of mens lives And further saith he Therefore it behoves the industrious and studious Artist not to determine all things at first sight that is of the hand for no man can attain the knowledge of all particulars at one Inspection but yearly to make new Observations as the person encreases in age See W. Salmon of Chiromancy who for proof quotes Job 37.7 by the new Translation viz. He sealeth up the hand of every man that all men may know his work But in the old Translation I find it is With the force of the Rein he shutteth men up and all men may know his work mark the difference Now blessed be the Lord the living God that hath unvailed to many this gross Babylonish and Egyptian Spirit of Darkness that by its sensual Wisdom would draw people to trust to a Reed of Egypt Jer. 17.5 which turneth the truth of God into a lye and worshippeth and serveth the Creature forsaking the Creator which is blessed for ever Rom. 1.25 Behold you trust in lying words that cannot profit Jer. 7.8 Concerning a Soothsayer or Augurer that pretends to know things to come by the flying of Birds THe Rabbins speak in this wise He is a Soothsayer who will say because a morsel of Bread is falln out of his Mouth or his staff out of his hand or his Son called him back or a Crow croked unto him or a Goat passed by him or a Serpent was toward his Right hand or a Fox on his Left hand therefore he will
say do not this or that to day These words are used Gen. 30.27 I have learned Experience saith Laban that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake Again Gen. 44.5 Is not this the Cup in which my Lord drinketh and whereby he divineth That is proveth or maketh trial or experience what manner of men ye are The Heathen people were very superstitious in these observations some days they counted unlucky others lucky as our Astrologers do now some unfortunate to begin Battle and some days unfortunate to marry and as they were superstitious in observing unlucky signs as they called them so likewise in the means used to avert the evil portended The means were either words or deads thus if an unlucky bird so called or such like came in their way they would fling stones at it And of this sort is the scratching of a suspected Witch which at this day amongst the simpler sort of people is thought to be a means to cure Witchcraft By words also they thought to prevent the evil signified by such signs when they say This evil light on thine own head Vid. apud Theophrast Character D. Kinchien radic My people ask Counsel at their stocks and their Staff teacheth them for the Spirit of Fornication hath caused them to err and they have gone a whoring from under their God Hos 4.12 Ezek. 21.21 Lev. 18.26 31. Eccles 24.5 6 7. The manner of the Moons Eclipse THe word Eclipse is as much as to say as to want light and to be darkned or in part hidden from our sight When the Sun and Moon are opposite one to the other diametrically and the Earth in the very midst between both that is when a right line drawn from the center of the Sun to the center of the Moon passing through the Center of the Earth for the Body of the Earth and water being thick and not transparent casting his shadow to that point which is opposite to the place of the Sun will not suffer the Moon to receive any light from the Sun from whence she borroweth her light as the Astronomers write And note that every time she is at the full she is opposite to the Sun and yet the Earth is not at every such full diametrically betwixt her and the Sun for then she should be Eclipsed at every full which indeed cannot be unless she be either in the head or tail of the Dragon so called being two opposite places in the Skies or Heavens Now the Moon is Eclipsed in part when the Sun the Earth and the Moon be met in one self diametral line but the Moon is declining either on the one side or the other But note that the Eclipses of the Moon may be universal because the Earth is far bigger than the Moon and thereby able to shadow the whole Body The manner of the Suns Eclipse THe Eclipse of the Sun is when the Moon is betwixt the Sun and the Earth which chanceth in a conjunction or new of the Moon and yet not in every conâ—unction but when it falleth in one of the two opposite parts of Heaven called the head or tail of the Dragon which may chance as is said before either totally or in part totally in respect of those parts of the Earth whereon the Shadow directly falleth for seeing the Moon is far less than the Earth she cannot shadow all the Earth and therefore the Eclipse of the Sun cannot be universal but yet to some part of the Earth it may be total or dark to some partly and to others nothing at all A Tide Table shewing the time of full Sea in the principal Havens in England or near