Troposchemmalogia: Tropes and figures; or, A treatise of the metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes, &c. contained in the Bible of the Old and New Testament To which is prefixed, divers arguments to prove the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures wherein also 'tis largely evinced, that by the great whore, mystery Babylon is meant the Papal hierarchy, or present state and church of Rome. Philologia sacra, the second part. Wherein the schemes, or figures in Scripture, are reduced under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Together with a treatise of types, parables, &c. with an improvement of them parallel-wise. By B. KTroposchēmalogia: Tropes and figures; or, A treatise of the metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes, &c. contained in the Bible of the Old and New Testament To which is prefixed, divers arguments to prove the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures wherein also 'tis largely evinced, that by the great whore, mystery Babylon is meant the Papal hierarchy, or present state and church of Rome. Philologia sacra, the second part. Wherein the schemes, or figures in Scripture, are reduced under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Together with a treatise of types, parables, &c. with an improvement of them parallel-wise. By B. K
Benjamin Keach 1640–1704London: printed by John Darby, 1682
[12], xvi, 436, 48, 437-444 p. · 337k words · Wing K101A · ESTC R7039
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.
V. The sweet and admirable Agreement, Consent, Dependence, and Harmony,1 that we find in all and every part of Scripture, tho there are so many Books thereof, written by so many different Persons, of various Conditions, many Ages removed, in several Places, and in different Languages, yet all agreeing with each other, and every part with the whole, which could not be foreseen or contrived by any humane Wisdom or Cunning, in the writing of any one Part: For all the Histories, Prophecies, Promises, Types, and Doctrines, in an orderly Connection, tend to promote the same Thing; and every Age proves a fresh Interpreter, and reveals to us more and more of this admirable Concord, which could not be the Effect of humane Artifice, nor of any other Cause, but an infinite Comprehension and Fore-sight, and that the several Writers of this Book were in all Times guided in what they wrote by the Supreme Wisdom of that one God, who is always constant to himself, and the same yesterday, to day, and for ever.
V. The sweet and admirable Agreement, Consent, Dependence, and Harmony,1 that we find in all and every part of Scripture, tho there are so many Books thereof, written by so many different Persons, of various Conditions, many Ages remov'd, in several Places, and in different Languages, yet all agreeing with each other, and every part with the whole, which could not be foreseen or contriv'd by any humane Wisdom or Cunning, in the writing of any one Part: For all the Histories, Prophecies, Promises, Types, and Doctrines, in an orderly Connection, tend to promote the same Thing; and every Age proves a fresh Interpreter, and reveals to us more and more of this admirable Concord, which could not be the Effect of humane Artifice, nor of any other Cause, but an infinite Comprehension and Fore-sight, and that the several Writers of this Book were in all Times guided in what they wrote by the Supreme Wisdom of that one God, who is always constant to himself, and the same yesterday, to day, and for ever.
VI. This further appears from the Credit and Sincerity of those that were the Pen-men.1 If the Scriptures were not what they pretend to be, viz. the Word of God, and dictated to the Writers thereof by his holy Spirit, it would be the greatest Affront to the Divine Majesty, and the grossest Cheat towards Mankind, that ever was put upon the World. But if we consider the Pen-men thereof, we shall find them all of undoubted Credit, generally esteemed holy and good Men in the Ages they lived in, so no way to be suspected of Imposture. Some of them were Kings, and of the deepest Learning, not likely to be guilty of such a mean-spirited Baseness, as Lying and Forgery. Many of the Prophets, and most of the Apostles were Men illiterate, of Parts and Education so mean, that of themselves they seem no way capable to write so profoundly, or lay so deep a Contrivance for deluding the World. And as 'tis incredible, that so many Men, of such distant Times, Qualities, and Abilities, should all agree in the same Imposture, and so harmonize in promoting it; so neither could any Interest or Ambition prompt them thereunto: For as the main Tendency of this Book is, to mortify Mens Ambitions and Lusts; so most of them exposed themselves, by publishing these Writings, to great Hazards and Persecutions. Nor have several of them been shy to record the great Failings and Imperfections of themselves, or their Brethren. Thus Moses (a)relates his own Infidelity, ⟨p. vi⟩and Averseness to submit to the extraordinary Call of God. In another place(b), he records the Shame of his Distrustfulness, or at least the Carnality of his Conceit or Apprehension of the Power of God. Again,(c) he inserts God's heavy Sentence, and the Ground thereof, against him. The same Moses did not set up any of his own Posterity to succeed him in the Guidance of Israel, but left Joshua to succeed him, &c. and placed the Kingly Superiority over that People in another Tribe from his own, viz. the Tribe of Judah. Indeed, throughout the whole Book there is a visible Antipathy to all self-seeking Flattery or Compliance: God alone is exalted, and all Mens Persons, Actions, and Reputations are laid in the Dust, in respect of his Honour, and the Truths therein delivered. Besides, these very Writers appear themselves to be under a subjection to the Doctrine they taught, and no way Masters of it, as their own.
All which plainly shows, that they were inspired from above, and wrote not their own Words, or for their own Honour, but as inspired, and for the Honour of God.
All which plainly shews, that they were inspired from above, and wrote not their own Words, or for their own Honour, but as inspired, and for the Honour of God.
