The perfection of the evangelical revelation, a sermon preached at St. Martins in the Fields, Nov. 4. 1695 being the eighth and last of the lecture for that year, founded by the honourable Robert Boyle, Esquire / by John Williams ...
         Williams, John, 1636?-1709.
      
       
         
           1696
        
      
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             The perfection of the evangelical revelation, a sermon preached at St. Martins in the Fields, Nov. 4. 1695 being the eighth and last of the lecture for that year, founded by the honourable Robert Boyle, Esquire / by John Williams ...
             Williams, John, 1636?-1709.
          
           [2], 28 p.
           
             Printed for Ri. Chiswell, and Tho. Cockerill, senr & junr ...,
             London :
             1696.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
             Half title: Dr William's last sermon at Mr. Boyle's lecture, 1695.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Church of England -- Sermons.
           Revelation -- Early works to 1800 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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             D
             r
          
           WILLIAMS's
           LAST
           SERMON
           AT
           Mr.
           BOYLE's
           Lecture
           ,
           1695.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           ADVERTISEMENT
           .
        
         
           HAVING
           now
           finished
           the
           Course
           of
           Sermons
           for
           the
           Year
           1695.
           
           Those
           of
           the
           Present
           Year
           belonging
           to
           the
           same
           Argument
           ,
           will
           (
           God
           willing
           )
           be
           speedily
           Published
           in
           their
           Order
           ,
           
             viz.
             Concerning
             the
             Rule
             of
             Scripture
             ,
          
           and
           
             The
             Way
             of
             Interpretation
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           Perfection
           of
           the
           Evangelical
           Revelation
           .
        
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           at
           St.
           
             Martins
             in
             the
             Fields
          
           ,
           Nov.
           4.
           1695.
           
        
         
           BEING
           THE
           Eighth
           and
           Last
           of
           the
           LECTURE
           For
           that
           YEAR
           ,
           Founded
           by
           the
           Honourable
           
             ROBERT
             BOYLE
          
           ,
           Esquire
           .
        
         
           By
           
             JOHN
             WILLIAMS
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           His
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Prin●ed
           for
           
             Ri.
             Chiswell
          
           ,
           and
           
             Tho.
             Cockerill
          
           ,
           Ser.
           r
           &
           Jun
           r
           :
           At
           the
           Rose
           and
           Crown
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           ;
           and
           at
           the
           
             Three
             Legs
          
           in
           the
           Poultrey
           .
           M
           DC
           XC
           VI
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             HEB.
             1.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             God
             who
             at
             sundry
             times
             ,
             and
             in
             divers
             manners
             spake
             in
             time
             past
             unto
             the
             Fathers
             by
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             hath
             in
             these
             last
             days
             spoken
             unto
             us
             by
             his
             Son
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           IN
           which
           words
           (
           as
           I
           have
           shewed
           )
           there
           is
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           A
           Description
           of
           Revelation
           ,
           't
           is
           God's
           speaking
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Certainty
           of
           such
           a
           Revelation
           ,
           God
           spake
           ,
           't
           is
           taken
           for
           granted
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Order
           observed
           in
           it
           ,
           it
           was
           
             at
             sundry
             times
          
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           Perfection
           and
           Completion
           of
           all
           ;
           God
           
             hath
             in
             these
             last
             days
             spoken
             unto
             us
             by
             his
             Son.
             
          
        
         
           Under
           the
           Third
           ,
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           I
           Have
           considered
           the
           several
           ways
           by
           which
           God
           did
           reveal
           himself
           ,
           as
           Inspiration
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
         
           (
           2.
           )
           Have
           shewed
           the
           difference
           between
           Divine
           Inspirations
           ,
           and
           Diabolical
           Illusions
           ,
           and
           Natural
           Impressions
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           I
           am
           now
           to
           consider
           the
           several
           periods
           before
           the
           Law
           ,
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           the
           gradual
           progress
           of
           Revelation
           from
           first
           to
           last
           ,
           from
           the
           lower
           to
           the
           higher
           degree
           ,
           and
           the
           perpetual
           respect
           one
           had
           to
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           (
           4.
           )
           I
           am
           to
           consider
           ,
           why
           God
           did
           thus
           gradually
           and
           
             at
             sundry
             times
          
           proceed
           in
           revealing
           his
           Will
           to
           Mankind
           ;
           and
           why
           he
           did
           not
           at
           the
           first
           communicate
           his
           Will
           to
           them
           as
           fully
           and
           perfectly
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           in
           
             the
             last
             daies
             by
             his
             Son.
             
          
        
         
           And
           then
           I
           am
           to
           conclude
           with
           the
           last
           General
           ,
           viz.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           General
           ;
           Where
           I
           am
           to
           shew
           the
           Perfection
           of
           the
           Gospel
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           not
           to
           be
           any
           other
           Revelation
           till
           the
           end
           of
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           I
           have
           here
           a
           large
           Field
           before
           me
           ;
           and
           many
           difficult
           Points
           to
           treat
           of
           ;
           but
           because
           this
           is
           the
           Concluding
           Lecture
           of
           the
           Year
           ,
           I
           shall
           sum
           it
           up
           ,
           and
           pass
           through
           the
           Particulars
           with
           as
           much
           brevity
           as
           the
           time
           will
           allow
           ;
           and
           with
           as
           much
           attention
           as
           I
           can
           ;
           though
           
           I
           must
           fall
           short
           of
           what
           the
           Subject
           and
           Nature
           of
           the
           things
           to
           be
           spoken
           of
           doth
           deserve
           ,
           and
           might
           otherwise
           ,
           be
           treated
           of
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           I
           am
           now
           come
           to
           the
           Third
           Branch
           ,
           and
           to
           consider
           the
           several
           Periods
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Patriarchal
           before
           the
           Law
           ,
           the
           Mosaical
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           Evangelical
           under
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           The
           Patriarchal
           State
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           extended
           from
           Adam
           to
           the
           Deliverance
           of
           the
           Israelites
           out
           of
           Egypt
           ,
           and
           the
           giving
           the
           Law
           at
           Mount
           Sinai
           ,
           which
           included
           in
           it
           the
           space
           of
           Two
           thousand
           five
           hundred
           Years
           ,
           and
           upward
           .
        
         
           The
           Mosaical
           or
           Legal
           State
           ,
           was
           that
           which
           extended
           from
           the
           delivery
           of
           the
           Law
           at
           Sinai
           ,
           to
           the
           preaching
           of
           
             John
             the
             Baptist
          
           ,
           with
           whom
           ended
           the
           
             time
             past
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             last
             daies
          
           began
           ;
           which
           included
           in
           it
           the
           space
           of
           One
           thousand
           four
           hundred
           Years
           ,
           and
           upward
           .
        