thereunto Names of Havens H. M. Points of the Compass Quinborow Southhampton Portsmouth 0 0 South North Redban Aberden 0 45 s w by w n e by e Gravesend Downs 1 30 s s w n n e Dundee St. Andrews Scilly 2 15 s w by s n e by n London Tinmouth Hartelpoole 3 0 s west n East Barwick Ostendfount 2 45 s w by w n e by n Frith Leith Dunbar Narbe 4 30 w s w e n e Foymouth Gernsey Lizard 5 15 w by s e by n Foy Lin Humber Way Dartmouth or Plimouth Antwerp 6 0 East West Bristol Lanion Foulness 6 45 e by s w by n Bridgewater Texel Milford 7 30 e by e w n w Portland Peterport Hague 8 15 s e by e n w by n Orkney Pool Orwel Shelens 9 0 s East n w Deep Lux Lenoyes Needles 9 45 s e by s n w by n Bolyn Dover Harwich Yarmouth 10 30 s s e n n w Callis Rye Winchelsey Calsho 11 15 s by e e by w The Vse of this Table Add the Hours and Minutes right against each Haven to the Moons coming to the South and the whole result will be the time of the Tide or high water By this Table you may see what point of the compass the Moon is in at the time of the Tide or full Sea The Moons coming to the South is found in an Almanack The Characters of the seven Planets Saturn ♄ Jupiter ♃ Mars ♂ Sol ☉ Venus ♀ Mercury ☿ Luna ☽ The Characters of the 12 Signs Aries ♈ Taurus ♉ Gemini ♊ Cancer ♋ Leo ♌ Virgo â™ Libra ♎ Scorpio â™ Sagitarius â™ Capricornus ♑ Aquarius â™’ Pisces ♓ To find what sign the Sun or Moon is in What sign is the Sun in the 6th day of September 1681. First find the day of the month by an Almanack and right against it is 24 d. 0 m. in â™ the Moon at the same time is in 17 d. 25 m. in â™ Do so another time Circles of the Sphere Note that the aforesaid 12 signs in the Zodiack so called are only as a supposed Circle or Circles divided into 12 equal parts in the Firmament whose breadth is about 23 d. 30. m. on each side of the equinoctial Line towards the two Pole Stars the whole Circumference or round the World of this Circle is 360 Degrees and every Degree upon the Earth is 60 miles Secondly Every one of these 12 Signs are divided into 30 Degrees and every Degree into 60 Minutes c. Thirdly The outmost side of this Circle or Circles towards the North Pole is called the Tropick of Cancer one of the said 12 signs the which when the Sun is in about the 11th of June the days are at the longest Fourthly And the other side of this Circle next the South Pole is called the Tropick of Capricorn the which when the Sun is in about the 11 of December the days are at the shortest Fifthly In the middle of this Circle or Circles or Zodiack may be said to be the equinoctial Line into which when the Sun cometh about the 10 of March and the 10th of September the days and nights are equal throughout the World Lastly The Sun is a whole year in passing through all these signs and the Moon in one Month and that neither of them come so near
Women c. and send for skilful Women Jer. 9.17 These the Romans called chief or skilful mourners Of Bells to Assemble But saith T. G. the Priests might lawfully blow their Trumpets and Horns on the Sabbath Day for the Assembling of the People num 10.2 by proportion saith he it is now warrantable for Christians to ring Bells to assemble the People together on the Lords Day and to take Journies to join with the publick Congregation as the Jews say concerning the overthrow of Jericho which according to their writings fell on the Sabbath Day R. D. Kimcbi in Josh 6. he which commanded the Sabbath to be Sanctified commanded it also to be prophaned saith the Author Now whether this practice of Bells ringing for Worship for Marriages and for Burials be to be observed under the Gospel let the witness for God in every heart be the Judge c. And saith T. G. Vriah the Priest and Zachariah the Son of Jeberechia are thought to have been God-fathers at the Circumcision of Maher-shalal-hash-baz Es 8.2 and from them the custom of having God-fathers in Baptism to have taken its Original Stukius de conviv lib. 1. cap. 16. The Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans 1. PAul an Apostle not of Man nor by Man but by Jesus Christ 2. To the Brethren which are at Laodicea Grace and Peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 3. I thank my God in all my Prayers that you remain stedfast in him and in all his works waiting upon his promise to the day of Judgment 4. And be not seduced by some unprofitable talkers who go about to cause you to fall from the Gospel which was Preached unto you by me 4. Oh that they that were instructed by me might serve to the profit of the Gospel of Truth and become diligent in good works of Eternal Life 6. And henceforth are my bonds manifest which I suffer for Christs sake Wherefore I rejoyce in heart and account it Eternal Salvation 8. That such is done through your Prayers by the working of the holy Spirit whether by Life or Death 9. For I have a Will and a Joy to die in Christ who will through the same Mercy give you to have the same love and to be of one mind 10. Therefore beloved Brethren as you have heard in my presence that keep and finish in the fear of God so shall you have Eternal Life for God will work it and perfect it in you without delay 11. My beloved rejoyce in the Lord and take heed of them that are desirous after filthy Lucre. 