1VII. Another Demonstration or Proof, that the Scriptures are from God, is the exact and punctual fulfilling of the Prophecies therein contained. To foretell Events, is the Prerogative of God:(d) Let them bring forth, (saith God, the Lord, expostulating with his People about the Vanity of Idols) and show us, [What shall happen]: Show us the Things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are Gods. Now the Body of the Scriptures is enlivened with the Spirit of Prophecy (almost) throughout. That of Jacob, recorded by Moses, (e)That the Sceptre should not depart from Judah, nor a Law-giver from between his Feet until Shiloh come; and to him shall the gathering of the People be: was not completely fulfilled till well near two thousand Years after, tho made good during a great part of that Time, viz. from the Entrance of the Tribe of Judah upon the Government, in King David, until the going of it out again in the Person of Hircanus, whom Herod slew, as Josephus testifies. But when the Time appointed was expired, the Prophecy it self was completely fulfilled: For when Herod, a Stranger, and of another Nation, had cut off the House and Line of Judah from the Government of Jewry, then and at that Time Shiloh, the long-expected Messiah, our Lord Christ, punctually came into the World: for that by Shiloh is meant the Messiah, the Jewish Rabbis do not deny. Now at the Time of Jacob's uttering these Words, there was little probability, that any of his Posterity should have a Sceptre, or any Kingly Power, being poor, few, and in a strange Land: Or, if they should thrive so, as to become a Kingdom, or Nation, why should Judah have the Government, seeing there were three elder Brothers, Reuben, Simeon, and Levi? Nor was there likelihood of this Prophecy's being accomplished, when Moses set it down in Writing; for then he himself (who was of the Tribe of Levi) was in the actual Possession of the Government, and put into it by God himself, who appointed for his Successor, Joshua, not of the Tribe of Judah, but of Ephraim. Whence we have a notable Evidence of the Truth and Sincerity of this Prediction; for had not Jacob really uttered it, we cannot imagine Moses would have put such a Prophecy in Writing, to the disparagement of his own Tribe. How accurately are the four great Monarchies of the World described by Daniel?
(f)so lively, as if he had lived under them, and had that experience of them all respectively, which the World hath since had of them. How wonderful is that Prophecy of Isaiah, at the end of his 44th, and the beginning of the 45th Chapter, touching Cyrus, delivered at least an hundred Years (some say, two hundred) before he was born, wherein yet he is not only expressly named, Thus saith the Lord to his Anointed Cyrus; but it is foretold, he should conquer Babylon, and rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem: which came to pass accordingly. Nor can this Prophecy be suspected of Forgery, or to be supposititious in any kind, since it was pronounced openly, as other Prophecies were, in the hearing of all the People, and so divulged into many hands, before the Captivity, and then also carried into Babylon, where no doubt it was perused by many, long before the accomplishment of it. And that there was such a Man as Cyrus many Years afterwards, that conquered Babylon, and restored the Jews from their Captivity, and furthered the Building of the Temple, all Heathen Authors, that write of those Times, do affirm. And indeed one great Inducement of his Kindness to the Jews, was, because he understood how his Successes had been thus prophesied of, so long before, by one of that Nation. So that it appears the said Prophecy was then publicly known, and its Truth and Authentickness no way doubted of. How manifestly are the many Prophecies of the Old-Testament, concerning our Saviour, fulfilled? And how dreadfully his Prophecy of the Destruction of Jerusalem, was made good about forty Years after his Crucifixion, we find in the History of Josephus, exactly corresponding to what is foretold in Mat. 24. And ⟨p. vii⟩how many other Prophecies of the New-Testament, and especially of the Revelations, do we daily find Verified in and by the Apostasy, and wicked Usurpations of the Church of Rome? Since therefore to foretell so plainly, Particulars and Events so remote, and depending on the mere Motions and Acts of the Wills of particular Persons, yet unborn, is an evident Mark of Omniscience; we cannot but conclude, that the Scriptures, which are filled with so many evident and certain Predictions, must certainly proceed from the Finger of God.
VIII. Those Writings, and that Doctrine,1 which were confirmed by many and real Miracles, must needs be of God: But the Books and Doctrines of Canonical Scriptures were so confirmed. Many and great Wonders, such as Satan himself cannot imitate, such as exceed the Power of any, yea, of all the Creatures in the World; such as the most malicious Enemies could not deny to be divine, hath the Lord openly wrought by the hands of Moses, and the Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles, for the Confirmation of this Truth.(g) These Miracles are recorded and attested by Persons of unquestionable Credit, that were Eye and Ear-Witnesses. The Things done, as raising the Dead to Life, curing the Blind, &c. were Matters of Fact, easy to be discerned. They were not done once or twice, but very often; not in the Night, or in a Corner, but in the open Light, in the midst of the People, in the presence of great Multitudes, who were generally Enemies to those that wrought these Miracles: So that if the Relations of them were false, they would presently have disproved them; or if there had been any Deceit, they would soon have detected it.
When God puts forth his Miracle-working Power,1 in the Confirmation of any Word or Doctrine, he avows it to be of and from himself, to be absolutely and infallibly true; setting the fullest and openest Seal unto it, which Men, who cannot discern his Essence or Being, are capable of receiving or discerning. And therefore when any Doctrine, which in it self is such as becometh the Holiness and Righteousness of God, is confirmed by the Emanation of his Divine Power in working of Miracles, there can no greater Assurance, even by God himself, be given to confirm the Truth of it.