         
           The
           Evangelical
           State
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           began
           with
           
             John
             the
             Baptist
          
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           continue
           to
           the
           Worlds
           end
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           consideration
           of
           these
           three
           States
           ,
           we
           may
           observe
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           a
           great
           difference
           between
           them
           ,
           and
           a
           gradual
           ascent
           from
           the
           less
           perfect
           to
           the
           greater
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Mosaical
           is
           superior
           to
           the
           Patriarchal
           ,
           and
           the
           Evangelical
           to
           the
           Mosaical
           .
        
         
         
           When
           I
           speak
           of
           the
           Patriarchal
           ,
           I
           intend
           to
           give
           it
           all
           the
           advantage
           ,
           by
           looking
           upon
           it
           as
           a
           State
           of
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           not
           a
           bare
           State
           of
           Nature
           ;
           for
           I
           have
           before
           proved
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           a
           Revelation
           from
           the
           beginning
           ,
           and
           derived
           down
           by
           a
           constant
           Pedigree
           and
           Succession
           ,
           more
           or
           less
           .
           But
           what
           it
           was
           ,
           we
           must
           in
           great
           part
           rather
           conjecture
           ,
           than
           can
           certainly
           know
           ;
           especially
           as
           to
           the
           Antediluvian
           State.
           For
           the
           Flood
           having
           swept
           away
           the
           whole
           Stock
           of
           the
           ungodly
           Cainites
           ,
           it
           was
           the
           design
           of
           Providence
           that
           their
           
             Memorial
             should
             perish
             with
             them
          
           :
           And
           so
           the
           Divine
           Penman
           contracted
           that
           State
           ,
           and
           gives
           us
           only
           a
           Breviat
           of
           what
           passed
           before
           the
           Flood
           .
        
         
           We
           have
           there
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Creation
           ,
           Fall
           ,
           and
           Recovery
           of
           Man
           ;
           and
           may
           observe
           how
           seasonably
           Almighty
           God
           interposed
           for
           his
           Comfort
           and
           Relief
           ,
           by
           the
           promise
           of
           
             the
             Seed
             of
             the
             Woman
          
           .
           We
           may
           observe
           further
           ,
           how
           for
           the
           maintaining
           of
           his
           Authority
           ,
           and
           the
           manifestation
           of
           his
           Justice
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           and
           to
           imprint
           on
           the
           minds
           of
           Men
           a
           dread
           of
           offending
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           up
           an
           expectation
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God's
           appearing
           and
           becoming
           a
           Sacrifice
           in
           our
           Nature
           ,
           God
           established
           from
           the
           very
           first
           a
           course
           of
           Sacrifices
           ;
           
           by
           the
           means
           of
           which
           Atonement
           Sinners
           might
           have
           a
           right
           Notion
           of
           Almighty
           God
           :
           when
           his
           Justice
           and
           Mercy
           were
           thus
           intermingled
           ;
           that
           they
           might
           not
           be
           encouraged
           to
           presume
           on
           one
           hand
           ,
           nor
           be
           thrown
           into
           despair
           on
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           We
           may
           observe
           farther
           ,
           how
           God
           provided
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           especially
           Revelation
           ,
           by
           the
           Longaevity
           of
           the
           Patriarchs
           ,
           and
           a
           Race
           of
           Holy
           Men
           ,
           who
           were
           Prophets
           and
           Testifiers
           of
           his
           Will
           ;
           of
           whom
           there
           was
           a
           constant
           Succession
           ;
           that
           by
           a
           long
           Conversation
           between
           Father
           and
           Son
           ,
           Progenitors
           and
           Successors
           ,
           what
           was
           wanting
           in
           Records
           and
           Memorials
           ,
           might
           be
           supplied
           .
        
         
           We
           may
           observe
           farther
           ,
           how
           ineffectual
           this
           course
           proved
           in
           the
           Issue
           ,
           how
           degenerate
           Mankind
           grew
           ,
           so
           inflexible
           and
           incorrigible
           ,
           that
           to
           purge
           out
           this
           pest
           of
           Impiety
           that
           had
           infected
           the
           whole
           Race
           ,
           God
           took
           up
           a
           resolution
           of
           discharging
           the
           World
           of
           that
           impious
           Stock
           ,
           and
           to
           raise
           up
           a
           new
           Seed
           from
           the
           Righteous
           Noah
           ;
           and
           that
           issued
           in
           the
           Flood
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           the
           short
           History
           of
           the
           first
           Sixteen
           hundred
           fifty
           six
           years
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           Antediluvian
           State.
           
        
         
         
           The
           Revelation
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           it
           is
           handed
           down
           to
           us
           in
           Moses
           ,
           was
           then
           obscure
           ;
           But
           a
           Revelation
           they
           had
           ,
           and
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           the
           higher
           Form
           :
           Insomuch
           ,
           that
           some
           of
           the
           Jews
           hold
           ,
           that
           Enoch
           ,
           in
           particular
           ,
           was
           endued
           with
           a
           higher
           degree
           of
           Prophecy
           than
           Moses
           and
           Elias
           .
        
         
           But
           whatever
           it
           was
           ,
           the
           sum
           amounted
           to
           this
           ,
           That
           God
           was
           reconciled
           to
           man
           after
           his
           Apostacy
           ;
           that
           he
           had
           established
           an
           Atonement
           ;
           and
           that
           in
           process
           of
           time
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           should
           in
           our
           Nature
           actually
           appear
           ,
           and
           become
           a
           Saviour
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           be
           a
           Propitiation
           for
           our
           Sins
           .
        
         
           But
           there
           is
           a
           farther
           branch
           of
           this
           Patriarchal
           State
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Post-Diluvian
           ,
           after
           the
           Deluge
           .
        
         
           Here
           we
           are
           in
           part
           in
           the
           dark
           as
           before
           ;
           for
           there
           were
           no
           less
           than
           Three
           hundred
           sixty
           seven
           years
           ,
           at
           the
           least
           ,
           past
           (
           for
           so
           long
           it
           was
           from
           the
           Flood
           to
           
           Abraham's
           departure
           out
           of
           Haran
           )
           of
           which
           the
           Inspired
           Historian
           gives
           little
           account
           .
           All
           that
           we
           have
           ,
           is
           the
           progeny
           of
           the
           Sons
           of
           Noah
           ,
           and
           their
           dispersion
           ,
           and
           the
           division
           of
           Tongues
           upon
           the
           foolish
           attempt
           at
           Babel
           .
        