12. Let your Prayers be manifest unto God and remainfirm in the knowledge of Christ 13. And do that which is meet convenient just and reasonable and what you have heard and received that keep in your hearts so shall you have praise 14. The Grace of God and our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirits Amen Col. 4.16 This Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans was found in the oldest Bible that was Printed at Worms To the Bowed in Spirit under Sin DOst thou still feel in thy heart reproofs for Sin Be of good courage for God hath not yet forsaken thee therefore obey the reproof of instruction in thy heart for it is the way to everlasting Life with God for ever Isa 30.21 John 16.6 To the hardned in Evil. Canst thou Swear Lye Cheat break thy Promise oppress the Innocent or commit Adultery and feels no sharp reproofs for any of them in thy Conscience then art thou in a miserable condition and it 's to be feared that God hath cast the Reins of the Bridle on thy neck and given thee up to thy own hearts Lust which is thy portion because of thy so often provoking of the Lord by thy Rebellion against his good Spirit that he has left thee to hardness of heart as he did Pharoah never to escape everlasting vengeance without a timely and speedy Repentance in Dust and Ashes before thou go hence believing that all things are possible with God though thy sins were as Scarlet c. Isa 1.18 55 6 7 8. If thou turns unto him with all thy heart An Advertisement of Love THey that burn in Effigie the Person of the Pope and also the Person of a Presbyter after the same manner with a short Cloak diminutive band c. are all Christians of one size or nominal Christians being far from loving of Enemies as Christ commands of whom they would take the name Christian but wants the nature of that Love that will overcome Enemies which Love will certainly overcome if all called Christians would seek Gods Glory and not the exaltation of self in this world and put their trust in God alone for deliverance saying with the three Children unto the King We are not careful to answer thee in this matter behold the God whom we serve is able to deliver us but if not be it known to thee O King that we will not serve thy Gods c. Dan. 3.17 For he that knows not God knows not what God he Worshipeth so may compel to the Worship of an unknown God See the Mock-procession of the 17th day of November and the Royal Intel. Number 30. Common-Prayer-Book of good things therein if truly minded 1. See Good-Friday the Collect so called Almighty and everlasting God by whose Spirit the whole Body of the Church is govern'd and Sanctified 2 Thes 2.13 Observe By this it is declared that they only are of the Church of God that are governed and sanctified by the Spirit of God so that all that are so governed go to the Church and Worship God according to the said Common-Prayer being the Church is in God the Pillar and ground of Truth 1 Tim. 2.15 Colos 1.24 2. The Coll. 3d Sunday after Easter gives a clear testimony to the Light that God sheweth to all men that be in error Observe do not those that believe that this Light in every man is not sufficient to lead out of error believe contrary to the Common-Prayer John 1.9 3 19 20 21. 3. Collect 5th Sunday after Easter that is a Prayer for the inspiration of Gods Holy Spirit to cleanse the thoughts of the Heart and to think those things that be good Observe How do they own the Common-Prayer-Book that in these days make a mock at Inspiration and say it is ceased Job 32.8 4. And that good Prayer which is said often but little practised said on St. Stephens Day Grant us O Lord to learn to love our Enemies by the example of thy Martyr St. Stephen who prayed for his Persecuters c. Observe Now what People lives and walks nearest the life of the words of the Common-Prayer-Book let the witness for God against all sin in every heart be the Judge a Tree being to be known by its Fruit Mat. 12.33 For some People are so far from loving Enemies that they persecute their Friends because they go not to a Church so called