And as we have the Testimony of the Evangelists, to confirm the many Miracles that Jesus did; we also plead the Notoriety of those Miracles wrought by him, and the Traditions delivering them down to us: They were openly wrought, and were all or most of them performed before the Eyes of Multitudes, who envied, hated, and persecuted him, and that in the most knowing Days of the World, when Reason and Learning had improved the Light of the Minds of Men to the utmost of their Capacity; in and upon Multitudes, for sundry Years together, being all of them sifted by his Adversaries, to try if they could discover any thing of Deceit in them.
And as we have the Testimony of the Evangelists, to confirm the many Miracles that Jesus did; we also plead the Notoriety of those Miracles wrought by him, and the Traditions delivering them down to us: They were openly wrought, and were all or most of them perform'd before the Eyes of Multitudes, who envied, hated, and persecuted him, and that in the most knowing Days of the World, when Reason and Learning had improved the Light of the Minds of Men to the utmost of their Capacity; in and upon Multitudes, for sundry Years together, being all of them sifted by his Adversaries, to try if they could discover any thing of Deceit in them.
Besides, the very Enemies have not had the impudence to deny such notorious Matters of Fact, as our Saviour's Miracles;1 only they ascribe them to other Causes. Even to this Day, the Jews acknowledge much of the Works of Christ, but slanderously and blasphemously father them on the Power of the Devil, or upon the Force of the Name of God sowed up in his Thigh; and such like ridiculous Stories they have. Even the Turks confess much of the Miracles of our Lord, and believe him to be a great Prophet, though they are profest Enemies to the Christian Name. Nor could all the Adversaries of these Miracles and Relations, with all their Arguments or Violence, hinder Thousands from believing them, and even exposing their Lives on that Belief, in the very Time and Country where they were done. So that we must say, Either they were Miracles, or not: If they were, why do you not believe? If they were not, behold the greatest Miracle of all, that so many Thousands (even of the Beholders) should be so blind, as to believe Things that never were, especially in those very Times, when it was the easiest Matter in the World to have disproved such Falsehoods. Indeed the Miracles of Jesus, and those of his Disciples and Servants, in the Primitive Times, were in Fact so many, so eminent, so visible, and lasted so long, (for they continued in the Church two or three hundred Years) and the Account of them has descended down to us by such a constant, uninterrupted written and unwritten Tradition, that scarce any Man has assumed Impudence enough to gainsay them. Irenaeus (who lived about the Year of our Lord 200) affirmeth, that in his Time the working of Miracles, the raising of the Dead, the casting out of Devils, healing the Sick by mere laying on of Hands, and Prophesying, were still in force; and that some that were so raised from the Dead, remained alive amongst them long after. And Cyprian and Tertullian mention the ordinary casting out of Devils, and challenge the Heathen to come and see it. Remarkable ⟨p. viii⟩are those Words of the latter,(h) Let any one be brought before your Tribunals, who is apparently possessed with a Devil, that Spirit, being commanded by any Christian, shall confess of truth himself to be a Devil, as at other Times he boasts himself a God. And in his Book to Scapula, the Procurator of Afric, Cap. 4. he repeats several miraculous Cures done by Christians:
Quanti honesty viri, &c. How many Persons of good Quality and Esteem, says he, (for we speak not of the Vulgar Sort) have been remedied either from Devils or Diseases? Severus himself, the Father of Antoninus, was recovered by Christians, &c. So that here we have the best Doctrine under the highest Attestation, God himself setting thereunto his supernatural Seals, to convince us of the Truth thereof. And this was the great Argument, whereby Christ all along convinced the World; for upon his beginning of Miracles, at Cana in Galilee, he manifested his Glory, and his Disciples believed in him(i). The Jews therefore enquired for Signs, as that which must confirm any new Revelation to be of God(k). And tho Christ blames them for their unreasonable unsatisfied Expectations herein, and would not humour them in each Particular; yet he continued to give them Miracles as great as they desired. They that saw the Miracles of the Loaves, said, This is of a truth the Prophet that should come into the World(l). Many believed, when they saw the Miracles which he did(m). If I had not done the Works that no Man else could do, ye had not had Sin (in not believing)(n). And the Way of bringing Men to believe in these Days is expressed, Heb. 2.3, 4. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great Salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those that heard him, [There is the Evidence of Sense to the first Receivers, and their Tradition to the next] God also bearing them witness, both with Signs and Wonders, and divers Miracles? Let us conclude this Argument with that smart Interrogation of that blind Man,(o) Can a Man that is a Sinner do such Miracles? Natural Reason showing us, that God being the true and merciful Governor of the World, the Course of Nature cannot be altered, but by his special Appointment; and that he will never set the Seal of his Omnipotency to a Lie, nor suffer the last and greatest Inducement to Belief, to be used to draw Men to embrace Falsehood and Forgeries.