         
         
           The
           reason
           of
           this
           seems
           to
           be
           much
           the
           same
           as
           before
           the
           Flood
           ;
           and
           that
           was
           the
           general
           depravation
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           of
           which
           the
           said
           attempt
           at
           Babel
           was
           an
           Instance
           ;
           and
           the
           Call
           of
           Abraham
           out
           of
           the
           Land
           of
           the
           Chaldees
           an
           Evidence
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           reason
           of
           that
           Call
           of
           his
           ,
           was
           the
           Idolatry
           then
           growing
           upon
           the
           World
           ;
           the
           infection
           of
           which
           ,
           it
           seems
           ,
           the
           Family
           of
           Sem
           had
           not
           altogether
           escaped
           :
           For
           this
           the
           Ancestors
           of
           Abraham
           are
           charged
           with
           ,
           Josh.
           24.2
           ,
           14.
           
           And
           then
           it
           was
           in
           him
           that
           pure
           Religion
           began
           to
           lift
           up
           its
           head
           again
           ;
           and
           for
           that
           reason
           that
           he
           might
           become
           an
           eminent
           Instrument
           for
           preserving
           and
           promoting
           it
           ,
           God
           revealed
           himself
           to
           that
           Holy
           Patriarch
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           the
           Third
           Branch
           of
           the
           Patriarchal
           Period
           ,
           which
           I
           may
           call
           the
           Abraamical
           State.
           
        
         
           The
           first
           Revelation
           of
           this
           was
           (
           as
           aforesaid
           )
           to
           Adam
           ,
           which
           was
           ,
           that
           it
           should
           be
           
             the
             Seed
             of
             the
             woman
          
           ,
           (
           whom
           the
           Serpent
           had
           seduced
           ,
           and
           thought
           to
           have
           brought
           his
           ends
           about
           by
           )
           .
           The
           next
           opening
           of
           this
           great
           secret
           of
           Divine
           Wisdom
           was
           ,
           that
           this
           Seed
           ,
           or
           Messias
           ,
           should
           descend
           from
           the
           Stock
           of
           Abraham
           ,
           viz.
           
             In
             thee
             shall
             all
             families
             of
             the
             earth
             be
             blessed
             ,
          
           Gen.
           12.3
           .
           
           which
           the
           Apostle
           applies
           to
           Christ
           ,
           Gal.
           3.16
           .
           and
           to
           which
           Abraham
           had
           a
           respect
           in
           the
           Birth
           of
           Isaac
           ,
           when
           he
           gave
           him
           that
           Name
           ,
           which
           signifies
           laughter
           ,
           or
           rejoycing
           ,
           Gen.
           21.3
           .
           Thus
           our
           Saviour
           interprets
           it
           in
           that
           allusion
           ,
           
             Your
             father
             Abraham
             rejoyced
             to
             see
             my
             day
             ,
             and
             was
             glad
             ,
          
           John
           8.56
           .
        
         
           This
           was
           the
           reason
           why
           Moses
           did
           so
           carefully
           draw
           down
           the
           Pedigree
           of
           Sem
           ,
           which
           terminated
           in
           Abraham
           ;
           passing
           slightly
           by
           the
           History
           of
           his
           Progenitors
           ,
           and
           taking
           up
           that
           of
           this
           Patriarch
           ,
           in
           whom
           the
           Holy
           Seed
           did
           more
           illustriously
           appear
           :
           And
           why
           also
           he
           so
           punctually
           set
           down
           the
           time
           when
           this
           promise
           to
           Abraham
           was
           first
           made
           ,
           
           and
           which
           as
           the
           principal
           of
           all
           ,
           God
           did
           several
           times
           repeat
           to
           him
           ,
           
           and
           also
           to
           Isaac
           and
           Jacob
           ,
           at
           the
           first
           time
           he
           is
           said
           to
           have
           appeared
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           though
           they
           had
           a
           standing
           Oracle
           ,
           
           and
           had
           other
           Revelations
           ,
           yet
           this
           of
           the
           holy
           Seed
           was
           the
           chief
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           which
           was
           upon
           all
           solemn
           occasions
           renewed
           .
        
         
           But
           though
           Revelation
           did
           eminently
           conduce
           to
           the
           good
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           where
           it
           was
           promulged
           and
           received
           ,
           and
           afforded
           a
           much
           brighter
           and
           more
           certain
           light
           than
           Nature
           and
           Reason
           of
           it self
           did
           ;
           yet
           even
           here
           Revelation
           
           made
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           a
           pause
           ,
           and
           the
           Patriarchal
           State
           gave
           way
           to
           another
           which
           we
           call
           ,
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Mosaical
           ,
           which
           had
           a
           manifold
           advantage
           of
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           As
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           That
           Religion
           here
           was
           National
           ,
           and
           the
           People
           were
           entire
           and
           embodied
           into
           one
           Society
           ;
           whereas
           it
           was
           otherwise
           among
           the
           Patriarchs
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           case
           of
           Terah
           in
           
             Mesopotamia
             ;
             Melchisedec
          
           ,
           and
           even
           Abraham
           ,
           in
           Canaan
           ;
           and
           Job
           in
           Arabia
           ;
           where
           Religion
           and
           the
           Church
           was
           rather
           Domestical
           than
           National
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           The
           State
           of
           the
           Jews
           was
           a
           Theocracy
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           of
           it
           ,
           whether
           as
           to
           matters
           Civil
           or
           Divine
           ,
           was
           established
           by
           God's
           peculiar
           appointment
           ,
           and
           under
           whose
           immediate
           Regiment
           they
           were
           ;
           having
           his
           Minister
           Moses
           their
           Mediator
           ,
           Gal.
           3.19
           .
           and
           God
           making
           them
           his
           peculiar
           and
           propriety
           ,
           Deut.
           4.33
           .
           14.2
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           It
           was
           a
           typical
           State
           ,
           under
           which
           one
           of
           greater
           excellency
           ,
           and
           thereafter
           in
           process
           of
           time
           to
           succeed
           ,
           was
           adumbrated
           ,
           I
           mean
           ,
           the
           Evangelical
           :
           So
           that
           their
           Rites
           ,
           and
           particularly
           their
           Sacrifices
           under
           that
           Dispensation
           ,
           had
           a
           peculiar
           respect
           to
           the
           great
           Sacrifice
           ,
           
             the
             lamb
          
           said
           to
           be
           slain
           (
           in
           God's
           Decree
           ,
           and
           in
           
           the
           vertue
           of
           it
           )
           
             from
             the
             foundation
             of
             the
             world
          
           :
           And
           which
           those
           Rites
           and
           Sacrifices
           were
           intended
           for
           the
           farther
           ratification
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           in
           their
           minds
           .
        