Conscience by his Spirit or Grace therein now and for ever If any man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a lyar for he that loveth not his Brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen 1 John 4.20 In which Love I offer this my Mite for Love and Peace-sake desiring the good of all people impartially hoping that no longer the hedges of Opinions may barr us from loving one another with the same love that God doth love us And that many People may go and say Come ye and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob his Light or Grace in every Conscience and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths Isa 2.3 To which all those that truly fear the Lord God will say Amen And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my Body to be burned and have not Charity it profiteth me nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 To conclude as things are now in the World it seems to me that no Protestant will evermore become a Persecutor for Conscience sake they having seen the Judgments of God always following upon People and Nations for Persecution for Persecutors striving to separate the Tares from the Wheat have taken too much upon them to ascend God's Throne-Conscience it being the Work of the Angels to separate the Tares from the Wheat in the time of Harvest at the last day Matth. 13.41 1. Cain for persecuting godly Abel was made a Vagabond c. 2. Ishmael for mocking his Brother Isaac was cast out 3. Joseph's Brethren were punished by famine and distress who persecuted him 4. Pharaoh and the Egyptians were drowned for persecuting the Children of Israel 5. Ahab and his house were destroyed who persecuted good Micah the Prophet 6. Jezabel who slew many of the Prophets was eaten up by Dogs 7. King Joash was slain in his Bed who persecuted Zachariah 8. Haman the informer who persecuted Mordecai and the Jews was hanged 9. The Priests that persecuted Daniel was eaten up by Lions 10. King Antiochus was destroyed with worms which he confessed came upon him for persecuting the Jews and other evils 11. Herod who sought to destroy Christ and put to death the Children in Bethlehem was smitten of God with a rottenness in his bowels and Worms whereof he dyed 12. Pilate that wicked Governour under whom Christ was crucified killed himself 13. If Histories speak true few or none of the persecuting Roman Emperors dyed in their Beds 14. Judas the other Informer some say hanged himself 15. Dr. Dunning Chancellor of Norwich a persecutor dyed suddenly 16. Bp. Thornton a Persecutor seeing some of his Men playing at Bowls on a Sunday so called fell suddenly into a Palsie and being had to bed he was put in mind to remember God Yea said he I do and my Lord Cardinal too and so dyed Much more might be mentioned of the sudden Deaths of Persecutors in Queen Maries days 17. Dr. Story a bloody Persecutor in Queen Maries time was hanged in Queen Elizabeth's time Multitudes of Presidents more might be given from the Records of Histories to this day of Gods Judgments upon the Persecutors but for brevity sake I shall omit believing that no Protestant now is of a persecuting Spirit they having seen it to be the Rock upon which Governments have split and whole Nations and Kingdoms ruined thereby Therefore it may be good for all Persecutors in this day to remember the Counsel of Gamaliel Act. 5.38 39. Now I say unto you refrain from these men and let them alone for if this Counsel or this work be of men it will come to naught but if it be of God you cannot overthrow it lest haply you be found fighters against God And also the Counsel of Athanasius whom the Papists have trusted saith he as before mentioned It is the property of piety not to force but to persuade in imitation of our Lord c. Constraining none coming to him and knocking rather and saying My Sister my Spouse open to me c. and entereth when he is opened to and retires if they delay and will not open unto him because it is not with Swords nor Darts nor Souldiers nor Armour that Truth is to be declared but with persuasion and Counsel And it is observable that it was the impious Arians who first of all brought in this doctrine to persecute others among Christians whose Successors both Papists and Protestants are in this matter saith R. B. p. 358. whom Athanasius thus reproveth further Where saith he have they learned to persecute Certainly they cannot say they have learned it from the Saints but this hath been given them and taught them of the Devil The Lord commanded indeed sometimes to flee and the Saints sometimes fled but to persecute is the invention and argument of the Devil which he seeks against all And after he saith In so far as the Arians banish those that will not subscribe their Decrees they shew that they are contrary to Christians and friends of the Devil See Athan. in Epist ad Solit. Vit. Apol. 1. de fuga sua Tom. 1. In the great day Then shall the King say to them on his Right hand come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you c. For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in naked and ye cloathed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in Prison and ye came unto me Then shall the Righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee c. And the King shall answer and say unto them verily I say unto you In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my Brethren ye have done it unto me Matth. 