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FIrst that God delivers his prophesies in the way of a promise. 2. New-Testament Promises are set forth in Old Testament language. 3. That both pro∣phesies and promises, are to be taken in the largest extent. 4. That they admit of divers degrees, seasons, and manners of fulfilling. 5. That under one person or thing named, the whole series both of persons and things is to be understood. 6. God performes his promises in these
latter ages, in a way of proportion to his former glorious workings. 7. The in∣flicting of punishment, on the adversaries of his Church, is subordinate to the per∣formance of his promise to his people. 8. That the time of fulfilling Prophesies and Promises, and working great changes, is at or before the coming of Christ.
Before we come to the particulars which we intend to insist upon; give me leave first, for the better understanding of the matter and the Scriptures produced, to lay down these eight Considerations.
God delivers his Prophesies, in the way of a Promise. Prophesies are the foretelling * 1.1of things that shall come to passe in their * 1.2proper times. God cannot speak to his Saints but in away of love; his foretel∣ing things to come, tells you how he loves them. Our God is a God of power and grace: and promises are the engage∣ments of both: The Father worketh, and Christ worketh, for his peoples special good: and you have them both at work in performing prophetical promises.
The prophesie of Christ his coming in the flesh, its in the way of a promise, Isa. * 1.39. 6▪ Ʋnto us a Childe is borne, unto us a Son is given: faith in the promise, speaks him born and given, although this was a long while after, Isa. 7. 14. The Lord himselfe shall give you a signe. Behold a Virgin shall conceive: which is rendred in the Gospel
* 1.4 of Matthew by t••o words: one is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, tha•• which was spoken holding out the pro∣ph••si••; for Isaiah is called a Prophet, and his speaking is prophetical speaking: for it was sp••ken of the Lord by him. The other word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that it might be ful∣filled, holds out the performance of that promise, which is, when the event an∣swers and makes up what was in the pro∣mise.
That proph••sie that the Gospel should shine on the darke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 entiles, is in the way * 1.5of a promise, Isa. 9. 2. So in Hag. 2. 7. (the prophesie we intend to open in the next Chapter) Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, is by the Author to the Hebrews rendred Heb. 12. 26. Now he hath promised: spoken by way of promise 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And the ground of this is, the overflowings of Gods love, which cannot speak of things a farre off, but withal▪ tells you, how he is, and will be engaged about them; what doth concern the present time, is too narrow to expresse his love, and therefore he speaks it out in things that are to come.
* 1.6 New Testament promises are declared in Old Testament language. Thus the erecting of Gospel Churches, the new edition and reformation of them, is called in a phrase of the Old Testament, a Temple, Rev. 11. 1. John is bid to measure the Temple, when he speaks of Gospel Churches.
The happy state of the Church is ter∣med by a Jewish phrase The Tabernacle of God among men, Rev. 21. 3. signifying * 1.7the glorious state of Gospel times: and thus in the place afore named, filling the house with glory, implyes the same thing.
Babylon was of old an enemy to Israel, and the great enemies in Gospel-times are called Babylon also; and the destructi∣on of those enemies in Gospel-times, is termed the fall of Babylon, Rev. 14. 8. * 1.8
The Visions concerning Church af∣fairs are now, and so formerly in the Prophets, expressed by Angels, Horses, Trumpets, Women: and as they agree in the instructing language, so in the promising language also; and the reason, why our promises are thus express••d, may be,
1. Because the same spirit breaths in both the T••staments, Old as well as New. To them was the Gospel preached, Heb. 4. 2. * 1.9as well as to us: no marvel then, if the promises be in the same, language.
2. God would have the Gentiles to know his heart is now as full to them, as it was to his Israel of old; and therefore he speaks to them in the same language he spake to Israel.
3. God will have his ancient people, the Jewes whom he will convert, to understand his love fully; which that they may the better do, he speaks unto them in his & their own proper language.
That these Promises and Prophesies are to * 1.10be taken in the largest extent, in the letter and * 1.11mystery, according to the scope of the place and Analogie of faith▪Thus.