1IX. To these astonishing Miracles we may fitly add, the Preservation of these holy Writings for so many Ages, being it self little less than miraculous, and such as is a great Argument, that they belong to God, as the Author and Parent of them: It being reasonable to derive that from God, as a Book of his own Dictates, about which he has exercised a peculiar Care. Were not the Bible what it pretends to be, there had been nothing more suitable to the Nature of God, and more becoming Divine Providence, than long since to have blotted it out of the World: For why should he suffer a Book to continue from the beginning of Times, falsely pretending his Name and Authority? How do learned Men accuse Time of Injuries, for swallowing up the Works of many excellent Authors! and bewail the Loss of divers of Livy's Decades, and other choice Books, which are now no where to be found! Nay, tho the Romans were so careful for the preservation of the Books of the Sibyls, that they locked them up in Places of greatest Safety, and appointed special Officers to look after them; yet many Ages since they are gone and perished, and only some few Fragments do now remain. Whereas on the contrary, the Bible, notwithstanding part of it was the first Book in the World, (as we proved in the second Argument) and tho the Craft of Satan, and the Rage of Mankind, have from time to time combined utterly to suppress it; yet it has born up its Head, and remains not only extant, but whole and entire, without the least Mutilation or Corruption. Antiochus Epiphanes, when he set up the Abomination of Desolation in the Jewish Temple, in the Days of the Maccabees, with utmost diligence made search after their Law, and wheresoever he found it, immediately burnt or destroyed it, and threatened Death, with exquisite Tortures, to any that should conceal or retain it. In like manner, since Christ, the Tyrant Diocletian, about the Year 300, with a full purpose to root out Christianity for ever out of the World, publishes an Edict, That the Scriptures should every where be burnt and destroyed; and whosoever should presume to keep them, should be most severely tormented: Yet God permitted them not to quench the Light of these Divine Laws.
1IX. To these astonishing Miracles we may fitly add, the Preservation of these holy Writings for so many Ages, being it self little less than miraculous, and such as is a great Argument, that they belong to God, as the Author and Parent of them: It being reasonable to derive that from God, as a Book of his own Dictates, about which he has exercised a peculiar Care. Were not the Bible what it pretends to be, there had been nothing more suitable to the Nature of God, and more becoming Divine Providence, than long since to have blotted it out of the World: For why should he suffer a Book to continue from the beginning of Times, falsly pretending his Name and Authority? How do learned Men accuse Time of Injuries, for swallowing up the Works of many excellent Authors! and bewail the Loss of divers of Livy's Decades, and other choice Books, which are now no where to be found! Nay, tho the Romans were so careful for the preservation of the Books of the Sybils, that they lock'd them up in Places of greatest Safety, and appointed special Officers to look after them; yet many Ages since they are gone and perished, and only some few Fragments do now remain. Whereas on the contrary, the Bible, notwithstanding part of it was the first Book in the World, (as we proved in the second Argument) and tho the Craft of Satan, and the Rage of Mankind, have from time to time combin'd utterly to suppress it; yet it has born up its Head, and remains not only extant, but whole and entire, without the least Mutilation or Corruption. Antiochus Epiphanes, when he set up the Abomination of Desolation in the Jewish Temple, in the Days of the Machabees, with utmost diligence made search after their Law, and wheresoever he found it, immediatly burnt or destroy'd it, and threatned Death, with exquisite Tortures, to any that should conceal or retain it. In like manner, since Christ, the Tyrant Dioclesian, about the Year 300, with a full purpose to root out Christianity for ever out of the World, publishes an Edict, That the Scriptures should every where be burnt and destroyed; and whosoever should presume to keep them, should be most severely tormented: Yet God permitted them not to quench the Light of these Divine Laws.
But the Old Testament, above two hundred Years before the Incarnation of Christ, was translated into Greek, (the most flourishing and spreading Language at that time in the World); and about thirty Years before Christ, it was paraphrased into Chaldee; and at this Day, both Old and New Testaments are extant, not only in their Original Languages, but in most other Tongues and Languages that are spoken upon the Face of the Earth, which no other Book can pretend to. So that all Endeavours that have from the very first been bent against it, have been ⟨p. ix⟩vanquished; and remarkable Judgments and Vengeance showed on all such as have been the most violent Opposers of it. And further, whereas even those to whom it was outwardly committed, as the Jews first, and the Antichristian Church of Apostatized Rome afterwards, not only fell into Opinions and Practices absolutely inconsistent with it, but also built all their present and future Interests on those Opinions and Practices; yet none of them could ever obliterate one Line in it, not even of those Places which make most against their obstinate Errors and Defections: But for their own Plea, they both are forced to pretend additional Traditions, (for the Mishua, Talmud, and Cabala of the Jews, and the Oral Traditions of the Papists, all proceed from one and the same Ground, viz. a wicked Pretence, that the Scriptures, tho divine Truths, and the Word of God, yet do not contain all God's Will; but that there are these other unwritten Verities handed down, one says from Moses, and the other says; from St Peter, &c. by Word of Mouth.)
But the Old Testament, above two hundred Years before the Incarnation of Christ, was translated into Greek, (the most flourishing and spreading Language at that time in the World); and about thirty Years before Christ, it was paraphras'd into Caldee; and at this Day, both Old and New Testaments are extant, not only in their Original Languages, but in most other Tongues and Languages that are spoken upon the Face of the Earth, which no other Book can pretend to. So that all Endeavours that have from the very first been bent against it, have been ⟨p. ix⟩vanquished; and remarkable Judgments and Vengeance shew'd on all such as have been the most violent Opposers of it. And further, whereas even those to whom it was outwardly committed, as the Jews first, and the Antichristian Church of Apostatiz'd Rome afterwards, not only fell into Opinions and Practices absolutely inconsiltent with it, but also built all their present and future Interests on those Opinions and Practices; yet none of them could ever obliterate one Line in it, not even of those Places which make most against their obstinate Errors and Defections: But for their own Plea, they both are forced to pretend additional Traditions, (for the Mishua, Talmud, and Cabala of the Jews, and the Oral Traditions of the Papists, all proceed from one and the same Ground, viz. a wicked Pretence, that the Scriptures, tho divine Truths, and the Word of God, yet do not contain all God's Will; but that there are these other unwritten Verities handed down, one says from Moses, and the other says; from St Peter, &c. by Word of Mouth.)
