in Religion instead of great and needful things 21. Jesus saith unto her Woman believe me the hour cometh vvhen ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet at Jerusalem Worship the Father 21. Alass poor woman hast thou not greater matter than Ceremony even the Place of Worship to mind Believe me that time is hard at hand when Jerusalem shall be destroyed and you scattered and a better way of Worship setled so that you shall no more keep up your Ceremonious Worship either at Shiloh or Jerusalem 22. Ye vvorship ye knovv not vvhat vve knovv vvhat vve Worship For Salvation is of the Jevvs 22. You worship ignorantly and corruptly you know not what ever since the Captivity of the Ten Tribes and you strive about the Place and Ceremonies when you have more need to learn who he is that you must worship It is of the Tribe of Judah that the Saviour cometh who must teach you how to worship God and this the Jews do rightly believe and own none in Worship but the true God 23. But the hour cometh and novv is vvhen the true Worshippers shall vvorship the Father in Spirit and in Truth For the Father seeketh such to worship him 23. The time is now at hand yea come when true Worshippers shall not take up with shadows nor worship God by Mosaical Ceremonies or Samaritane Traditions but with that spiritual Worship which Types and Ceremonies did signifie even from the Spirit of God within them as their Principle and according to the spiritual Law or Word as their Rule and not with bodily Exercise that profiteth nothing 24. God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth 24. Acceptable Worship must be suited to the God you worship and therefore they that worship him must worship him spiritually and not by Jewish Ceremony because he is a Spirit N. Though Spirit signifie a Nature more excellent than Body yet that and all human Words are too low to speak the Essence of God any otherwise than Analogically or Metaphorically for God is above all our formal Conceptions or Expressions but created Spirits being the highest created Beings known to us and our souls of that nature they are the clearest Glass in which we can know God and though the word Spirit first signifie created Spirit it doth transcendently eminently signifie the Infinite Father of Spirits and we can say nothing higher of Gods Essence than that he is this Infinite perfect transcendent Spirit what our best Conceptions of a Spirit are I have opened in Methodo Theologiae c. 25. The Woman saith unto him I know that Messias cometh who is called Christ when he is come he will tell us all things 25. N. Even the Samaritans expected the Messiah But with misconceivings of him 26. Jesus saith unto her I that speak to thee am he 26. N. Why did Christ tell that to this woman which he forbad others to tell abroad Ans He knew where and when it was seasonable and would do more good than harm 27. And upon this came his Disciples and marvelled that he talked with the Woman yet no man said what seekest thou or why talkest thou with her 27. Tho they presumed not to ask him why yet they thought it strange that he should talk so long with one woman 28. The Woman then left her Water-pot and went away into the City and saith to the Men 29. Come see a man which told me all things that ever I did Is not this the Christ 28. Telling her her secrets perswaded her to believe him saying I am he 30. Then they went out of the City and came unto him 31. In the mean time his Disciples prayed him saying Master eat 32. But he saith to them I have meat to eat that ye know not of 33. Therefore said the Disciples one to another hath any man brought him ought to eat 34. Jesus saith to them my meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work 30. c. N. The converting of one Soul was more pleasing to Christ than his natural food and so must it be to us He that loveth God and Christ and the Holy Ghost and the Church must rejoyce when there is one more converted to please and worship God to honour Christ and his Spirit to encrease the Church He that loveth his Country must rejoyce that one more is made a blessing to it when the wicked are it's enemies He that loveth Souls will rejoyce in that Grace which is better to them than all riches He that loveth Gods Word will rejoyce in it's success He that loveth Heaven will be glad that there is one more to possess it He that loveth himself aright will be glad that there is one more made like him to love him and pray for him And he that hateth Sin and Satan will be glad that there is one less to serve him 35. Say not ye There are four months and then cometh harvest Behold I say unto you lift up your eyes and look on the fields for they are white already to harvest 35. You rejoyce that within four months it will be harvest And shall not I rejoyce to see the harvest of my husbandry even at hand in the conversion of many Souls to God 36. And he that reapeth receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life eternal that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoyce together 36. And as I sow the seed so you that I shall senâ— out as Apostles shall see and reap more plenteous fruit hereafter and shall for your labour under me be well rewarded that I that have sowed and you that reap may rejoyce together in the success 37. And herein is that saying true One soweth and another reapeth 38. I have sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour Other men laboured and ye are entred on their labours 38. The Prophets and John and I after all have sowed the seed and been at the costliest labour and yet it is you that must see the success in gathering the universal Church when I that labour'd and suffer'd am gone 39. And many of the Samaritans of that City believed on him for the saying of the woman which testifyed He told me all that ever I did 39. N. That to believe in Christ by the means of mens credible testimony of his Words and Miracles is not as many falsly say to resolve our faith into the credit of man and to make it a meer humane Faith They that believe Apostles who said they saw Christs Miracles Resurrection and Ascention believe by a divine Faith on the same evidence that the Apostles were convinced by but not conveyed by the same means what they received by their eyes and ears immediately we receive mediately by their report living at a distance So that their testimony is not believed instead of Christs nor instead of evidence of his truth but as the conveyance of this
our Reward is Wages for the value of our Work as beneficial to God in Commutative Justice but only speaketh of the proportion 3. Nor doth it imply That any in Heaven will murmur at other mens Salvation but that the Jewish Disciples were yet inclined to grudge that the Gentiles were equalled with them And it is to cure such envy now 13.14 But he answered one of them and said Friend I do thee no wrong didst thou not agree with me for a penny Take that thine is and goe thy way I will give to this last even as unto thee 15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own Is thine eye evil because I am good 13.14.15 I break no Covenant with thee Thou art not meet to give me Laws of Equity Liberality to another is no wrong to thee Am I not the rightful disposer of my own Must I give none more than the Value of their Work deserveth All shall have Equity but all shall not have equal bounty Thou shouldst be glad of thy Brothers receivings 16. So the last shall be first and the first last for many are called but few chosen 16. So the last called in time may be made the Chief in Dignity and the first called in time may be in Grace and Glory among the lowest Yea of many that come into the Church at the first calling as the Jewish Disciples few may prove sincere and Saved 17. And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the Twelve Disciples apart in the way and said to them 18. Behold we go up to Jerusalem and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the Chief Priests and to the Scribes and they shall Condemn him to Death 19. And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to Crucifie him and the third day he shall rise again 17.18.19 He fore-told them that at Jerusalem he should Suffer be Crucified and Rise again c. Note This frequent Prediction was a full proof of Christs truth and voluntary Suffering 20. Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her Sons worshiping him and desiring a certain thing of him 21. And he said to her What wilt thou She saith to him Grant that these my two sons may sit the one on thy right hand and the other on thy left in thy Kingdom 20.21 N. Ambition is even in Christ's Disciples till special Grace humble them seeking Preferment and Honour in the Church is a Vice that Christ giveth us this warning to avoid Carnality is apt to corrupt the Minds even of Eminent Ministers and Disciples 22. But Jesus answered and said Ye know not what ye ask are ye able to drink of the Cup that I drink of and to be baptized with â—he baptisme that I am baptized with They â—aâ— to him We are able 22. You think to find Worldly Honour and Dignity in my Kingdom But you are mistaken It is Suffering for me that you must expect Can you drink of this bitter Cup as I must do and be Baptized in Blood as I must be And they over-confidently answered We are able Not knowing their tryal or their weakness 23. And he saith to them Ye shall drink indeed of my Cup and be Baptized with the baptisme that I am baptized with But to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father 23. Ye shall indeed suffer more than now ye think of James was quickly Martyr'd But to be next me in my Kingdom is not to be given by me upon such Petitioning but onely to those to whom my Father hath prepared it and who shall be fittest for it 24. And when the ten heard it they were moved with indignation against the two brethren 24. Note 1. As some are prone to Ambition so others to envy them and be too much offended 2. This ambitious part of Christs Ministers here begaâ— Discontent that tended to Schism had not Christ soon rebuked it 3. Christs own Twelve Apostles had their mutual Distasts 25. But Jesus called them to him and said Ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them and they that are great exercise Authority over them 26. But it shall not be so among you but whosoever will be Great among you let him be your Minister 27. And whosoever will be chief among you let him be your Servant 25.26.27 Christ rebuketh these Ambitious desires of Superiority among them and saith The Civil Government by the Sword which the Gentiles exercise is as Lords by force and fear and the Great in strength command the rest to do their wills But in my Church as such among you my Disciples it shall not be so But tho you must be subject to the coercive Government of Magistrates yet your own proper Government and pre-eminence shall be by serviceable Humility and Love over Volunteers Church-greatness shall consist in being most greatly serviceable to the conversion and Edification of Souls and in most humble condescention to that end And he shall be accounted the Chief Pastor and Christian who is most humbly serviceable to all And the Proud and Domineering and Unserviceable shall be the lowest or basest 28. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many 28. As I my self came not to live in State with great Attendance of Servants but to serve Men for their good not to receive by their service to me but to save them by my Service for them and giving my very Life a Ransome for many 29. And as they departed from Jerico a great multitude followed him 30. And behold two blind men sitting by the way-side 31. When they heard that Jesus passed by Cryed out saying Have mercy on us O Lord thou Son of David 29.30.31 The Blind hearing by fame that he Healed all cryed to him for Mercy believing that he could heal them 32. And Jesus stood still and called them and said What will ye that I shall do tâ— you 32. Note Believers may have what they will of Christ which is meet for them and they for it 33.34 They say to him Lord that ouâ— eyes may be opened So Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes and immediately their eyes received sight and they followed him 33.34 Note 1. Bodily Calamities are easily felt and Bodily Welfare is easily desired 2. And tho Christ most value those who prefer Spiritual Mercies yet he hath compassion also on mens Bodies as serviceable to their Souls and to his Glory CHAP. XXI 1. AND when they drew nigh to Jerusalem and were to come to Bethphage to the mount of Olives then sent Jesus two Disciples 2. Saying to them Go into the Village over against you and straitway ye shall find an Ass tyed and a Colt with her loose them and bring them to me 3. And if any man
go into Gallilee and there they shall see me 10. N. 1. He would not shew himself so openly to the malicious forsaken people at Jerusalem 2. His disciples and kinsmen are called his Brethren 3. No one evangelist mentioneth the whole of this History but what one omitteth another hath of which after 11. Now when they were going Behold some of the watch came into the city and shewed to the chief priests all the things that were done 12. And when they were assembled with the Elders and had taken counsel they gave large money to the soldiers 13. Saying say ye His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept 14. And if this come to the governours ears we will perswade him and secure you 11. N. What will convince hardned forsaken men 15. So they took the money and did as they were taught And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews to this day 15. N. 1. Lying is the Devils great meanes against Faith And the love of money is the meanes that subserveth it 2. They that will not believe the truth easily believe deceiving lies 16. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them 17. And when they saw him they worshipped him but some doubted 17. N. Tho the evangelists say no more of Christs meeting them on this Mountain and what he there said to them and Luke and John say nothing of it and there seem a strange difference in their Narratives of Christs appearances it is but one saying what another had omitted and no one of them saying all of which after on John 20. and 21. 18. And Jesus came and spake to them saying All power is given to me in heaven and on Earth 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 18. After these and other appearings to them Jesus said As I have dyed to redeem the World in order to the ends of my undertaking the Father hath given me an Universal Propiety and Governing power by the right to Redemption as chief Administrator under him in Heaven and Earth So that henceforth all the concerns of men in this World and the other are at my dispose and all men under my Government by Right and Obligation By which authority I now commission you to go abroad the World and make all Nations to the utmost of your power my Disciples taking them into my Church by Solemn Covenant celebrated by Baptizing them into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost N. 1. Christs Right of Dominion and Empire is founded in the Fathers Covenant with him as redeemer 2. And being Vniversal Lord Redemption is so far universal as to prove these and other common effects Rom. 14.9 To this end Christ dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living 2. The word translated Teach signifieth Disciple to me or make Nations my Disciples 3. All Christians should endeavour to make Christianity the National Religion that the Kingdoms of the World may become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ that is that they be Christian Kingdoms and not only Christians gathered