with Beginnings Promises with p Heb. 8.6 Promises and q Neh. 9.8 L. 1.72 Jo. 1.45 Acts 1.5 2.4 3.18 13.32,33 Ro. 1.1,2,3 Accomplishments r 1. S. 15.2,7,8 1 K. 2.27 16.34 2 K. 10.10 Isa 34.16 Jer. 7.12 40.2,3 Lam. 2.17 Ez. 39.8 Dan. 9.11,13 Executions with Threatnings or Imprecations s 1 Co. 10.13 1 Th. 2.14 Ja. 5.10 1 P. 2.21 5 9. Afflictions with Afflictions t Ex. 9.24 2 K. 9.9 Isa 1.9 10.11 Jer. 7.12,14 29 22. 49.17,18 Ez. 5.9 12.11 Dan. 9.12 Joel 2.2 Mat. 10.15 11.22,24 Ro. 9.29 1 P. 4.17 2 P. 2.6 Jude 7. Judgements with Judgements Times and Conditions present with u Ex. 13.3 Num. 20.15 Den. 5.15 32 7,8 Jud. 6.13 Job 8.8,9 Ps 44.1 Isa 37.26 46.9,10 63.11 Jer. 2.2 Ez. 16.22,43 38.17 Hos 13.5 Joel 1.2 Mic. 6.5 Zec. 8.9 L. 22.19 Eph. 3.5 Col. 1.26 Heb. 10.32 Rev. 2.5 passed or w Ex. 12.26 Deu. 29.22 32.29 Jos 4.6 22.27,28 Ps 22.31 73.3,17 c. Pr. 5.3,4 14.12,13 23.17,18 Eccl. 11.8,9 12.1 c. 2 S. 2.26 Isa 41.22 47.7 Jer. 5.31 23.20 Lam. 1.9 Am. 8.10 Mat. 13.40 Jo. 16.4 1 P. 4.7.2 P. 3.11 Rev. 16.19 future Persons with Persons viz. x Deu. 1.17 1 Ch. 12.14 Job 1.3 3.19 Ps 49.2 62. c. 115.13 Eccl. 5.8 Jer. 31.34 44.12 Mat. 18.4 L. 14.8,9 22.26,27 Heb. 6.16 7.7 Ja. 2.2,3 2 P. 2.11 1 Jo. 4.4 Rev. 19.5 20.12 Superior with Inferior y Hereof fully pa. 21. t. Wise with Foolish z 2 S. 3.1 Job 17.9 Ps 105.24 Jer. 20.7 31.11 L. 11.22 1 Co. 1.25 10.22 strong with weak Among and above all God himself though in his a Jo. 8.58 Ex. 3.14 6.3 Ps 68.4 83.18 Isa 12.2 26.4 Hos 11.9 Heb. 11.6 Rev. 1.8 Essence a b Ex. 15.11 24.17 Deu. 28.58,2 S. 22.13 Neh. 9.5 Ps 29.3 145.12 148.13 Isa 2.19 Ez. 43.2 Hab. 3.3 glorious c Ex. 19.21 34.29,30,33 Isa 6.1,2 Mat 17.6 M. 9.9 L. 9.33 2 P. 1.17 2 Th. 1.9,10 admirable d 1 K. 8.27 Job 11.7,8,9 Ps 145.3 Isa 40.15 66.1 Acts 7.49 17.24 incomprehensible e Job 11.8 26.14 Ps 77.19 Isa 64.4 1 Co. 2.9 inconceivable and therefore f Num. 23.19 Deu. 4.15,16 1 S. 2.2 2 S. 7.22 Ps 71.19 89.6 Isa 40.17,18,25 55.8,9 Jer. 49.19 Dan. 4.35 Mic. 7.18 Acts 17.29 incomparable Excellency yet in his Attributes likening himself for our Comfort or Capacity to g Gen. 1.26 3.22 5.1 Ps 78.65 Isa 42.13 Ph. 2.6,7 Man h Isa 42.14 49.15 VVoman i  Husband l 2 S. 7.14 Ps 27.10 68.5 103.13 Pr. 3.12 Isa 63.16 Jer. 3.19 31.9 Mal. 1.6 2.10 Mat. 6.4,9 Jo. 20.17 Ro. 8.15 2 Co. 6.18 Heb. 12.6 Father m Ps 80.1 Isa 40.11 Jer. 31.10 Ez. 34.12 Jo. 10.11,14 1 P. 2.25 5.4 Shepherd n Isa 64.8 Jer. 18.6 Ro. 9.20,21 Potter o Job 10.16 Isa 31.4 Lam. 3.10 Hos 5.14 11.10 13.8 Am. 3.8 Lion p Deu. 32.4,30 2 S. 23.3 Ps 18.31 78.35 1 Co. 10.4 Rock q Ps 32.7 119.114 Jer. 36.26 Hab. 3.4 Hiding-place and sundry suck like The Godly by their Conformity s Lev. 20.7 21.8 Mat. 5.48 1 P. 1.16 in uprightness t Gen. 5.22,24 6.9 Num. 32.12 Jos 14.14 23.8 24.15 1 S. 13 14. 1 K. 9.4 15.5 22.43 2 K. 12.2 2 Ch. 14.2 24.16 Job 1.8 42.8 Ps 18.21,22,23,24 Mal 2 4,5,6 M. 10.28 L. 22.28 Jo. 17.6 1 Th. 1.6 Heb. 4.10 with God and u 1 K. 15.11 2 K. 14.3 15.3,34 18.3 22.2 2 Ch. 11.17 17.3 20.32 Ps 119.63 Pr. 2.20 2 Co. 12.18 1 Th. 1.7 2.14 2 P. 1.1 Reu. 15.3 each with other x 2 K. 18.5 23.25 2 Ch. 1.12 Neh. 13.26 Job 1.8 42.8 1 T. 5.17 some excelling in Goodness and y 1 S. 15.28 24.17 1 K. 2.32 2 Ch. 21.13 Pr. 10.7 12.26 Ez. 2.8 Mat. 6.8 by their happy difference from the Wicked the Wicked by z 2 K. 17.2 Job 21.14,15 Ps 10.4 14.1 36.1 Pr. 1. 29,30 Ro. 3.18 Eph 2.12 their willing deformity and defection from God a Num 23.10 1 S 8.3 2 Ch 21.12 Ps 1.4 73.5 their damnable unlikeness to the Godly their desperate Agreement with b Jud 2.13 1 K 18.18 Ps 106.28 Is 28.15 Jo 8.41,44 2 T 2.26 Satan c 1 K 15.3,26,34 16.26 2◠52,53 2 K 8.18 13.11 15.9 16.3 17.14,41 21.20,21 23.32,37 Neh 13.18 Jer 9.14 44.17 52. ◠Ez. 2.3 Am 2.4 Mat. 23.31.32 L 6.23 11.48 Acts 7.51 their Ancestours and d Gen 49.5 Neh 4.7,8 Psal 50.18 71.10 83.5 c. Pr 1.11.14 11.11 Jer 18.18 Ezek 23.31 Dan 6.7 M 7.1,2 L 22.66 23.13 Acts 5.9,36 16.22 Rev 17.17 themselves e Jud 2.19 1. K. 14.9 22. 16.25,30,33 21.25 2 K. 21.11 a Ch 28.22 33.23 Jer. 7.26 16.12 Ez 16.47,51,52 2 T 3.13 some exceeding in Evil with other sorts of Comparisons or Similitudes in Abundance 3. Where his Commands are express and peremptory We are to rest therein without seeking further reason of Obedience then that The Lord hath f Acts 13.47 commanded or g Jer. 13.15 spoken it For shall Gods Commands have less force or Influence on h Jos 1.9,10 his Servants then Men's on i 2 S. 13.28,29 Gen. 41.44 1 K. 21.7 Mat. 8.9 L. 7.8 theirs Have not I commanded 4. And lastly that the Authour of all l Mat. 14.31 28.17 L. 24.21,25 Doubts m Acts 15.39 1 Co. 1.11,12,13 11.18,19 Divisions n Ro. 2.8 1 T. 6.4 Contentions or o Jo. 7.41,42,43 Acts 14.4 23.7 Distractions and p 2 P. 3.16 Wresting of the Word of God in the Mindes and Mouths of q 1 T. 6.5 corrupt and weak Men is that r 1 K. 22.22,23 Lying Spirit and s Jo. 8.44 Father of Lyes Who is therefore with all his Adherents to be tried and condemned by the Canon and Censure of this holy Scripture or written Word of God And now by Gods Guidance we arrive at the Port in Propect the Point of Knowledge CHAP. III. Of divine Knowledge the Fountain Streams Force and Effects of it THe Hushand is required to dwell with the t 1 P. 3.7 Wife according to Knowledge and this is so much objected and insisted on as if He were more apt to err of Ignorance then she of Petulance and Presumption The definition and Display of this Knowledge 't is doubtfull may prove fully as hard as that of Madness if the divine Power attended with Propension and Sedulity make it not more easie Nil tam
and is content to leave me as ignorant as he found me although I have since also saluted and solicited him by Letter wherof I am informed he made more then a Pastoral use humbly offering either to satisfie or submit unto the Church And it may be added not altogether unfitly That I likewise submisly proposed somthing in this kinde to them of Power Wisedom and Experience whose Reply was short and suitable to their Place b Job 32.9 but nothing satisfactory to my Doubt or Quaere The Confluence I say of these and other like Motives caused me first c Ps 4.4 to examine mine own Heart and then stirr'd me up to study the Point for my fuller Information the Pursuance wherof hath forcibly produced these publique Expresses both of my Quality and Conceptions which with all humbleness I submit to judicious christian and charitable Censure And I come now within view of our expected Port of Knowledge But ere I arrive at it somewhat would be premised touching the Scripture the d Gen. 1.26,27 Jo. 5.39 1 T. 3.16 Isa 7.14 sacred History of God and Man CHAP. II. The Certainty Truth Authority Consent and other peculiar Excellencies of the sacred Scripture BEcause our Husbands Authority is grounded on the Word of God and that we are to deal especially with divine Texts and Truths It were first to be wished That all sorts of People were satisfied of the Truth and Authority of the Scripture for to some even the plain written Word of God is no prevailing Proof wherein 't is doubtfull consisteth a great part of the Weakness of some of the weaker Vessels Very needfull therefore it is that such were convinced of This That the e Deu. 8.3 Ps 119 89. Mat. 4.4 L. 4.4 Heb. 1.3 1 Jo. 5.7 Rev. 19.13 eternal Word the f Jo. 1.1,2,3 10.35,36 Heb. 1.3,5 11.3 2 P. 3.5 Rev. 2.18 1 Jo. 5.20 Son of God the g Jo. 1.1,2 1 Jo. 5.7 second Person in Trinity and h Jo. 1.4 6.63 1 Jo. 1.1,2 5. 