Since therefore the Bible hath thus wonderfully surmounted all Difficulties and Oppositions, for so many Generations, and in so many Dangers, and against so many Endeavours to root it out of the World, we may (according to that Maxim in Philosophy, Eadem est Causa procreans & conservans; The procreating and conserving Cause of Things, is one and the same) conclude, That the same God is the Author of it, who hath thus by his special Providence preserved it, and faithfully promised (and cannot Lie) that Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but one Iota or Tittle of his Word shall not pass away.
X. The Scriptures did not only Survive, but have Triumphed over,1 all the Oppositions of the Devil and the World. That Success wherewith the Gospel was attended even in its Infancy, the mighty and marvellous prevailings of it where-ever it came, notwithstanding the many and great Disadvantages it was to encounter, are a strong and irresistible Argument that it was from Heaven. That a Doctrine directly opposite to the whole corrupt Interest of Human Nature, and to the Wisdom and VVill of Man,(p) carried on and published by but a few, and those (to outward appearance) weak, ignorant, and simple Persons, Illiterate Fishermen, Tent-makers, &c. without any Force of Arms, or Temporal Support, but on the contrary against both Wind and Tide, the Cruelties of raging Powers, and Affronts of vaunting Wisdom; A Doctrine against which the whole World, Jews and Gentiles perfectly concurred, those hating it as a Stumblingblock, and these counting it Foolishness; that such an improbable and unpleasing, such a friendless, unwelcome, slighted, opposed Doctrine, by such Instruments, and under such Circumstances, should make its way in the World, and subject so many Nations to the Obedience of the Cross, and make those who to Day persecuted it, to Morrow ready to lay down their Lives in Defence and Justification of it; evidently shows it to be owned by Omnipotency, and not to be of Human Extract.
X. The Scriptures did not only Survive, but have Triumph'd over,1 all the Oppositions of the Devil and the World. That Success wherewith the Gospel was attended even in its Infancy, the mighty and marvellous prevailings of it where-ever it came, notwithstanding the many and great Disadvantages it was to encounter, are a strong and irresistible Argument that it was from Heaven. That a Doctrine directly opposite to the whole corrupt Interest of Human Nature, and to the Wisdom and VVill of Man,(p) carried on and published by but a few, and those (to outward appearance) weak, ignorant, and simple Persons, Illiterate Fishermen, Tent-makers, &c. without any Force of Arms, or Temporal Support, but on the contrary against both VVind and Tide, the Cruelties of raging Powers, and Affronts of vaunting Wisdom; A Doctrine against which the whole World, Jews and Gentiles perfectly concurr'd, those hating it as a Stumblingblock, and these counting it Foolishness; that such an improbable and unpleasing, such a friendless, unwelcome, slighted, opposed Doctrine, by such Instruments, and under such Circumstances, should make its way in the World, and subject so many Nations to the Obedience of the Cross, and make those who to Day persecuted it, to Morrow ready to lay down their Lives in Defence and Justification of it; evidently shews it to be owned by Omnipotency, and not to be of Human Extract.
XI. But besides these outward and more visible Trophies of the Sacred Scriptures,1 how marvellous is their Empire, Efficacy and Power within; upon the Hearts and Consciences of Men! 'tis this that Converts the Soul, Enlightens the Eye, (q)Discovers Sin, (r)Convinces Gainsayers, (s)Killeth and Terrifieth, (t)Rejoiceth the Heart, (u)Quickeneth, (x)Comforteth, (y)Manifesteth the Thoughts, (z)Overthrows false Religions, Casteth down Strong-holds, and subverts the whole Kingdom of Satan. What Consolations at some Times! What Terrors at others, do proceed from this Sacred Book! How are the poor Souls of Men by it mightily refreshed! Their weak Hearts wonderfully strengthened! Their dead Spirits raised, and made to live again! Those that sate in Darkness, and the Shadow of Death, are Enlightened! Many that were in Chains and Fetters, of Fears and Terrors of Soul, are delivered and set at Liberty! Is it reasonable to conceive that a Tree that bears such wonderful Fruit, was planted by any other Hand than that of God? Who can speak Words that shall restrain and repel all the Powers of Darkness, when falling in to make Havoc and Desolation in the Souls of Men? That shall be able to give Laws to the Terrors of Death, nay Eternal Death, when they have taken hold of the Consciences of Sinners? Are not all these Wonders performed by the holy Scriptures? And do they not often, on the other side, breath Thunder and Lightnings? throw down the Mighty from their Seats, and destroy the Thrones of the Proud and Confident? Do they not turn the Security of many into Trembling and Horror, and make their Consciences to burn as if the Fire of Hell had already taken hold of them? These Things are evident from the Experience of Thousands that have felt and undergone such powerful Effects of the Word: Nay, I verily believe, there are few that have read the