         
           (
           4.
           )
           I
           may
           add
           ,
           there
           was
           an
           improvement
           made
           upon
           this
           Legal
           and
           Typical
           State
           ,
           by
           the
           Prophetical
           ;
           which
           was
           enobled
           by
           the
           many
           illustrious
           Prophecies
           ,
           more
           especially
           concerning
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           time
           of
           his
           Appearance
           ,
           his
           Birth
           ,
           and
           the
           Place
           of
           it
           ,
           his
           Family
           ,
           Sufferings
           ,
           Miracles
           ,
           Resurrection
           ,
           Ascension
           ,
           in
           abundance
           of
           circumstances
           relating
           thereunto
           .
           And
           when
           in
           the
           declension
           of
           the
           Jewish
           State
           ,
           Prophecy
           might
           be
           expected
           should
           decay
           with
           it
           ,
           it
           on
           the
           contrary
           increas'd
           ,
           till
           on
           the
           sudden
           it
           wholly
           ceas'd
           ,
           when
           the
           Revelation
           of
           that
           kind
           ,
           and
           for
           that
           season
           ,
           was
           sufficient
           :
           For
           what
           could
           have
           been
           more
           punctual
           than
           what
           was
           already
           Revealed
           ?
        
         
           (
           5.
           )
           After
           this
           there
           was
           a
           long
           interval
           of
           above
           Four
           hundred
           years
           ,
           and
           a
           cessation
           of
           that
           Prophecy
           and
           extraordinary
           Revelation
           which
           had
           continued
           in
           that
           Church
           for
           the
           space
           of
           above
           a
           Thousand
           years
           ,
           from
           the
           time
           of
           Moses
           to
           that
           of
           Zechary
           and
           Malachi
           ;
           at
           the
           close
           of
           which
           it
           had
           been
           foretold
           ,
           that
           by
           the
           coming
           of
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           Prophecy
           and
           Revelation
           
           should
           revive
           ,
           and
           a
           more
           plentiful
           effusion
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           should
           then
           be
           ,
           than
           had
           been
           ever
           before
           .
           Now
           what
           should
           be
           the
           reason
           of
           this
           ,
           but
           that
           there
           might
           be
           raised
           in
           that
           People
           the
           more
           earnest
           desire
           after
           the
           approaching
           of
           that
           happy
           Age
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           might
           thereby
           be
           convinced
           that
           their
           own
           Institution
           was
           not
           to
           continue
           for
           ever
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           was
           a
           more
           perfect
           Dispensation
           which
           they
           were
           to
           expect
           ,
           and
           which
           was
           to
           rise
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           ashes
           of
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           is
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Evangelical
           State
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           close
           and
           completion
           of
           all
           ;
           in
           which
           the
           Rites
           of
           the
           Law
           were
           completed
           ,
           the
           Types
           answered
           by
           the
           Anti-Types
           ,
           and
           the
           Prophecies
           were
           fulfilled
           and
           interpreted
           by
           the
           Event
           .
           So
           that
           the
           New
           Testament
           is
           the
           evidence
           and
           proof
           of
           the
           Old
           ;
           the
           one
           declaring
           what
           is
           to
           come
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           shewing
           that
           it
           is
           come
           ;
           both
           bearing
           an
           exact
           correspondence
           to
           each
           other
           .
        
         
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
           Fourth
           Branch
           of
           the
           Third
           General
           ;
           where
        
         
           4.
           
           I
           am
           to
           consider
           why
           God
           did
           thus
           gradually
           and
           
             at
             sundry
             times
          
           proceed
           in
           Revealing
           his
           Will
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           why
           he
           did
           not
           at
           the
           first
           communicate
           his
           Will
           to
           them
           as
           fully
           
           and
           perfectly
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           
             in
             the
             last
             days
             by
             his
             Son
             ?
          
        
         
           So
           that
           there
           are
           Two
           Questions
           to
           be
           resolved
           .
        
         
           Q.
           1.
           
           Why
           God
           did
           not
           communicate
           his
           Will
           
             at
             first
          
           ?
        
         
           Q.
           2.
           
           Why
           in
           
             these
             last
             days
          
           ?
        
         
           A.
           (
           1.
           )
           As
           to
           the
           former
           ;
           it
           may
           as
           well
           be
           asked
           ,
           Why
           God
           did
           ever
           promise
           ?
           And
           why
           he
           did
           not
           actually
           give
           at
           the
           same
           time
           when
           he
           promised
           ?
        
         
           It
           may
           again
           be
           as
           well
           asked
           ,
           Why
           there
           was
           such
           a
           thing
           as
           Prophecy
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           things
           Prophecied
           of
           were
           not
           at
           the
           same
           instant
           accomplished
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           predicted
           ?
        
         
           And
           if
           that
           be
           the
           question
           ;
           it
           may
           again
           as
           well
           be
           asked
           ,
           Why
           there
           is
           such
           a
           thing
           as
           Succession
           ?
           Why
           there
           are
           Causes
           and
           Effects
           ?
           And
           why
           all
           things
           are
           not
           Existent
           at
           once
           ?
           And
           why
           all
           Acts
           are
           not
           done
           together
           ?
           For
           Promises
           and
           Prophecies
           imply
           Succession
           ;
           and
           to
           require
           there
           should
           be
           no
           Promises
           and
           no
           Prophecies
           ,
           is
           ,
           in
           effect
           ,
           to
           require
           there
           should
           be
           no
           Succession
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           A
           Promise
           on
           God's
           part
           ,
           implies
           the
           certainty
           of
           the
           thing
           in
           its
           season
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           a
           Prophecy
           .
           A
           Prophecy
           is
           certain
           because
           of
           
           God's
           infinite
           Power
           ,
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           Knowledge
           ,
           to
           foresee
           what
           will
           be
           the
           effect
           of
           such
           Causes
           ,
           what
           the
           events
           of
           such
           Actions
           ,
           or
           how
           he
           will
           order
           and
           accomplish
           them
           :
           And
           a
           Promise
           implies
           besides
           that
           ,
           his
           Faithfulness
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           will
           infallibly
           see
           to
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           it
           .
           And
           so
           whatever
           is
           Promised
           or
           Prophecied
           of
           by
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           is
           as
           certain
           in
           its
           Causes
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           in
           the
           Event
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           was
           now
           in
           being
           or
           now
           done
           ,
           or
           that
           we
           had
           it
           in
           actual
           possession
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           It
           is
           as
           much
           ,
           if
           not
           more
           ,
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           that
           there
           should
           be
           a
           Succession
           of
           Beings
           ,
           Actions
           ,
           and
           Events
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           all
           Existent
           at
           once
           ;
           and
           consequently
           as
           much
           to
           order
           such
           Beings
           ,
           Actions
           ,
           and
           Events
           in
           Succession
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           if
           they
           were
           present
           .
        