11 12,20 spirit and life it self hath expresly declared and i Ro. 1.16,17,18 Deut. 4.13 revealed himself in Writing to wit first k Ex. 24.12 31.18 32.16,32,33 Deu. 4.13 5.22 9.10 10.2,4 2 K. 17.37 I Ch. 28.19 Job 13.26 Ps 40.7 69.28 87.6 139.16 Isa 4.3 65.6 Ez. 2.9,10 Dan. 12.1 Mal. 3.16 Ph. 4.3 Col. 2.14 Heb. 12.23 Re. 2.17 3.5 5.1 13.8 17.8 20.12,15 21.12,27 by his own finger and then l 2 Ch. 36.22 Am. 3.8 2 T. 3.16 2 P. 1.21 by inspiring and sanctifying the Hearts Hands and Pens of his Servants the Sons of men and m Ex. 17.14 34.27 Deu. 6.9 17.18 27.8 31.19 Isa 8.1 30.8 Jer. 30.2 36.2 Ezek. 24.2 43.11 Hab. 2.2 Rev. 1.11 14.13 19.9 21.5 setting them on Work to write and copy out his Will which they having n Ex. 24.4 Eccl. 12.10 Jer. 36.4 L. 1.1,2,3 Jo 21.24 Acts 20.27 2 P. 3.15,16 Rev 21.5 Deu 31.9,22,24 1 S. 10.25 Jos 8.32 faithfully performed He accordingly o Jer 26.45 29.19 44.4 Ez 38.17 Hos 8.12 Zec 1.6 Rev 10.7 owneth and approveth These Writings from their first Penning and Promulgation were and shall be by his divine Power his mercifull and miraculous Providence p Isa 55.11 maugre the malice of Men or Devils q 2 K. 22.8 23.2 preserved and r Ex. 12.26 Deut. 4.9 6.7 29.29 31.12,13,21 32.46 1 K. 9.6 Ps 78.5,6.7 Jer. 32.39 Joel 1.3 Ro. 16 26. transmitted to Posterity to the Worlds end And here before we pass further it s not unfit to be noed that albeit there happen now and then a distinction or restraint in some s Gen. 45.12 Nū 12.8 Jer. 32.4 Acts 15.27 Rom. 10.9,10 Ja. 3.10 special Cases yet the Phrases of holy Scripture referring to former Times and Prophesies and running on this wise viz. As t L. 1.70 Acts 3.18 4.25 Heb. 4.4 he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets as it u Mat. 2.23 3.3 21.4 M. 13.14 L. 24.25 Acts 13.40 2 P. 3.2 was spoken by the Prophets and the like are indifferently to be understood as well of the Word written as spoken This is easily apparent by comparing x 2 Co. 10.11 2 P. 1.20,21 2 Th. 2.15 the sacred Writ with it self which ascribeth speaking of Scripture sometime to y Acts 1.16 28.25 the holy Ghost sometime to z Gal. 1.9 Heb. 11.32.2 P. 3.16 and more at t u the Writer sometime to a Jo. 7.38 19. 37. Ro. 4.3 11. 2. Gal. 4.30 1 T. 5.18 Ia. 4.5 the Scripture it self Examples of this sort are so many and obvious that a few may serve here And our own common Practice if need were confirms it also these Words being usuall with us in Writing viz. As I said before or As aforesaid c. while we plainly hear no Word spoken but see it onely Written And we cannot otherwise conceive of the Scripture unless which were horrible to think the Words of our blessed Saviour who never b Mat. 7.29 M. 1. 22. Jo. 5.30 7.46 8.16 spake c Jo. 11.42 prayed nor d Mat. 12.18 M. 1.11 L. 3.22 Jo. 15.16 16.23,24 17.24 interposed in vain were inconsistent Where he saith e Mat. 28.19,20 Jo. 14.18 Go teach all nations c. and Lo I am with you alway even to the end of the World and again f Jo. 17.20 I Pray not for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their Word For He knew better then Any and g Mat. 24.9 23.34 L. 12.4 Jo. 21.19 2 P. 1.14 foretold to his Apostles that They h Gen. 18.27 25.8 35.29 49.33 50.26 Num. 20.28 Deu. 34.5 Jos 24 29. 1 S. 25.1 2 S. 23,1 1 K. 2.10 11.43 Zec. 1.5 Jos 23.14 1 K. 2.2 Ps S 9.48 Acts 2.29 as all the Patriarchs and Prophets before them being meer i Gen. 32.10 Job 7.20 Ps 38.4 41.4 51.5 1 Jo. 1.8 Ps 40.12 sinfull mortal Men which l L. 5.8 Acts 3.12 10.26 Peter and m Acts 14.15 2 Co. 5.1 Eph. 2.1.5 1 T. 1.15 Paul confess for all after they had n Acts 13.36 1 K. 2.10 served their Generation must fall asleep and could not possibly accomplish so vast a Peragration and Task as viva voce to teach all Nations Nor meant he therefore any longer to accompany them carnally or corrorally here on Earth for they were even then o Ph. 1.23 2 T. 4.6,7 2 P. 1.13,14 taking leave to depart for Heaven their p Eccl. 12.5 long home where they q 1 Th. 4.17 2 T. 4.8 Rev. 18.20 21.14 remain most happy with him but to continue his Spiritual Presence and Power with them in
their written Word and with their faithfull Posterity the r Jo. 10.16 4.18 Pastonrs the Teachers thereof while the World endures Now had their Word rested in and expired with their vive or vocal Expression the Article of their natural Breath how should any People or Persons far distant or future who were never like to see or hear them either believe or benefit ought thereby And to clear this unto us We see the Lord Jesus expresly sets on Work his beloved Apostle John as doubtless he did implicitly and virtually the rest bidding him s Rev. 1.11,19 see 2 P. 3.1,2 Write what he sees hath seen and shall be hereafter in a Book I say therefore we are to conclude all such Phrases to signifie and intend as wel the written as vocal Word of God And that all the Writings of these holy Men before mentioned being by divine Providence and faithfull Hands collected into One just Volume are the same which we have in common not so carefull or conscionable Use and in way of Eminency do call t Ro. 1.2 2 T. 3.15 The holy Scriptures and might as justly term them u Ps 119.142,160 Pro. 22.20,21 Eccl. 12.10 Dan. 10.21 Jo. 10.41 21.24 2 Co. 6.7 Eph. 1.13 Col. 1.5 2 T. 2.15 Ja. 1.18 Rev. 19.9 21.5 The Word and Scripture of Truth It may be hoped there are not many incredulous in this Point yet such as be are earnestly recommended to those Orthodox Divines and Writers who have fully cleared it for the recitall would take up too much room in this narrow Treatise But we take and use it as indeed it is for that undoubted Rule of Verity by which with influence of the Spirit of God alone we are to be x Isa 8.20 Mat. 22.29 Ex. 15.26 Lev. 18.5 Numb 15.22,23,24 Deu. 5.32 6.17.25 11.1 17.9,20 28.14 31.12 Jos 1.7,8 22.5 23.6 2 K. 17.13,37 22.13 Ps 105.45 119.9 Pro. 3.1 6.22,23 Eccl. 12.13 Isa 30.21 42.4 Jer. 9.13 26.4 Ez. 20.19 37.24 Mat. 19.17,18 28.20 L. 10.26 Jo. 5.39 Ro. 1.16,17,18 4.3 15.4 1 Co. 4.6 10.11 2 T. 3.16 2 P. 1.19 2.21 1 Jo. 2.3,4 directed here and y Mal. 3.16,18 Jo. 12.48 Rev. 14.12 everlastingly doomed hereafter Nevertheless because those Tracts are not ready at hand to All these breif Considerations for the present