1XII. Add to all these Arguments, the Testimony of the Church, and her Holy Martyrs, who have sealed this Truth with their Blood. By the Church we do not mean the Pope, whom the Papists call the Church Virtual, nor his Cardinals, Bishops, &c. met in General Council, whom they call the Church Representative: But the whole Company of Believers in all Ages who have professed the true Faith. The Pen-Men of the Scriptures, good, pious, honest, holy Men, delivered it out as the Word of the Lord, and ever since there have been Thousands, and Hundreds of Thousands that have believed and testified the same down from Age to Age in a continual uninterrupted Succession; The Church of the Jews, (to whom were committed the Oracles of God)(a) professed the Doctrine, and received the Books of the Old Testament, and testified of them that they were Divine, and in great Misery they have constantly confessed the same; when as by the only denying thereof, they might have been partakers both of Liberty and Rule. And remarkable it is, both, that notwithstanding the High Priests and others of that Nation persecuted the Prophets while they lived, yet received their Writings as Prophetical and Divine; as also, that since the Spirit of Blindness and Obstinacy is come upon Israel, and notwithstanding their great hatred to the Christian Religion, the Holy Scripture of the Old Testament is kept pure and uncorrupt amongst them, even in those places which do evidently confirm the Truth of the Christian Religion, as Isa. 53.3. And as for the Christian Church, it hath with great Constancy, and sweet Consent, received and acknowledged the Books of the Old and New Testament; for the Universal Church, which from the beginning thereof until these times professed the Christian Religion to be Divine, did and doth also profess that these Books are of God: And the several Primitive Churches which first received the Books of the Old Testament, and the Gospels, the Epistles written from the Apostles to them, their Pastors, or some they knew, did receive them as the Oracles of God, and delivered them afterwards under the same Title to their Successors and other Churches:
1XII. Add to all these Arguments, the Testimony of the Church, and her Holy Martyrs, who have sealed this Truth with their Blood. By the Church we do not mean the Pope, whom the Papists call the Church Virtual, nor his Cardinals, Bishops, &c. met in General Council, whom they call the Church Representative: But the whole Company of Believers in all Ages who have professed the true Faith. The Pen-Men of the Scriptures, good, pious, honest, holy Men, delivered it out as the Word of the Lord, and ever since there have been Thousands, and Hundreds of Thousands that have believed and testiied the same down from Age to Age in a continual uninterrupted Succession; The Church of the Jews, (to whom were committed the Oracles of God)
VI. This further appears from the Credit and Sincerity of those that were the Pen-men.1 If the Scriptures were not what they pretend to be, viz. the Word of God, and dictated to the Writers thereof by his holy Spirit, it would be the greatest Affront to the Divine Majesty, and the grossest Cheat towards Mankind, that ever was put upon the World. But if we consider the Pen-men thereof, we shall find them all of undoubted Credit, generally esteemed holy and good Men in the Ages they liv'd in, so no way to be suspected of Imposture. Some of them were Kings, and of the deepest Learning, not likely to be guilty of such a mean-spirited Baseness, as Lying and Forgery. Many of the Prophets, and most of the Apostles were Men illiterate, of Parts and Education so mean, that of themselves they seem no way capable to write so profoundly, or lay so deep a Contrivance for deluding the World. And as 'tis incredible, that so many Men, of such distant Times, Qualities, and Abilities, should all agree in the same Imposture, and so harmonize in promoting it; so neither could any Interest or Ambition prompt them thereunto: For as the main Tendency of this Book is, to mortify Mens Ambitions and Lusts; so most of them exposed themselves, by publishing these Writings, to great Hazards and Persecutions. Nor have several of them been shie to record the great Failings and Imperfections of themselves, or their Brethren. Thus Moses (a)relates his own Infidelity, ⟨p. vi⟩and Averseness to submit to the extraordinary Call of God. In another place(b), he records the Shame of his Distrustfulness, or at least the Carnality of his Conceit or Apprehension of the Power of God. Again,(c) he inserts God's heavy Sentence, and the Ground thereof, against him. The same Moses did not set up any of his own Posterity to succeed him in the Guidance of Israel, but left Joshua to succeed him, &c. and placed the Kingly Superiority over that People in another Tribe from his own, viz. the Tribe of Judah. Indeed, throughout the whole Book there is a visible Antipathy to all self-seeking Flattery or Compliance: God alone is exalted, and all Mens Persons, Actions, and Reputations are laid in the Dust, in respect of his Honour, and the Truths therein delivered. Besides, these very Writers appear themselves to be under a subjection to the Doctrine they taught, and no way Masters of it, as their own.
