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A44247 The doctrine of life, or, Of mans redemption, by the seed of Eve, the seed of Abraham, the seed of David, &c. as it was taught in severall periods of time, from Gen. 3. 15. till Christ came in the flesh, to fulfill all typicall prefigurations of him by his death : wherein also sundry other fundamentall points are discussed and cleared from some common mistakes : as Daniels chronologie of seventy sevens, which is cleared from the uncertainty which too many expositors have unadvisedly cast upon it : and about the Jewes calling, that it must not be understand of any return to Canaan, or of their restauration to a perspicuous common wealth any more, but of the calling of a remnant of them to the faith, in the countries where they live dispersed : and with the true nature of our Lords sufferings, with sundry other such like points, as may be seen in the table : propounded by way of question and answer, with annotations thereunto annexed : divided into three parts / by Edward Holyoke of New-England. Holyoke, Edward, d. 1660. 1658 (1658) Wing H2534; ESTC R22353 401,616 468

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name of the Fether of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 For there are Three which beare record in Heaven the Father the WORD and the holy Ghost and these three are one 1. Joh. ● 7 Yee worship yee know not what we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jewes but the houre cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shal worship the Father in Spirit and truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth Joh. 4.22.23.24 Jer. 10.1 Heare yee the word which Jehovah speaketh unto you O house of Israel 2. Thus saith Jehovah learne not the way of the Heathen and be not dismayed at the signes of the Heavens for the Heathens are dismayed at them 3. For the customes of the people are vaine for one cutteth a Tree out of the Forrest the worke of the hands of the workman with the ax 4. They deck it with Silver and Gold they fasten it with Nayles and with Hammers that it move not 5. They are upright as the Palm Tree but speak not they must needs be borne because they cannot go be not affraid of them for they cannot do evill neither is it in them to doe good 6. For as much as there is none like unto thee O Jehovah thou art great and thy name is great in power 7. Who would not feare thee O King of Nations for to thee doth it appertaine for as much as among all the wise men of the Nations and in all their Kingdomes there is none like unto thee .. 8. But they are altogether bruitish and foolish the stock is a Doctrine of vanities 9. Silver spread into Plates is brought from Tharshish and Gold from Vphaz the work of the Workman and the hands of the Founder blew and purple is their cloathing they are all the works of cunning men 10. But Jehovah is the true God he is the the living God and an everlasting King at his wrath the earth shall tremble and the Nations shall not be able to abide his indignation 11. Thus shall yee say unto them the Gods that have not made the Heavens and the Earth even they shall perish from the Earth and from under these Heavens God gives raine and he witholds raine Deut. 11.14 Amos. 4.7 Psal 147. Sing unto Jehovah who covereth the Heavens with clouds read Job 36. 37. 12. HE hath made the Earth by his power he hath established the world by his wisdome and hath stretched out the Heavens by his discretion 13. When he uttereth his voice there is a multitude of waters in the Heavens and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth he maketh lightnings with raine and bringeth the wind out of his Treasures 14. Every man is bruitish in his owne † Vaine man would be wise though man be borne a wild asse colt Job 11.12 knowledge every founder is confounded by the graven Image for his molten Image is but false-hood and there is no breath in them 15. They are Unity and the work of errours in the time of their visitation they shall perish 16. * The Lords portion is his people Jacob is the lot of his inheritance Deut. 32. how gracious is this reciprocation See the uses that the Saints should and have made of it Psal 73.16 119.57 Lam. 3. Christ is the portion of the faithfull and they are his portion The portion of Jacob is not like them he is the former of all things and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance Jehovah of Hosts is his name Jer. 23.23 Am I a God at hand saith Jehovah and not a God afarr off can any hide himselfe in secret places that I shal not see him saith Jehovah do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith Jehovah Psal 135.6 Whatsoever pleaseth Jehovah he doth in the Heavens and in the Earth in the Seas and in all deep places vid Dan. 4.34.35 Ephe. 1 11. QVestion 2. What may be learned from these Texts Answ These Scriptures teach us to know the most glorious God in his nature and properties in his works of Creation and providence Also the Unity of his essence and that there is a distinction in the unity of essence by which description wemay plainely see that he cannot be likened to any thing nor any thing made like to him Therefore all Idolls and Images of him are vanity and wicked and are to be abhorred and that he only is to be feared beleeved in worshipped c. And all this will more cleerely appeare by certain positions which may be gathered out of these Texts QVest 3. Which be they Answ 1. These Scriptures teach us that God is a Spirit most perfect and infinite and therefore impossible to be conceived of us as he is in himselfe and therefore we must content our selves with such a knowledge as he hath in his word revealed to us according to our capacity in his names and properties 1. His names are * It is good to observe how the attributes and titles are taken one for the other as Deut. 18.13 Mat. 5 48. So that Elohim Jehovah and Father are all one and so we shall finde in other Scriptures These names titles and properties do expound the proeme of the decalogue and the first commandement and the Proeme of the Lords prayer and the first petition Elohim Jehovah Adonaj Shaddaj Jah Tzur c. which signifie the Mighties the eternall being of himselfe and the giver of being to all things else the Stay of the World the All-sufficient the giver of life and breath the Rock c. these and others are abridgments of the Bible and the Bible a commentary on them 2. His properties some of them are incommunicable and some communicable the incommunicable are simplenesse or unmixednesse infinitenesse eternitie omnipotency unchangeablenesse immeasurablenesse c. no creature hath these 3. The properties communicable are being life goodnesse power wisdome justice holinesse truth mercy c. These he communicateth to his creatures yet they are but in a measure in them as qualities but in God essential in the creatures weak and imperfect but in him each of them is infinite in all perfection and by these things in the creatures which we see and perceive the invisible things of God are understood Some call these names and properties titles and attributes 4. These Scriptures affirme that there is one God and but one for there can be but one infinite and eternall being Creatour and Governour 5. The distinct persons in the God-head are from these Scriptures to be learned the Father the WORD and the holy Spirit Other Scriptures do further direct us how they are distinguished by their order properties an works 1. By their order the Father is the first person of himselfe the Son is the second person only of the Father he holy Ghost is the third person from them both 2. By