may something sway the Minde of the Doubtfull and convince the Truth hereof as 1. It s on all hands gladly granted by those that bear the name of Christians That eternal Life and Felicity is to be looked after and is onely attainable by the Knowledge of God in Jesus Christ This cannot surely be through brain-fancies and airy Notions and therefore some direct and regular z Job 23.11 Way must needs lead thereunto a To confirm this if Scripture can do it compare Jo. 5.39 with Jo. 17.3 None can know or learn the way to God but by God teaching the Truth This Truth cannot be known to Any without Christ nor Christ without his revealed Word and Will and What can be so probable and fair a Manifest hereof as these holy Scriptures which for b All this is obvious to any seeing and single eye Purity and Perduration Impartiality and Majesty Profundity and yet perspicuous and pleasing Facility do excell and eclipse all other Writings in the World 2. Christ bids us c 1 Jo. 4.1 c. try the Spirits and if He did not Equity and Reason would evince it For we know that One Spirit may be as errone ous as another and some so deeply and dangerously that they shall d Mat 24.24 M. 13.22 1 T. 4.1 Rev. 16.14 go near to deceive the very Elect if every Spirit may be his own Moderatour and Judge and therefore no doubt but e Ez. 34.17 Ro. 16.2 the Lord Paramount f Num. 16.22 27.16 the God and g Heb. 12.9 Father of Spirits intended and appointed some determinative Rule of Triall in case of h 1 K. 22.20 L. 9.55 dissent or difference 'twixt Spirit and Spirit and what may we imagine under the Sun a truer Touch-stone herein then the Scripture we treat of 3. Although by Gods absolute unrevealed Will all things were made yet are they not preserved ruled or directed without his conditionate and revealed Will. For if there be not such a supreme directive restrictive Providence Why doth not each One live as they list which the most desperate Wretch dares not profess to do Why is not every i Jud. 7.22 1 S. 14 20. 2 S. 2.16 Mans sword in his fellows side Certainly then he ordained a Vice-gerence and subordinate Government here on Earth and to this End is that Expression if we believe Scripture l Den. 30.11 c. Joh. 6.45,46 This Commandment is not hidden from thee neither is it far off c. It would be judged an absurd Presumption to trouble a supreme earthly Magistrate with every trifling Trespass or breach of Peace in this he would easily incline to imitate m Ex. 18.21,22 Jethro's Counsel to Moses yea to desire God's Indulgence n Num. 11.14,15,17 as Moses did and shall we dare to think God either less o Ex. 19.12,13,23 20.18,19 24.17 33.20,23 Deu. 4,24,33 5.5 Job 37.22 Ps 68.8 Jer. 10.7 Heb. 12.20,21 dreadfull to be approached or less p 1 Ch. 29.11,12 2 Ch. 20.6 Ps 62.11 66.7 103.19 115.3 Dan. 4.26,37 powerfull and q Gen. 1.16 Ex. 18.22 Nū 11.17 Job 32.13 33.13 Ps 8.6 36.6 136.8,9 Pro. 8.15,16 Hos 8.4 provident in managing his Affairs then Man This may seem to fatisfie the most Yet now we may not conceive this divine Word resteth though revealed and evident in the dull r 2 Co. 3.6 Ro. 2.29 dead and killing Letter we look on however illustrious and eminent as above For how can a dead Thing be s Gal. 3.8 prophetick or t Gal. 3.22 judicative u 1 Co. 10.11 monitory or x Ro. 15.4 Jer. 15.16 consolatory Yea y Heb. 4.12 Psal 147.15 119.50 Jer. 20.9 23.29 Hos 6.5 L. 24.32 2 Co. 10.10 Eph. 6.17 Rev. 1.16 Hab. 3.9 powerfull quick and keen searching z Ps 119.161 Isa 66.2 awing a Jo. 12.48 Ro. 2.12,17,18,27 censuring b Ps 105.19 2 T. 2.9 clearing the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart strong and strange Operations and all This affirmed of the Word It must needs be then by c Eph. 6.17 some spritefull Influence more then appears on the bare and naked Letter which d Acts 9.5 Paul himself found and felt when he kicked against the Pricks And what Spirit can this be but the same which at the first e Gen. 1.2 Job 33 4. Ps 104.30 Isa 42.5 moving upon the face of the Waters gave light and life to the world bestows or restores Breath strength
and Agility to f 1 K. 17.18,22,23 2 K. 4.32,34,35 8.5 Ps 104.29 30. Jo. 11.39,43,45 Acts 20.9,10,12 Ro. 4.19 8.11 Heb. 11.19,35 1 P. 3.18 Rev. 11.9,11 dead Bodies g Ez. 37.1 to 10. dry very dry Bones or h Mat. 3.9 L. 3.8 Stones who still and ever i Ro. 4.17 8.11 Eph. 2.1,5 qnickneth at least the spiritually dead and by a secret yet a certain and sometimes l Gen. 41.38 Num. 11.26 24 2,3,4 Judg. 3.10 1 S. 10.6,9,10,11 16.13,18 19 20,23,24 2 K. 2.15 2 Ch. 20.14 Neh. 9.30 Isa 11.2 48.16 Ez. 2.2 11.5 Dan. 4.8 Mat. 3.16 L. 4.18,21,22 Jo. 1.32,33 14.17 15.26 Acts 2.2 c. and 8.29 11.12 16.7 1 P. 4.14 1 Jo. 4.2 Rev. 1,10 4.2 a manifest Infusion m Eph. 1.23 Job 32.8 filleth all in all By the n 2 Co. 3.6 same Power I say are these Lines made lively and active and so justly in this sense called the o Ph. 2.16 L. 8.11 Word of Life It is said metaphorically and implicitly That the Word was made p Ps 118.22 Isa 28.16 Dan. 2.34,45 Mat. 21.42,44 L. 20.17,18 Acts 4.11 Eph. 2.20 1 P. 2.4,6,7 stone but expresly that it was made q Jo. 1.14 flesh and dwelt among us and that r 1 Jo. 1.1,2 we have seen With our eyes and our hands have handled of the Word of life Which Christ himself confirmed saying s Jo. 6.63 The words that I speak to you while now in my flesh they are spirit and they are life We hear himself likewise assuming to him the Metaphors of t Jo. 14.6 Way u Jo. 15.1,5 Vine x Jo. 10.7,9 Door y Jo. 6.35,41,51 Bread c. Now the same Word even Christ Jesus who made himself a Way Stone Vine c. yea Flesh to dwell among us for z Jo. 7.33 13.33 16.16 a little while was and is in the same sense and certainty made Letter and Scripture to remain with us a Mat. 28.20 unto the end We need seek no further for similitude then the naturall Bodies we bear about Which while united with soul or spirit cal'd b Gen. 2.7 6.17 7.15,22 Isa 42.5 Rev. 11.11 the Breath of life and sometime the c Job 27.3 spirit of God We see how able apt and agil they are especially some to d Jud. 20.16 1 S. 17.4,5 c. 2 S. 1.23 2.18 23.8 c. 1 Ch. 12.8 Lam. 4.19 Glory and Admiration But once e Job 34.14 Eccl. 12.7 severed how f Jos 5.1 1 S. 25.37 1 K. 10.5 senseless g Jud. 15.18,19 L. 8.53 Ja. 2.26 liveless h Gen. 3.19 18.27 Job 4.19 7.21 13.12 21.26 34.15 Ps 30.9 49.14 103.14 104.29 Eccl. 3.20 12.7 contemptible and i Jer. 9.22 16.4 25.33 Jo. 11.39 horrid Things are they And yet this Spirit of l Job 32.8 Prov. 18.14 20.27 25.28 Eccl. 3.21 Isa 26.9 57.16 Ez. 21.7 Zec. 12.1 Mal. 2.15 Ro. 8.16 1 Co. 2.11 ours as we may call it though the sole or chief Actor in us is 1 Co. 2.11 invisible to our carnall eye Also we measure and judge the strength or feebleness of our life by the fast or slow Beating as we term it of our Pulse the Motion of our animal Spirit