Babylons falling, Rev. 14. meanes that the Seat, Power, Doctrine, Subjects, and all, are ready to tumble down. Pro∣mises and prophesies hold out the raised∣nesse of Gods wisdom and love, and there∣fore must be of large extent: They speak to, and of all persons, times and conditi∣ons, therefore must be large. Prophesies contain largnesse of wisdom and know∣ledge, and promises largenesse of, love: and therefore there must be a largenesse of expression to hold them forth. When God said unto Jacob, Gen. 32. 9, 13. I will * 1.12do th••e good: Jacob understood it largly; for he turnes it into an argument of prayer, and twice repeats it: Litteral sense doth not undermine the mystery, nor that overthrow the litteral sense: Gods promises are suitable to his com∣mands, keeping pace with them; they are conjoyned as Arteries and Veines in the body; Now the commands are excee∣ding large, Psal. 119. 96. and so are the * 1.13promises. Math. 5. 28. tells from our Sa∣viour, that looking and lusting is committing Adultery: and the promise of giving Christ includes in Pauls arguing, the gi∣ving of all other good things, Rom. 8. 32.
The spirit hath framed up Faith with a
large make and frame; and promises are for our faith in the largenesse of it; and so must be large also. Prophesies and promises are expressions of Gods minde: Now we must not limite the holy One of Israel, but take him in the fullnesse of his expressions.
* 1.14 That these Prophesies and Promises admit of divers Degrees, Seasons and Manner of * 1.15fulfilling; thus, Hos. 11. 1. I called my Son out of Egypt was truly made good when Moses brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt; for Israel was Gods sonne, but it had a farther degree of fulfilling in * 1.16Christ, Math. 2. 15.
* 1.17 Jer. 31. 15. concerning Rachels weep∣ing, Bis hic locus impletus est: The place was twice fulfilled, saith Musculus. Rachel was the Mother of Benjamin, and so the mother of the Benjamites, the Tribe that kept close to the house of David: She was buried neer Bethlehem and is put to denote the whole Land of Judah, which was in a mourning condition at the time when they were carried away captive, and then Rachel is said to weep: and more∣over * 1.18when the children are slaine in Beth∣lehem, she weeps again, Mat. 2. 17.
* 1.19 Isa. 53. 4. Surely he hath borne our greifes, was fulfilled in the sorrow that fell on the person of the Lord as Mediator, as one in our roome and stead; that is one manner of fulfilling: but is not all.
* 1.20 Mat. 8. 17. Its brought in as a ground of healing the sicke and casting out of evil spi its.
* 1.21 Psal. 78. 2. The Prophet Asaph is said to open his mouth in a Parable: but it's ap∣plyed to Christ, and his preaching, Mat. 13. 35.
* 1.22 Zach. 11. 12. Speaking about the thirty pieces of Silver: it was true of Zacharie, and their ignoble dealing with him, as with a base labourer, allotting so meane a price to a faithful Prophet; but fulfilled farther in that thirty pieces for which Ju∣das * 1.23sold his Master, Mat. 27. 9.
Psal. 22. 18. They parted my garments amongst them: it possibly may be verified in David. Omnia in Davidem convenire pos∣s••nt, as Arias M••ntanus saith; David his destroyers being confident that he could not return, they fell upon the spoile; but * 1.24tis fully performed in Christ, Joh. 19. 23.
Isa. 61. 1. He hath sent me to preach li∣berty * 1.25to the captives, was made good in the person of the Prophet Isaiah, preaching about their freedom from the Babylonish Captivity, though more fully in Christ, * 1.26Luke 4. 21.
Psal. 41. 9. My own familiar friend which * 1.27eat bread at my Table. It's true of Davids Courtiers: performed also in Judas a∣gainst Christ, John 13. 14.
* 1.28 Isa. 53. 1. Who hath believed our report? * 1.29The speech relates to the Prophet in his
time, but not onely to the Prophet; for it agrees to Christ as appears, John 12. 38. * 1.30I shall conclude this position with what I learned many years a goe, from transcri∣bed * 1.31Notes of a precious servant of Christ now at rest.
The least degree of the performing a promise being manifested, the promise therein may be truly said to be perform∣ed, although not in the highest extent of it: Whereupon it is remarkable how in the Gospels, and Acts of the Apostles, when any personal thing or individual act is mentioned, as that in Mat. 2. 17. (the * 1.32place above named) about Rachel, the holy Ghost useth a word which signifies accomplishment, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Then was ful∣filled that which was spoken. But when promises are mentioned, which have re∣ference to the Church, as Acts 2. 16. then * 1.33its thus expressed, This is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: he doth not say, it was fulfilled, but it was spoken: it had a true performance, but not the accomplishment.