enter into the rest of Christ where Baptism and the Lords Supper are no burden Mr. Bro. on Lam. 1.14 where Christ is not sought and found in his own ordinances all not the moral but also the ceremonial savours death 2 Cor. 3.7 to 16. what are we then to think of mens precepts voluntary religion and self-willed humbleness Take notice what our Lord taught Mat. 15.3 John 6.27 c. and his Apostle Rom. 10.3 Phil. 3.3 c. Colos 2.23 Quest 6. Num. II. Moses politie ever aimed at Him The Law Morall and Ceremonial was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ grace is two fold the one of Justification from the guilt and curse of the Law the other of sanctification the righteousness of the Law being fulfilled in them that are in Christ Iesus who inables them by his spirit most willingly to walk therein delighting in the Law of God concerning the inner man And Christ was the truth and substance of the Ceremonial Law as all the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth all was sponsorious of a better hope in him Heb. 7.22 8.6 And this was that the saints so fervently prayed for teaching and understanding the wonderous things of the Law how all was sponsorious of comfort in Christ Psalm 119. And so of this did Ethan sing Psalm 89.1 2 c. Ibid. Quest 6. N. III. The Ceremonial Law That is Gods ceremonial Law no man hath power to institute or sanctifie as of himself any teaching sign or ceremony of person or thing time or place to worship God thereby or to take away that which the Lord hath ordained Moses durst not add or diminish any thing no not any other colour as green which is as pleasant as blew purple and scarlet all colours of blood and sus●●ing The pattern was his Direction And therefore was Moses called faithful in Gods house the Church of God the Pillar and ground of truth Will worship is a corruption of all our hearts it likes us better then Gods commandments Amos 4. Mat. 15. Luke 16.15 And we have great confidence in it that it pleaseth God But it brings shame at last to any State and all the Priests of Bethel cannot quench the fire that it will kindle Amos 5. Hos 10.14 15. And let all will-worshippers minde that however they have a shew of wisdom in their will worship yet it makes the people forget their Maker Hos 8.11 12 13 14. 1 Kin. 12.33 Amos 5.21 8.10 And this too evident of later years in the ungodly dealing of the Prelates in their hinderance of sound teaching of the word in most paroches of England Ibid N. III. and the moral is still to humble Doubtless the Moral Law must be taught it is a part of Christs mediatorian kingdom God the Father made Him Lord and Christ to all the Israel of God and obedience is better than sacrifice It is a point of faith to believe that Christ gave the Law Exod. 23.20 21 22. They of old were commanded to hear him and so we under the New Testament must hear the Beloved Son and reverance the Heir Mat. 17.5 Matth. 21.98 It is said Felix called forth Paul to hear him of the faith in Christ and as he was teaching of righteousness temperance and of the judgement to come Felix trembled Acts 24.25 Therefore the Law ought to be taught it belongs to the faith of Christ And godly teachers are to lift up their voice like a Trumpet to make mens hearts shake and tremble for rebellion against the Mediatour and therefore the godly teachers 40.50 and 60. years ago taught the way of the Lord more perfectly then many now do vid. infra the note on Levit. 26.17 chap. 8. Quest 7. Answ Vpon the text of Deut. 30. Moses speaks this of the Law the Apostle of Christ taught in the Law Rom. 10. So Esaias faith In his Law shall the nations hope Esay 42.4 Matthew saith In his Name Mat. 12.21 The Apostle calleth this text the word of faith and the just do live by faith Moses sheweth the Law of Jehovab that is Christ is a law of Love and the Apostle calleth it A law of Faith So then it is a form of Wholesome words of Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus And how precious sweet dear rich pure is the Law of Christ being a Law of Life in him Deut. 32.47 Therefore Stephen saith that Moses received from the Angel of the Covenant lively Oracles Acts 7.38 And so the Apostles received from him words purer than snow whitter than milk sweeter than honey or the honey comb words of spirit and life to preach unto the dead apostate families John 6.63 So the Sacrifices washings tabernacle the land of promise c. profited nothing were a killing letter having the veil on the heart The words and doctrine that Christ spake to Moses they were spirit and they were life And so David knew and all of faith when he cryed to Christ to be his sprinkling and his hyssop Psalm 51. And so Esaias and Stephen taught them and the Apostle Rom. 10.6 Exod. 20.2 And all expositions of the ten words were a killing letter not looking to that which is within the Veile even the grace and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 15.11 The Prophets and Apostles unveil Moses face most brightly they have made it as open even as Moses made it when he took off the veil when he went to speak with Christ Read Quest 8. Ans N. II. To be man and to suffer Mark the cause of the Apostle I am accused for the hope of the promise made of God unto our Fathers Psalm 16.10 22.29 40.6 7 8. Acts 26. this was a constant doctrine from the beginning and to be declared from age to age to the end of the world that the Son of God should come down from heaven to be a second Adam and to give himself a sin-offering to death and be raised from the dead 2 Tim. 2.8 and so in this doctrine Christ is our bread and drink Joh. 6.27 28 29 c. The pattern was not yet to come down from heaven to take our nature to be his Tabernacle and his flesh and bloud by sacrifice to be our bread and drink Iohn 1.14 6.54 And till the Son of God came to be and do thus All that Christ revealed to Moses was sponsorius and an introduction of a better hope that is Christ hoped for by all faithfull of the old Testament by whom they and we come unto God Hebr. 11.1 2 3 4. Iohn 14.6 Heb. 8 Ephes 1.10 11 Esay 15 1 2 3. Acts 13. Ibid. N. II. Accounting this wisedome foolishness And the light shineth in the darknesse and the darkness comprehended it not Joh. 1. 〈◊〉 It was ever a stumbling block and foolishness to the wise and prudent of this world to the natural man Iohn 6.52.60.1.1 Cor. 1. 2. And so is was to many while Moses was yet alive