Just thus is it with the written Word m Ez. 1.12,20 2 Co. 3.3 or Works and Spirit of God yet with this Difference That the Spirit of God unspeakably and inconceivably n Job 32.8 Isa 38.16 transcends the Spirit of Man in o 1 Co. 5.3,4 12.4,8 c. 2 Co. 11.4 12.18 Eph. 2.18 4.3,4 Ph. 1.27 Col. 2.5 Vnity and p Hab. 1.13 Jo. 4.24 Eph. 4.29,30 1 Jo. 3.3 Purity q Mic. 2.7 2 Co. 3.17 11.12 Liberty r 2 S. 14.19 2 K. 5.26 6.32 Acts 5.3 1 Co. 2.10,11,12,16 Gen. 44.15 Perspicacy s Jo. 6.63 Ro. 8.10 1 Co. 15.45 2 Co. 3.6 1 P. 3.18 Vivacity and t Jud. 16.28,29,30 2 K. 2.11 Job 32.18 Ps 39.3 Isa 6 6,7,8 E 7.3.14 37.1 Dan. 6.3 Mic. 3.8 M. 1.12 L. 1.17 2.40 4.14 21.15 24.32 Acts 2.4 4.20 6.10 8.39 18.5,25 20,22 23.9 Ro. 15.19 1 Co. 2.4 Eph. 3.16 2 Th. 2.8 Rev. 17.3 21.10 Isa 49.2 Vigour It also u Jo. 3.8 as the Wind bloweth where it lusteth and x Eccl. 11.5 None knoweth whence it cometh nor whither it goeth So then while this written VVord is but offered accepted and eyed as a dead Letter no mervail it be so much neglected and so little operative as it is And certainly till we feel some beating or motion of this Divine Pulse in or upon it we may sadly conclude our selves to be y Eph. 2.1,5 Jo 14.17 1 Co. 2.14 spiritually as dead as the Letter or z Jo. 11.39 Lazarus his Body For as our Spirit is the life of our Body so is the Spirit of Christ the a Job 32.8 Psalm 36.9 66.9 119.175 Isa 38.16 Jo. 14.17 Acts 17.24.25 Ro. 8. 2,10 1 Co. 2.4 Col 3.3 life both of our Spirit and of the Letter Much less may this written VVord avail any thing either to enliven enlighten or lead us whilst it lyeth by us unused neglected contemned as a Moth-eaten Clout not of so much account with many And therefore to the attaining of the spirituall-saving Knowledg here treated there belongs a serious studious and diligent search The b Heb. 2.10 Captain of our Salvation our most curious and faithfull c Num. 13.2,30 14.6,7,8,9 spy and discoverer of the holy Land sets us in the ready way d Jo. 5.39 Isa 8.20 2 P. 1.19 Search the Scriptures saith he which even yee Jewes yee Scribes and Pharisees account infallible impartiall Guides to your eternal life and felicity for they are they that testifie of me who alone am that most precious permanent Pearl and Possession worth Search and seeking after which they point at yea am their proper-inseparable Subject and Substance And for our Incitement and Example we see himself did e L. 4.16,17,21,22 customarily preach and practise out of them They were his own f Mat. 4.4,7,10 L. 4.4,8 chief-apparent Armour against Satan in any Assault and as they proved g Mat. 4.11 L. 4.13 successfull with him so he hath left them commended to our use and imitation To this end we often hear him and his Worthies the blessed Apostles and other Saints sometimes in a repugnant sometime in a perswasive way producing and alledging Scripture viz. h Mat. 2.5 L. 24.46 Thus i Mat. 4 7. Heb. 1.5 2.13 10.30 again l Ps 40.7 Mat. 21 13. L. 19.46 Jo. 8.17 Acts 23.5 Ro. 12.19 1 Co. 9 9. Gal. 4.22 27. it is written m M. 11.17
and for us He must both u Ps 119.10,176 Jer. 23.3 31.10 Ez 34.11,12,16 Mat. 9.36 18.12,14 23.37 Jo. 11.52 seek x Deu. 33.27 Ps 40.2 55 22. 66.9 94.18 116.8 145.14 Can. â—2 5 Isa 40.11 Ez. 16.6 Hos 11.3 sustain y Gen. 48.15 Deu. 8.3 1 Ch. 17.6 Ps 28.9 Isa 40.11 Ez. 34.14,15 Hos 4.16 Mic. 7.14 Jo. 21.15 c. Acts 17.28 20,28 nourish and z Ez. 34.10 protect us or else we still a 1 K. 22.17 Ps 119.67,176 Isa 53.6 Jer. 2.20 13.27 14.10 50.6 Ez. 14.11 34.5,6 Dan. 9.7 Hos 4.16 1 P. 2.25 run astray b Ez. 34.2,3,8 Am. 8.11 sterve c Ps 38.4 40.12 42.7 55.5 69.2,14,15 77.3 130.1 sink and d 2 Ch. 18.31 Ez. 34.3,4,8 perish Without Me saith Christ your e Ps 23.1 80.1 Ez. 37.24 Jo. 10.11,14 Heb. 13 20. 1 P. 2.25 5.4 Shepherd your f Ps 23.2 c. 127.2 Ez. 34.23 Hos 2.8,9 L. 22.35 Purveyor your g Mat. 8.26 14.31,32 Acts 27.23,24,41,44 1 T. 1.19 L. 22.32 Jo. 11.42 Pilot Ye even ye h See pag. 25. n o. Apostles i Jo. 15.5 can do nothing but l Ro 7.15,18,19,21,24,25 undo and m Jer. 44.7,8 Hos 13.9 destroy your selves We have heard what rare and admirable Effects this divine spark of Wisdom hath wrought in its Possessors or rather Possessed and unto what sublimity it hath already lifted them Yet we must not leave it here Leave it here Nay here it leaveth us and soareth up to its proper Seat and Throne in Heaven even into the hand and heart of God We must speak after the Manner of Men for the Infirmity of our Flesh although the Expression seemeth to be warranted by his own Word where he is said to have an n 1 S. 13.14 2.35 2 K. 10.30 Jet 15.1 19.5 Ez. 23.18 Heart and Minde and that both in Heaven and o 1 K. 9.3 Earth The spirit of the Lord is the p Pr. 20.27 Candle of the Lord and the Wisdom q Job 32.8 Ps 119 144. Jo. 20.22 inspired thereinto a flash of his infinit flame a sprig of himself r Acts 17.28,29 even his own most generous glorious eternal Off-spring The s Eccl. 12.7 dust shall return to the earth as it was and the spirit unto the God who gave it And such a Mixture or rather t Jo. 10.30 17.11,21 c. 1 Co. 6 17,19 Heb. 2.11 Oneness and Identity there is of the u Job 27.3 Pro. 1.23 Dan 4.8 Ro 8,9,11 1 Co 3.16 2 T 1.14 1 Jo 3.24 4.12 15,16 Rev 1.10 Spirit of God and x 1 S 13.14 good spirit in Man which comprehends all spiritual Endowments that we may not imagine any y 1 Co 5.4 12 4,5,6,11 Ro 8.16 diversity in them at all What Honour then can be imagined high enough to be ascribed to this royal-celestial Progeny The tongues of Men and Angels want Words to express it For z Isa 53.8 Who with humble reverence to borrow the Phrase Who can declare this Generation How a Ps 87.3 glorious Things are spoken of thee O City of you O Citizens O Saints of God! The summ is for a large Contemplation of Incomprehensibles doth more perplex then profit or please the Saints for or with their inspired Wisdom are set upon b Mat 19.28 Rev 3.21 20.4 Thrones of Judgement First c Ps 149.5,6 c. here and yet d Eph 1.3,20 2 6. 