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.
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)
And all the Pastors and Doctors (who being furnished with Skill both in the Languages and Matters, have tried and searched into them) and all pious Christians, who by Experience have felt their Divine Operation, on their own Souls, have asserted the same. So that whoever rejects the Bible, obliges himself to believe no other Books in the World whatsoever; for since none of them have any such great and universal Attestations, if he shall credit them, and not this, it will show apparent disingenuity and peevish Obstinacy. And secondly, He that does credit the Author of this Book, with the same Credit wherewith he credits other Authors, whom he supposes Men of common Honesty that would not knowingly write an Untruth, cannot then refuse to receive this as a Book Divine and Infallible, upon as good Terms of Credibility, as he believes any the best Human Author in its kind to be True; because they themselves tell us that it is so, (which were it otherwise, without most apparent Falsehood they would not do); They affirming that God himself inspired them to write it, and that it was no Product of their own, but every part of it the Genuine Dictate of the Holy Ghost.
And all the Pastors and Doctors (who being furnished with Skill both in the Languages and Matters, have tryed and searched into them) and all pious Christians, who by Experience have felt their Divine Operation, on their own Souls, have asserted the same. So that whoever rejects the Bible, obliges himself to believe no other Books in the World whatsoever; for since none of them have any such great and universal Attestations, if he shall credit them, and not this, it will shew apparent disingenuity and peevish Obstinacy. And secondly, He that does credit the Author of this Book, with the same Credit wherewith he credits other Authors, whom he supposes Men of common Honesty that would not knowingly write an Untruth, cannot then refuse to receive this as a Book Divine and Infallible, upon as good Terms of Credibility, as he believes any the best Human Author in its kind to be True; because they themselves tell us that it is so, (which were it otherwise, without most apparent Falshood they would not do); They affirming that God himself inspired them to write it, and that it was no Product of their own, but every part of it the Genuine Dictate of the Holy Ghost.
And this Argument is abundantly reinforced and strengthened from the Consideration of that Glorious Company of Martyrs, those Innumerable Multitudes, who in the Flames and Rage of Persecution, have with the loss of their Lives maintained the Scriptures to be the Sacred Word of God, and had the same in such Veneration, that in the Primitive Ages the Traditors (Deliverers up of their Bibles to the Heathen to be destroyed) were always esteemed as bad as professed Apostates. Since therefore they did so constantly, and with such Hazards affirm this Truth, what shadow of Reason is there to suspect such a Cloud of Witnesses of Folly, Weakness, Credulity, Wickedness, or Conspiracy amongst themselves? (which such a diffused Multitude was absolutely uncapable of.) Nor can we suppose that Popular Esteem on Earth, and Vain-Glory could be the Ground upon which they suffered, since they gave up their Lives for a Religion, which both utterly condemned such Vanity, and was every where in the World at that time odious and detestable, and whose Profession brought nothing but outward Shame and Contempt.
And this Argument is abundantly reinforc'd and strengthned from the Consideration of that Glorious Company of Martyrs, those Innumerable Multitudes, who in the Flames and Rage of Persecution, have with the loss of their Lives maintained the Scriptures to be the Sacred Word of God, and had the same in such Veneration, that in the Primitive Ages the Traditors (Deliverers up of their Bibles to the Heathen to be destroyed) were always esteemed as bad as profess'd Apostates. Since therefore they did so constantly, and with such Hazards affirm this Truth, what shadow of Reason is there to suspect such a Cloud of Witnesses of Folly, Weakness, Credulity, Wickedness, or Conspiracy amongst themselves? (which such a diffused Multitude was absolutely uncapable of.) Nor can we suppose that Popular Esteem on Earth, and Vain-Glory could be the Ground upon which they suffered, since they gave up their Lives for a Religion, which both utterly condemned such Vanity, and was every where in the World at that time odious and detestable, and whose Profession brought nothing but outward Shame and Contempt.