vouch him so to be in love unto him and in love to our neighbour as it is said to love the Lord our God with all our heart minde soul and strength c. and our neighbour as our self and this is ratified by the bloud of the covenant Exod. 24. And they not obeying his Gospel-Law is as much as to say we will not have this man to reign over us therefore it is said those mine enemies and Israel were Christs own citizens Luke 19.27 that would not have me the Heir to reign over them bring them hither and slay them before me Luke 19 27. 1 Thess 2.16 4 5 6 7 8. Christ Jesus our Lord as eternal God to Moses and the Prophets and Christ Iesus our Lord as God-man in his New Testament in his own speeches and in his Apostles doctrine doth not differ and when our great Rabboni had reduced the ten commandments into two then he saith on these two commandements hang all the Law and the Prophets and so where it is often said Obey my voice Jer. 7.23 it must be understood of the obedience of faith receiving Christ and believing in him and obeying him John 3.36 which despised The wrath o the Lambe is great wrath Apoc. 1.16 brings the heaviest plagues as those eight and twentieth fold punishments Lev. 26. and thoses curses Deut. 28. Luke 23.28 29 30. and so Exod. 23.20 21. and Matth. 17.5 do explicate on the other in sense and meaning and John 6.27 must be brought to this undurstanding 5. The Law of the Lord is a converting Law it restores the soul that is it is the word of Christ by which and by which onely he doth by his Spirit work in the hearts of men to turn them from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God for it is the power of God to salvation restoring converting regenerating the soul to know believe fear and love Jehovah their God and to love their neighbour And the New Testaments doctrine and commandment is the same 1 John 3.24 4.21 Faith and Love is the Pattern of wholesome words or healing doctrine ever taught from the beginning This is the Vrim and Thummim which Christ puts in the heart of all them that the Father drawes unto him the Apostle alluding to the High Priests Garments phraseth the Brest plate of Faith and Love They that despise Christs Gospel that is his Law Esay 2.3 11.9 42.4 despise the doctrine of regeneration and such cannot mortifie their passions but will bite and devour one another Esay 11. much of it Gal. 5.15 as Cain did Abel See how and why their Story is cited 1 John 3. And by that we may see how easily reducible all that Epistle is to Genesis yea to all Moses and if this Epistle then all the New Testament QUest 3. What other Collections Answ The Scriptures of the Prophets shew 1. That Iehovah of hosts the God of Israel had made Nebucharetzar Monarch of all nations and that the Kingdome of Babel should keep them the State of Iudah in subjection Seavensy years And that Nebuchadnezzar was great by conquest and not by inheritance 2. That the Kings of the Kingdom of Babel for those seventy years should be in number three which are these the first is said to be Nebuchadnezzar the second is his son the third is his sons son Other Scriptures shew their names that Evil-Merodach was the Son and his Sons son was Bel-shazzar 3. We are to note that part of the third year of Jehojakim King of Iudah and more of the fourth is the first year of Nebuchadrezar as Dan. 1.1 and Jer. 25. compared do shew And in this first year of Nebuchadrezar King Jehojakim Daniel Hanariah Azariah Mishael and other Nobles were captived This is the first captivity But the King was sent home again 4 Here it may be convenient to remember that the heathen annalls and chronicles in many things are no true relations because they confound the Stories of Elams Arams Ashurs and Babels Monarchies For now Ashur was no Monarch but was under Babel Ashur had been a great Tree Ezekiah 31. But now Babel was the Tree Daniel 4. And Aram had been a Monarchy afore Ashur and Elam had been a Monarchy afore them all Gen. 14. But it may be Nimrod or Belus was the first hunter after tyrannical Monarchy QUest 4. Did all submit themselves to this Conqueror Nebuchadnezar that God had established and advanced over them Answ Jechonias King of Judah by the advice and counsel of Jeremiah submitted who though captived and many of the people yet they had many comforts following them to Babel 1. They were the basket of good figs whom God would greatly respect Ezekiel Mordecai and many godly went in this captivity 2. Although they were captived and wanted the glorious sanctuary and its publique ordinances yet (a) The ble●sed glory of Jehovah from his place in divers removings came to them Read Ezek. 9 10. 11. This might put them in minde of the utter removing of his vineyard from them to the Gentiles as the Lord told them near the ending of the seventy seavens Christ who is the truth of all the shadowes was to them a Sanctuary whom in spirit they worshipped (b) In the captivity Christ recompensed the loss of publique ordinances with most gracious providences Ezek. 11.16 and much of Dan●el who was then a great favourite and would be as Ioseph and so his three cousins Dan. 3 Hanamah Misacl and Az●iab they would be great comforts to the brethren captived Many precious promises are to this company both of protection and return from captivity 3. They and their children should be chief in restoring religion at the return from captivity This company are the second captivity QUest 6. Who resisted Answ The Kings of E●ypt Tyrus and others which brought upon them ruin and desolation Jehojakim returning home purposed rebellion which was to his destruction Zedekiah and his people would not hearken to the word of the Lord and to the perswasions of Jeremiah but believed false prophets and Zedekiah brake his Oath of subjection to the King of Babel and rebelled whom with his subjects God severely plagued by famine pestilence sword and captivity This company are the basket of vile and bad figs and the third captivity QUest 7. What more may be observed Answ Here we are diligently to minde What God did with those staves (c) Mark also the metaphor of cruel plough men Psal 129. rods axes sawes with which he did beat saw and hew his Church withal Each enemy did rage and smite a little while till God who is wounderful in counsel and excellent in working (d) Esay 10.7 c. Deut. 30. 2 3 4. c. Levit. 26.41 Mic 7.9 Psal 119.67.71 Esay 27.9 Hebr. 12.10 performed his not their intent work and purpose Then upon the (e) This duty in sincerity performd ever sped well God speaking peace to his