out of Kingdoms 4. This maketh not all to be Christians who are in those Kingdoms but only such as are Discipled 5. Infants being parts of all Kingdoms this text commandeth to Disciple and Baptize them they are made Disciples by being justly dedicated to Christ by those that have true Power to dispose of them to learn of him and obey him as they grow up and are Capable As Christ was relatively Head of the Church in his Infancy when his humane nature was uncapable of the actual administration so are Infants capable of being Disciples by Covenant Dedication by those that have the dispose of them for their good and can covenant for them which men and by Relation and Obligation God had never a Church on Earth of which Infants were not Infant-members since there were Infants in the World 6. To be baptized into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost is no less than by solemn Covenant to give up ones self to God the Father as our Father reconciled by Christ our chief owner and rules and our chief Benefactor even as our God and to Christ as our Saviour and the Holy Ghost as our Sanctifier And meerly to consent to learn of Christ makes none a baptizable disciple 7. Baptism is Christening and is the badge of those that must love and take each other for Christians and the terms of Church Unity till it be nullified by verbal or actual apostacy And it is Church tyranny and Schism to make Canons which shall exclude those from the Church of Christ whom he taketh in by baptism before they impenitently nullify that Covenant in whole or in some essential part viz. by proved denying essentials of Faith or forsaking some essential part of obedience 8. Baptism making us Christians is our state of Regeneration by which we may know our right to Justification and Salvation that is He that consenteth heartily and unfeignedly to the Baptismal Covenant is Regenerate and justified and shall be saved And he that doth consent but with the mouth and outward signe or leaveth out some essential part in his heart consent is regenerate only sacramentally and a visible member of the Church but is not justified nor shall be saved 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and â—o I am with you alway to the end of the World 20. And when you have Baptized them and so united them to me and my universal Church upon their understanding professed faith and repentance and dedication of their seed to me then congregate them in order under faithful Pastors And as you as general Teachers to all the Churches must deliver to them all the commands which I have committed to your trust by word and writing so these Pastors must further instruct them that they may grow up in knowledge of all these my commands And in the performance of this charge I shall by the help of my Spirit and protection be present with you and such pastors in their course to the end of this World or age till I shall come in glory to the final judgment Tho you see me not I shall be as really assisting to you and regardful of you even in all your labours and sufferings as if you saw me Note 1. This general command of teaching all Nations Christs commands includeth writing the Scriptures without which they could not teach posterity in all Nations his commands 2. It maketh them his intrusted Apostles from whose fidelity we may believingly receive his commands And therefore implyeth the promise of his Spirit to make them true and credible reporters 3. It implyeth that his commands are the universal Laws for his Catholick Church And no man or men have authority
Earth may be the chiefest in my Church 31. And the Lord said Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat 32. But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren 31 32. Satan hath got leave to try and sift you all and thee in special But I have by Prayer prevailed that tho thou sin in denying me thou mayest not fall from sincere Faith And when by Repentance thou art recovered from thy fall strengthen thy Brethren who will forsake me also 33. And he said unto him Lord I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death 34. And he said I tell thee Peter the cock shall not crow this day before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me 33. Note Christ that knew Satan's Request and knew the Event knew Peter's weakness better than he himself did 35. And he said unto them When I sent you without purse and scrip and shoes lacked ye any thing And they said Nothing 36. Then said he unto them But now he that hath a purse let him take it and likewise his scrip and he that had no sword let him sell his garment and buy one 37. For I say unto you That this that is written must yet be accomplished in me And he was reckoned among the transgressors for the things concerning me have an end 35 36 37. When the People followed and applauded me for my Cures and Miracles I knew that they would receive you and provide for you for my sake But now I am to be crucified and scorned as a transgressor they will also cast you off Therefore now look for hard usage and moderately provide for your selves 38. And they said Lord Behold here are two swords And he said unto them It is enough 38. I do not mean that you should now fight for me but that you take care of your safety 39. And he came out and went as he was wont to the mount of Olives and his disciples also followed him 39. It seems he used there to lodge out of doors on the ground and his Disciples with him 40. And when he was at the place he said unto them Pray that ye enter not into temptation 40. Prayer is the way both to escape Temptation and in it to overcome 41. And he was withdrawn from them about a stones cast and kneeled down and prayed 42. Saying Father If thou be willing remove this cup from me nevertheless not my will but thine be done 41 42. N. For Christ in the first act by a simple Nolition to be unwilling to suffer was no sin nor resisting God but the property of Humane Nature But if he had been averse in the second comparative act called Election when he knew it was God's Will this would have been evil 43. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven strengthening him 43. N. Had Christ as Man need of an Angels strengthening What need then have we in the approach of death and great sufferings And may we not also expect Angels help 44. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground 44. N. This was not from the fear of death but the deep sense of God's wrath against sin which he as our Sacrifice was to bear in greater pain than meer dying which his Servants oft bear with peace 45. And when he rose up from prayer and was come to his disciples he found them sleeping for sorrow 46. And said unto them Why sleep ye Rise and pray lest ye enter into temptation 45 46. N. We are apt to sleep when we have most need to watch and pray and have need to be awakened 47. And while he yet spake behold a mulitude and he that was called Judas one of the twelve went before them and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him 48. But Jesus said unto him Judas betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss 47 48. N God permitted one so near Christ to betray him to warn us how far to expect evil from our professed friends 49. When they which were about him saw what would follow they said unto him Lord shall we smite with the sword 50. And one of them smote the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear 49 50. Self-defence is natural but God's Law must rule it They were the more put to fly because they had resisted 51. And Jesus answered and said Suffer ye thus far And he touched his ear and healed him 51. N. This Miracle wrought for one that came to destroy him neither melted nor convinced hardened sinners 52. Then Jesus said unto the chief priests captains of the temple and the elders which were come to him Be ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves 53. When I was daily with you in the temple ye stretched forth no hands against me But this is your hour and the power of darkness 52 53. This is the time which God hath granted Satan to make use of you his Instruments against me and the Prince of darkness will seem to conquer 54. Then took they him and led him and brought him into the high priests house And Peter followed afar off 55. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and were set down together Peter sat down among them 56. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire earnestly looked upon him and said This man was also with him 54 55 56. N. When Tryal must come Instruments will not be wanting 57. And he denied him saying Woman I know him not 57. N. Had he not been conscious of smiting with the Sword he had not been in so much danger of fear 58. And after a little while another saw him and said Thou art also of them And Peter said Man I am not 58. N. It was a Woman here called Man only as one of Mankind not to distinguish the Sex 59. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed saying Of a truth this fellow also was with him for he is a Galilean 59. N. To belong to Christ and follow him is crime enough when Enemies are Judges 60. And Peter said Man I know not what thou sayest And immediately while he yet spake the cock crew 61. And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter and Peter remembred the word of the Lord how he had said unto him Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice 62. And Peter went out and wept bitterly 60 61 62. N. Christ's own danger did not make him forget a sinning Disciple 63. And the men that held Jesus mocked him and smote him 64. And when they had blindfolded him they stroke him on the face and asked him saying Prophesie who is it that smote thee 65. And many other things blasphemously spake they against him 63
was imprisoned 25 Then there arose a question between some of Johns disciples and the Jews about purifying 25. N. What the dispute was is uncertain 26. And they came unto John and said to him Rabbi he that was with thee beyond Jordan to whom thou barest Witness Beheld the same baptizeth and all Men come unto him 26. On this occasion they told John how the People flockt to the Baptism of Christ 27 John answered and said A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven 28 Ye your selves bear me witness that I said I am not the Christ but that I am sent before him 27. This doth but confirm what I said of him His Power is from Heaven I pretend to none such as his 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom but the friend of the bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly because of the bridegrooms voice this my joy therefore is fulfilled 29. It is he that is the King and Saviour of the Church I am but his Friend that rejoyce in his Kingdom and Success 30 He must increase but I must decrease 30. His Kingdom and Glory must increase to perfection but my preparatory Ministry will soon end 31 He that cometh from above is above all he that is of the earth is earthly and speaketh of the earth he that cometh from heaven is above all 21. He came from Heaven and therefore is above us all We that are but Men inhabitants of Earth though so far as God inspires us we speak his word yet being of earthly mold speak and do like our selves in a human earthly manner But he that cometh from Heaven doth excel us all 32 And what he hath seen and heard that he testifieth and no man receiveth his testimony 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his Seal that God is true 32. Wee tell you what God teacheth us in our several measures but he telleth you that which he hath seen and heard in Heaven And yet the most reject his Testimony but they that truly receive it by Faith do in believing him believe God himself that cannot lie 34. For he vvhom God hath sent speaketh the vvords of God for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him 34. He that is thus sâ—nt from Heaven by God speaketh Gods own Words fully and infallibly as fully known to him and is not like us and other Prophets that have but our limited measures of the spirits for some particular revelation and use 35. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand 35. The Love of the Father to the Son is transcendent and he hath delivered lapsed Man and all this World into his hand or power as Redeemer Lord and Administrator of all 36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the vvrath of God abideth on him 36. He that believeth Christ to be the Son of God and Saviour of the World and with Trust giveth up himself to be taught ruled and saved by him hath a right to everlasting Life by the Covenant of Grace and the beginning of it by the Holy Ghost in him and shall shortly have the full possession But he that by Unbelief rejecteth Christ and his offered Grace shall not see this blessed Life but the wrath of God for his unpardoned Sin and aggravated Guilt abideth on him CHAP. IV. VVHen therefore the Lord knovv hovv the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more Disciples than John 2. Though Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples 3. He left Judea and departed again into Galilee 1. They knowing that which he knew would exasperate them to avoid Persecution he removed to Galilee till his time came 4. And he must needs go through Samaria 5. Then cometh he to a City of Samaria which is called Sychar neer to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his Son Joseph 6. Now Jacobs well was there Jesus therefore being wearied with his Journey sat thus on the Well and it was about the sixth hour 4 5.6 N. Christ travelled all on foot and had a Body wearied with Travel the sixth hour was noon 7. There cometh a Woman of Samaria to draw Water Jesus saith unto her give me to drink 8. For his Disciples were gone away unto the City to buy meat 9. Then saith the Woman of Samaria unto him how is it that thou beinq a Jew askest drink of me vvhich am a Woman of Samaria For the Jevvs have no dealings vvith the Samaritans 7 c. N. Christ was not so much for separation as the other Jewâ— 10. Jesus ansvvered and said unto her if thou knevvest the gift of God and vvho it is that saith to thee give me to drink thou vvouldest have asked of him and he vvould have given thee living Water 10. N. It was usual to call a running spring living water Christ meant more but she understood him not 11. The Woman saith unto him Sir thou hast nothing to dravv vvith and the Well is deep From vvhence then hast thou that living Water 12. Art thou greater than our Father Jacob vvho gave us the Well and drank thereof himself and his Children and his Cattle 11. N. They made their Honour of Jacob the pretence for not going to Jerusalem he being before Solomon's Temple 13. Jesus ansvvered and said unto her vvhosoever drinketh of this Water shall thirst again 14. But vvhosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst But the Water that I shall give him shall be in him a vvell of Water springing up into everlasting life 13. That which I call water is the Spirit of Grace which will give men everlasting satisfaction and joy and leave them no fleshly or unsatisfyed desires 15. The Woman saith unto him Sir give me this Water that I thirst not neither come hither to dravv 15. The ignorant mistaking Gods Grace to be what it is not may ask it so for carnal ends 16. Jesus saith unto her go call thy Husband and come hither 17. The Woman ansvvered and said I have no Husband Jesus said unto her Thou hast vvell said I have no Husband 18. For thou hast had five Husbands and he vvhom thou novv hast is not thy Husband In that saidst thou truly 16. It was not delusoâ—y Equivocation that Christ calls well saying but meant only that Truth not commonly known it 's like 19. The Woman saith unto him Sir I perceive that thou art a Prophet 20. Our Fathers vvorshipped in this Mountain and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place vvhere Men ought to vvorship 19 20. I perceive by thy knowing secrets that thou art a Prophet tell me then whether you Jews or we that follow our eldest Fathers be in the right about the Place of Worship N. This is the use of ignorant carnal people to start some Controversie about Circumstantials or Ceremonies