         
           (
           4.
           )
           As
           there
           are
           in
           Nature
           a
           First
           and
           a
           Second
           ,
           and
           so
           on
           in
           progression
           ;
           and
           all
           things
           appearing
           in
           their
           proper
           time
           ,
           order
           ,
           and
           course
           ,
           till
           by
           degrees
           't
           is
           raised
           to
           its
           highest
           Perfection
           :
           So
           it
           is
           as
           accountable
           for
           God
           to
           make
           known
           his
           Will
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           to
           begin
           and
           carry
           it
           on
           ,
           from
           a
           lesser
           to
           a
           higher
           degree
           ,
           as
           he
           sees
           fit
           ;
           and
           upon
           a
           strict
           examination
           has
           as
           much
           Beauty
           and
           Order
           in
           it
           .
           And
           to
           have
           all
           
           Revelation
           at
           once
           ,
           would
           appear
           as
           irregular
           as
           for
           all
           Mankind
           to
           have
           lived
           and
           died
           all
           at
           once
           .
        
         
           (
           5.
           )
           Especially
           is
           this
           ,
           where
           such
           Revelations
           are
           suited
           to
           the
           state
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Dispensation
           of
           one
           Age
           would
           not
           suit
           the
           Temper
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           another
           ;
           of
           which
           we
           have
           an
           instance
           in
           the
           Jews
           ,
           who
           were
           of
           that
           Temper
           ,
           that
           a
           burdensome
           and
           Ritual
           Religion
           was
           more
           fit
           for
           them
           than
           another
           more
           Refined
           and
           Spiritual
           ,
           and
           whose
           External
           and
           Gorgeous
           Form
           was
           accommodated
           accordingly
           to
           it
           ,
           
             as
             under
             age
          
           ,
           Gal.
           4.1
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           wisely
           observed
           by
           Theodoret
           ,
           
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ;
           
             That
             God
             suited
             his
             Instructions
             to
             every
             Age
             of
             the
             World.
          
           And
           we
           have
           good
           reason
           to
           believe
           this
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           because
           there
           was
           such
           a
           gradual
           progress
           in
           Divine
           Revelation
           ,
           as
           has
           been
           already
           shewn
           .
        
         
           (
           6.
           )
           This
           is
           still
           the
           more
           accountable
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           that
           the
           Obligation
           of
           Mankind
           arises
           from
           the
           Notification
           of
           the
           Divine
           Will
           ;
           and
           that
           according
           as
           the
           Revelation
           of
           it
           is
           ,
           so
           is
           the
           Obligation
           .
           And
           therefore
           those
           that
           have
           no
           Revelation
           ,
           are
           not
           upon
           the
           same
           strict
           terms
           with
           those
           that
           have
           ;
           nor
           are
           those
           that
           
           live
           under
           the
           lower
           Dispensation
           ,
           upon
           the
           same
           terms
           with
           those
           that
           have
           the
           higher
           :
           So
           the
           Apostle
           St.
           Peter
           ,
           
           
             Of
             a
             truth
             I
             perceive
             that
             God
             is
             no
             respecter
             of
             persons
             ;
             but
             every
             one
             that
             feareth
             God
             ,
             and
             worketh
             righteousness
             is
             accepted
             of
             him
             .
          
        
         
           But
           this
           in
           part
           belongs
           to
           the
           next
           Question
           .
        
         
           Q.
           2.
           
           From
           hence
           we
           may
           be
           able
           in
           part
           to
           resolve
           the
           other
           branch
           of
           the
           Question
           ,
           viz.
           Why
           God
           did
           not
           at
           the
           first
           send
           his
           Son
           to
           deliver
           his
           Will
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           
             in
             the
             last
             days
          
           ?
        
         
           Celsus
           ,
           a
           great
           Adversary
           to
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           from
           the
           consideration
           of
           Christ's
           coming
           so
           late
           into
           the
           world
           for
           the
           Redemption
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           compares
           God
           to
           Jupiter
           in
           the
           Comedy
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
           
             as
             waking
             out
             of
             a
             long
             sleep
             .
          
        
         
           But
           this
           may
           as
           well
           be
           objected
           against
           any
           special
           act
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           ;
           and
           were
           there
           no
           other
           answer
           to
           be
           given
           ,
           this
           were
           sufficient
           .
           But
           as
           there
           were
           many
           Prophecies
           concerning
           this
           state
           of
           things
           to
           be
           accomplished
           by
           the
           coming
           of
           Messiah
           ,
           so
           we
           shall
           find
           sufficient
           reason
           for
           the
           Justification
           of
           Divine
           Providence
           in
           laying
           this
           Scene
           so
           remote
           from
           the
           first
           Ages
           of
           the
           world
           .
        
         
         
           For
        
         
           1.
           
           By
           this
           means
           we
           see
           what
           a
           wonderful
           Concatenation
           there
           is
           in
           the
           Divine
           Operations
           ,
           and
           how
           in
           an
           orderly
           course
           all
           Events
           succeed
           according
           to
           his
           determinate
           Will
           ,
           and
           what
           he
           has
           foretold
           .
           For
           there
           is
           a
           History
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           of
           our
           Saviour
           before
           his
           Appearance
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           Description
           and
           Characters
           given
           of
           him
           in
           Scripture
           for
           Four
           thousand
           years
           together
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           able
           to
           prove
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           the
           Messiah
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           doth
           not
           seem
           that
           the
           world
           was
           prepared
           for
           it
           before
           .
           For
           if
           Christ
           had
           been
           Born
           and
           Died
           as
           soon
           as
           Adam
           had
           Sinned
           ,
           there
           would
           not
           have
           been
           among
           Mankind
           the
           sense
           of
           their
           Condition
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           need
           they
           stood
           in
           of
           a
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           in
           providing
           one
           for
           them
           ;
           nor
           of
           the
           Necessity
           of
           the
           Divine
           Power
           to
           rescue
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           not
           had
           a
           long
           experience
           of
           the
           ineffectualness
           of
           any
           other
           course
           or
           means
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           We
           are
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           the
           benefit
           of
           Christ's
           Death
           ,
           looked
           backward
           as
           well
           as
           forward
           ,
           and
           took
           place
           from
           the
           first
           publication
           of
           the
           Promise
           .
        
         
           For
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           Immediately
           after
           the
           Fall
           ,
           God
           did
           promise
           ,
           That
           
             the
             seed
             of
             the
             woman
          
           should
           bruise
           
           the
           Serpent's
           head
           ;
           and
           this
           being
           a
           Promise
           made
           to
           Adam
           ,
           he
           himself
           must
           consequently
           have
           the
           benefit
           of
           it
           :
           For
           what
           advantage
           or
           comfort
           could
           it
           have
           been
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           Four
           thousand
           years
           after
           there
           should
           be
           a
           Descendent
           from
           him
           that
           should
           become
           a
           Saviour
           to
           them
           that
           were
           at
           that
           time
           in
           being
           ,
           and
           that
           should
           then
           and
           afterward
           believe
           on
           him
           ?
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           We
           are
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           this
           Promise
           gave
           Adam
           as
           much
           a
           title
           to
           the
           benefit
           of
           such
           an
           atonement
           ,
           and
           was
           to
           him
           as
           stable
           a
           ground
           of
           comfort
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           had
           at
           the
           same
           time
           been
           actually
           executed
           ;
           or
           as
           it
           could
           be
           to
           any
           that
           lived
           in
           or
           after
           the
           time
           that
           this
           atonement
           was
           offered
           ,
           and
           the
           promise
           in
           all
           respects
           punctually
           made
           good
           .
        