3.15 Ph. 3.20 L. 17.21 in Heaven too they e 1 Co. 2.15 6.3 judge all Things and yet are or ought to be judged of no Man then hereafter f 1 Th. 4.17 in Heaven still they shall judge the g 1 Co. 6.2,3 whole World yea the most wise and glorious Creatures the Angels This h Ps 149.9 Honour have all his Saints i Pr. 3.13,18 Happy Souls What may not justly and yet what can fitly or sufficiently be said to set forth your l 1 Co. 13.12 Eph. 3.17 Knowledge and Wisdom your m Isa 64.4 1 Co. 2.9 2 Co. 12.4 1 P. 18. Ph. 3.21 1 Jo. 3.2 1 Co. 15 49. Glory and Bliss If the vast Thoughts of Men cannot yet comprehend it how shall their n Isa 32.4 stammering Tongues or o Jer. 8.8 shallow Pens express it But what hear we yet I have said indeed saith God himself ye are p Ps 82.6 Gen. 3.5,22 Jo. 10.35 1 Co. 8.5 Gods and all of you Children of the most High but as ye live so q Ps 82.7 ye shall die like Men. Ye must remember that as yet ye bear an r Gen. 2.7 3.19 18.27 Job 4.19 33.6 Ps 103.14 104.29 Eccl. 3.20 12.7 Isa 40.6 64.8 Jer. 18.6 22.29 1 Co. 15 47,49 2 Co. 5.1 1 P. 1.24 earthly Tabernacle about you Your s Ps 82.6 Isa 63.16 Jo. 1.12 Ro. 8.14 c. 2 Co. 6.18 Gal. 3.29 Eph. 1.10,11 Col. 1.12 Tit. 3.7 Heb. 1.14 9.15 Ja. 2.5 1 P. 1.3,4 1 Jo. 3.1,2 Mat. 12.50 high-born Heir must be content a while with the t Eph. 1.13,14 Mat. 28.20 Jo. 14.16 15.26 Acts 1.4,5 Gal. 4.1,2 Earnest of his Inheritance your u 2 Co. 4.7 L. 17.21 heavenly Treasure is yet inclos'd and confin'd in earthen Vessels We therefore that reade or hear This are to reflect on our selves as x 1 Ch. 29.15 Ps 119.19 120.5 Heb. 11.13 1 P. 2.11 Sojourners here below in this y Ps 23.4 Valley of the shadow of Death for z Ps 31.15 90.6 Pro 27.1 Ja. 4.13,14 how long ot little a while we know not and to pray for and expect such Portion of divine Wisdom and other Graces as God shall see good or best for us to be improved to a Jer 9.24 1 Co. 1.31 4.7 10.31 Ph. 1.9,11 1 P. 2.9 See pag. 27. h. his Glory the b Isa 28.9,10 Acts 13.36 1 Co. 14.12 to 19,26 See dage 27. i. Edification of others and our selves This Proposition we hope being pretty clear that God hath dispensed to and among the sons of Men indefinitly and generally a respective Competency of Knowledge as above It were needless to prove c Acts 17.26 Ro. 5.12,16 1 Co. 15.22 Mankinde a Body and the Husband a main and eminent Member or species thereof but it wil conduce to know that He hath his Dole in the divine Largess And this will appear by proof or Argument briefly thus All these Degrees or sorts of Men before mentioned taken generally or specially which ye will thus plentifully compleatly and magnificently furnished with Knowledge are but yet the Objects of Gods Liberality in a mediate or as we may say remote Consideration Christ is not said to be incorporate with any of these Persons
Children of Men presume to violate or profane they may be justly o Hos 5.5 7.10 convicted that their p Ps 9.16 Hos 7.2 13.9 Punishment or Perdition is of themselves We live indeed now under Gospel-Rules and a q Zec. 9.9 Mat. 21 5. gentle-gracious King yet a r Ps 2.6 Isa 32.1 43.15 Ez. 37.22,24 Hos 3.5 Jo. 18.37 1 T. 6.15 Rev. 17.14 King and One that will not be disobeyed dishonoured or slighted but on s Ps 2.9 Pr. 13.13 Jer. 10.10 Ez. 21 9,10 c. Mat. 18 23.34 22.2,13 L. 19.12,27 1 Co. 16.22 Rev. 2.16 sharp Terms and Penalties who as he is the t Acts 8.32 Rev. 5.12 7.14 13 8. See p. 24. e c. Lamb slain so is he the u Isa 38.13 Lam. 3.10,11 See page 24. g. Lion slaying and tearing in pieces Now what Creature more favourable to Submission or gratefull to Courtesie then the Lion if we believe History What x Rev. 6.16,17 14.10 17.14 fiercer then the Lamb Christ if justly offended Thus admiring and submitting to Christ the highest Husband in the glorious Exercise of his own Power we come now still within his Limits and by his leave and strength to view his honourable Delegation of his Vice-gerent Man CHAP. V. The Symbol betwixt CHRIST and the Husband in the Point and Power of Practical Knowledge SO strong and stable a Symbol and Sympathy is there indeed between Christ and his Church Husband and Wife that it may well and must on all hands be alleadged and insisted on And as it is gladly granted in Point of Cherishing so there will appear no ground of declining it in Case of Chastening other then the Tenderness of Humanity which how far 't is requisite and tolerable is now to be discussed In Order and for Introduction hereunto we are first to weigh well Gods y Deu. 10.17 Ps 115.3 135.5,6 136.6 1 T 6.15 Rev. 17.14 19 16. soveraign z Num 23.19 Ps 111.7 Is 25.1,2 48.3 55 11. certain a Ps 33.11 111 8. 119.160 Eccl. 3.14 Is 14.24 45.23 46 10. Ez. 24.14 irrevocable Councels and Edicts and chiefly as to our present Purpose to carry along with us that his primitive-peremptory Decree at the Creation viz. b Gen. 3.16 Thy Desire shall be to thine Husband and he shall rule over thee Where note that 1. Cupimus clariora potiora 2. Here 's not Regula but Regimen the Man was not onely to direct but rule her and what implies Regimen if not as even an Heathen defines it Parcere Subjectis debellare Superbos How else differs it from Parity or Equality Or what more golden Rule of Regiment or Government can there be Now as the c Num 25.5 Deu. 17.12 25.1,2 L. 12.11,58 20 21. Jo 19.10,11 Ro 13.4 Tit 3.1 1 P 2.14 Magistrate bears not the Sword no more doubtless doth the d Gen 20.16 Nu 30.8 â—3 1 Co 14.35 Eph 3.24 Husband the Sway in vain Gods Decrees are more then Scare-Crows Next we finde it delivered us by divine Authority as in Confirmation of the said Decree That e Eph 5.23 1 Co 11.3 Compare and consider well Eph 5.19 30. the Husband is Head of the Wife even as Christ is Head of the Church Not politically as in other Unions or Relations but spiritually mystically sacramentally He is so the Head of the Wife as Christ is the Head of the Church And these two are to stand for impregnable Maxims instar Omnium adversus Omnia The Wife is also enjoyned in sundry Places of Sacred Writ a similar or suitable f Eph. 5.22,24,33 Col. 3.18 Tit. 2.5 1 P. 3.1 Est 1.22 Subjection and Obedience the holy Ghost expresly directing as g Col. 3.22 Servants to obey their Masters in all Things so h Eph. 5.24 Wives to be subject to their Husbands in every Thing And especially the i Tit. 2.3,4,5 aged Women to be not Actors onely but Teachers of Obedience to Husbands the words subjection obedience being it seems Convertibles and putting no difference 'twixt Wives and Servants l 1 P. 3.6 Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him Lord. And ere we pass lo here how the holy Spirit also pleaseth to make use of a very Heathen to check this dear Daughter of his in case of but a supposed slighting of her Husband m Gen. 20.16 Behold saith Abimelech to Sarah He is to thee a Covering of the Eyes unto all that are with thee and with all other as if her Eye ought have been terminated in Him at least that she should not have looked out much less abroad without his privity leave and presence which is a stricter I say not more servile Observance then can be required from any Servant So that for the too large Liberty which 't is like Sarah took to look about her the Spirit saith She was reproved Wherein we may not but imagine some forward or offensive Carriage in her in her Husband Abrahams Absence for God useth not to chide his n Isa 41.8 Ja. 2.23 Ez. 14.23 2 Ch. 20.7 Friends without Cause And sure it is not far from this Purpose that Women are enjoyned to o 1 Co. 14.35 ask their Husbands at home and to testifie their Subjection by their p 1 Is 2.12 silence But it is further to be observed That the divine Wisdom