XIII. But the Doctrines and Matters of Fact in the Scripture (which if true,1 its Divine Original will be undeniable) are not only avouched by its own Votaries, but many most considerable parts of it acknowledged by its Enemies: As appears by this brief induction of Particulars. The Creation of the World is intimated by Ovid in his Metamorphosis, lib. 1. The extraordinary long Lives of the Patriarchs in the first Ages o• the World, by Manetho the Egyptian, Berosus, the Chaldean and others; who add, That they were ordained to live so long that they might study Sciences, and invent Arts, especially that they might observe the Celestial Motions, and enrich the World with the knowledge of Astronomy; wherein (say they) they would have done little good, if they had lived less than six hundred Years, because the great Year (as they call it) is so long in going about and coming to a Period. The Flood is mentioned by the same Berosus, whose Words are recited by Josephus, lib. 1. Antiq. cap. 4. Of Noah (under the Notion of Bifronted Janus, because he lived in both Worlds,) we read in Berosus and Herodotus: And of the Ark Sailing over America, and the letting forth of Birds that found no dry Ground, in Polyhistor, and others. Of the Destruction of Sodom; or the Asphaltic Lake, we have some Account in Pliny, lib. 5. cap. 16. and Justin, lib. 36. That there was such a Man as Moses, such a People as the Israelites; that this Moses was their Captain, and led them out of Egypt, wrote their Story, and gave them Laws, is testified by the most ancient Records or the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Chaldeans, and Grecians. And Manetho speaks very particularly both of their Coming into Egypt, and Departure thence. Of Circumcision, Herodotus, Strabo, Diodorus Siculus, and Tacitus, lib. 2. Of the coming of the Israelites into Canaan, Procopius, lib. 4. Of Solomon we read in Dionysius Cassius; of the Slaughter of Sennacherib, in Herodotus, lib. 2. The great Roman Historian, Tacitus, in his Annals, speaking of the Christians being persecuted by Nero, on pretence of burning of Rome, which he set on fire himself, says expressly,(b) The Author of that Name or Sect was CHRIST, who, when Tiberius was Emperor, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, the then Procurator of Judea. The Star that appeared at our Saviour's Birth, is taken notice of by Pliny, lib. 2. cap. 5.
But more particularly by Calcidius, an Heathen Philosopher, in his Comment on Plato's Timaeus; whose Words, as I find them cited by Cardinal Baronius, that learned Annalist, are these:(c) There is another more venerable and holy History, which tells us of the Rise of a certain unwonted Star, not threatening Diseases and Death, but the Descent of the venerable God, to converse with Men, and mortal Affairs: Which Star, when certain wise Men of Chaldea saw in their fourney by Night, being sufficiently acquainted with Astronomy, and consideration of Celestial things, They are reported to have sought out this new Birth of God, and the Majesty of this Child being found, to have worshipped him, and offered Gifts suitable to so great a God. Herod's slaughtering of the Children is notorious, by that Joke passed upon him on that occasion by the Emperor Augustus, recorded by Macrobius, (d)When he heard, that amongst those Children under two Years old, whom Herod the King of the Jews had commanded to be slain in Syria, his (the said Herod's) own Son was slain also, he said, 'Tis better to be Herod's Hog, than his Son: Alluding to the Jews Abhorrence of Swines Flesh, which it seems Herod, tho not of that Nation, yet pretending himself a kind of Proselyte, did likewise observe. Touching the preternatural Defect of the Sun at our Lord's Crucifixion it was with amazement seen and recorded by Dionysius the Areopagite. And Tertullian, in his Apology, cap. 21. appeals to the Roman Records for the certainty of it. And Origen affirms, that one Phlegon, Secretary to the Emperor Adrian, did write thereof in his Chronicles. What an illustrious Testimony is that extorted by Truth from the Mouth of an Enemy, I mean Josephus, a Jew in Religion, as well as by Nation, (tho he wrote in Greek) born not above five or six Years after Christ's Passion! In his 18th Book, and 4th Chapter, speaking of the Reign of Tiberias, he hath these Words: In those Days there was one Jesus, a wise Man, (if it be lawful to call him a Man) for he was a Worker of great Miracles, and a Teacher of such as readily receive the Truth, and had many Followers, as well Jews as Gentiles. This is that CHRIST, who tho he was accused by the chief of our Nation, and by Pilate condemned to be crucified; yet ⟨p. xii⟩did not they who had first loved him, forsake him; for he appeared unto them the third Day alive again:
The holy Prophets foretelling these, and many other wonderful Things of him. And even to this Day the Christian Sect (so named from him) continues. Nor is that less clear of Lentulus, in his Epistle to the Emperor Tiberius, recited by Eutropius, in his Annals of the Roman Senators, and now commonly extant in the Bibliotheca Patrum, (e)He thus begins, There hath appeared in our Days, and yet is living, a Man of great Virtue (or Power), named Jesus Christ, who is called of the Nations the Prophet of Truth, whom his Disciples call the Son of God, a Raiser of the Dead, and an Healer of all manner of Diseases.