         
           Hence
           we
           read
           in
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           of
           
             the
             grace
             that
             was
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             before
             the
             world
             began
             ,
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           of
           ancient
           times
           ,
           2
           Tim.
           1.9
           .
           
             But
             is
             now
             made
             manifest
             by
             the
             appearing
             of
             our
             Saviour
          
           ;
           and
           that
           not
           in
           decree
           only
           ,
           but
           in
           fact
           ;
           so
           the
           same
           Apostle
           uses
           the
           phrase
           ,
           
             the
             hope
             of
             eternal
             life
             ,
             which
             God
             that
             cannot
             lye
             ,
             promised
             ,
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
           
             before
             the
             world
             began
          
           ;
           it
           's
           a
           promise
           made
           in
           time
           ,
           and
           which
           he
           there
           distinguishes
           from
           the
           manifestation
           of
           it
           .
           So
           the
           
             Gospel
             was
             preached
             before
             to
             Abraham
             ,
          
           Gal.
           3.8
           .
           and
           who
           in
           the
           Faith
           of
           it
           ,
           
             rejoyced
             
             and
             was
             glad
          
           ,
           John
           8.56
           .
           This
           is
           implied
           Heb.
           9.25
           ,
           26.
           
           
             Then
             must
             he
             often
             have
             suffered
             since
             the
             foundation
             of
             the
             world
          
           ;
           which
           implies
           that
           all
           sin
           ,
           since
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           was
           forgiven
           with
           respect
           to
           that
           Atonement
           .
           So
           that
           when
           there
           was
           a
           promise
           of
           such
           a
           means
           for
           our
           Reconciliation
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           vertue
           of
           which
           the
           Penitent
           might
           plead
           for
           pardon
           ,
           it
           was
           equally
           as
           advantageous
           to
           them
           that
           believed
           
             in
             him
             that
             was
             to
             come
             ,
          
           from
           the
           first
           publication
           of
           that
           Promise
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           then
           had
           a
           plenary
           possession
           :
           So
           that
           Christ
           might
           be
           well
           said
           to
           be
           
             the
             lamb
             slain
             from
             the
             foundation
             of
             the
             world
             ,
          
           Rev.
           13.8
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           in
           all
           appearance
           there
           was
           not
           a
           more
           proper
           time
           for
           the
           coming
           of
           our
           Saviour
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           for
           all
           the
           Events
           depending
           upon
           it
           ,
           than
           that
           in
           which
           he
           appeared
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           if
           we
           consider
           ,
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           The
           general
           expectation
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           conformity
           to
           ancient
           Prophecies
           .
           This
           was
           notorious
           among
           the
           Jews
           :
           So
           Luke
           19.11
           .
           
             They
             thought
             the
             kingdom
             of
             God
             should
             immediately
             appear
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           the
           Messiah
           .
        
         
           So
           we
           find
           Simeon
           and
           Anna
           ,
           and
           others
           ,
           
             waited
             for
             the
             consolation
             of
             Israel
             ,
          
           Luke
           2.25
           ,
           38.
           
           of
           which
           number
           was
           Joseph
           of
           Arimathea
           ,
           Mark
           15.43
           .
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           this
           or
           something
           like
           it
           ,
           was
           got
           among
           the
           Gentiles
           :
           So
           Tacitus
           ,
           
           the
           Roman
           Historian
           ,
           
             Many
             were
             perswaded
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             contained
             in
             the
             ancient
             Writings
             of
             the
             Priests
             ,
             that
             at
             that
             time
             it
             should
             come
             to
             pass
             ,
             That
             the
          
           East
           
             should
             prevail
             ,
             and
             that
             They
             should
             proceed
             from
          
           Judaea
           
             who
             should
             be
             Lords
             of
             all
             ;
             which
             was
             a
             Prophecy
             of
          
           Vespatian
           and
           Titus
           .
        
         
           Suetonius
           another
           Historian
           ,
           saith
           ,
           
             That
             it
             was
             an
             old
             and
             constant
             Opinion
             that
             had
             prevailed
             all
             over
             the
          
           East
           :
           
             This
             the
             Event
          
           ,
           said
           he
           ,
           
             shewed
             to
             be
             meant
             of
             the
          
           Roman
           
             Emperor
             ;
             but
             the
          
           Jews
           
             applying
             it
             to
             themselves
             ,
             Rebelled
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           agreeable
           to
           what
           is
           said
           by
           Josephus
           ,
           
           the
           Jewish
           Historian
           ,
           who
           saith
           ,
           
             That
             which
             stirred
             up
             the
             Jews
             ,
             and
             brought
             final
             Ruin
             upon
             them
             ,
             was
             the
             opinion
             they
             had
             from
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             some
             doubtful
             Prophecy
             in
             the
             Sacred
             Writings
             ,
             that
             at
             that
             very
             time
             there
             should
             arise
             from
             that
             Countrey
             one
             of
             themselves
             that
             should
             Govern
             the
             whole
             World.
             
          
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           It
           was
           a
           proper
           time
           ,
           because
           as
           the
           world
           had
           all
           along
           the
           experience
           of
           the
           inability
           of
           all
           human
           means
           for
           reforming
           the
           Manners
           and
           Tempers
           of
           Men
           ,
           so
           in
           that
           age
           more
           
           especially
           ,
           when
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           the
           world
           was
           in
           its
           height
           both
           among
           Jews
           and
           Gentiles
           .
        
         
           When
           among
           the
           Jews
           they
           were
           at
           that
           time
           as
           averse
           to
           Idolatry
           ,
           as
           ever
           their
           Ancestors
           had
           been
           inclined
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           were
           in
           all
           the
           punctilio's
           of
           the
           Law
           as
           exact
           and
           scrupulous
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           skilled
           in
           the
           Letter
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           yet
           our
           Saviour
           found
           matter
           enough
           to
           condemn
           and
           chastise
           them
           for
           ,
           and
           their
           practice
           was
           a
           fit
           Comment
           on
           that
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           Rom.
           8.3
           .
           
             What
             the
             Law
             could
             not
             do
             in
             that
             it
             was
             weak
             through
             the
             flesh
             .
          