8.44 Mat. 3. Christ saith to the unbelievers and hypocrites Ye are of your father the devil Men that hate Christ and his word and his servants their genealogie is from Satan and Cain 1 Iohn 3.12 and the faithfull theirs is from Abraham yea from God and Christ Gal. 3. 7.29 and chapter 4.31 Iohn 1.13 Let all Phil 3. be considered with this note Quest 10. and Answ N. 1. And tormenting sorrows Note some special God gave over into the hands of one another and into the hands of their Kings the Herods and the Cesa●s Ioseph Liber 13. chap. 19. c. Then Christ brake both his staves by which they were strengthened he brake the staffe of beauty bereaving them of the duty of his Ordinances and brake also the brother-hood of Judah and Ephraim And much of this came to passe when the tribe of Levi cared not for the sacrifice-hood and would be Kings contrary to Jacobs and Moses will Gen. 49. Deut. 33. Then they and others became Sadduces and killed 50000 Pharisees This is the fruit of hereticall Doctrine and mens Traditions The poore of the flock that waited on Christ and valued him above all observed these things Zac. 11. Ibid. For as they abhorred Christ As their fore-fathers moved Christ to jealousie by revolting to idols so they did by mens traditions and false Doctrine which is as bad as idolatry yea it is idolatry and vanity Deut. 32.21 compare with Rom. 10.19.1 John 5.21 Observe how the Apostle Paul citeth that Text of Moses They despised the eternall Son and his righteousnesse the new and living way Bodily exercise was not the living way and so they despised God the Father 2 John 9 but that brought upon them the day of violent fire and wrath to the utmost as it is said despisers wonder and perish Acts 31.41 Heb. 10.27 1 Thes 2.19 False Teachers and their deceived never prized nor admired Christ and his word read Phil. 3. Quest ibid. N. 2. with utter and finall desolations Your house that is the Temple shall be dosolate while the world standeth Mat. 23. Luc 13. And this came to passe about 40 years after our Lords ascension Not such a desolation and trans●●gration as was at Shiloh or at Jerusalem by Babel or as that three years half by Antiochus with restauration but utter desolations as experience for 1500 years The affliction from Egypt had a fore-told limitation so had Babels so that of Antiochus and Israels proper glory was limited Dan. 9.24 But how carnal Israels affliction is not limited and earthly Canaan and Jerusalem shall never have proper and peculiar glory Quest 11. and Answer They shall never be restored Let Ezk. 16.43 to the end of the chapter be well considered both for the captivity to Babel and the utter desolations by Rome as Ezekiel compares Iudahs state with Sodoms unrecoverable so our Lord both to Sodom and to Noahs flood Mat. 24. mark well Num. 33. ult Again note where the Apostle saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not have c. by a cosequent he meant Neither would he Temple City and Kingdome which were all figures till the time of setling Christ should be and was the building in which God would delight and therefore these shadows shall never be restored unlesse we say Sacrifice and offering shall Why do we not as Mr. Finch and Mr. Brightman c. make the Jews expect things seen and temporall No no they will rejoice to be of the holy City from heaevn and will never care to make a corporation in the Low● Jerusalem Ibid. Then any countrey or Citie in the World Then they will believe the doctrine of their apostle Peter the Apostle of the circumcision as their Godly forefathers dispersed in Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia Bythinis and Chaldea and mind the heavenly inheritance that is uncorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not and the spiritual Temple 1 Peter 1. 2. and 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. How sweetly doth the Apostle draw them from their carnal sense of Ezekiels prophesie under the terms of Canaan Citie and Temple So the apostle to the Hebrews draws them to the heavenly Government of Christ in the Jerusalem Celestial And that the Low Jerusalem all that hold of the policy of it now ended by the Son eternal were briars and thornes and near rejection cursing and the destruction of violent fire and wrath to the utmost compare 2 Sam 23.1 to 7. with Hebrews ch 6. 10. As their fore-fathers did so the children as Stephen laies that heavy crimination on them Ibid. The Lamb is the Temple Seeing the Lamb is the Temple and that he destroyed the material Temple and all the politie of it for if the Priest-hood be changed there must be of necessity a change of the Law old things are all passed Then surely it is abominable to have Priests Altars Sacrifices Candles Incense Copes Linnen Ephods Musick Distinction as of Mosaical daies and times as Rests Jubilees new Moones distinction of meats annointings c. in our Ecclesiasticall administrations yea or an Ecclesiastical politie answerable to Levi of a subservient Clergy under one universal high Priest on earth Christ our Statute-Maker hath forbidden all Levitical ceremonial worship Iohn 4. There is no Typical ceremonie left unto us in his New Testament but the two Seals of the covenant of the New Testament and Gods Worshipe●s must worship him in Spirit and truth Spirit is opposed to bodily exercise of our carnal hearts Truth is opposed to the shadows rites types and ceremonies by which Christ saith The hour was coming that the Father would refuse to be worshipped And the Son by whom the Father spake taught none such to be repeated much less others by man to be invenced They are tyrannical ecclesiasticks that force ceremonies Col. 2. Before Christs coming the Wisdom of God as the old covenant needed instituted many types and ceremonies but the fulness of time being come two signs seals and memorials Baptism and the Lords Supper were ordained Seeing the Lord God of hosts even the Lamb is the Temple and we all with open face see the shining of the Sun of righteousness all Moses Ceremonies and others of mans invention should be left It is else as if we were still under pupillage and now it is bondage from which Christ hath justified us that is made us free The servants of Christ in these things must not be the servants of men but still contend and fight the good fight for the utter abolishing what he hath abolished and what in his last Will and Testament he never bequeathed nor commanded Gal. 4. Greek Fathers began the Name Priest and high Priest to be fitted to their doctors But in the end the gangrene crept to ha●m unspeakable that Satan by Turk and Pope ruled the world For the god-Pope the high Priest of the Papacy he made a Mosaical subservient Clergy He made another peculiar holy Citie● He made Priests and annointed them