1VII. Another Demonstration or Proof, that the Scriptures are from God, is the exact and punctual fulfilling of the Prophecies therein contained. To foretell Events, is the Prerogative of God:(d) Let them bring forth, (saith God, the Lord, expostulating with his People about the Vanity of Idols) and shew us, [What shall happen]: Shew us the Things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are Gods. Now the Body of the Scriptures is enlivened with the Spirit of Prophecy (almost) throughout. That of Jacob, recorded by Moses, (e)That the Scepter should not depart from Judah, nor a Law-giver from between his Feet untill Shiloh come; and to him shall the gathering of the People be: was not compleatly fulfilled till well near two thousand Years after, tho made good during a great part of that Time, viz. from the Entrance of the Tribe of Judah upon the Government, in King David, until the going of it out again in the Person of Hircanus, whom Herod slew, as Josephus testifies. But when the Time appointed was expired, the Prophecy it self was compleatly fulfilled: For when Herod, a Stranger, and of another Nation, had cut off the House and Line of Judah from the Government of Jewry, then and at that Time Shiloh, the long-expected Messiah, our Lord Christ, punctually came into the World: for that by Shiloh is meant the Messiah, the Jewish Rabbies do not deny. Now at the Time of Jacob's uttering these Words, there was little probability, that any of his Posterity should have a Scepter, or any Kingly Power, being poor, few, and in a strange Land: Or, if they should thrive so, as to become a Kingdom, or Nation, why should Judah have the Government, seeing there were three elder Brothers, Reuben, Simeon, and Levi? Nor was there likelihood of this Prophecy's being accomplish'd, when Moses set it down in Writing; for then he himself (who was of the Tribe of Levi) was in the actual Possession of the Government, and put into it by God himself, who appointed for his Successor, Joshua, not of the Tribe of Judah, but of Ephraim. Whence we have a notable Evidence of the Truth and Sincerity of this Prediction; for had not Jacob really uttered it, we cannot imagine Moses would have put such a Prophecy in Writing, to the disparagement of his own Tribe. How accurately are the four great Monarchies of the World described by Daniel?
18. Scripture-prophecies, and their Accomplishments, prove 'tis divine.
so lively, as if he had lived under them, and had that experience of them all respectively, which the World hath since had of them. How wonderful is that Prophecy of Isaiah, at the end of his 44th, and the beginning of the 45th Chapter, touching Cyrus, delivered at least an hundred Years (some say, two hundred) before he was born, wherein yet he is not only expresly named, Thus saith the Lord to his Anointed Cyrus; but it is foretold, he should conquer Babylon, and rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem: which came to pass accordingly. Nor can this Prophecy be suspected of Forgery, or to be supposititious in any kind, since it was pronounced openly, as other Prophecies were, in the hearing of all the People, and so divulged into many hands, before the Captivity, and then also carried into Babylon, where no doubt it was perused by many, long before the accomplishment of it. And that there was such a Man as Cyrus many Years afterwards, that conquered Babylon, and restored the Jews from their Captivity, and furthered the Building of the Temple, all Heathen Authors, that write of those Times, do affirm. And indeed one great Inducement of his Kindness to the Jews, was, because he understood how his Successes had been thus prophesied of, so long before, by one of that Nation. So that it appears the said Prophecy was then publickly known, and its Truth and Authentickness no way doubted of. How manifestly are the many Prophecies of the Old-Testament, concerning our Saviour, fulfilled? And how dreadfully his Prophecy of the Destruction of Jerusalem, was made good about forty Years after his Crucifixion, we find in the History of Josephus, exactly corresponding to what is foretold in
how many other Prophecies of the New-Testament, and especially of the Revelations, do we daily find Verified in and by the Apostacy, and wicked Usurpations of the Church of Rome? Since therefore to foretell so plainly, Particulars and Events so remote, and depending on the meer Motions and Acts of the Wills of particular Persons, yet unborn, is an evident Mark of Omnisciency; we cannot but conclude, that the Scriptures, which are fill'd with so many evident and certain Predictions, must certainly proceed from the Finger of God.
Besides, the very Enemies have not had the impudence to deny such notorious Matters of Fact, as our Saviour's Miracles;1 only they ascribe them to other Causes. Even to this Day, the Jews acknowledg much of the Works of Christ, but slanderously and blasphemously father them on the Power of the Devil, or upon the Force of the Name of God sowed up in his Thigh; and such like ridiculous Stories they have. Even the Turks confess much of the Miracles of our Lord, and believe him to be a great Prophet, though they are profest Enemies to the Christian Name. Nor could all the Adversaries of these Miracles and Relations, with all their Arguments or Violence, hinder Thousands from believing them, and even exposing their Lives on that Belief, in the very Time and Country where they were done. So that we must say, Either they were Miracles, or not: If they were, why do you not believe? If they were not, behold the greatest Miracle of all, that so many Thousands (even of the Beholders) should be so blind, as to believe Things that never were, especially in those very Times, when it was the easiest Matter in the World to have disproved such Falshoods. Indeed the Miracles of Jesus, and those of his Disciples and Servants, in the Primitive Times, were in Fact so many, so eminent, so visible, and lasted so long, (for they continued in the Church two or three hundred Years) and the Account of them has descended down to us by such a constant, uninterrupted written and unwritten Tradition, that scarce any Man has assumed Impudence enough to gainsay them. Irenaeus (who lived about the Year of our Lord 200) affirmeth, that in his Time the working of Miracles, the raising of the Dead, the casting out of Devils, healing the Sick by meer laying on of Hands, and Prophesying, were still in force; and that some that were so raised from the Dead, remained alive amongst them long after. And Cyprian and Tertullian mention the ordinary casting out of Devils, and challenge the Heathen to come and see it. Remarkable ⟨p. viii⟩are those Words of the latter,(h) Let any one be brought before your Tribunals, who is apparently possessed with a Devil, that Spirit, being commanded by any Christian, shall confess of truth himself to be a Devil, as at other Times he boasts himself a God. And in his Book to Scapula, the Procurator of Africk, Cap. 4. he repeats several miraculous Cures done by Christians:
1Josephus, in his Antiquity of the Jews, makes mention of the mighty Miracles that Jesus did. See p. 400.