(e)Apparuit temporibus nostris, & adhuc est, homo magnae virtutis, nominatus Jesus Christus, qui dicitur à Gentibus Propheta veritatis, quem ejus discipuli vocant Filium Dei, s•scitans mortros, & sanans omnes languores.
To all which we might add the Prophecies of the Sibyls, amongst the Heathens, who most plainly foretold the Coming of Christ, the Son of God, into the World, and expressed his very Name and Quality in certain Acrostic Verses, recited by the great Augustin, in the 23d Chapter of the Ninth Book of the City of God.
To all which we might add the Prophecies of the Sybils, amongst the Heathens, who most plainly foretold the Coming of Christ, the Son of God, into the World, and express'd his very Name and Quality in certain Acrostick Verses, recited by the great Augustin, in the 23d Chapter of the Ninth Book of the City of God.
XIV. He that disowns the Bible to be of Divine Authority, must either think there is some Revelation from God to the World, how he will be worshipped, and how they ought to conduct themselves; or he thinks there is none: If he thinks there is none, he not only gives the Lie to the Christian and Jewish, but generally to all Religion, that has been, or is in the World: For they all have pretended, and do allege the same as their Foundation. And besides, he must confess, that God (who has made Man the noblest of Creatures, and Lord of the whole World) has left him in a worse Condition, in the present Posture we find him, than the meanest Creatures, to whom he has given sufficient Means to attain the highest End of their Beings: But that infinite Wisdom should deal thus, is absurd and unreasonable to conceive. If he grant, there is any-where a Revelation from God to the World, let it be produced, and judg if it be any way able to vie with the Scriptures, for all those glorious Characters and Marks of Divine Authority, Power, and Excellency, which we have enumerated.
XIV. He that disowns the Bible to be of Divine Authority, must either think there is some Revelation from God to the World, how he will be worshipped, and how they ought to conduct themselves; or he thinks there is none: If he thinks there is none, he not only gives the Lie to the Christian and Jewish, but generally to all Religion, that has been, or is in the World: For they all have pretended, and do alledg the same as their Foundation. And besides, he must confess, that God (who has made Man the noblest of Creatures, and Lord of the whole World) has left him in a worse Condition, in the present Posture we find him, than the meanest Creatures, to whom he has given sufficient Means to attain the highest End of their Beings: But that infinite Wisdom should deal thus, is absurd and unreasonable to conceive. If he grant, there is any-where a Revelation from God to the World, let it be produced, and judg if it be any way able to vie with the Scriptures, for all those glorious Characters and Marks of Divine Authority, Power, and Excellency, which we have enumerated.
XV. If the Scriptures be neither the Invention of Devils nor Men, then it can be from none but God: But they are not from Devils; for neither could they work Miracles, nor deliver true Prophecies to confirm them; nor would it consist with God's Sovereignty over them, or with his Goodness, Wisdom, or Faithfulness of governing the World; nor would Satan speak so much for God, nor lay such a Design for Man's Salvation, and against his own Kingdom, nor be so industrious to draw the World to unbelief of it. Nor were the Scriptures the Invention of Men; for they must be either good Men, or bad Men: Good Men they could not be; for nothing could be more opposite to Goodness, nay, even common Honesty, than to assume the Name of God falsely, feign Miracles, and cheat People with Promises of another World. And then on the other side, 'tis as impossible ill Men could be the Devisers of so holy a Book: For can any rational Man think, that wicked Deceivers would so highly advance the Glory of God? Would they so vilify themselves, and brand and stigmatize their own Practices? Could such an admirable undeniable Spirit of Holiness, Righteousness, and Self-denial, as runs through every Vein of Scripture, proceed from the Invention of the Wicked? Would they ever have extolled their Enemies, the Godly, and framed such perfect spiritual Laws? or laid such a Design against the Flesh, and all their worldly Happiness, as every-where the Scope of the Scripture doth carry on? If we cannot gather Grapes of Thorns, and Figs of Thistles, then may we be assured, that no ill Men had an hand in writing and promoting this good and holy Book.