state of time that the holy spirit did testifie in the Prophets for the coming of Mesas and his sufferings and glory that should follow in his Resurrection ascension and sending gifts to convert the Nations 1 Pet. 1.11 by his death to confirm the promises made to the faithfull and to be the truth of all the types which were all sponsorious of a better hope but of the time of his second coming there was not that need to know For it is said But of the times and seasons brethren ye have no need that I write unto you for your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night 1 Thes 5. 3. Of the Chronologie of the New Testament the spirit of Christ hath not disposed an orderly processe of times neither historically nor prophetically from his death There is no time cast in the Apocalyps For God would not begin to accompt the times after the death of Christ but he must have gone through with it else it had been a fault in art but that he would not because of the end of the world he would conceal that no man nor angel knoweth it the Son in respect of his humanity is said not to know the time who yet giveth the Apocalyps to Iohn but nothing is unknown to his Godhead who is the first and the last The thousand years are spoken of for the loosing of Satan Apoc. 20. but the history is not cast by course of time the thousand years begin we may best suppose from the writing of the Apocalyps 4. But behold the wisdome of God To teach us in whom we have rest that most graciously ordered times most exactly till the death of Christ in a most pleasant Sabbatick * accompt tres-remarkable from JESUS the son of Nun to our IESUS that saveth us from our sins Thus he did that the whole Nation of the Jews should not misse but by willfull and despitefull swarving to receive him the true Messias Heb. 2. 1. 6. and 10. to leave all the ceremonies and to look to him the end and scope of all and this time was it often noted and needfull often to be noted wherein the Gentiles should begin to be brought to S●ms Tents and thence to learn salvation 5. When all this was done there needed no times to teach us ceremonially of Christ to come for his government and offices are perpetuall and shall never be abolished as Levies Priesthood till he re deliver up the Mediatorian Kingdome to the Father and till that time we all should joyfully look in watching when the Bridecrome will come 6. The Gencalogie and Chronologie served to the promised Lands glory The non-continuance of genealogies after the apostles times shall be to-ched else to the people of Israels glory to the Tabernacles glory to Ierusalems glory to the Temples glory and to Salomons Kingdomes glory for the glory of all these ended when the Chronologie and Genealogie ended for all the time of the old Testament they had that heavenly and glorious use 2. Blessed be the name of the Lord God for ever and ever for wisdome and strength are his and he it is that hath altered times places and persons to the glory of the unchangeable Priesthood and never ending Kingdome of his dear Son our Lord Iesus Christ to whom be glory and praise everlasting Amen CHAP. L. Being a Caveat to beware of such Satanicall spirits that prattle about the expectation of new Apostles and new Revelations 1. AS is said for the Chronologie and Genealogie of the the old Testament that the infallible use of them did cease after the new Testament was written so we may say for the other holy Doctrine of Christ that we need not to regard the vanity of wretched men in expectation of new Apostles and new Revelations but studiously to cleave to what is left and ordained to us in the holy writings of the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles 2. As our Lord and Saviour said He that will not hear and believe Moses and the Prophets will neither hear nor believe if one should rise from the dead so truly we may say he that will not hear and believe the holy Evangelists and the holy Apostles writings who wrote of the doctrine life death and resurrection of Christ is as far from holy faith as ever any Sadducie was for Christ is risen from the dead and after his Resurrection gave commandement what his Apostles should preach unto the Nations and we see what it was they taught by the four Evangelists by the book of the Acts by their Epistles and by the Son of God in his Apocalyps 3. And that we might not be deceived by the ungodly 1 Cor. 4s to look for new Apostles mark what the apostle Paul saith plainly that himself and Earnabas and other Apostles then living were the last apostles 4. Wherefore the apostles seeing the Churches began to be troubled with false apostles and with grievous and gangrenating errours and herefies and foretold of worse and more perillous times that men would not endure sound and wholesome doctrine but having sore ears should after their own lusts get them an heap of Teachers and should turn their ears from the truth and should be given unto fables therefore they gave warning as is seen in all their writings and have thus charged us from Christ That we be mindfull of the words which were spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the commandement of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour 2 Pet. 3.2 and Iudas Thaddeus saith thus in his Epistle But beloved remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ And the Apostle John saith He that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God beareth nos us hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of errour 1 John 4. 5. The faithfull obeyed this charge and commandement for many years after the apostles for the apostles had said what they had taught to the faithfull then living should be communicated to other faithfull for the instruction of others for above an 100 years after their dayes we have not writings of the Ancients they kept themselves to the holy Scriptures of the Prophets and apostles 6. And when the Ancients of the Primitive Churches began to write much about the second Century and after it is manifest they adhered to the holy Scriptures and commended them much to the people and some of the Ancients did so admire and advance the holy Scriptures that they adored the sufficiency of them for Doctrine of faith and manners 7. This is most clear for it is said the faithfull martyrs for 300 years suffered for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Apoc. 6.9 and so the two witnesses suffered under the Beast of the Pit King Abaddon For the keeping of the commandem●nts of God and the saith of JESVS Apoc. 14.12 sofar off they were