           So
           St.
           Hierom
           Comments
           upon
           it
           ,
           
             Now
             the
             time
             was
             fulfilled
             ,
             when
             through
             evil
             custom
             no
             man
             could
             keep
             the
             Law.
             
          
        
         
           And
           if
           we
           turn
           our selves
           to
           the
           Heathens
           ,
           Learning
           is
           acknowledged
           to
           have
           flourished
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Augustus
           beyond
           any
           Age
           ;
           and
           yet
           that
           Age
           seemed
           to
           equal
           it self
           in
           Vice
           ,
           not
           only
           as
           the
           Apostle
           describes
           it
           ,
           Rom.
           1.29
           .
           but
           as
           it
           is
           confirmed
           by
           their
           own
           Historians
           :
           So
           St.
           Augustin
           describes
           it
           ,
           
           
             I
             am
             not
             the
             first
             that
             report
             it
             ,
             but
             their
             own
             Authors
             ;
             behold
             ,
             before
             the
             coming
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             after
             the
             destruction
             of
          
           Carthage
           ,
           
             the
             manners
             of
             their
             Ancestors
             were
             neglected
             ,
             not
             as
             before
             by
             little
             and
             little
             ,
             but
             like
             a
             torrent
             by
             a
             strange
             precipitation
             ;
             so
             much
             was
             the
             truth
             corrupted
             by
             luxury
             and
             avarice
             .
          
        
         
         
           Now
           when
           the
           world
           was
           thus
           corrupted
           under
           the
           best
           human
           means
           ,
           What
           could
           be
           a
           fitter
           season
           for
           our
           Saviour's
           Appearance
           ?
           And
           therefore
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           as
           Origen
           and
           Tertullian
           ,
           triumph'd
           over
           the
           Philosophers
           ,
           and
           despis'd
           their
           artificial
           methods
           of
           Vertue
           ,
           as
           too
           weak
           for
           so
           great
           and
           noble
           an
           undertaking
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           It
           was
           a
           fit
           season
           ,
           as
           way
           was
           made
           for
           the
           propagation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           by
           the
           dispersion
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           and
           the
           success
           of
           the
           Grecian
           and
           Roman
           Arms.
           
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           By
           the
           dispersion
           of
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
             &c.
          
           For
           as
           their
           Law
           did
           serve
           to
           introduce
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           which
           it
           had
           a
           Relation
           ,
           and
           of
           which
           it
           was
           a
           proof
           ;
           so
           by
           their
           dispersion
           upon
           the
           Captivity
           (
           whence
           many
           of
           them
           never
           returned
           )
           and
           by
           other
           subsequent
           means
           ,
           many
           of
           the
           prejudices
           which
           other
           Nations
           had
           against
           the
           Jewish
           Religion
           and
           Nation
           ,
           were
           taken
           off
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           was
           much
           furthered
           by
           the
           Translation
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           into
           Greek
           (
           which
           was
           then
           the
           General
           Language
           )
           .
           From
           whence
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           the
           Opinion
           mentioned
           by
           the
           abovesaid
           Roman
           Historians
           ,
           did
           arise
           .
           
             It
             was
          
           ,
           saith
           Tacitus
           ,
           
           
             in
             the
             ancient
             Writings
             of
             the
             Priests
          
           :
           And
           indeed
           their
           
             ex
             Judaea
             prosecti
             qui
             rerum
             
             potirentur
             ,
             out
             of
          
           Judaea
           
             should
             proceed
             those
             that
             should
             Rule
             the
             world
             ,
          
           seems
           to
           be
           but
           the
           Latin
           of
           the
           Greek
           in
           Mic.
           5.2
           .
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             Out
             of
             thee
             shall
             come
             a
             Governor
             ,
          
           as
           it
           is
           in
           Matth.
           2.6
           :
           or
           in
           the
           Septuagint
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             that
             there
             should
             be
             a
             Ruler
             .
          
        
         
           And
           
           Tacitus's
           way
           of
           expressing
           it
           ,
           
           
             that
             the
          
           East
           
             should
             prevail
          
           ,
           is
           a
           manifest
           allusion
           to
           the
           same
           Translation
           ,
           which
           renders
           the
           word
           ,
           
             Netzar
             ,
             the
             Branch
          
           (
           the
           Name
           ascribed
           to
           our
           Saviour
           in
           the
           Prophets
           )
           by
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             the
             East
          
           ;
           so
           Jer.
           23.5
           .
           
             Behold
             the
             days
             come
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             I
             will
             raise
             unto
             David
             a
             righteous
             branch
             ,
          
           
           or
           the
           East
           ;
           
             and
             a
             King
          
           ,
           that
           King
           ,
           
             shall
             reign
             and
             prosper
             ,
             
             and
             shall
             execute
             judgment
             and
             justice
             in
             the
             earth
             .
          
           
           Now
           this
           Version
           having
           been
           in
           whole
           or
           in
           part
           ,
           
           undertaken
           for
           the
           use
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           request
           of
           
             Ptolomy
             Philadelphus
          
           King
           of
           Egypt
           ,
           about
           Three
           hundred
           years
           before
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           was
           in
           many
           hands
           ;
           and
           so
           such
           a
           material
           part
           as
           those
           Prophecies
           could
           not
           be
           overlook'd
           .
           And
           indeed
           with
           these
           Prophecies
           there
           may
           be
           a
           good
           account
           given
           of
           those
           fore-cited
           places
           in
           the
           Roman
           Historians
           ,
           but
           otherwise
           they
           are
           unintelligible
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           their
           application
           of
           them
           to
           Vespatian
           and
           his
           Son
           Titus
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           understanding
           the
           true
           intent
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           respect
           they
           had
           to
           the
           Messiah
           .
        
         
         
           (
           2.
           )
           Another
           means
           was
           the
           success
           of
           the
           Grecian
           and
           Roman
           Arms
           ;
           the
           former
           of
           which
           by
           Alexander
           ,
           and
           the
           latter
           by
           
             Pompey
             ,
             Julius
             Caesar
          
           ,
           and
           Augustus
           ,
           had
           opened
           a
           way
           into
           most
           of
           the
           remote
           parts
           of
           the
           then
           known
           world
           ;
           and
           by
           which
           means
           ,
           and
           the
           civilizing
           the
           most
           barbarous
           People
           ,
           there
           was
           a
           freer
           commerce
           and
           access
           .
        
         
           It
           must
           be
           confessed
           ,
           That
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           can
           conquer
           all
           difficulties
           ;
           and
           which
           we
           have
           an
           exemplification
           of
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           where
           the
           Barbarians
           and
           Scythians
           felt
           the
           wonderful
           power
           and
           prevalency
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           softer
           and
           better
           disposed
           Greeks
           and
           Romans
           :
           
           
             The
             Word
             preached
             with
             Power
             overcame
             all
             human
             Nature
             ,
          
           saith
           Origen
           .
        