(h)Tertullian Apol. Ca. 23.
Quanti honesti viri, &c. How many Persons of good Quality and Esteem, says he, (for we speak not of the Vulgar Sort) have been remedied either from Devils or Diseases? Severus himself, the Father of Antoninus, was recovered by Christians, &c. So that here we have the best Doctrine under the highest Attestation, God himself setting thereunto his supernatural Seals, to convince us of the Truth thereof. And this was the great Argument, whereby Christ all along convinced the World; for upon his beginning of Miracles, at Cana in Galilee, he manifested his Glory, and his Disciples believed in him(i). The Jews therefore enquired for Signs, as that which must confirm any new Revelation to be of God(k). And tho Christ blames them for their unreasonable unsatisfied Expectations herein, and would not humor them in each Particular; yet he continued to give them Miracles as great as they desired. They that saw the Miracles of the Loaves, said, This is of a truth the Prophet that should come into the World(l). Many believed, when they saw the Miracles which he did(m). If I had not done the Works that no Man else could do, ye had not had Sin (in not believing)(n). And the Way of bringing Men to believe in these Days is expressed, Heb. 2.3, 4. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great Salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those that heard him, [There is the Evidence of Sense to the first Re•eivers, and their Tradition to the next] God also bearing them witness, both with Signs and Wonders, and divers Miracles? Let us conclude this Argument with that smart Interrogation of that blind Man,(o) Can a Man that is a Sinner do such Miracles? Natural Reason shewing us, that God being the true and merciful Governor of the World, the Course of Nature cannot be altered, but by his special Appointment; and that he will never set the Seal of his Omnipotency to a Lie, nor suffer the last and greatest Inducement to Belief, to be used to draw Men to embrace Falshood and Forgeries.
Scriptures with attention and seriousness, but can more or less witness the same: And whence should such Mighty Operations proceed, but because the Almighty Author has endued them with such Virtue through the Spirit, whereby they become the Power of God unto Salvation.
XI. But besides these outward and more visible Trophies of the Sacred Scriptures,1 how marvellous is their Empire, Efficacy and Power within; upon the Hearts and Consciences of Men! 'tis this that Converts the Soul, Enlightens the Eye, (q)Discovers Sin, (r)Convinces Gainsayers, (s)Killeth and Terrifieth, (t)Rejoiceth the Heart, (u)Quickneth, (x)Comforteth, (y)Manifesteth the Thoughts, (z)Overthrows false Religions, Casteth down Strong-holds, and subverts the whole Kingdom of Satan. What Consolations at some Times! What Terrors at others, do proceed from this Sacred Book! How are the poor Souls of Men by it mightily refresh'd! Their weak Hearts wonderfully strengthned! Their dead Spirits raised, and made to live again! Those that sate in Darkness, and the Shadow of Death, are Enlightned! Many that were in Chains and Fetters, of Fears and Terrors of Soul, are delivered and set at Liberty! Is it reasonable to conceive that a Tree that bears such wonderful Fruit, was planted by any other Hand than that of God? Who can speak Words that shall restrain and repel all the Powers of Darkness, when falling in to make Havock and Desolation in the Souls of Men? That shall be able to give Laws to the Terrors of Death, nay Eternal Death, when they have taken hold of the Consciences of Sinners? Are not all these Wonders perform'd by the holy Scriptures? And do they not often, on the other side, breath Thunder and Lightnings? throw down the Mighty from their Seats, and destroy the Thrones of the Proud and Confident? Do they not turn the Security of many into Trembling and Horrour, and make their Consciences to burn as if the Fire of Hell had already taken hold of them? These Things are evident from the Experience of Thousands that have felt and undergone such powerful Effects of the Word: Nay, I verily believe, there are few that have read the ⟨p. x⟩Scriptures with attention and seriousness, but can more or less witness the same: And whence should such Mighty Operations proceed, but because the Almighty Author has endued them with such Vertue through the Spirit, whereby they become the Power of God unto Salvation.
professed the Doctrine, and received the Books of the Old Testament, and testified of them that they were Divine, and in great Misery they have constantly confessed the same; when as by the only denying thereof, they might have been partakers both of Liberty and Rule. And remarkable it is, both, that notwithstanding the High Priests and others of that Nation persecuted the Prophets while they lived, yet received their Writings as Prophetical and Divine; as also, that since the Spirit of Blindness and Obstinacy is come upon Israel, and notwithstanding their great hatred to the Chri•tian Religion, the Holy Scripture of the Old Testament is kept pure and uncorrupt among•t them, even in those places which do evidently confirm the Truth of the Christian Religion, as Isa. 53.3. And as for the Christian Church, it hath with great Constancy, and sweet Consent, received and acknowledged the Books of the Old and New Testament; for the Universal Church, which from the beginning thereof until these times professed the Christian Religion to be Divine, did and doth also profess that these Books are of God: And the several Primitive Churches which first received the Books of the Old Testament, and the Gospels, the Epistles written from the Apostles to them, their Pastors, or some they knew, did receive them as the Oracles of God, and delivered them afterwards under the same Title to their Successors and other Churches:
