A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

Doct. True Antiquity in all Doctrines of the Apostles or Ministers, is that which fetches its original from the beginning.

1 That which hath had its original from old times, is not always safe, as we see, Mat. 5.27. & 35. and yet this doth not make it true Antiquity, because it was not from the beginning, Joh. 8.44. the Devil had his lying from the beginning, but it was not from the first beginning, for he was not created a liar, but he made himself so.

1 That which hath had its original from old times, is not alwayes safe, as we see, Mat. 5.27. & 35. and yet this doth not make it true Antiquity, because it was not from the beginning, Joh. 8.44. the Devil had his lying from the beginning, but it was not from the first beginning, for he was not created a lyar, but he made himself so.

But the true Antiquity is twofold.

2 That which fetcheth its beginning from God, though it were of later times, for he is Alpha and Omega, Rev. 1.8. the beginning and end of all things.

2 That which fetcheth its beginning from God, though it were of later times, for hee is Alpha and Omega, Rev. 1.8. the beginning and end of all things.

Rea. 1 From the nature of all evil, which is an aberration from the first good Estate, if any corruption be in marriage, as polygamy, or adultery; from the beginning it was not so, if the Devil be a liar, from the beginning he was not so.

Rea. 1 From the nature of all evill, which is an aberration from the first good Estate, if any corruption be in marriage, as polygamy, or adultery; from the beginning it was not so, if the Devill be a lyar, from the beginning he was not so.

2 From the nature of Truth and good things that come from God, they have the nature of God stamped on them, and as he is the ancient of days, so is that good; as Baptism and the Lords Supper, though they were not in the World before Christs coming in the flesh, yet being from God, they have true Antiquity, they are derived from the ancient of days.

2 From the nature of Truth and good things that come from God, they have the nature of God stamped on them, and as he is the ancient of dayes, so is that good; as Baptisme and the Lords Supper, though they were not in the World before Christs coming in the flesh, yet being from God, they have true Antiquity, they are derived from the ancient of dayes.

Use 1 It discovers the vanity of the Popish allegation of Antiquity, they will bring you a thousand years alas, many errors concerning circumcision, and the denial of the Resurrection, have been of six thousand years standing, yet that is nothing; it was not from the beginning; that is true Doctrine which was from the beginning, or else from God immediately, all other Antiquity is but vain; therefore when the Papists pretend Antiquity, truly if it be not as ancient as the Ancient of days, if it come not from him, it is not true Antiquity; they will tell you that these Feasts that we celebrate in memory of Christs Nativity have great Antiquity, some four hundred years after Christs time, but it is but as yesterday, if it come not from Christ or the Apostles, for he hath revealed his whole mind in Christ, Heb. 1, 2. so that what comes not from Christ is vain; Ignatius saith, my Antiquity is Christ.

Ʋse 1 It discovers the vanity of the Popish allegation of Antiquity, they will bring you a thousand years alas, many errors concerning circumcision, and the denyall of the Resurrection, have been of six thousand years standing, yet that is nothing; it was not from the beginning; that is true Doctrin which was from the beginning, or else from God immediately, all other Antiquity is but vain; therefore when the Papists pretend Antiquity, truly if it be not as ancient as the Ancient of dayes, if it come not from him, it is not true Antiquity; they will tell you that these Feasts that we celebrate in memory of Christs Nativity have great Antiquity, some four hundred years after Christs time, but it is but as yesterday, if it come not from Christ or the Apostles, for he hath revealed his whole minde in Christ, Heb. 1, 2. so that what comes not from Christ is vain; Ignatius saith, my Antiquity is Christ.

Use 2 To show the ungrounded confidence of Scholars in the Fathers, if it come from the Fathers, it sinks deeply, truly if it have no higher rise than the Fathers, it is too young a device, no other writings besides the Scripture can plead true Antiquity; what ever it be, if it come not from Christ, or the first Institution, it is too late, because it is not the same we have had from the beginning, and indeed there is just cause to suspect them.

Ʋse 2 To shew the ungrounded confidence of Schollars in the Fathers, if it come from the Fathers, it sinks deeply, truly if it have no higher rise than the Fathers, it is too young a device, no other writings besides the Scripture can plead true Antiquity; what ever it be, if it come not from Christ, or the first Institution, it is too late, because it is not the same we have had from the beginning, and indeed there is just cause to suspect them.

1 Many of them had no skill in the original, and therefore must see by other mens eyes, by translations, for few knew the meaning of the Scripture in the original, none knew the Hebrew, but Jerome and Origen.

1 Many of them had no skill in the original, and therefore must see by other mens eyes, by translations, for few knew the meaning of the Scripture in the original, none knew the Hebrew, but Jerom and Origen.

2 Most of them were converted from heathenism, and so brought in many errors, as purgatory, and festivals, &c. which the Papists take from them.

2 Most of them were converted from heathenisme, and so brought in many errors, as purgatory, and festivals, &c. which the Papists take from them.

3 They lived in such times, wherein many said they had their Doctrine from the Apostles mouth, as one said, Antichrist should be a Jew, and live at Jerusalem, and saith he, was Johns Disciple, a gross error, and from him came Peters supremacy.

3 They lived in such times, wherein many said they had their Doctrin from the Apostles mouth, as one said, Antichrist should be a Jew, and live at Jerusalem, and saith he, was Johns Disciple, a grosse error, and from him came Peters supremacy.

4 They lived in those days when Popery came in, when the bottomless Pit was opened, and Frogs arose; but later Writers lived when these were dispelled, therefore take heed of them, not but that many spake very well, yet there is a great difference.

4 They lived in those days when Popery came in, when the bottomlesse Pit was opened, and Froggs arose; but later Writers lived when these were dispelled, therefore take heed of them, not but that many spake very well, yet there is a great difference.

5 Observe generally, God did not give them the Spirit of Interpretation, but weakly, and if they wanted such a spirit, how could they open the Scriptures? whereas later Writers had a clearer discerning, therefore it will be of more use to read wholesome later Writers.

5 Observe generally, God did not give them the Spirit of Interpretation, but weakly, and if they wanted such a spirit, how could they open the Scriptures? whereas later Writers had a clearer discerning, therefore it will bee of more use to read wholsome later Writers.

Use 3 To teach Christians what kind of life and manners to take up; you will say you love not new-fanglednesse, why then, Vive moribus antiquis, utter verbis presentibus; live ancient lives; your obedience must be swayed by an old rule, walk in the old way, walk not in ways of Superstition, of Covetousness, of vanity, of uncleanness, every sin is a novelty, though it be never so old a custom.

Ʋse 3 To teach Christians what kinde of life and manners to take up; you will say you love not new-fanglednesse, why then, Vive moribus antiquis, utere verbis presentibus; live antient lives; your obedience must be swayed by an old rule, walk in the old way, walk not in ways of Superstition, of Covetousnesse, of vanity, of uncleannesse, every sin is a novelty, though it be never so old a custom.

This Old Commandment is the Word that they had from the beginning.