have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you 9. For God whom I serve with a devoted Soul doth know that this your honourable profession of the Christian Faith doth make me the more constantly remember you in my Prayers 10. And request of God if it seem good to him that I may come to you for the furtherance of my joy and your edification 11. For I long to see you that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end you may be established 12. That is that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me 11 12. For I long to see you that by communicating to you what God hath given to me you may be further established and you and I may be comforted in the mutual manifestation of our Concordant Faith 13 Now I would not have you ignorant brethren that oft times I purposed to come unto you but was let hitherto that I might have some fruit among you also even as among other Gentiles 13. I would have you know that as God hath called me to be an Apostle to the Gentiles I oft purposed to come to you though hitherto hindred that I might reap some fruit of that my Office among you as well as among other Gentiles 14. I am a debter both to the Greeks and the Barbarians both to the wise and to the unwise 14. By this my Mission and Office it is my duty to Preach the Gospel both to the learned Greeks and Romans and to unlearned Barbarous Nations 15. So as much as in me is I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also 15. Therefore if it be the Will of God that I shall come unto you I am ready as the Apostle to the Gentiles to exercise mine Office by Preaching to you as I have done to others 16. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ For it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth to the Jew first and also to the Greek 16. For though a Crucified Christ be to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness I am not ashamed most openly to own and Preach this Gospel For the Power of God by this called weakness and foolishness by Men is manifested in it and by it in the Conversion Comfort and Salvation of every true Believer whether Jews with whom it began or Greeks to whom it is now preached 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith As it is written The just shall live by faith 17. For that sort of Righteousness which God hath made the necessary and acceptable way to Salvation is therein revealed to the World even Righteousness by Faith is revealed to beget Faith in Men by which it is that Men must be justified and saved as was foretold 18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness 18. For that Gospel which pardoneth Penitent Believers doth reveal Gods wrath against the Impenitent and Unbelievers who by the love of Sin resist and reject the Truth and continue in ungodliness and unrighteousness 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it to them 19. For they may know much of the nature and attributes of God as manifested by the light of Nature in them and by the Providence of God among them by which God sheweth it unto them 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead so that they have no excuse 20. For though God and Heavenly things be invisible even his Eternal Power and his God-head yet are they clearly to be seen in the Glass of his Works so that their sin against God thus revealed leaveth them without all just excuse 21. Because that when they knew God they glorified him him not as God neither were thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened 22. Professing themselves wise they became fools 23. And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things 21. Because when by his Works and the light of Nature they were forc'd to confess the Divine perfections they yet lived not to his Glory or in holy thankfulness to the God whom they acknowledged but dishonoured him and corrupted their Minds by vain Imaginations and their foolish Hearts were darkened by gross errours 22. And professing themselves to be the Learned Philosophers and Wise Men of the World and contemning others as Ignorant and Barbarous they shewed by their practice that they were Fools 23. For when their Tongues acknowledged the glory of the incorruptible God they worshipped him as in and by the Images of Corruptible Men and of Birds Beasts and creeping things as if God had been like these 24. Wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonour their own bodies between themselves 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator who is blessed for ever Amen 24. Wherefore as a just punishment for their wilful sins God lest them to the lusts of the Flesh to base unnatural uncleanness 25. Seeing they confessing the Perfections of the True God yet represented him in the Image of vain shadows and Creatures and so offered their worship to such Creatures and to the Stars rather than to the True and Blessed Creator whom they acknowledged 26. For this cause God gave them up to vile affections for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature 27. And likewise also the men leaving the natural use of the woman burned in their lust one towards another men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompense of their errour which is meet 26 27. For this Sin God gave them to base lusts against Nature who in their Religion sinned against the light of Nature both Women and Men burning in worse than beastly unnatural lusts towards those of their own Sex and by being left to that unnatural filthiness were justly punished for their unnatural Idolatry 28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which were not convenient 28. And as their wicked Hearts refused to obey and honour God practically though they did in words acknowledge him God gave them over to a reprobate Mind to do those things which the light of Nature and common Reason do condemn 29 30 31. Being filled with all unrighteousness fornication wickedness covetousness maliciousness full of envy murder debate deceit malignity whisperers backbiters haters
not lose time to answer the Papists Cavils against them when they defend their Latin Masses and Prayers but only note That nothing can be so plainly spoken by Gods own Spirit which Carnal prejudiced Men cannot pervert and that it is no wonder if they will not be judged and ruled by Gods Word unless they themselves may be Judges of the Sense of it and how little Gods Word signifieth to the People where it must have such Expositors and Judges One that knew no more against the Papal Kingdom called the Church of Rome than 1. Their Latin Service and cherishing of Ignorance 2. And that as Leeches they live on Blood and keep up their Religion by violent Cruelty if he have but read this 1 Cor. 14. and Christs Commands for loving each other yea if he have not lost much of Humanity it self I think can hardly be a Papist V. The Pretence that some fetch hence for any Man that will to speak in the Church if he think he is inspired is utterly vain For that leave is here restrained to Inspired Prophets and those to be regulated by the Laws of Order Decency and Edification And God hath made it the Office of the Pastors to be Rulers in the Assemblies VI. The abuse of the General Rules by Papist Usurping Church-Lords and Canonists is notorious who because Gods own Ordinances must as to Modes and Circumstances be managed Decently Orderly and to Edification