* 1.34 That under one person or thing named a whole series both of persons and things is to be * 1.35understood. See this plainly in the great promise, Rom. 9. 7. In Isaac shall thy seed be called. In the eight verse of the same Chapter, The children of the promise are counted for the seed. When we read of the enemies of the Church, which some∣times
are called Hornes, by them he means all the powers that are pushing at Jesus Christ and his interest: The Vial on the Throne of the Beast mentioned Rev. 16. 10. although it meane eminently the * 1.36City of Rome; yet withal it may take in all those places wherein the superstitions of Antichrist, have been more especially exercised, as Bishops Palaces, Cathedrals, Monasteries, Priories, Deanes and Chap∣ters houses, and such like places.
* 1.37 God performes his promises, in these lat∣ter dayes, in a way of proportion and corre∣spondency, with his former glorious workings * 1.38for his people. Thus most expresly Hagg. 2. 5. its said, According as I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: where its plain that God engageth himselfe to them now when they were building of the Tem∣ple, * 1.39according to his dealing with them when they were to be delivered out of Egypt. Thus in the Visions of the Prophet John, Antichrist is called Egypt; and their waters are turned into blood, and that by the * 1.40wittnesses, Rev. 11. 6. in correspondence with what God did by Moses, Exod. 7. 19.
Israel in Egypt cryed Exod. 2. 23. and so do the souls under the Altar, Lord, Lord, how long, holy and true, dost thou not judge and revenge our blood, on them that dwell on the earth? Rev. 6. 10.
He drowned the Egyptians in the red Sea,
Exod. 14. 27. and now hath his wayes, it may be Sea-fights, to drown his ene∣mies, as it was in the years, 1588, and 1639, and at other times since: I shall conclude this position with that saying of the Prophet, Micah, 7. 15. where God promiseth to his Church his goodnesse * 1.41in these words: According to the dayes of thy coming out of the Land of Egypt will •• shew unto him marvelous things. * 1.42
That the inflicting of judgement, on the adversaries of the Church, is subordinate to * 1.43the performance of his promises to his people. The shaking vengeance on the Nations, is but to make way for the good of Gods people. Gods creatures are precious to him as he is their Creator; and surely he would never destroy them, but in re∣lation to a greater, farther and better good, then their destruction can be evil. This is plain in Isa. 10. 12. The visiting of * 1.44the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high looks, is in a way of inflict∣ing judgement on him but its brought in as subservient to the performing of his whole work on Mount Sion: that was the maine thing driven at. * 1.45
* 1.46 That the time of fulfilling prophesies and promises, and working great turnes, is at or before the coming of Christ. Thus in Hag. 2. 6. I will shake the heaven, when is that? it follows immediatly; The desire of all Nations shall come:
The coming of Christ in the flesh, was eminently the fulfilling of many prophe∣sies and promises, as you may read in the constant course of the Gospel: His com∣ing then likewise produced great turnes and changes, Mat. 2. 3. Herod the King was troubled and all Jerusalem with him: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Herod and Jerusalem, the King and all the people, are troubled. He troubles the chiefe Priests, and Pharisees, and Counsels, John, 11. 47. what doe we doe? This man doth many Miracles. And when Christ shall come again, you shall have more turnes. All the promises are in him and for him; no marvel then if their performances, and his appearance come together. The down-fall of the Man of sin is the making good of many promises, but that is said to be by the brigh••nesse of his coming. 2 Thess. 2. 8. Then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightnesse of his coming.
Prop. 1.
Prophesies 〈…〉〈…〉 ed, in way of a promise.
Isa. 9. 6.
Mat. 1. 22.
Isa. 9. 2.
Rev. 21. 3.
Rev. 14. 8.
Heb. 4. 2.
Prop. 3.
Pro▪ and Proph. to betaken in the largest senser.
Gen. 32. 9, 13.
Psal. 119. 96.
Prop. 4.
Mat. 2. 15.
Jer. 31. 15.
Mat. 2. 17.
Isa. 53. 4.
Mat. 8. 17.
Psal. 78. 2. Math. 13. 35.
Zach. 11. 12.
Math. 27. 9 Psal. 22. 18.
Joh. 19. 23.
Isa. 61. 1.
Luke 4. 21
Psal. 41. 9.
Joh. 13. 14.
Isa. 53. 1.
Joh. 12. 38.
Master Tempest Wood.
Mat. 2. 17.
Acts 2. 16.
Prop. 5.
Rev. 16. 1.
Prop. 6.
They cor∣respond with for∣mer glo∣rious workings.
Hag. 2. 5.
Rev. 11. 6.
Mic. 7. 15.
Prop. 7.
Inflicting of judge∣ments subordi∣nate to Promises.
Isa. 10. 12.
Prop. 8.
Christ coming is the time of fulfil∣ling pro. & proph.