A44699:36
The vanity of this mortal life, or, Of man, considered only in his present…
The vanity of this mortal life, or, Of man, considered only in his present mortal state by J. Howe ...
London: printed by A. Maxwell for Sa. Gellibrand, 1673
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And now since it is evident God intended a mystery in this Covenant, we may be as well assured he intended no deceit, and that he designed not a delusion to David by the vision in which he gave it. Can we think he went about to gratify him with a solemn fiction, and draw him into a false and fanciful faith; or so to hide his meaning from him, as to tempt him into the belief of what he never meant? And to what purpose was this so special Revelation by vision, if it were not to be understood truly, at least, if not yet perfectly and fully? It is left us therefore to collect, that David was not wholly uninstructed how to refer all this to the Kingdom of the Messiah. And he hath given sufficient testimony in that part of Sacred Writ whereof God used him ⟨p. 10⟩as Pen-man, that he was of another temper than to place the sum and chief of his expectations, and consolations, in his own and his posterities worldly greatness. And to put us out of doubt,1 our Saviour (who well knew his Spirit) expressly enough tells us, that he in spirit called him Lord; 2when he said, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, till I make thy enemies thy foot-stool. A plain discovery how he understood God's revelation touching the future-concernments of his Kingdom (and the Covenant relating thereto) viz. as a figure and type of Christs, who must reign till all his enemies be subdued.
And now since it is evident God intended a mystery in this Covenant, we may be as well assured he intended no deceit, and that he designed not a delusion to David by the vision in which he gave it. Can we think he went about to gratifie him with a solemn fiction, and draw him into a false and fanciful faith; or so to hide his meaning from him, as to tempt him into the belief of what he never meant? And to what purpose was this so special Revelation by vision, if it were not to be understood truly, at least, if not yet perfectly and fully? It is left us therefore to collect, that David was not wholly uninstructed how to refer all this to the Kingdom of the Messiah. And he hath given sufficient testimony in that part of Sacred Writ wher•of God used him ⟨p. 10⟩