which they put the English word Hell is Gehenna Ge in Greek is the earth or ground and Henna is borrowed from the Hebrew from the valley of Hinnom Doctor Lightfoot in his Epistle of his Harmony saith It is well known the judgement of Gehinna is taken from the valley of Gehinna Tophet or Gehinnom are names of the places of Idolatry there was the Idoll Moloch Of Hell fire Matth. 5. 22. and the everlasting fire and unquenchable fire Matth. 25. 41 46. Fear him that hath power to cast into Hell Luc. 12. 5. The damnation of hell Mat. 23. 33. Maâ—th 5. 22. The fire of Gehinna and the everlasting fire c. how the Jewes understood them it is evidently to be seen in their writings that they understood them of the fire of the valley of Hinnom so saith Doctor Lightfoot to the Reader in his Hâ—rmony because of the Laâ— thou art delivered from the judgement of Gehennah and Baal-tur Gen. 1. 1. The Protestant Writers confess that Mat. 5. 22. Mat. 25. 41 46. Luke 12. 5. is to be understood of the fire of the valley of the son of Hinnom which is Tophet so Mr. Carthwrite Dr. Fâ—lk Mr. Trap and the late Annotations of the Bible and others in danger of Hell fire c. read in danger to burn in the valley of Hinnom or Tophet the damnation of Hell of Hell Gehinnah they interpret these places of the valley of Hinnom or Tophet which place was neer to Ierusalem where they offered their children to Moloch â—osh 15. 8. King Iosiah defiled â—ophet the valley of the son of Hinnom that no man might make his son or daughter to pass through the fire to Moloch 2 King 23. 10. Iosiah commanded all the carrion of the City of Ierusalem to be carried into that valley and burnt there that the carrion might not annoy the City thither saith David Chimchy was carried all the filth and unburied carkases to be burned The Synedrian of the Jewes for some offences sentenced the bodies of the offenders to lie unburied in that valley to burne with the carrion cast there which among the Jewes was counted a great disgrace and for offences most criminal they burned alive in that valley they set the malefactor in a dunghill up to the knees and put a towell about his neck and one pulled it one way and another an other way till strangling him forced him to open his mouth then they poured scalding lead into his mouth which went down into his body and so burnt his bowels Talmâ—d in Sanhedr Per. 7. Mr. Cartwright saith the Jewes sent thither their guilty to be burned in that valley and those they burned there they dealt with as guilty 2 Chr. 29. 3. It is confessed by all that Christ speaketh and alludeth to the Jewish practise in their Judicature therefore the places abovesaid concerne them Secondly the speech of Christ was to the Jewes by birth and education they wrote the New Testament and though it be penned in Greek it speaketh the phrase of the Jewish Nation the Apostle preaching to the Jewes used the word Gehennah Jam. 3. 6. Christ and his Disciples used known terms that they might the better be understood 3ly Because the Jewes had not power to send them to the Hel they speak of 4ly Because the last of the three sins is said to be judged to the fire of Gehennah which if it were to be understood as some would have it it will follow that some sins deserve not hel shall not be punished there which is contrary to themselvs who teach the least sin deservs hell Fifthly Mat. 5. 22. sheweth the ignorance and severity of the Jewes and Pharisees that anger without a cause and Racha a word of disgrace which signifies an empty fellow or wicked wretch as great faults as to say Fool if not greater yet punished less rash anger in danger of the Judgement Racha in danger of the Councel if say Fool in danger of Hell fire to burn in the valley of the son of Hinnom Of the word Everlasting First the fire of the valley of Tophet is so called in that it did burn night and day and went not out Secondly the word Ever and Everlasting the Greeks understand it for an age ever and everlasting are of a like signification and is used for a limited time a time during life He shall serve his master for ever Exod. 21. 6. Lu. 24. 46. that is untill his own or Masters death longer he could not serve him the everlasting Priesthood Exod. 40. 15. was but untill Christ came then it was to ceâ—se as appears Heb. 11. 12 13 14. it is said they shall inherit the land for ever Isâ— 61. 21. that evâ—r was but a little while as appears Isa. 63. 18. Thirdly in that fire is durable and goeth not out until the combustible matter be consumed may be called everlasting and unquenchable for the fire that destroyed the Cities of of Sodom and Gomorrah is called eternall Fire and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a word of as large signification in that it consumed those Cities for where no wood is the fire goeth out Proverbs 26. 