25. v. 34. to the end He is not ashamed to call them Brethren Heb. 2.11 What portion can they expect that uncloath the Righteous and that take their meat from them and instead of visiting of them in Prison cast them into Prison c. The time cometh saith our Saviour that whosoever killeth you will think that they do God service And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me John 16.23 But blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake Rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you -Mat 5.11 12. Whosoever is wrong the Persecutor is not in the right most People conclude by the Witness for God in their hearts are made sensible of Saith Jer. Taylor D. D. so stiled Chaplain in Ordinary to His late Majesty in his Discourse of the liberty of Prophesying Let all errours be as much and
as zealously supprest as may be but let it be done by such means as are proper Instruments of their suppression by preaching and disputation by Charity aâ—â— sweetness by Holiness of Life assiduity of exhortation by the Word of God and Prayer For these ways are most natural most prudent most peaceable and effectual only let not men be hasty in calling every disliked Opinion by the name of Heresie and when they have resolved that they will call it so let them use the erring person like a Brother not beat him like a Dog or convince him with a Gibbet or vex him out of his Understanding or persuasion c. With much more to the same purpose Testimonies Moses said Would God that all the Lord's-People were Prophets Numb 11.29 Psal 4.1 Prov. 29.18 1 John 2.20 John 4.24.16.13 Luk. 12.12 Act. 2.4.17 1 Thes 5.19 Phil. 3.3 16. 1 Peter 4.10 1 Cor. 2.1 Eph. 2.8 â—â—om 8.6 Justin Martyr said God hath built to himself a natural Temple in the Consciences of men and in Exposit fid The Interpretation of the Scriptures is to be accommodated to the Will and Doctrine of the Spirit and not to humane Reasonings Peter Martyr said The Holy Ghost is the Arbiter and Judge Dr. J. Owen said That the Holy Ghost is the only Authentick Interpreter of the Scripture Epiphanius said Only to the Children of the Holy Ghost the Scriptures are plain and clear Luther saith The Scriptures are not to be understood but by that very Spirit by which they were writ Tom. 3. fol. 169. John Bradford said We know the Scriptures as Christs Sheep by the same Spirit that wrote and spake them being thereby assured c. Book of Martyrs 3. vol. pag. 298. Ch. Goad said There is no knowledge of Christ nor the Scriptures but by Revelation Ref. drops pag. 12. See Jacobus Acontius recited by W. Penn in is Add. to Pro. â—om p. 157. to p. 172. and Jo. Hales of the Keys p. 170 171 172 173. for the said liberty and in his Tract of Schism p. 201 202 203 204. See the Book called A warning against the deceit of setting up Man's Reason as Judge in spiritual matters first written in Latin and printed in the year 1644 by Abraham Van Frankenburgh a German Nobleman and in Dutch in tâ—e year 1674 and into English in the year 1677 by S. Crisp See Luther's Testimony to shun Reason in spiritual matters Impostilla Ecclesiastica first part p. 137 138. See Franciscus Lambertus who saith But above all things be careful thou follow not the manner of Hypocrites who have written almost word by-word what they are to say as if they were to repeat some verses upon a Theatre have learned all their preachings as they do that act Tragedies and afterwards when they are in the place of prophesying pray the Lord to direct their Tongues but in the mean 〈◊〉 shutting up thâ— way of the holy Spirit they determine to say nothing but what they have written O unhappy King of Prophets yea and truly cursed which depend not upon Gods Spirit but upon their own writings or meditation Why prayest thou to the Lord thou false Prophet to give thee his holy Spirit by which thou mayest speak things profitable and yet thou repellest the Spirit Why preferrest thou thy meditation or Study to the Spirit of God Otherwise why committest thou not thy self to the Spirit Again saith he the Sheep of Christ seeketh nothing but the voice of Christ which he knoweth by the Holy Spirit wherewith he is filled he regards not learning Tongues or any outward thing so as therefore to believe this or that to be the voice of Christ his true Sheepherd