XV. If the Scriptures be neither the Invention of Devils nor Men, then it can be from none but God: But they are not from Devils; for neither could they work Miracles, nor deliver true Prophecies to confirm them; nor would it consist with God's Sovereignty over them, or with his Goodness, Wisdom, or Faithfulness of governing the World; nor would Satan speak so much for God, nor lay such a Design for Man's Salvation, and against his own Kingdom, nor be so industrious to draw the World to unbelief of it. Nor were the Scriptures the Invention of Men; for they must be either good Men, or bad Men: Good Men they could not be; for nothing could be more opposite to Goodness, nay, even common Honesty, than to assume the Name of God falsly, feign Miracles, and cheat People with Promises of another World. And then on the other side, 'tis as impossible ill Men could be the Devisers of so holy a Book: For can any rational Man think, that wicked Deceivers would so highly advance the Glory of God? Would they so vilify themselves, and brand and stigmatize their own Practices? Could such an admirable undeniable Spirit of Holiness, Righteousness, and Self-denial, as runs through every Vein of Scripture, proceed from the Invention of the Wicked? Would they ever have extolled their Enemies, the Godly, and framed such perfect spiritual Laws? or laid such a Design against the Flesh, and all their worldly Happiness, as every-where the Scope of the Scripture doth carry on? If we cannot gather Grapes of Thorns, and Figs of Thistles, then may we be assured, that no ill Men had an hand in writing and promoting this good and holy Book.
1XVI. The Divine Composition of this blessed Book is not a little manifested by the continual Rage of the Devil against it, which appears not only in stirring up his Instruments utterly to suppress it, (for what Book in the World ever met with such Opposition? as aforesaid) but also in those Temptations with which he assaults the Hearts of Men, when they apply themselves to the serious Study of it. We can read any other History, and readily entertain and credit it; but when we once come to the Bible, strange Objections, Doubts, and Curiosities arise, and presently we are apt to question the Truth and Possibility of every Passage: These are the Suggestions of Satan, to render that holy Book ineffectual to us, the Scope and Purport of which he knows tends directly to the Overthrow of his Kingdom of Darkness.
1XVI. The Divine Composition of this blessed Book is not a little manifested by the continual Rage of the Devil against it, which appears not only in stirring up his Instruments utterly to suppress it, (for what Book in the VVorld ever met with such Opposition? as aforesaid) but also in those Temptations with which he assaults the Hearts of Men, when they apply themselves to the serious Study of it. VVe can read any other History, and readily entertain and credit it; but when we once come to the Bible, strange Objections, Doubts, and Curiosities arise, and presently we are apt to question the Truth and Possibility of every Passage: These are the Suggestions of Satan, to render that holy Book ineffectual to us, the Scope and Purport of which he knows tends directly to the Overthrow of his Kingdom of Darkness.
116. Satan's Suggestions & Temptations against the Bible, argue it divine.
Object. 1. How Men, in the respective Ages wherein the several parts of the Bible were written, could know that they were written by an infallible Spirit, and so distinguish them from other Writings?
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:
its Divine Original will be undeniable) are not only avouched by its own Votaries, but many most considerable parts of it acknowledged by its Enemies: As appears by this brief induction of Particulars. The Creation of the World is intimated by Ovid in his Metamorphosis, lib. 1. The extraordinary long Lives of the Patriarchs in the first Ages o• the VVorld, by Manetho the Egygtian, Berosus, the Caldean and others; who add, That they were ordained to live so long that they might study Sciences, and invent Arts, especially that they might observe the Celestial Motions, and enrich the World with the knowledg of Astronomy; wherein (say they) they would have done little good, if they had lived less than six hundred Years, because the great Year (as they call it) is so long in going about and coming to a Period. The Flood is mentioned by the same Berosus, whose VVords are recited by Josephus, lib. 1. Antiq. cap. 4. Of Noah (under the Notion of Bifronted Janus, because he lived in both VVorlds,) we read in Berosus and Herodotus: And of the Ark Sayling over America, and the letting forth of Birds that found no dry Ground, in Polyhistor, and others. Of the Destruction of Sodom; or the Asphaltick Lake, we have some Account in Pliny, lib. 5. cap. 16. and Justin, lib. 36. That there was such a Man as Moses, such a People as the Israelites; that this Moses was their Captain, and led them out of Egypt, wrote their Story, and gave them Laws, is testified by the most ancient Records or the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Caldeans, and Grecians. And Manetho speaks very particularly both of their Coming into Egypt, and Departure thence. Of Circumcision, Herodotus, Strabo, Diodorus Siculus, and Tacitus, lib. 2. Of the coming of the Israelites into Canaan, Procopius, lib. 4. Of Solomon we read in Dionysius Cassius; of the Slaughter of Sennachcrib, in Herodotus, lib. 2. The great Roman Historian, Tacitus, in his Annals, speaking of the Christians being persecuted by Nero, on pretence of burning of Rome, which he set on fire himself, says expre•ly,
The Author of that Name or Sect was CHRIST, who, when Tiberius was Emperor, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, the then Procurator of Judea. The Star that appeared at our Saviour's Birth, is taken notice of by Pliny, lib. 2. cap. 5.