fulfill the measures of their forefathers impieties in persecutions massacres treacheries gunpowder-plot cruell mockings c. ungodly men cannot trample on God but they reach as high as they can against his image both in his Ordinances and his saints and his graces in them this is the highest step they can go as Achab Jerom Joash Jehoiakim fretted against God and they would be revenged by imprisoning and killing his Prophets Christ his Doctrine have been called esteemed ●nathema even from the beginning of all that wil not receive his Doctrine in the love of it so it was accounted of Kain when Christ would not accept his bodily exercise so he saith Visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me Ex●d chapt 20. So they despised his Statutes and did abhor his judgements Levit. 26 15. In 10. Quest and Answ A great Apostasie All flesh had corrupted his way both in religion and conversation Gen. 6. Job 21. and 22. Mat. 24. Iudas Thad 14.15 So Iudah were corrupters Esai 1. Ier. 6. They were but flesh they cared not for regeneration nor the Doctrine of it to serve the Law of God in their minds for the imagination of their heart was only evill continually They mocked the religion of the Second Adam Ion 21. and 22. they desired not to know the waies of Christ In Q. 10. Ungodly marriages The Sons of God the visible Church regarded not Gods distinction of the holy seed so after times found them to be snares and traps treachery profanesse and abomination to the Gospel Common-Weale and Family In Q. 10. Glorious house Glorious for Cities Wealth Musick Pleasures Feasting Strength Arts and vaine deceitfull beauty the flourishing estate of the wicked doth commonly prevaile for apostacy with the open Church or multitude In Q. 10. A confluence When people have not a sincere care to know but set light by the faith of the Son of God the mystery of godlinesse then all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse will be seene in mens conversations This is evident through all ages of the holy story and in all Common-Weales Families and persons at this day which either retaine not or cast off the mystery of Faith in a pure conscience no religion teacheth nor worketh in the heart and carriage such strictness of a peaceable and holy life as the paterne of wholesome words faith and love which is in Christ Jesus Deut. 4.5 6 7 8. And verily there can be neither holinesse nor righteousnesse in truth but in them that are renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created them that is of the man Christ Jesus the second Adam the Lord from heaven 1 Cor. 15.47 Esa 11.1 to 9. In Quest 10. Remember After our first Parents were turned to dust the rest of the holy Fathers dyed not long one after the other except Henoch yet they had three witnesses of Christ to the floud that contested against their apostasie Methuselah Lam●ch and Noah But Henoch had before spoken of terror to the wicked and godly Lamech of comfort to the faithfull In 11. Quest and Answ Through faith Now faith is the expectation of that which is hoped and a tryer out of things which are not seene for by it the Elders are well reported of by Faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with feare prepared the Arke to the saving of his house by which he condemned the world and was made heir of the justification that is by faith Eb● 11. A beleever will be carefull of the salvation of his houshold In Q. 11. Good report Faith in the Son of God is most glorious faith evidencing things not seen made all the Elders honourable in a good report in life and death and after death whose faith we are exhorted to follow a godly man should so walke as all hee doth should evidence to the soule things not seen All Ecclesiastes tendeth to confirm this in us as godly Lamech testified In Q 11. Sons The floud in the faithfull doth shew the benefit of adoption and covenant the faith of God is not without its effect though many did ●all away and the Ordinances were unsavoury to them 2 Cor. 2.16 Our Natures so universally depraved that whilst we are in the flesh unconverted we cannot please God without saith it is impossible we should please God or that God should please us Jus divinum 31. In Q 11. City and country They beleeving on the Son of God had everlasting life and came not into condemnation but passed from death to life Minde it a present possession and immediate passage no judgment intervenning nor torment All the faithfull till the fulness of time had perfect joy in an immortall state of life and glory with God in the Kingdome of Heaven Matt. 8.11 and therefore are termed Them in Heaven Eph. 1.10 and the family of Heaven Chap. 3.15 Away then with the dotages of Lymbo and purgatorie and all other cursed opinions of the heathens and heathnish Kingdome Abyssigena Apoc. 9. Psal 17. and 22. 4 5. Psal 36.8.9 Dan. 7.18 Psal 49.15 and 73.24 Esa 3.10 Pro. 14.32 Job 5.24 In Q. 11. Wherefore they had preservation The fleed was a sacrament to the faithfull of Salvation to which answereth Baptisme 1 Pet. 3. Though these three men Noah Daniel and Job were in it they should deliver but their own soules by their righteousnesse faith the Lord God Ezek. 14.14 confer this to Gen. 6. many observations may be collected see the effectuall saith of Noah which he shewed by his workes beleeving he seared made the Arke and was carefull to save his houshold he prayed for the wicked mocking world he stood in the gap to turne away wrath so J●b prayed for his freinds and God heard him so Daniel Chap. 2.18.23 and was heard so Christ had heard Noah but would no more after the decree came forth for one hundred and twenty yeares so Jeremiah prayed but at last would not be heard hee was forbidden to pray Things come to an extremity when Gods forbids his remembrancers if the whole state will not humble themselves yet let Noah Daniel and Job do it they shall have comfort they shall be sealed to be kept safe When Unbeleevers despisers mockers feasters drinkers and all abominable shall be shut out of the Arke and the heavenly Ierusalem to be in the floud and lake of fire Ezekiel and our Lord citing Noahs story gives to consider of the like generall Apostasie of the Jewes And that the Apostasie of the old world was as generall as the Jewes both in Ezekiels dayes and our Lords In 12. Quest and Answ Corrupters of the faith This phrase is elegantly expressed in Apoc. 11.8 The Papacy was an apostate policy and did depart from and corrupt the saith and so the whole earth was corrupt Therefore God hath and will corrupt that policy as God did corrupt the corrupters G●● 6. The former be