he knoweth that there is need of no other thing but the Testimony of God's Spirit c. Tract 5. Prophecy Ch. 3.24 See more at large recited in Rob. Barclay's Apology for the true Christian Divinity p. 214.275 Dr. Smith of Cambridge in his select Discourses To seek our Divinity meerly in Books and Writings is to seek the Living among the Dead c. and therefore David calls not for speculation but sensation Tasâ—â— and see how good the Lord is c. Chrysostom saith well de Anath We must condemn and reprove the evil Doctrines that proseed from Hereticks but spare the men and pray for their Salvation R. Barclay pag. 355. As long as Heresie doth not exert itself in any Act destructive to humane Society or such like things but is kept within the sphere of those Dutys of Doctrine or Worship which stands betwixt a man and God they no ways come under the Magistrates power Athanasius in Epist ad solit vit R. B. 359. saith he It is the property of Piety not to force but to persuade in imitation of our Lord who forced no body but left it to the will of every one to follow him c. But the Devil because he hath nothing of Truth uses knocks and Axes to break up the Doors of such as receive him but our Saviour is meek teaching the Truth Whosoever will come after me c. Christ saith Ambrose sent his Apostles to sow faith not to constrain but to teach not to exercise coercive pâ—â—â—â— but to extol thâ—â—â—â—ctrine of Humility Amb. Com. in Luc. l. 7. Saith Tertullian It is a thing that easily appears to be unjust to constrain and force men to sacrifice against their Wills seeing to do the service of God there is required a willing heart c. His Apolog. Cap. 24. Mahomet who prohibited all reason or discourse about Religion as occasioning factions divisions indeed those that press persecution and deny Liberty of Conscience do thereby shew themselves more the Disciples of Mahomet than of Christ and that they are no way followers of the Apostles Doctrine who desired the Thessalonians 1 Thes 5.21 to prove all things and hold fast that which is good And also saith unto such as are otherwise minded God shall revealit Phil. 3.15 Not that by beatings and Banishments it must be knocked into them R. Bar. Apol. aforesaid p. 362. Luk. 9.55 The Son of Man is not come to destroy mens Lives but to save them The Ceremonies used by the Jews in their crucifying of Christ Jesus and some Malefactors FIrst The Judges and the Witnesses did when Sentence was pronounced put their hands upon the condemned persons head Drus praeterit Mat. 27. and said Thy blood be upon thine own Head Unto this the People had reference saying His blood be on us and on our Children Mat. 27.25 Secondly In the time of Execution they would give a Malefactor a grain of Frankincense in a cup of Wine this they did give to cause a giddiness in the condemned persons head that thereby he might be the less sensible of the pain Saint Mark calleth this cup Wine mingled with Myrrhe Mark 15.23 This was done after the manner of the Jews but the Souldiers in Mockery mingled Vinegar and Gall with it Korot le bona
becos schel iaijn Maimon in sanhedrim c. 13. Mat. 27.34 As likewise they gave him a second cup in Derision when they took a sponge It Moses Kotsens in san hedrim and filled it with Vinegar and put it on a reed Mat. 27.48 Thirdly The manner of the Cross on which Christ was crucified was like this figure †his Hands nailed to each side and his Feet nailed together to the bottom of the Cross almost And Jesus said unto Thomas reach hither thy Finger and behold my Hands c. Joh. 20.27 Psal 22.16 Even so do many in this day Crucifie afresh the Son of God and put him to open shame Heb. 6.6 By resisting and doing despite unto his Spirit of Grace in their hearts wilfully running into evil whilst they profess Christianity committing the sins of Sodom Gen. 19.5 Crucifying in Sodom and Egypt spiritually c. Fourthly Sometimes in notorious offenders to augment the pains of those that they whip Eustathius item Athenaeus Lib. 4. they tied certain huckle bones Tholosan synt Jur. univers lib. 31. or plummets of Lead or sharp Thorns to the end of the Thongs and such Scourges the Greeks termed Flagra Taxillata in the Scripture they are termed Scorpions My Father hath chastised you with rods but I will correct you with scorpions 1 Kings 12.12 The manner of their stoning to death the rebellious Sons Witches c. THe Offender was led to a place without the Gates two Cubits high his Hands being bound from hence one of the Witnesses tumbled him by a stroke upon the Loins if that kill him not the Witnesses lift up a stone being the weight of two men which chiefly the other Witness casteth upon him Paul fagius Deut. 17.7 if that kill him not all Israel throw stones upon him The hands of the Witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death and afterwards the Hands of all the people Deut. 17.7 The manner of their strangling of such as lieth with another Man's Wife or that smiteth his Father or his Mother c THe Offender was put in dung up to the loins a Towel beâ—ng cast about his neck Paraphrast Chald. Ruth 1.17 Milkkotsi fol. 183. col 3. which two Executioners one on each side plucked to and fro until he was dead which they accounted the easiest kind of death Restitution for Goods stolen the Law of God IF the Theft whether Ox or Sheep were found alive upon a man he restored but double Exod. 22.4 But if they were killed or sold then five Oxen for an Ox and 4. Sheep â—or a Sheep Ex. 22.1 The Jews were so precise in this kind that if they had built an house with a Beam or piece of Timber unjustly gotten they would pull down the house and restore the same Beam or piece of Timber to the Owner David Nimchi From this the Prophet Habakkuk doth not much dissent The Stone shall cry out of the wall and the Beam out of the Timber shall answer it Hab. 2.11 Among the Jews he ought to be sold that was not of sufficient worth to make Restitution Exod. 22.3 And Augustine saith of Christians Aug. Epist 54. That he which doth not make restitution according to his ability never repented And Non remittetur peccatum nisi restituatur ablatum No doubt but that if this Law was practised in England we should not have so many Thieves for to be sold as slaves for stealing is more terrible than Death that are so desperate to cry A short Life and a sweet And so may have time to see their folly and may become new Creatures and steal no more rather to work with their hands Eph. 4.28 But if they become honest and not able to work they will be maintained by those that fear the Lord Deut. 28.48 Phylacteries that the Pharisees wore upon their Arms. THey made broad their Phylacteries and enlarged the borders of their Garments Mat. 23.5 It is said that they were parchment upon which was written some of the Law as the ten Commandments c. The Command was general Mos Kotensis praec offir 22. Ex. 13.9 It shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand and for a memorial between thine Eyes So that it was not the wearing of them which our Saviour did then condemn but the making of them broad whereby they would appear more holy than others some wore them on their fore-heads Because the Pharisees superstitiously conceited that by them as by Amulets Spells and Charms hanged about their necks themselves might be preserved from danger Hierom testifieth that the Pharisees had such a conceit of their Ornaments Chrysost Hier. in Mal. 2.3 in which place he compareth them to certain superstitious Women of his time The Priest under the Law wore white Garments Levit. 16.4 But the white cloathing of a Christian is a meek and a quiet Spirit c. 1 Peter 3.4 Rev. 19.8 4.4 18. See page 256. who carried up and down upon the like ground short sentences ouâ— of the new Testament and Reliques of the Cross the same superstition hath prevailed with many oâ— latter times who for thâ— same purpose hang the beginning of St. John about their necks and in the year of our Lord 692 certain Sorcerers were condemned for the likâ— kind of Magick by the name of Phylacterians see T.G. civ Eccl. Rite lib. 2. ch 4. As Christian in the consecration of their Churches saith he make special choice of some particular Saints by whose names they call them as St. Peter Church St. Pauls St. Andrews c. so the Idolatrous Israelites consecrated their Groves unto particular Idols c. no good example to Christians howbeit the most high dwelleth no in Temples made with hands Isa 66.1 2. Act 7.48 17 24. Saith the Lord and to him will look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembleth at my word 1 Cor. 6.19 your Body is the temple of the Holy Ghost the Lord Supper Behold I stand at the door and knock iâ— any man hear my voice and open the door I will comâ— in unto him and will sup with him and he with me Rev. 3.20 Happy is he that opens his heart to the knocks or reproofs of Gods Grace shall overcome the evil and sit with God upon hiâ— Throne and live with Christ Jesus for ever and ever this is the plain truth open and free unto all the obedient of what Nation soever as Serjeant Jefferies well said in these words at the Tryal of Stephen Colledge viz. Truth is not confined to places nor Persons neither but applyed to all honest men be they Irish men or others Lastly Herods Temple which was the second Temple about 40 years in building was set on fire by Titus his Souldiers that it could not be quenched by the industry of man at the same time the Temple at Delphi being in chief request among the Heathen People Genebrard Chro.