26. Fourthly if Fire were everlasting it will not follow that which is cast into it is everlasting the wicked are compared to Chaffe and Stubble fire is not long in consuming them burn the chaff Isa. 5. 24. If any say chaffe will be ever burning and never consumed we know the contrary Fifthly consider that the Scripture sometime use words that exceed their signification and are not strictly to be understood according to their letter and signification of those words as John 21. 25. The things that Iesus did if they should be written I suppose the world it self would not containe the things that should be written A large expression What! will not the whole world contain a record of the actions of one man the meaning is they would be too great so sinne and the strength of the Aethiopian army are said to be infinite Job 22. 5. Nah. 3. 9. that is very great for the world and all in it is finite Isa. 40. 17. These considerations shew how such words are to be understood and it may satisfie us herein Is it not a very strange thing that themselves should confess that the English word Hel is in the Hebrew Sheol and in the Greek Haides and Gehenna and that they are to be understood as aforesaid that they should for the said words translate it in English Hell then expound Hell for a terrible and dreadfull place of torment never to end O horrible abuse and blasphemy against God and his word and even all men are deluded and deceived thereby verily verily they deserve the name they give to others of denying the word of God The Story of Dives Luk. 16. 30. Is not any proof of any torments in hell because it is a parable not a history of a parable we are not to ground
lived would have sinned for ever cast them out of my sight Jer. 5. 1. Ans. If it be just we should suffer for ever it is just our Surety should suffer for ever Do you consider that the Creature was made subject to vanity not willingly but by reason of him that hath subjected the same in hope Rom. 8. 20. Cast them out of my sight is no proof that they shall suffer for ever but rather that they shall be utterly destroyed for if they have any being where ever they be they cannot be out of the sight of God Your justice is not Gods his is a death yours is not a death but another thing Mr. Leigh saith Gods intentions from everlasting was to glorifie his justice as well as his mercy Rom 9. 21 23. fitted to destruction Ans. Know you any of the intention of God that is not revealed in his word Deut. 29. 29. or doth the word say that God doth not glorifie his Justice unless he inflâ—ct so great a punishment without end you give neither scripture nor reason to prove that you say is just the Justice of God was revealed and made known in causing the earth to swallow up Corah and his company they were vessels of wrath prepared fitted to destruction your opinion denies the word of God that saith they are fitted to destruction you say they are never to be destroyed die nor end Mr. Leigh saith the covenant under which unregenerate men stand and by which they are bound over to this wrath is everlasting Ans. There is but two covenants Gal. 4. 24. the old and new Heb. 8. 13. 12. 24. the old is no more everlasting then the Priesthood of it the breach of the covenant of works is death therefore not eternal life in misery Mr. Leigh saith in that torment they curse and accuse one another Ans. When you write again I pray tell us how you know that in Hell they do so for the word of God saith not so nor have you been there to hear it nor they that told you so to affirm things in Religion not revealed in the word of God is to preâ—ume above that which is written and contrary to 2 Cor. 4. 8. Rom. 15. 4. Sacrâ—tes an Heathen was more wise and modest in not affirming things he knew not being asked what was done in Hell said he never went thither nor communed with any that came from thence yet you and others affirm with great boldness and confidence things you know not some say in Hell the eye is afflicted with darkness whereas darkness is no affliction to the eye also they say their eares are afflicted with horrible and hideous outcries their noses with poysonous and stinking smells of what I pray their tongues with gally bitternesse the whole body with intollerable fire the damned shâ—ll prize a drop of water worth ten thousand worlds cursing shall be their tunes blasphemies their ditties lamentation their songs and shrieeking their straines they shall lye shrieeking and screaming continually Ye see how men set their braines awork to invent lyes for all they say is without warrant from the word of God One saith their torment in Hell is so great that they cannot forbear roaring and you say they curse and accuse one another so â—hat one of their vain imaginations contradict another and all of them the word of God they will not deny that those in Hell are in the greatest trouble and they in lesse trouble cannot speak I am so troubled I cannot speak Ps. 17. 