in all Places where it directeth the Conjugal Duties q Eph. 5.22 Col. 3.18 1 P. 3.1 first layes down the VVomans Subjection and Obedience as a Leading and Allurement to the Mans Affection and then wills that he bear toward her in Knowledge Love and Lenity befitting as the cited Texts do shew And which is yet to be noted least she should either insist too much on his Love without Merit or forget her Duty the Command is doubled and pressed upon her r Eph. 5.22,33 Let the Wife see as the Translators render it be sure that she reverence viz. fear not affright her Husband implying and as it were pointing at a greater proneness of Neglect and Forgetfulness in her and the petulancy adhering to that Sex at least inforcing the Duty more upon Her which some good VVives do not brook to hear The Reasons of Gods original Decree and the succeeding Confirmations thereof although we are not to dispute or dive into yet himself is pleased partly and indeed plainly to signifie unto us That this very primitive Institution for the VVomans Subjection proceeded as s Ex. 9.27 1 S. 12 7,9 2 Ch. 12.5,6 Ezr. 9.14,15 Neh 9.33 Job 34.10,12,23 Ps 97.2 119.137 145.17 Pr. 8.8 Isa 57 17. Jer. 11.20 21.8,9 32.23 Lam. 1.18 3.39 Ez. 14.23 Dan. 4.37 9.7,14 Jo. 8.16 Ro. 2.5,6 2 Th. 1.6 Rev. 16 5,6,7 19 2. See p 43. m. all other his Judgements and Dealings do of most equitable and just Grounds partly
on his own and partly on the Mans behalf As 1. The t Gen. 1.26 2.18,22 1 Co. 11.8 1 T. 2.13 Priority of the Mans Creation Primogeniture being ever since in all Ages had in honour both by u Ex. 4.23 11.5 13.2 Num. 3.13 Ps 89.27 Ro. 8.29 Heb. 12.23 God and x Gen. 27.1 44 12. 49.3 Ex. 6.14 Num. 3.2 Jos 6.26 17.1 1 S. 17.13 2 K. 3.27 2 Ch. 22.1 Neh. 10.36 Job 1.13 Mic. 6.7 Zec. 12.10 Jo. 8.9 Men yea though y Deu. 21.15 c. 25.6 impious or ill-deserving an Item for Dis-inheritors 2. That z Gen. 1.26,27 9.6 Image and Impress of Majesty and Magnanimity which God immediately and privately estamped on him in his Creation and a 1 Co. 11.7 still continues and manifesteth in his Posterity 3. The b 1 Co. 11.7,8,9 Dignity of Precedence and Supremacy ever intended by God to the Man 4. The Womans being then as often since c 1 T. 2.14 2 Co. 11.3 before Man in the Transgression and Fall This Reason God seems plainly to intimate by his Order and Gradation in the Punishment beginning with the d Gen. 3.14 first and greatest Offender the Serpent and so descending to the last and least the Man who listened onely to his VVife see the danger of these Illecebrae For God e Gen. 3.17 chargeth no further Fault upon him nor do his Servants and Secretaries f 1 T. 2.14 2 Co. 11.3 construe it otherwise the Mans Eating in it self being but an improvident Act and Effect of the VVomans and her Suggestors wicked Counsel And so we see her Punishment proportionally aggravated in that she not onely shares in the Curse of the Ground but must be pinched with Pains in Conception and Child-bearing and loaden the yoak of Subjection to her Husband 5. If the former were wanting yet to us especially g 1 Co. 10.11 upon whom the Ends of the World are come that redoubled rational Position h Eph. 5.22,23,24 aforegoing one would think might be as perswasive and prevalent as it is plain and forcible But i 1 Co. 2.14 14.37,38 spiritual Things cannot possibly be otherwise then spiritually discerned VVhich as we expect not at all in those that are l Ph. 3.19 professedly carnal so neither do we that m Ro. 7.14 c. would fain be spirituall say that we n 1 Co. 8.2 13.9 know any thing of it as we ought to know much less dare promise or attempt otherwise to describe this mysticall Union then in o Ps 118.22 M. 12 10. Acts 4.11 Ro. 12.5 Eph. 1.22,23 4.15,16 5.23 Col. 1.18 24. 2.19 the same summary expressions by which the spirit of God exhibits it unto us And here not as in proof or confirmation it needs not but partly for Illustration and partly satisfaction or Conviction in their own element of some Polititians of whom a little more in due place or others who rest in the p Heb. 7.16 carnall Commandments or Customs we may demand let it be answer'd at any leasure wherfore the Statute-Laws do make the Wives Killing the Husband Pety Treason and his Killing her but Murder and their sentence suitable ranking her also with Children and Servants his known and confessed Inferiors and Patients as equally guiltable with them and whether all conducent practises be not in proportion punishable in her Whether do not the Laws also look upon the Husband as the Wises Protector and Provider of Alimony though in some Particulars it hapens otherwise Is he not answerable for all her expences exorbitances and Abuses of others and if so hath he no liberty of discretion or Power of Coertion to regulate or restraine her Lastly whether know they not some ridiculous customes or Practice not worth the mention but in way of disdain to disgrace the Man who may not command but must obey his Wife This Power then such as it is hath the meanest Man over the most eminent Woman if once his Wife Therfore let none mistake no matter who hears Her highness or Honour is nor ought to be no Covert or Canopy to him whilst well conditioned The Scripture gives no such direction but rather makes him how course soever a Cover and confinement to her eyes as before Wee read indeed of q Acts 13.50 17.12 honourable Women but not comparatively with their husbands the Word the r Eph. 6.17 Sword of the spirit cuts that quite off in his Anatomy already shewed them Their Honour if any be theirs belongs them as they are found the s 1 P. 3 7. weaker meeker and humbler not the wealthier worthier stronger or sturdier Vessels for as God doth so man must in his degree and Measure t a. 4.6 1 P. 5. 5. Pr. 6.17 resist the Proud Besides the Words if they may carry their just weight are expressly thus Giving honour unto the wife c. Where we see Honor in honorante not in honorata which is cleared by 1. Co. 11.7,8,9,10 It s a Gift and lyes in Arbitrio Datoris shee hath it not till he give it her and then is it but an honouring Indulgence and shee so far to be honoured and indulged as shee is weak not wayward or wilfull Digress It s not unworthy noting by the way for we may not tarry on it or stand to distinguish Nobility native and dative what should be the true Originall of this thing call'd Honour in either sex All wise Men and some Women I presume can tell It s not in Riches or Revenues wee need not instance any more Negatives because all other Grounds are now almost ingrossed in these nor yet meddle we with those german and truly generous Branches the Blood of whose most noble Ancestors attended with ample Revenues as u Gen. 13.2,6 32.10 36.7 1 K. 3.13 10.23,27 2 Ch. 17 5 32.27,29 Job 1.3 31.25 42.10,12 Ps 112 1,2,3 1 T. 4.8 Abraham and the Patriarchs and other pious Princes and Nobles were do still visibly run in their veines It 's not I say x Jer. 9.23 in Riches or Revenues for if these either y Eccl. 7.11 be not mixt and temper'd with Wisdom or z Pr. 23.5 take wing and away where is then your La ps Honour When Adam dig'd and Eve span then was there no Gentleman But as the Rich men gather'd Good so came up the Gentle Blood The first of this Distich is a true Adage the other but a mock Proverb But even herein also there are that sacrifice not onely to a Hab. 1 15.16 Dan. 4.30 their own but Satans net and drag These for sooth ascribe the Rise both of Honour and Riches to their own Birth Wit or Industry and impute the Bereaving and ruin thereof to the Devill or his his Agents but as for God they make him b Hos 2.8 a By-stander at c