113 The Acknowledgement of the Heathen13 The Acknowledgment of the Heathen
(b)Author nominis ejus Christus, qui, Tiberio imperante, per Procuratorem Pontium Pilatum supplicio affectus erat. Tacit. Annal. l. 15.
But more particularly by Calcidius, an Heathen Philosopher, in his Comment on Plato's Timaeus; whose Words, as I find them cited by Cardinal Baronius, that learned Annalist, are these:(c) There is another more venerable and holy History, which tells us of the Rise of a certain unwonted Star, not threatning Diseases and Death, but the Descent of the venerable God, to converse with Men, and mortal Affairs: Which Star, when certain wise Men of Caldea saw in their fourney by Night, being sufficiently acquainted with Astronomy, and consideration of Celestial things, They are reported to have sought out this new Birth of God, and the Majesty of this Child being found, to have worshipped him, and offered Gifts suitable to so great a God. Herod's slaughtering of the Children is notorious, by that Joque passed upon him on that occasion by the Emperor Augustus, recorded by Macrobius, (d)When he heard, that amongst those Children under two Years old, whom Herod the King of the Jews had commanded to be slain in Syria, his (the said Herod's) own Son was slain also, he said, 'Tis better to be Herod's Hog, than his Son: Alluding to the Jews Abhorrence of Swines Flesh, which it seems Herod, tho not of that Nation, yet pretending himself a kind of Proselyte, did likewise observe. Touching the preternatural Defect of the Sun at our Lord's Crucifixion it was with amazement seen and recorded by Dionysius the Areopagite. And Tertullian, in his Apology, cap. 21. appeals to the Roman Records for the certainty of it. And Origen affirms, that one Phlegon, Secretary to the Emperor Adrian, did write thereof in his Chronicles. What an illustrious Testimony is that extorted by Truth from the Mouth of an Enemy, I mean Josephus, a Jew in Religion, as well as by Nation, (tho he wrote in Greek) born not above five or six Years after Christ's Passion! In his 18th Book, and 4th Chapter, speaking of the Reign of Tiberias, he hath these Words: In those Days there was one Jesus, a wise Man, (if it be lawful to call him a Man) for he was a Worker of great Miracles, and a Teacher of such as readily receive the Truth, and had many Followers, as well Jews as Gentiles. This is that CHRIST, who tho he was accused by the chief of our Nation, and by Pilate condemned to be crucified; yet ⟨p. xii⟩did not they who had first loved him, forsake him; for he appeared unto them the third Day alive again:
(c)Est quoque alia venerabilior & sanctior Historia, qua perhibet de ortu Stellae cujusdam insolita, non morbos, mortesque denunciante, sed descensum Dei venerabilis ad humanae conversationis, rerumque mortalium gratiam: Quam Stellam cùm nocturno itinere suspexissent Cald•eorum profectò sapiences viri, & consideration rerum coelestium satis exercitati, quaesisse dicuntur recentem Dei ortum, repertâque illa Majestate puerili, venerati esse, & vota Deo tanto convenientia nuncupasse. Bar. Tom. 1. p. 52.Est quoque alia venerabilior & sanctior Historia, qua perhibet de ortu Stellae cujusdam insolita, non morbos, mortesque denunciante, sed descensum Dei venerabilis ad humanae conversationis, rerumque mortalium gratiam: Quam Stellam cùm nocturno itinere suspexissent Cald•eorum profectò sapiences viri, & consideratione rerum coelestium satis exercitati, quaesisse dicuntur recentem Dei ortum, repertâque illa Majestate puerili, venerati esse, & vota Deo tanto convenientia nuncupasse. Bar. Tom. 1. p. 52.
(d)Cum audisset inter eos, quos in Syria Herodes Rex Judaeorum inter Binatum jussit interfici, filium quoque ejus occisum, ait, Melius est Herodis porcum esse quam filium. Macrob. Saturnal. lib. 4.