4. therefore they cannot curse and accuse one another as you affirm Mr. Leigh saith Divines unanimously concur c. Ans. If they doe it is not binding to us for we are satisfied they are not infallible There must be errors 1 Cor. 11. 9. they have the greatest share The Priests Popish and Mahometan Priests Baals Priests and all other sorts of Priests concurre common consent sooner believed then naked truth it is high time to Cease from men for wherein is he to be accounted of Isa. 2. 22. truth and not number of men is to be followed Every one must give an account of himselfe to God Rom. 14. 3 11 12. Luther said he esteemed not the worth of a Rush a thousand Augustines and Cyprians against himselfe all Churches erre Paâ—normitan said more credit is to be given to one speaking the truth then to all men in all ages speaking the contrary They are like to concur and agree if they take the counsell they give as not to question principles it seems we must take all upon trust and hear-say without trial they all say it therefore it is true but the Bereans would and did search the Scriptures to see if things were so as the Apostles preached see 1 Joh. 4. 1. Let it be certainly made to appear that God hath said in any thing contrary to any thing that I have said I desire with all my heart to submit to it without that I cannot yield the soveraignty of my judgement and conscience to the concurring consent of blind guides ignorant and erroneous men though in sheeps cloathing and covered all over with the title of Godly Learned and Holy Saints or Presbyters or Ministers of Christ the Papists call their Church Holy Church and their Priest Holy Priest and their Order Holy Order and all Holy if you will believe them Some say the Jews report that in Tophet the Valley of the Son of Hinnom there was a great Ditch which could never be filled which they called the mouth of Hell and that the Chaldeans when they slew the Israclites threw them in there if this report be true which hath been brought to prove Hell then it will follow that the mouth of Hell is near Jerusalem and that God doth give to the wicked power to cast his people into Hell How much weight there is in your Reasons to prove a punishment after this life never to end let who will judg I for my part professe I do not â—ee how they serve to your purpose your nakâ—dnâ—sse appeares and that your opinion hath neither scripture nor reason to support it and therefore it must needs fall 2 Tim. 3. 9. you have done all you can and câ—n come to no surer bottom to rest upon then supposals and imaginations wresting Scriptures and consent of others your glory is that all are of your minde though without good ground or reason as is shewed Also in that you alledge reasons to prove Hell torments it giveth me occasion to believe that in your own judgement the Scriptures you alledg to prove it prove it not for if you believe the Scriptures prove it to what purpose serve your reasons or do you think that those that doubt of the sufficiency of your proofe of it by Scripture will be satisfied with your reasons as a full proof of it if there be any such they may be to them of some use The Learned contradict themselves Mr. Bolton saith thou must live in
the undoubted word of God there can be no errour but in the translation there are and may be errours the Bâ—ble translated therefore is not the undoubted word of God but so far onely as it agreeth with the Original the writings of the prophets and Apostles and in as much as our English translation as he saith is not the undoubted word of God what is that preaching worth that is proved by it the false glosses and interpretations which are put upon the scriptures by men learned in the languages who have made inconsiderate and bold assertion without proof in not keeping to the true and proper signification of the words thereof hath caused many errours and great trouble and confusion they put the word LUCIFER for the day-star Isa. 14. 12. They have forsaken the fountain and digged to themselves cisterns as Jer. 2. and we see the people are willing to give up themselves to a Ministry of fables 2 Kings 4. 4. 2 Pet. 1. 16. that makes the scriptures say and unsay which being interpreted is to make them say just nothing the force of education and the custome the country-men live in is such as ordinarily ingageth them to a prejudice and evill opinion against all principles contrary thereunto though of divine inspiration hence the Papists Turks and severall sorâ—s of Protestants cry down and censure each others judgment and opinion as abominable Errour Heresie and Blasphemy The third Pillar that upholds hell torments are fond Expositors that interpret sheol for hell-torments so Dr. Fulk calls them in his defence pag. 90. I would know why interpreters understand and translate a hell of torments from the Hebrew and Greek as is not in them as themselves confesse as hath been shewed they will take sheol figurâ—tâ—vely and say by Tophet hell is figured which is a fancy a fable and delusion that is strong in many that expound scripture without sense or reason it is as improper to interpret sheol for a place of torment as to interpret the word house to signifie a horse the scripture is not of private interpretation a sense arising out of the brain of an interpreter is a private interpretation and as the Scriptures are not of man but of the holy Spirit so the interpretation of them is not to be of man but of the holy spirit oracles signifie the answer of God Rom. 3. 2. see John 12. and how readest thou Luke 10. 26. to interpret words figuratively that are to be understood literally and words literally that are to be understood figuratively is licencious and destructive to the faith of the Gospel we are not to interpret any place figuratively unless that figurative sense be expressed in a plainer place of scripture if a man will have an erroneous perswasion whatsoever the scripture saith to the contrary he will have it to be a figurative sense they will be left in the clouds of their own perswasion so instead of proving their hell of torments never to end by the scriptures Ruffinus and others say they that will not believe it shall seal it which is no proof but a meer shift as very a lye as Nurses use to still children by telling them of a great Bulbegger and that a man will come downe the chimney and carry him away but not any but children and fools will be scared with such Bulbeggers The fourth pillar that upholds their Hell-torment is the consent of their Preachers their learned and godly men agree herein but their weak and various and uncertain grounds declare that they have not studied the point but when teachers and hearers are ignorant any thing will serve and pass for truth the simple believe every word all sorts of Priests agree and abuse the people the Mahometan Priests blow a powder into their eyes that come to see Mahomet hang that maketh theÌ„ quite blind that for ever after they are led and the Priests say that the glory of the sight of Mahomet is so great that it taketh away their sight for ever after and about Easter-time for ten dayes there is great joy about a great fire for their Priest Mahomet and those that cast themselves into the fire and are burnt to death are counted Martyrs and once a year the tomb of Mahomet is carried abroad upon a cart and his Priests say that those that put themselves under the wheel of that cart and are crushed to death they say to dye Martyrs and some are so simple to do so that so they may dye Martyrs so the antichristian-priests and aâ—l sorts of Priests have greatly deluded and deceived the people blowing something into their eares that for ever after they are not able to hear and receive the truth but as M. Beza did detest the Papists Limbus and purgatory so do I their dreams of hell it being a device of man without scripture with all their uncertain brain-sick fancies for the imaginations of men have no end The 5. pillar of hell is their wresting the scripture to uphold their hell of torments this cozeneth and deceives many under colour of divine authority when it s but humane though they are not pleased publickly to say so because it streams not to their purpose the Scriptures they alledge to prove it is above considered if any say I wrest Scripture I appeal to the learned in the Languâ—ges for to them concerneth the decision of the signification of words who as I have shewed testifie with me The sixth pillar of Hell is their Arguments and Reasons they bring to prove Hell-torments which have been considered The seventh pillar of Hell is a strong Perswasion that is in men that the believing Hel-torments is a great means to leave sin and to live a holy life and the not believing Hel-torments is a means to commit all sin with greedinesse and to live as they list for they say men live as though there were no Hell Carnal hearts of men taketh offence of every thing except the Law of Workes doing to be saved the Doctrine of Eleâ—tion Gods free Grace and Salvâ—tion only and alone by Christ without Woâ—kes Rom. 4. 6. is changed to be one of the greatest Doctrines of liberty to â—in that ever was and is by the ignorant made a stumbling-block and rock of offence and a cause of carelesness in many Ludovick said if I be saved I be saved If I be damned I be damned the Papists say if good works save us not to what purpose shall we doe them then we may live as we list if we be appointed to life we shall be saved though we sin never so much if we sin we have an Advocate 1 Joh. 2. 1. not any thing can separate us from the love of God Rom. 8. if we be not appointed to life we cannot be saved though we should doe never so much good ye see how this truth is turned to wantonnesse the Apostle exhorts not to turne this grace of God into wantonness Rom. 6. 1. 15. the corrupt
Church of the East Also some of the learned say Christ descended not into hell yet it is an Article of their faith but if you say he did not descend into Hell they will say you denie the faith and are a Heretick and a Blasphemer and you may be glad if ye can scape so themselves interpret hell otherwise then for a place of torments never to end Mr. Bucer saith Christ descending into hell is to be understood of his Buriall Mr. Calvin saith Hell is the sorrow of minde Christ was in before his death why hast thou forsaken me is Gods hiding his face when he was upon the crosse saith Dr. Whitaker against Campion pag. 211. for upon the Crosse he said It is finished John 9. 30. therefore his suffering was at an end Some of the Papists confesse Christ suffered not after his death Luke 12. 42 45. Ursinus Catechis pag. 350. Mr. Perkins saith Hell is the inward sufferings of Christ on the Crosse Bernard makes the grief of Christs soul his hell Doctor Ames in his Marrow of Divinity pag. 65. saith That of the place of hel and manner of torture there the Scripture hath not pronounced any thing distinctly If so then the Word of God saith not any thing at all of them for that which the Scripture speakes it speakes distinctly else it could not have been read distinctly Neh. 3. 8. That which is spoken expresly is spoken distinctly The Spirit speakes expresly 1 Tim. 4. 1. The word of the Lord came expresly Ezek. 1. 3. That which is not spoken distinctly cannot be understood as appears 1 Cor. 14. 2 10 17. Doctor Fulk saith plainly That neither in the Hebrew Greek nor Latine there is no word proper for hell as we take hell for the place of punishment of the ungodly Fulk Defence Translation pag. 13. 87. 89. Is not this a full testimony against their Opinion of the torments of hell for if it be not to be read in the word of God what have we to do with it We are not to believe any thing in ReligioÌ„ unless it be written How readest thou saith Christ Revealed things belong to us Deu. 29. 29. As it is written I believed 2 Cor. 4. 13. They confess it is not written then sure I am it is not to be by any affirmed nor believed meddle not with things not revealed they are but groundlesse conceits fables and traditions of men That the word Hell is not in the Hebrew and Greek Bible for the word in the Hebrew for which the English word Hell is put is Sheol the proper signification of Sheol is the Grave as all that be learned in the Hebrew doe know Sheol hath its signification of Shaal to crave or require therefore it is one of the four that is never satisfied Pro. 30. 15. we learn the propriety of the Hebrew word from the learned Rabbies saith Doctor Fulk Def. Trans. Bib. p. 90. the Hebrew Doctors and Jewish Rabbies are for signification of words faithfull interpreters they say Sheol is the Grave Rabbi Levi according to the opinion of the Learned expounds Sheol to bethe lowest Region of the world opposite to Heaven If I descend into Sheol thou art present So Rabbi Abraham on Jonah 2. And David Chimchi R. Solomon read Psal. 19. 16 17. Let the wicked be turned into Sheol that is Death's estate or deadly bed Jonah calls the belly of the Whale Sheol Jon. 2. 2 3. Rabbi Solomon Jarchi on Gen. 37. 35. saith that the true and proper interpretation of Sheol is Keber which is the Grave the hoar head is said to go down Sheol Genes 42. 38. In Numb. 16. it is said They their substance and cattâ—l went alive to shoolah that is the pit or grave Our bones are scattered at the very brink or mouth of sheol Psal. 141. 7. Jacob said I will go down to my son Joseph to sheol Gen. 37. 35. The Protestant writers say sheol properly signifies the grave Doctor Fulk Answer to the preface Remist pag. 22. so also in his Defence pa. 91. Mr. Beza saith that sheol properly signifies nothing but the grave or pit Fulk saith the best of the Hebrews that either interpreted scripture or made Dictionaries Jews or Christians say sheol properly signifies the grave pag. 89. and that deliverance from the lowest hell is deliverance from the greatest danger of death so Fulk ans. Remist pag. 13. 39. 135. and so the late Annotation of the Bible interprets it and Augustine on Psal. 16. 13. for lowest hell read lowest grave and so Doctor Willet Synop. p. 1049. The Chaldee Paraphrast retaineth the word sheol and translates it the house of the grave pag. 11. 15. they interpret sheol Keburata the grave Job 21. 5. 13 14. be i th' Keburata the house of the grave p. 17. 12. Rabbi Abraham Peristsol joynes sheol and keber together both signifying the grave and so doth Doctor Fulk in his Deâ—ence pag. 91. And so Mr. Cartwright on Act. 2. 27. Mr. Gradock saith Hell is not mentioned in the Old Testament but as it is taken for the grave in his Good news pag. 43. Sheol enforces not any place of punishment because it signifieth not any place of punishment so sayes Doctour Willet Synops pag. 1055. Also he saith the word Sheol cannot bee translated but for the Grave there are four words in the Psalmes expressing the same thing in effect that Sheol doth yet none of them appliable to signifie any place of torment the first is Shacath fovea the Pit Ps. 36. 9. The second is Bhor the Lake The third is Cheber the Grave both these words used for the same thing Psal. 88. 3. the word is Sheol v. 45. the other word used as expressing the former and all these three do contain a description of Death and the Grave The fourth is Tehemoth Abyssus Terrae Thou wilt take me from the depth of the earth Psal. 71. 20. in all which there is no mention of a place of torment Willet Synop. p. 1050. The Greek translates Sheol into Haiden or Haides of Adam because Adam tasted death and went to the grave Gen. 3. 19. The gates of Sheol is death Sheol and Haides are said to have gates Isa. 38. 10. Psal. 9. 14. Mat. 16. 8. The Septuagint expresse a place generally to receive the dead the word used in the Greek instead of the Hebrew word Sheol signifies a dark place such as the grave or pit in which the dead are laid Doctor Fulk saith some take the Greek word for Hell but it signifies the Grave Hell it cannot signifie in their speech that believe no Hel the Greeks say plainly that their souls shall vanish like light smoke or light air Fulk Def. pag. 92. also he saith if the Greek and Latin Interpreters had before us translated amisse which gave occasion to divers Errours must we knowing the true signification of the word follow them The word Hell is not in the Greek the Greek word for
endlesse woe in Brimstone and Fire which thou mightest so often and easily escape which overthrows the Doctrine of Election also they say the sense of losse in hell is greater then the sence of pain So they make the sensible want of the presence of God the greatest torment in hell and that is in this life I am cast out of thy sight Psal. 31. 2. it followeth by their doctrine that the greatest torment of hell is in this life Mr. Leigh saith in his Body of Divinity the sense of Gods wrath rage of Conscience guilt fear dispair the soul cannot melt with greater torment if so then this is not a worse torment in hell then is in this life Water is so scarce in hell that Greenwood saith the damned prize a drop of water above ten Thousand worlds and yet they affirm those in hell shall continually weeg c. therefore their own sayings agree not The first Author of the opinion of the torments of hell never to end was Marcion the Heretick that held that Christ was not a man but in semblance and that there was two beginnings two Gods one good one bad that there was torments for some in hell was first invented by him he determined the reward of the creature either in torment or refreshment to be laid up for them in hell he was the first author thereof by Tertullians confession as â—aith Dr. Fulk in his Defence pag. 83 84. see and behold the Originall of your opinion of the â—orments of hell an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil Luke 6. 45. The seven pillars of Hell shaken and removed The Greek Fathers were the first pillars of Hell-torments this came to pass by reason of the ignorance of the Fathers in the Hebrew tongue their not understanding the word Sheol deceived them so saith Dr. Fulk in his Defence P. 77. The second pillar of Hell-torments were the writers of the Hebrew and Greek Copies of the Bible their defect hath put us to a great losse the original copy the Apostles wrote is not onely unknown to us but to the learned we do not heare of any alive in England that can produce the New Testament the Apostles wrote it s not enough that they say that we have books in Hebrew and Greek unlesse wee could certainly know that these copies as they call them agree word for word with those that were wrote by the Prophers and Apostles many boast of Gods preserving the Hebrew and Greek Bible amidst so many enemies as God hath beene pleased to deliver up Christ and his people so also the Scriptures into the hands of sinners to be used at their pleasure it is wonderfull to consider what adding and altering the Scriptures have been subject unto one Pope publisheth what he please for scriptures as Pope Urban the 5. and within 2 yeares after Pope Clement that succeeded him calls them in and burneth them and puts out what he pleaseth and calls it the holy scriptures if ye will believe the Testimony of the learned and godly Protestant Writers who have not been esteemed Blasphemers nor Hereticks as Dr. Fulk M Beza M. William â—erkins Dr. Amis and others Dr. Fulk saith that some Greek copies are altered it is not unlike in his answer to the Remist to the Reader pag. 43. And which is more he saith corruption hath happened to all copies this day extant in his answer to preface page 11. 15. 16. whole verses omitted in some copies as 1 Joh. 5. 7. is not in some copies nor in the Syriack which is ancient as Apostles read not this verse at all but is extant in others and that there is at least sixteen various Greek copies of the New Testament Jus Divinum pag. 66. Dr. Lightfoot saith Mr. Beza was a man that alwayes questioned the Text to see so many differing Copies would put any one to a stand which to believe Master Perkins saith it must not seem strange that words in the Margin have crept into the Text Doctour Amis saith Helps governments in the first of the Corinths 12. 8. are not in the Original he supposeth it to be done by the Prelates in favour of their Government the Preachers who call themselves Divines have assumed and challenged Divine Authority to frame all Copies and Translations and to expound all Texts according to their own mindes to maintaine their own Doctrine and Practises to uphold their Power and standing hence it is that each differing parties Translation agree not that party that would have the Magistrate punish Idolatry c. hâ—ve made a Text for it Job 31. 28. to be punished by the Judges but these words are not in the Hebrew but are an addition of their own as appears by the Bible printed in LONDON by the Assignes of John Bill in the yeare 1640. and the Geneva Bible differs from this and from the translation printed by the Stationers LONDON the English Translation hath variety of differences not without evident contrâ—dicton among divers places that might be instanced see verse 9. 18. of the seventh of Daniel in the Geneva Translation verse 9. is I beheld till the thrones were set up and in the Kings Translation printed by the Company of Stationers LONDON the same verse is I beheld till the thrones were cast downe and ver. 18. it is But Saints of the most High shall take the Kingdome and in the Geneva Translation the same verse is And they shall take the Kingdome of the Saints both cannot be true which of these is an English man to believe some say Luther added the word onely to the text being asked why he did it said he did it to make the Apostle say more plainly Faith onely justifieth Dr. Fulk defence English Translation page 80. saith we follow in our Translation as neer as we can the holy Scripture in such sense if any thing be doubtfull as the proper circumstance of the place will lead us unto that we may attain to the meaning of the holy Ghost so then it seemes if the Translator do think the holy Ghost meaneth this or that he may translate it so is not this a large liberty the Jews take no such liberty The Ministers of Lincolne Diocess in the abridgement of their grievances delivered to King James pag. 11 13 14. say that the English Translation of the Bible is a Translation that takes away from the Text and ads to the Text and that sometimes to the changeing and obscuring of the holy Ghost and Mr. Broughton the great Linguist in his Adverisement of Corruption tells the Bishops that the publick Translation of the Scriptures in the English is such as that it perverts the Text of the Old Testament in eight hundred fourty and eight places and that it causeth millions to reject the Old Testament and Dr. Feaâ—ly D. of divinity in his Dipper dipt pag. 1. saith no translation is simply authenticall or the undoubted word of God in
the present they hope to make God amends for all as an Arminian being drunk said that he was now in the state of damnation but he said he would be in the state of grace to morrow so he comforted himself The lives of many Heathens that have denyed the resurrection of the body and therefore did not hold a hell of torment after have been better then many that seek to escape Hell and get Heaven by their works 2. If fear of hell were a preserver against sin then those that are delivered from the fear of hell that believe they shall be saved they should sin more then others but we find the contrary that none more free from sin then these 3. Experience teacheth that the fear of hell though at first it startleth frighteth men yet that is soon over and is no preserver against sin I knew one set before him the the torments of Hell to keep him from sin and finding that would not do he added vows and curses to keep him from sin I knew another wished the Devil to take him soul and body if he did not doe the thing he spake of and I knew he did it not another wished he might sink into Hell presently if he did the thing he spake of yet did do it before he went from the place the reason is because the lusts of men are stronger than the fear of hell resolutions and curses 2. Because men are given up to their own hearts lusts it may be that they may find that liberty to sinne is the greatest misery and bondage in the world it hath all misery in it whether they sinne with more or lesse feare and could enjoy all the pleasures of sin for a season they will finde they have made a bad bargain of it What fruit had ye of those things whereof ye are now ashamed Rom. 6. 