3.12 20.25 feeble Faith If Scripture then and Reason so concurr as in the present case they seem to do what letteth from beleeving that the Christian Husband being Head of his Wife as Christ is of his Church and so compleatly qualified as before may for urgent Cause as well and warrantably chasten as cherish his Wise Now Christ we have heard hath sundry wayes to correct his Church his Wife but we are here to take Correction for Blows or actual Beating of the Body A servant or other offending Inferior saith Solomon will b Pr. 29.19 not be corrected by words In our Progress we are to note that the practicall knowledge of our humane Husband is expressed of the holy spirit by the Word c 1 P. 3.7 Dwelling Which as it is exercised in the contemplative doctrinall or directive way we are here to wave or omit for Reasons d Page 20. before shewed and apply us onely to the disciplinary Part. To our readier Access and proceeding it will conduce much to know That by my Dwelling and converse in the World among Men and Women I have discern'd and discover'd some odd and uncoth Tenets and Principles the ordinary ones doe follow too of certain-uncertain Wives by vertue whereof when they please they can as they talk of Hocus wipe off even all Affinity with their Husbands or at least will live and e LADY is too low a style for them Lord it by them They were hatched I suppose in Ignatius his Conclave for they chirp on this fashion 1. That their Husband hath nothing to do with them viz. as to reprove or admonish them For 2. Their Soul their Tongue and All 's their own they may speake what they please in their own not their Husbands House without Controll or Question yea may lawfully sweare while wronged or provoked 3 That the disposing of unfort unate Marriages so they call them are not by appointment or Providence of God but brought about by the Devill and his Agents 4. That if a Woman have had one or more former Husbands he that she now hath is not her Husband longer then he pleaseth her what is he then I pray and what shee And they cite f Jo. 4.18 Isa 4.1 Scripture for it if any therefore were ignotum Ignatio it is likely This. 5. If they have an Husband that is conscious of his Place and Duty they presently apply this Plaister which was hardly fitted to their wounded spirit g Job 3.25 The thing I greatly feared is come upon Me to wit the Plague of subjection to my Husband as with a h Jer. 31.18 Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoke 6. Though they may yeild themselves a little a-kin to their Husband and perchance somewhat kind for carnall ends yet the i See p. 48. a c. noble or gentle Blood bubbling and boiling in their veines or the pregnant Mother-wit capering in their Brain or the l Dan. 4.30 inestimable-matchless Means they brought still rolling in their mind and mouth as indeed the most m Eccl. 10.19 obvious and sensible Incentive All or any of these say they is evidence enough for Priority Predominance or in English Mastery over the simple-honest Man the Husband Who if he can but keep himself from abusing his Laydy-Lord's Allowance to surfet or further Blemishing her Honour hath as much Command and Charge as he is capable of or as many an unworthy Man cares for And there are some good Women under the honoured degree of Ladies-indeed whom we know loth to bear or be known by their Husbands Name whether out of Modesty or Majesty judge yee The Custome of this your Nation condemning them and the n Isa 4.1 Scripture also seeming to comfirm it But we leave this schismaticall Sect to enjoy themselves and their Husband or what they call him at their pleasure What shall we say to these Women or how may they be treated withall to their own content or satisfaction It would be too tedious and almost impossible to fit them all with Answers suitable to their Fancy or Size These their Tenets are all no doubt the spurious Issue or Products of adulterous Parents o Ps 73.6 Pr. 6.16,17 21.4 30.13 Ro. 1.30 Pride and p Job 21.14 Ps 10.4 14.1 73.11 Eph. 2.12 Tit. 1.16 Atheism the Posterity or Fry of that infamous q L. 10.18 Jude 6 2 P. 2.4 Progenitor that infernall Leviathan who is r Job 41.34 King and Father of them and will not cease to spawn and spread till God shall quite cut him off and s Rev. 20.10 cast him into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone and thenceforth eternally secure and cleare the t Rev. 20.9 beloved City from his cunning Circumventions and contagious Infusions But the five first being more monstrous then the last we shall at once rid them out of our way by referring those Phoenix's if the simile will reach and hold the Professors thereof to a few u Gen. 2.24 20.16 Num. 5.27,31 30.6 to th' end 36. all Pr. 31.11 Isa 45.7 Am. 3.6 Mal. 2.14,15 Mat. 19.5 M. 10.8 1 Co. 6.16 7.4,16 14.35 Eph. 5.23 Ro. 7.2 They may sort these Texts themselves and apply them Texts of holy Scripture which if it will not fit our Turn as well as their's we shall subscribe to their Principles The 6 Tenet being more frequent and familiar and so more infectious we shall more intensly pursue by answering and absolving it as God enableth For under this not excluding the rest are couched all the Cases wherein or Quaere's whether the Christian Husband dwelling or walking in a consciencious Knowledge with his Wife is to exercise any coactive or corrective Power over her or how he shall fadg with such harsh and hatefull Interferings as partly are and are to be decipher'd and are possibly and too apparently to be found in some Wives These will distinctly appeare in their Order and season and we conceive come more clearly off in way of Objection and Answer then otherwise CHAP. VI. Whether a good Man must or may correct or beat his bad Wife Objections answered WE are here to encounter an Army of Objections which on every Wing come like Swarms buzzing about our eares Those of most Weight and Worth are admitted and respectively answer'd the rest dismissed till other Oportunity For even the best and soundest here presented will haply be found to relish of and flow as much from Affection which indeed is commendable if not meerly naturall as from Judgement in the Objectors though otherwise it may be most judicious Who need not be minded what n 1 K. 11.3 Neh. 13.26 Weaknesses the wisest Men on earth have incurr'd or contracted by too much Indulgence in this kinde There needs no great curiosity in their Order but take them as they come to hand Some have either fully or in part their Answer already to which wee 'l