thence plead for a Dominion to add many Symbolical Rites and Ordinances of their own which Peter and Paul never knew to make Gods Ordinances seem Decent Orderly and to Edification even things that in specie genere are needless at the best and then they silence excommunicate and ruine all that refuse such corrupting inventions Like Zedekiah Ahabs Prophets who with his Brethren spake by a Lying Spirt and then made it Decent Orderly and Edifying by wearing a pair of Horns to tell Ahab how he should push down his Enemies and then smote Michaiah for pretending to have more of the Spirit and Truth than he had that Michaiah might be sed in Prison with the Bread and Water of affliction tâ—ll experience shewed who had the Truth How these Men would have used the Apostles of Christ if they now lived and worshipped God but as then they did their Canons teach us to conjecture CHAP. XV. 1. MOreover brethren I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you which also you have received and wherein ye stand 2. By which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you unless ye have believed in vain 1 2. And because some endeavour to subvert your Faith I will recite the sum of that Gospel which I preached to you and in which you have since continued and which is the sure and sufficient Doctrine of Salvation though the Articles be few without all the corrupt Additions invented by proud erroneous Men unless your Belief of them have been unsound and superficial and so in vain See that your unsound Belief deceive you not and this Gospel will not deceive you 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures 3. For I told you that Christ died as a voluntary Sacrifice for our Sins therein fulfilling what was prophesied of him This I received from God by Inspiration and from the certain Witnesses by just Report and Evidence 4. And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures 5. And that he was seen of Cephas then of the twelve 6. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once of whom the greater part remain unto this present but some are fallen asleep 4 5 6. And as the Scripture foretold he was buried and rose again the third day and appeared to Peter and after to the special Disciples who were Twelve before Judas's Defection and after And after that it's like in Galilee he was seen of Five hundred c. 7. After that he was seen of James then of all the apostles 7. Note That it 's not to be wondred at that this Appearance to James and to the Five hundred are not before distinctly mentioned in the Gospel when St. John tells us how small a part of what Christ did is written And as one Evangelist hath some things which the other omit so if Paul have some which all four omitted the same Spirit recordeth them all 8. And last of all he was seen of me also as of one born out of due time 8. And after all these he appeared to me from Heaven as to one that was too late converted 9. For I am the least of the apostles that am not meet to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God 9. For my persecuting Gods Church maketh me so unworthy to be numbred with the Apostles that though God called me to be one I must esteem my self as the last so the least of them or below the Twelve 10. But by the grace of God I am what I am and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain but I laboured more abundantly than they all yet not I but the grace of God which was with me 10. But Gods free Grace hath called me to this Honour and Work and his Grace given hath not been in vain for though I came late in and was a Persecutor I have since been more laborious than any of them all which I ascribe not to my self but to God's free Grace which chose called instructed excited and strengthned me 11. Therefore whether it were I or they so we preach and so ye believed 11. But whether the Conversion of so many of several Nations was by me or by them is not material to the thing in question These same Articles of Faith were they that we all unanimously prâ—ached and into the Belief of which as the Christian Verity you were Baptized 12. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead 12. And how then can the same that say they believe the Resurrection of Christ deny the Resurrection of the Dead and the Life hereafter 13.14 But if there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen And if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain 13 14. If none rise Christ is not risen And if Christ be not risen then it is Falshood and Deceit which we preach and whiâ—h you have believed and not the glad Tidings of Salvation 15. Yea and we are found false witnesses of God because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ whom he raised not up if so be that the dead rise not 15. And then it will follow not only that we deceive the world but that we belie God himself when we witness that
in vain 1 2. Fourteen years after my Conversion I went again to Jerusalem c. and told them what Doctrine I preached and with what sucess But severally and privately to the eminent Apostles that avoiding offence both of Jews and Gentiles I might not frustrate my Labours to either of them 3. But neither Titus who was with me being a Greek was compelled to be circumcised 4. And that because of false brethren unawares brought in who came in privily to spie out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus that they might bring us into bondage 3 4. And I would not yield that Titus should be circumcised because some false Brethren crept in to take advantage of the Liberty I used in compliance with the Jews to take occasion by it to bring us into bondage to the Mosaick Law and turn our Liberty into Necessity and to plead that Conformity to it is our Duty because in some Degree and Case we yielded to it as lawful at the present to avoid a greater hurt 5. To whom we gave place by subjection no not for an hour that the truth of the gospel might continue with you 5. Note That an outward Act of Compliance which in some Cases may be lawful must not be done when it will strengthen Church-Tyrants and Deceivers who by making it necessary would turn Christian Liberty into Bondage 6. But of these who seemed to be somewhat whatsoever they were it maketh no matter to me God accepteth no mans person for they who seemed to be somewhat in conferrence added nothing to me But even Peter James and John who were the Chief Men and of Reputation God tieth not his Grace to the Dignity of Mens Persons therefore my Case dependeth not on their Worth I say in Conference they added nothing to me much less taught me any other Gospel than I had learned of Christ nor found me faulty or defective in my Doctrine 7. But contrariwise when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter 8. For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the Apostleship of the circumcision the same was mighty in me towards the Gentiles 9. And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be pillars perceived the grace that was given unto me they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship that we should go unto the heathen and they unto the circumcision 7 8 9. But they being satisfied that I was sent to preach to the Gentiles as Peter was to the Jews and that God wrought powerfully in me for the Conversion of the Gentiles as he did in Peter for the Conversion of the Jews even by many Miracles these who are justly reputed Pillars perceiving Gods Grace agreed to take me and Barnabas for their Fellow-labourers and that we should preach to the Heathen and they to the Jews Note That Dr. Hammond thus Paraphraseth it into what City either of us entred and so constitute several Congregations in each City of Jews and Gentiles And he with Grotius say That the two Witnesses Rev. 11. are the Bishops and Churches of these two sorts at Jerusalem If so Cities had then more Bishops and Churches than one 10. Onely they would that we should remember the poor the same which I also was forward to do 10. That we should make Collections in the Gentiles Churches for the Christian Jews Note That besides the extraordinary Famine the Jews were generally poorer than the Gentiles 1. Living in a poor and narrow Country 2. And having at first sold and given their Lands to the Common Stock 11. But when Peter was come to Antioch I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed 11. I withstood him Face to Face because he was blamed or to be blamed as dissembling 12. For before that certain came from James he did eat with the Gentiles but when they were come he withdrew and separated himself fearing them which were of the circumcision 13. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation 12 13. Note 1. That it appeareth by this that it was then the ordinary Practice of the Apostles and Christians at Jerusalem to observe the Law of Moses though they absolved the Gentiles from it 2. That Peter did this to avoid the Displeasure and Censure of the Jewish Christians in compliance with their Weakness which is a lawful End 3. That his Fault lay in letting this weigh down a far greater Evil on the other side viz. the danger of bringing the Gentiles under the Law of Moses by making it seem necessary This Case is much like as if some doubtful thing should by Canon or Custom be imposed on Christians and one Party saith You may do it and another saith You must do it or you sin And they that say we may though they know it be unnecessary for fear of displeasing the Imposers separate from the Refusers and forbear Communion with them and thereby harden them in their Errour and would ensnare the rest 14. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel I said unto Peter before them all If thou being a Jew livest after the manner of Gentiles and not as do the Jews why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews 14. When I saw that this Cause was not according to the plain simplicity of the Gospel nor answered the ends of our Preaching but was the way to seduce the Gentiles to Judaism I said to Peter before all because the Case concerned all seeing thy own Practice before the Jews came sheweth that thou thinkest not that the Gentiles are bound to live as the Jews do after Moses's Law why dost thou now seem to tell them the contrary by thy contrary Practices as if Judaizing were necessary to them 15 16. We who are Jews by nature and not sinners of the Gentiles knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law for by works of the law shall no flesh be justified 15 16. We our selves who are Jews by birth and not the Seed of Heathen Idolaters yet knowing that it is not by the works of the Law but by Faith in Christ that we must be justified have become Christians that we might be justified by this and not by the Works of the Law which none are justified by And shall our Practice now seem to intimate the contrary and gainsay our Faith 17. But if while we seek to be justified by Christ we our selves also are found sinners is therefore Christ the minister of sin God forbid 17. For if you feign us to be sinners and guilty of Gentilism because we communicate with the Uncircumcised you hereby would make
is the full Truth as I have proved in a set Treatise 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels intruding into those things which he hath not seen vainly puft up by his fleshly mind 18. Let no Man beguile you of the Reward of Christianity by pretending greater self humbling than God commandeth by worshipping Angels intruding into and pretending to know the things which he never saw nor God revealed to him vainly puffed up by the Imaginations of his fleshly Mind and building on his deluded Conjectures and Self-conceits 19. And not holding the head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God 19. By which they depart from their due Dependence on Christ the Head whose Office it is to be the sole immediate Mediator between God and Man and the Lawgiver to the Church who hath given us sufficient notice what Worship God accepteth It is from him the Head of Life and Government that the Body even the Church receiveth its Nourishment and holy Increase by the Blessing of God it being by Joynts and Ligaments of Faith Love and Ministry and Communion for Concord conjoined and made a meet Receiver 20. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world why as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances 21. Touch not taste not handle not 22. Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men 20 21 22. If then you be dead to the Rudiments of all other Masters and Customs in the World of Jews or Heathens in conformity to your Crucified Lord why as though yet you were not separated from the World to Christ are you subject to such Ordinances which Christ never made you but hath abolished as Touch not taste not meddle not with such and such Meats as unclean and the like which were all temporary things and consist in transient unprofitable Actions having no Reward of God as being but the Products of the Commands and Doctrines of unauthorised Men. 23. Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship and humility and neglecting of the body not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh 23. Which are the things for which as deceitful Shews tho Heretical and Heathen Seducers pretend to be wiser Men than the Apostles and Christians and to be more pious Men and so would draw you to their Errours as being stricter in Voluntary Worship and greater Humility and neglecting of the Body on pretense of being more for the Soul and not as sensual Men do setting up and pampering the Flesh Note The Description of Paul and Church Historians notifie to us that these Hereticks made up a Religion of three Parts 1. Of the Name and some Parts of Christianity to keep in with the Christians 2. Of many Jewish Rites to keep fair with the Jews 3. But the main Substance which they boasted of was Pythagorean Heathenism in which they pretended great knowledge of Spirits Demons and invisible things their Orders Powers Offices Durations c. which God never revealed but the deluded Imaginations of themselves and the said Pythagorean and Platonick Philosophers taught them In many of which Superstitions of Will-worship Angel-worship Laws of Penance on the Flesh while the vain Mind usurpeth Christs Legislative Power too many of the carnal corrupt Church do imitate them to this day CHAP. III. IF ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God 1. If then you be true Christians risen with Christ as you profess to the hope of a Celestial Glory and to a Holy Life shew it by seeking the things which are above where Christ who you trust in is as your Head over all in glory 2. Set your affection on things above not on things on the earth 2. Let the Heavenly things and not the things on Earth have your strongest affections your Love your Desire your Hope your Joy your Care your very Hearts 3. For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God 4. When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory 3 4. For ye are dead to the World and sin and the root of your Spiritual Life is not in your selves but both your Objective Life which is your Happiness and the Root of all your Spiritual Life are out of sight with Christ in God It is by him that you live and it is with him and on him that you must live in Glory for ever 5. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetousness which is idolatry 6. For which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience 5 6. Therefore tho your Lusts are as it were the very Members of your corrupt fleshly Nature kill them all even Fornication Uncleanness Inordinate Affections of Love or delight all evil lustings or desires and Covetousness which loveth the Creature above God and which is Idolaters sin For it is for these things that the Unbeliving Rebellious World is under the wrath of God 7. In the which ye also walked sometime when ye lived in them 7. These sins were formerly your own practices when you were Heathens among them 8. But now you also put off all these anger wrath malice blasphemy filthy communication out of your mouth 9. Lie not one to another seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds 8 9. But now you must not only cast off all these filthy sins but also all that is contrary to Love and Peace all sinful wrath and malice and evil speaking and rybaldry and lying For all these are the Members and Deeds of the Old Man or state which you have renounced 10. And have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him 10. And you have by Conversion become New Men renewed in Saving Knowledge unto the Image of that God and Saviour who is the maker of this New Creature 11. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew circumcision nor uncircumcision barbarian Scythian bond nor free but Christ is all and in all 11. Where the Interest and Union that we have all in One Christ who is all in all doth swallow up all the little differences of Greeks and Jew c. And so must lo in our Communion 12. Put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering 12. Let these therefore be your very Habit and Nature and Practice as becometh Gods chosen holy and beloved ones Bowels of Mercy Kindness c. 13. Forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye 13. Note 1. That
greater blessing than meer death 14. And I looked and behold a white cloud and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man having on his head a golden crown and in his hand a shaâ—p sickle 15. And another angel came out of the temple crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud Thrust in thy sickle reap for the time is come for thee to reap for the harvest of the earth is ripe 16. And he that sat on the cloud thurst in his sickle on the earth and the earth was reaped 14 15 16. Some understand this of an Angel in the likeness of a man but most of Christ or an Angel like Christ The other Angel seemeth to signify but another part of the Vision and execution Reaping the harvest is punishing sinners ripe for destruction 17. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven he also having a sharp sickle 18. And another angel came out from the altar which had power over fire and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle saying Thrust in thy sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth for her grapes are fully ripe 19. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and cast it into the great wine-press of the wrath of God 20. And the winepress was trodden without the city and blood came out of the winepress even unto the horsre-bridles by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs 17 18 19 20. Of the difference between the Harvest and the Vintage and the two Angels and their executions opinions are various Some make it to be two degrees of oâ—â— plague some to be two some say conjunct some say dâ—stant Some say one is the destruction of the Turkish Empire and the other the Vintage of the Roman Papacy before Christ's coming Some say the first is the compleating of the Elect as converted and the latter the destroying of Antichrist Some say it fosaketh of the last Judgement some of the Fall only of Hearthen Rome and some of other Eâ—ecutions It is clear that it speaketh of divers degrees of â—â—ecution of God's Judgments on the Idolaters signified as by divers Angel appearance words and deeds But whether it meant any beside the Roman Heathen Idolatry and their consenting Countries sufferings and whether the sixteen hundred Furlongs signifie any more than diffused Plagues and whether it was meant of Trajan's Executions in Syria c. as Grotius thought or of the Country about Rome or any determinate space and where and which of the six or seven senses of power over Fire is right besides a meer destroying power are all things which I cannot determine Mr. Brightman hath found England to be the thousand six hundred Furlongs and Cranmer to be the Angel that had power over Fire because he held his right hand to be burnt and Thomas Cromwell to be the Executing Angel And some that can make themselves believe that so small a spot of ground as England is it that this Tragedy is acted on have thought that they found here the killing of the two Witnesses Magistracy and Ministry and the two Beasts and the number of their Names in the Letters here mentioned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 x 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 st and the wounding and the healing and the mark of the Beast PER as referring to Ch. Church and St. State and in a word that almost half the Revelation spake of England But unless they can prove that the two Beasts have their Off-spring who bear their Fathers Image and are dispersed as Cains off-spring was so that the same thing is acted over by them in several lands and ages which was acted by the first I shall rather than this confine the exposition to that empire and state that the Church suffered under when John wrote CHAP. XV. 1. ANd I saw another sign in heaven great and marvellous seven angels having the seven last plagues for in them is filled up the wrath of God 1. Seven plagues which are all to be poured out on the Idolatrous persecuting Empire as it were by seven Angels 2. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire and them that had gotten the victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name stand on the sea of glass having the harps of God 2. I saw a sea like that in the Temple signifying purity and the multitude of worshippers mingled with fire signifying the Altar Sacrifices and their zeal and Gods acceptance and them that by patient suffering had overcome by keeping themselves undefiled from owning the Roman Idolatry by owning the Idol or his Image or Mark or the numeral Letters of his name And they stood on this sea having the harps on which they sang the praises of God as was used in the Temple 3. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou king of saints 3. And they being many of them the first Christian Jews sang Moses's song after the drowning of Pharaoh the case being like their deliverance from the Roman Tyrants and the song of Christ suited to the joyful Praises of God for the work of mans Redemption and Salvation saying Great c. Thou gloryfiest thy Power in conquering the greatest proudest enemies and delivering thy Servants from the great dangers even by miracles of providence And thy Justice and truth O most Holy Lover and King of Saints are magnified in thy avenging them on their cruel enemies 4. Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgments are made manifest 4. This demonstration of thy Greatness Holiness and Justice shall move the nations to fear and Glorifie thee as the only most Holy God and to fear and worship thee because of thy Judgments 5. And after that I looked and behold the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened 6. And the seven angels came out of the temple having the seven plagues clothed in pure and white linnen and having their breasts girded with golden girdles 5 6. The Holy place and Gods Decree seemed to be opened And seven pure and Glorious Angels honourably girded to execute Gods will came forth with the seven last plagues that are to finish the destruction of the Idolatrous potent persecuting Roman Empire 7. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God who liveth for ever and ever 7. Those that undertake to tell whom these Angels and this Living Wight signified on Earth go further than I can who know no more but that the seven