21. If I sin thou markest me Job 10. 14. Be sure your sinne will finde you out Numbers 32. 23. In keeping thy commands there is great reward Psal. 19. 11. in breaking them a great punishment loss of inward peace and comfort a guilty accusing conscience disgrace affliction losses crosses and death the bloody and deceitful man shall not live out half his dayes Psal. 53. 23. I will curse your blessings Mal. 2. 2. see Deut. 28. 3. Men sin beeause they are led captive by the Devil at his will 2 Tim. 3. 6. 2. 26. also men sin because they are under the Law so long as a man is under the law sin will have dominion over a man Rom. 6. 14. Sin shall not have dominion over them that are under grace 4. Men sinne because they have not received power from on high against sinne untill they receive that power they cannot but sin Thou hast led captivity captive and given gifts for men Psal. 68. 18. untill Christ by his spirit set the soul at liberty it is in bondage and enthralled to base lusts But if the son shall make you free ye shall be free indeed John 8. 36. but not till then see Eccles. 8. 11. the punishment of the Magistrates keeps men from abusing others more than fear of Hell men would be exceeding dissolute if under no Discipline of Superiours 5. Men go to sin for comfort sweetnesse and satisfaction but when satisfied they goe not to sin to act for life is no love to God nor self-deniall nor any spiritualnesse nor will it do them good it 's not accepted of God nor will it continue such so restrained oft-times do exceed all others in sin the spirituall soul that lives in the enjoyment of the love of God needs no such weights to procure its motion he acts from a new life and principle to the glory of God and good of others and in this work and labour of love is more sweetness than is in all the pleasures of sin which are but for a season It is great ignorance for any to think that it is in the power of any man to sinne as much as he will if this be proved all Objections are answered and this the Scripture proves that without the will of God men cannot do any thing not so much as go to a City unlesse God will Jam. 4. 13 15. God worketh governeth and disposeth all things after the counsel of his own will Ephesians 1. 11. 1 Ioh 5. 21. Acts 18. 21. Rom. 9. 18. Who hath resisted his will Gods will is done Luke 11. 2. Hebr. 2. 4. Eph. 1. 5. Acâ—s 13. 20. the measure of mens sins are setâ— men cannot do more nor less than their measure they fill up their measure alway 1 Thes. 2. 13 it was determined how oft Peter should deny Christ Luke 22. 31 34. wiâ—h ver. 61 64. God saith if you will believe him The wicked shall do wickedly Daniel 12. 10. they cannot cease from sin 2 Pet. 2. 14. That which is determined shall be done Dan. 11. 26. he that restraineth the clouds that they drop not down rain he made a decree for the raine Joh 28. 26. and the earth that it bring not forth grass Deut. 2. 23. He that stilleth the winds and the tempest Psal. 107 29 30. that saith to the waves of the sea Hitherto shalt thou come but no further and â—ere shall thy proud waves be stayed Job 38. 11. he râ—straineth men from doing their wills when he pleases they would go further but he restraineth them Job 18. that they cannot doe the things they had appointed to doe Genes 20. 6. 31. 24. 35. 5. 30. 10. Revelat. 20. 3 12. O Lord I know the way of man is not in himselfe it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Jerem. 10. 23. Psalm 73. Prov. 4. 12. A mans heart deviseth his way but the Lord directeth his steps Prov. 16. 9. The preparation of the heart and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord Prov. 16. 1. The heart of the King is in the hand of the Lord as the rivers of waters he turneth it whithersoever he will Prov. 12. 1. Man his dayes are determined Jo. 7. 1. 14. 5 14. and the bounds of his habitation Acts 17. 26. So are his works and sins surely the wrath of man shall praise thee and the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain Ps. 76. 10. Setting aside the opinions and conjectures of mens devised Fables I am fully satisfied with the testimony of the word of God besides their own testimony which is sufficient against themselves with which I see through the thick darkness of the inventions and traditions of men Severall Considerations that there is not to be a punishment after this life that shall never end 1. We doe not finde the place of Hell mentioned in any of the Six dayes work of God if it be a place it is a created place and so a part of the Creation of God the Whale is mentioned in Scripture if there be a place of Hell it is a greater thing and in