God will render the mysticall Tyrian god his strength his glory and his Gammadims and all that love his merchandise a thrice execrable terrour and make them die the death of the unbaptised and settle glory in the true Church the Land of the living Jehovah of hosts hath purposed and let us believe it to stain the pride of all glory read Ez●k 26. 27. 28. Isa 23.9 Apoc 18. Consider like revolutions and how the former be stamps of the latter Ungodly Princes and men of place have proud thoughts and think themselves some Deity This comes from the old Adam to whom Satan said Ye shall be as gods Gen. 3. CHAP. XVI With Questions Answers and Annotations Proving that the mystery of iniquity begun to get head from Constantines time QUest 1. and Answ How long was it before the mysterie of iniquity came to the full Answer 1. From Constantines time Ecclesiasticall Teachers were never quiet but still aspired after Supremacy and drew Princes to their factions till 600 years after Christ then about that time Boniface the third Pope of Rome obtained by the help of the murderer Phocas to be called universall Bishop And this universall Supremacy did so increase untill the tenth Century that then Satan was let loose every where and few Martyrs and Confessours were found to hold the Testimonie of Christ sincerely and constantly The Locusts and their King Abaddon had so obscured Sun and air the office of Christ * The holy Bible tho aire to see Christ and Law by which we see him and prevailed in the world by all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse among them that perish because they received not the love of the truth in the holy and blessed Scriptures 2. Note that the Pontificiality continued in that heighth of Supremacy to about the 13th and 14th and 15th Century All which time it was and is still upheld by Rebellion treasonable and cruel practises unsatiable Covetousnesse and ambition and by speaking lies through hypocrisie and by strong delusions in false Doctrine concerning the holy Scriptures Latine-service the attained Supremacy images perjury covenant-breaking urging unlawfull oaths and killing of Kings giving Dispenlations for incestuous marriages dissolving one to contract another and all for Popish interests to shore up their tottering Babylon c. And also their Index Expurgatorius corrupting all good ancient authours and their own Modern yea sleighting with great contempt the worthy (a) M. cade Justi● ●ib 1 p 48. Mr. White way c. 323. all that 47. digression ancient fathers calling them Hereticks lyars orroneous instead of the great things of Gods Law they obtruded their lying Legends c. Mind also their detestation of the thoughts of any Reformation either of Doctrine and manners c. c. c. 3. Oh the abominations of that apostate Church Oh the intricate and investigable paths the flatteries (b) But her steps are not as her lips Prov. 5.3 4 5. Rom. 16.18 smoothnesse and fairnesse of speech pleasurable delights of eyes and ears c. clamourous and impudent subtilties lies and slanders formall pretences of palliated holinesse and outward strength and glory of that great whore enchanting and merchandising the Kings of the earth and the Nations all which that Church yet mannaged with a secret Scorpion-like stinging terrour in their Legates and Emissaries Bulls and Breves c. 4. What pen can delineate the miseries of the Christian-world when and after the polity of Apolluon became a perfect mountain of fire and that specially appeared in the deepnesse of Satan when he drew all the West for 200 years into those calamitous and superstitious Warres the 11. and 12. Centuries for the Low Jerusalem that all the force of the Kings and Princes of the West was weakened to be under the Pontificality In those dayes was the Jerusalem from heaven the holy and beloved City of Christians besieged as if old Gog and Magog were alive and still the Papacy will fight against it till Michael the mighty angel of the Covenant our Lord JESUS CHRIST utter the seven Thunders of his power under the * They shall feel unawares the power of Christ the seventh Trumpet as Jericho felt the seventh day the seven Trumpets seventh Trumpet and the seventh Phiall against Abaddons Kingdome to give the enemie a finall destruction QUest 2. What is that you call the mysterie of iniquity Answer It is the spirituall Supremacy of the Pontificalitie that the Sea and Church of Rome onely with the Head thereof is the oracle of the world and of infallible judgement and cannot erre and that therefore all States and Churches as children must be subject to him the Head and to her as Mother † As old Babylon said I shall be a Lady for ever so mysticall Babylon saith she sits as Queen Their wisdome and their knowledge perverted them Isa 47. Apoc. 13. Queen and Mistris And this is the faith of its Corporation which also hath through the transformation of Satan into an angel of light some points of truth conjoyned but exceedingly defiled and over clouded with worldly decrees and humane devices heresies and blasphemies which in conclusion contradict and overthrow the truths they hold and renders their polity execrable to the Saints and their King the holy one of Israel QUest 3. Who were followers of the King of the Pit-darknesse and Pit-bred Locusts that revived the Empire Answer Kings and peoples and multitudes and Nations and kindreds and tongues small and great rich and poore bond and free who wondered at the glorious rising and standing of this new kind of Govenour and government This Corporation of the Papacie the Locusts and other mysticall Babylonians fitly enough call the Romane Catholick Church But the First and the Last the faithfull and true Witnesse teacheth to call it the Kingdome of the Beast The annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the sixteenth Chapter QVest 1. and Answer N. 1. Vntill the tenth Century 1000 years there were Churches and many godly that did reign with and live the life of Christ Apoc. 10.6 But the tenth Centurie reckoning from the Apostle Iohns death Rome the cause of fall to all and then the State of the Church or a great part was a dead State being wonderfully estranged from the testimony of JESUS and the word of God the onely mean of the first Resurrection Ibid. N. 1. Among them that perish Those in the Book of life and the sealed of God the Locusts did not hurt but others turning their ears from the truth were given unto Fables 2 Tim. 4. This Spirituall judgement was on Israel Isa 29 9. A gainsaying people shall be hardened and given up to their own hearts lusts Rom. 10.11 Psal 81. N. 2. Vnsatiable Coveteousnesse Unsatiable covetousnesse and ambition introduced many corruptions in Doctrine as it was foretold the love of money the root of all evil and makes men erre from the faith and a godly life 1