them betime they had a fair Hint given for helping themselves Now we must here needs enlarge a little Whether we ought to obey Women not to say f Acts 5.29 4.19 Men rather then God Judge Yee Let no g T it 2 15. Man much less a h Est 1.17 Tantâ— eru aliis quantâ— tibi fuâ—ris Woman thy Wise despise thee for shame apage I know not whether of the two were more tollerable to suffer that or to say this Oderint dum metuant But verily even i Est 1.22 Ahasuerus and his Heathens shall rise in Judgement against those l We are What we dare Hic Mulier A pretty hearing hindish Husbands Who Men of Parts especialy do basely betray Gods Image and Authority imprinted in and entrusted to them unto scorn and reproach Not in a godly discreet and compassionate yeilding as to the weaker Vessell but in a sheepish Lenity at best but to gain applause of loving and lowly and slavish succumbing unto and thereby fomenting the petulant and malignant yea the lofty violent and vicious Humours of their Wives Which it seems is not attended onely with Reproach but disprofit Ill thrives that luckless Family that shows A Cock that 's silent and a Hen that Crows c. Incerti Auth. The rest I have not ready in mind nor will stay for it Of this sort for certain are even those Levites Who cannot allow themselves of the m 1 Co. 9.14 Fruits of their own precious Labours n Whether these be Objects of pity or reproof and reproach I dispute not Quo decenter amiciantur while Pride prevails so far with Covetousness in their Wives who are presumed the best and humblest of Women as to rufflle it in Silks They give him leave to preach but they 'l practice Do not these Men more then all other forget themselves yea their o Ps 44.21 God and Husband are these fit p 1 P. 5.3 Ph. 3.17 1 T. 4.12 Tit. 2.7 Examples for the Flock of Christ and Beleevers Shall these be q Isa 50.7 58.1 Faces of Flint or r Je. 1.18 15.20 Ez. 3.8,9 brasen Walls against a Rebellious whole-Nation that are Noses of Wax to their owne Wives their weaker Vessell whom they may presumedly cast almost in any Mould s Tit. 2.15 Let no Man or Woman despise thee is primary and proper to them Let them therefore either lift up their Head-ship and shew it us or els lay by the Title least it mislead us They best know sunt quod audent No more but so These and other more private and powerfull Incentives have concurred to the publication hereof as if it had been prepared by divine providence against or beside which I know nothing can be but I say purposly framed and fitted to be publique and exemplary And who knoweth whether God hath chosen so weak and worthless an Instrument to resist and baffle base Pride and Insolence Or whether I be the silly Wretch designed by him for t Est 4.14 such a Time and service as this And surely high time it is that many of our willfull weak Vessells were talked withall in some Way obvious to their Sences seeing the u Heb. 4.12 See p. 14. y. quick and powerfull Word of God seemeth so dull and despicable a Thing to their spirits some of them by contracting an habituall Insolence being already turned Amazons and almost viz. in high degree x Gen. 6.4 Which of some is conceived to be meant not so much of their enlarged stature of Body as their swelling insolence of minde above Men against God and so not to be taken in the same sense with those Num. 13.32,33 Deu. 2.10,11,20,21 3.11 1 S. 17.4 Giants or Monsters of Woman-kind Permit this light Expression upon as light a Subject CHAP. IX The Conclusion I Summe up all in a swasive Address or Application and I suppose I shall speak the Mind of all or most that beare the name of honest or good Men. Let it in the 1. Place be odious to hear of meum tuum mine and thine betwixt Man and Wife Certainly Christ never intended it He refused to divide betwixt y L. 12.14 two Brethen how much more would he have done 'twixt z Mat. 19.6 one Flesh But if there be any distinction at all let it be understood aright and the Prerogative and Property ascribed as God hath appointed 2. Let our animous Women begin to do or endeavour their due Homage and they shall have due Honour Let them first for so they must walk carefully to please God and their Husband and then shall he dwell knowingly yea in their own sence kindly tenderly and patiently with them Let them perform or yeild their due Obedience and then if they fall short of due Benevolence or other fit Obsequies and fair Allowances of Love they may take their best and next Remedy And let other men do as they list or may I will expect that if I speak in honest-sensible-sober Earnest my Wife if I have her shall be silent when I bid her which I am sure is agreeable to the Teutonick Translation or sence of the Sacred Scripture and I suppose to the Brittish too On these Conditions let him be branded for a Barbarian and Heathen that in the least wise abuseth or evill intreateth his Wife Were there more Sarah's and Abigail's there would probably be more Abraham's and fewer Nabal's They begin at the wrong End of the Proverb if they apply it hither-ward that say A good Jack maketh a good Jill For for by their Leave its the Jill that must lead the Duty But if they will needs forget themselves to be Wives their Husbands must yet remember they are so If they be so insulse and impudent as to vilify affront and defy their Husband under that Notion especially That is if they will be so a 2 P. 3.5 willingly grossly ignorant as not to know their Head from their Feet they must be satisfied with Fare suitable to their b Ps 32.9 Manners not their Means or Mannors for how can they in reason claim so copious an Alimony or kind Vsage if they scorn or scant their Husband of that Authority afterward which God gave and themselves granted him at First Or if they make no dainty to strike at their Head though but in Word onely they have heard it wounds deeply they must not disdain a little scratch on their Body or to be deplum'd of a little Pride by their discreet and consciencious Husband for their good I beleeve the direfull Martyrdom of but a Member of the Lambs beloved Wife before described is sowrer Sawce then 1000. dry Blows or if a little bloody bestowed on some of our coy cross domineering Dames In short if they cannot or will not carry in some degree conformable to the Prescript and Patern of that c 1 P. 3.1 c. weaker Vessell set them