Earth had haile and fire mixed with bloud cast into it which metaphoricaly importeth stormy fiery and bloudy contentions which Church-men were full of from Constantines times about P●●ority ●nd JESUS Christ his alone mediation wa● neglected this made the profession of christianity to be full of Hypocrisie and ful of coldnesse in the pure worships among people thereby love to the truth waxing cold the people began to be given over unto fables c. for when B.B. Unlearned Schollars turned all to ambition and heresie to politicians to propsenenesse strove for superiority then Monachi fel to idlenesse and to extol Saints and Angels c and to hate painfull and orthodox Schollers as Athanasius Chrisoslome Basil c. In like sort from the first Phiall most greivous Ulcers and Boyles of State are powred upon the Popish Earth The plague of old Egypt is upon the mindes of Papists his Jannes'es and his Jambres'es namely on their seduced ones that resisteth the truth after the LAMBS appearing on Mount Sion with his 144000 attending on him in the fourteenth Century but more in the fifteenth SECT 2. The second Trumpet and second Phiall UNder the second Trumpet the Mystery of Iniquity still increasing towards the sixth Centry Ecclesiasticks never ceased affecting superiority and the spirituall supremacy one of the greatest Heresies that they became a Mountaine but not as yet come to his full growth of fire cast into the Sea of Nations burning and throwing out sulphurious and bloudy matter of contention by heresies errors Ceremonies c. every where so that true Religion was burned up greatly both in Magistrates and men of place and in ordinary Christians and in Teachers compared to ships This was a further degree of misery to the Church more then the first Trumpet warned to the quickning of the Beast In like sort under the scond Phiall the Sea of Nations namely the most potent Kingdome of King Abaddon hath been and is within it self full of bloody commotions through diverse factions and sharp contentions which came out of the Phiall of Gods anger to consume the bowels of that viperous Hierarchy and holy Martyrs discovered that the whole Sea of Ordinances of their Religion was of no more soul nourishment then the putrified blood of the dead so that all became his marked were like the dead Sea Asphaltes being full of hypocrisie trusting in bodily exercise idolatry sorceries idlenesse murthers pride covetousnesse filthy lusts c. This also was a great plague to the King of Locusts and to his Locusts The conscionable study of the holy Text from the Hebrew and Greek Testaments was much neglected by flothfull contempt and onely translations from translations were used with us bred uncertainty and it bred disdain and it bred blindnesse and it bred contempt of Christ and at last it bred rejection to Machomed and to the man of sin Locusts went from all professions as Franciscans Dominicans Carmelities Priests Levites c. SECT 3. The third Trumpet and third Phial 3. UNder the third Trumpet a great star fell from the heaven of the Church which denoteth an apostasie of many learned men and they became wormwood and each one to strengthen his Faction made bitter by false and bad expositions the sweet fountains and waters of holy Scripture so that a third part of their Church became dead in all abominations and through much addition of heathenish Customes They instead of being comfortable and clear lights were but stinking torch lights and full of contentions which caused much innocent blood to be shed This did further help on to the three Woes of great misery that were yet to come on the world So in like sort the third Phial pours out wrath upon the Papal fountains and and Rivers their canons decretalls cathedrall Expositions Monastick studies all their divine Services as they called them c. Also their feigned reliques Papal dispensations Papal indulgences hallowed amulets holy Shrines c. c. all which were rivers from their Sea to conveigh and transport maintenance and glory to their glorious Monarchy of the King of Locusts King Abaddon All these things by this Phial were made known to be but rotten dotages lying sables This bred effusion of much blood in all countries from their Princes Shipmen and their people which also in all occasions as rivers and fountains did shew their Subsidious relation to the great Pontifician Sea by all endeavours but especially in that their Princes were then Carnifices the executioners of the Papal Breves and determinations c. against the Saints and Prophets Now these from the just judgement of God do drink blood measure for measure by the Princes Teachers and people that fall from the Papacy God is unchangeable in his justice on the Cains of the earth from the blood of Abel the righteous to this day as he was so he is and will be still the same Our native countrey chiefly did pour out this phiall in wickliffes dayes bur more in K. H 8. and K. E. 6. and Q.E. and K.J. And Luther and others did it in Germany SECT 4. The fourth Trumpet and fourth Phial 4. UNder the fourth Trumpet the apostate churches not being warned by the three former Trumpets the fourth sounded a further degree of apostasie that sad and dark evils of most grievous blindenesse and ignorance should be in the Church yet in these times Christ that restrains apostasie had his two Witnesses that a third part of Sun Moon and Stars were smitten with the day and the night Jacob expoundeth Sun Moon and Stars to be his Church Learned men and Scholars greatly fell away that the Mountain of fire came to a further greatnesse and more burned in the world In like sort under the fourth Phial a great part of Apolluons Sunglorious universality and by Synechdoche all his inferiour glories is smitten by the godly Witnesses as Elias smote Achab● Kingdom that brought it into a desperate burning feaver and as men so affected speak strange things so the Pseudo-Catholicks be in a great boiling heat torment and vexation because as it is seen in all Countreys more or less cast off Popery So that whereas they should have repented and glorified God for his inestimable mercy of the everlasting Gospel they fret as Moab and Balaam and utter great blasphemies SECT 5. Of the fifth Trumpet and si●st Wo and fifth Phial 5. IN the fifth Trumpet is shewed that the Beast Abyssige●a when he with his Locusts crept out of the Pit of deep darknesse they conjured up with them a smoke of all former errours and heresies and heathenish customes that Christ the Son of Justice his Throne and Kingdome and his blessed Law the air by which we see him were darkned And also he with his Locusts set up a pompous throne exercising universal Supremacy in temporal and spiritual things like old Babel And so as old Babel is call●d a destroying Mountain so now Abaddon of mystical Babylon became a