         
           But
           God
           doth
           in
           the
           most
           extraordinary
           cases
           ,
           use
           sometimes
           ordinary
           means
           ;
           and
           especially
           was
           this
           observable
           ,
           that
           at
           that
           very
           time
           of
           our
           Saviour's
           Birth
           ,
           the
           Gates
           of
           the
           Temple
           of
           Janus
           at
           Rome
           were
           shut
           ,
           which
           were
           only
           in
           the
           time
           of
           an
           universal
           Peace
           ;
           and
           which
           had
           happened
           but
           twice
           from
           the
           foundation
           of
           that
           City
           ,
           till
           the
           Reign
           of
           Augustus
           (
           though
           twice
           before
           this
           in
           his
           Reign
           ,
           as
           I
           remember
           )
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           was
           a
           very
           fit
           season
           for
           the
           
             Prince
             of
             peace
          
           to
           appear
           in
           ,
           and
           what
           in
           this
           sence
           did
           verify
           the
           Angels
           Anthem
           at
           his
           Birth
           ,
           Luke
           2.14
           .
           
             On
             
             earth
             peace
             ,
             good
             will
          
           amongst
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           
             towards
             men
          
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           I
           am
           brought
           to
           the
           Evangelical
           State
           ;
           where
           I
           am
           ,
        
         
           4th
           General
           ,
           To
           shew
           the
           Perfection
           of
           the
           Gospel
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           not
           to
           be
           any
           other
           Revelation
           to
           the
           end
           of
           the
           world
           ;
           so
           it
           is
           here
           ,
           
             hath
             in
             these
             last
             days
             spoken
             unto
             us
             by
             his
             Son
          
           ;
           which
           implies
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               The
               close
               and
               conclusion
               of
               all
               ,
               it
               is
               
                 in
                 the
                 last
                 days
              
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Perfection
               of
               the
               Gospel
               Revelation
               ,
               it
               is
               
                 by
                 his
                 Son.
              
               
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           close
           of
           all
           ,
           it
           is
           
             in
             the
             last
             days
          
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           all
           former
           Ages
           had
           a
           relation
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           ,
           being
           
             the
             last
          
           ,
           they
           were
           to
           be
           consummated
           .
        
         
           Here
           ,
           setting
           aside
           all
           subdivisions
           of
           time
           ;
           we
           may
           consider
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           to
           Revelation
           ,
           under
           a
           twofold
           Period
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Former
           and
           ,
           the
           Latter
           days
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           ▪
           
           the
           Prophets
           speak
           of
           
             the
             last
             days
          
           ,
           as
           different
           from
           what
           both
           were
           before
           ,
           
           or
           what
           were
           in
           their
           own
           time
           .
        
         
           Now
           
             in
             these
             last
             days
          
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           certain
           part
           of
           time
           circumscribed
           ,
           which
           in
           reason
           is
           to
           have
           such
           characters
           belonging
           to
           it
           as
           it
           may
           be
           known
           
           by
           them
           when
           it
           was
           to
           commence
           ,
           without
           which
           the
           Epocha
           was
           not
           to
           be
           determined
           .
           So
           that
           the
           first
           thing
           to
           be
           considered
           is
           ,
           When
           these
           
             last
             days
          
           began
           ,
           and
           what
           are
           the
           Characters
           by
           which
           that
           time
           is
           to
           be
           known
           ?
        
         
           And
           they
           are
           such
           as
           these
           .
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           The
           appearance
           of
           a
           Person
           ,
           that
           from
           his
           spirit
           and
           temper
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           calls
           
             Elijah
             ,
             Mal.
          
           3.2
           .
           and
           4.5
           .
           who
           was
           to
           be
           the
           Forerunner
           of
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           and
           to
           
             prepare
             the
             way
          
           for
           his
           reception
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           The
           Restauration
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Prophecy
           ,
           which
           ceased
           among
           the
           Jews
           from
           the
           time
           of
           Zechary
           and
           Malachi
           ,
           (
           as
           has
           been
           before
           observed
           )
           and
           was
           to
           be
           restored
           in
           
             the
             last
             days
             .
             Joel
          
           2.28
           .
           Acts
           2.16
           .
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           Many
           Impostors
           which
           were
           to
           appear
           ;
           and
           who
           did
           not
           appear
           till
           about
           the
           time
           of
           the
           
             last
             days
          
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           computation
           of
           them
           ;
           so
           1
           John
           2.18
           .
           
             It
             is
             the
             last
             time
             ;
             and
             as
             ye
             have
             heard
             that
             Antichrist
             shall
             come
             ,
             even
             now
             are
             there
             many
             Antichrists
             ;
             whereby
             we
             know
             that
             it
             is
             the
             last
             time
             .
          
           V.
           Matth.
           24.5
           ,
           24.
           
        
         
           (
           4.
           )
           
             The
             last
             days
          
           were
           ,
           when
           the
           Messiah
           himself
           did
           appear
           ,
           
             called
             the
             fulness
             of
             time
          
           ,
           Gal.
           4.4
           .
           and
           so
           it
           is
           express
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             hath
             in
             these
             last
             days
             spoken
             unto
             us
             by
             his
             Son.
          
           To
           which
           we
           may
           add
           the
           Conversion
           of
           the
           
             Gentiles
             ,
             Isa.
          
           2.2
           .
           and
           63.1
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
         
           From
           whence
           it
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           sufficient
           ground
           for
           these
           two
           Periods
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Former
           and
           the
           Latter
           days
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Latter
           began
           with
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           continue
           to
           the
           end
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           whensoever
           that
           shall
           happen
           :
           And
           therefore
           as
           it
           is
           called
           
             the
             fulness
             of
             time
          
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           the
           completion
           and
           consummation
           of
           all
           ;
           so
           it
           is
           called
           
             the
             close
             of
             the
             Ages
          
           ,
           
           (
           we
           translate
           it
           
             the
             end
             of
             the
             world
          
           )
           or
           
             the
             last
             days
          
           ,
           because
           there
           were
           none
           to
           come
           after
           the
           expiration
           of
           this
           ;
           and
           comprehends
           in
           it
           (
           as
           aforesaid
           )
           all
           the
           space
           of
           time
           from
           Christ's
           first
           ,
           to
           his
           second
           Appearance
           .
           Heb.
           9.26
           .
           Acts
           1.11
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           there
           can
           be
           no
           other
           time
           ,
           and
           so
           no
           other
           Revelation
           ;
           for
           as
           long
           as
           the
           
             last
             days
          
           hold
           ,
           so
           long
           the
           present
           Revelation
           is
           to
           continue
           ;
           and
           then
           there
           can
           no
           more
           be
           any
           other
           Revelation
           ,
           than
           there
           can
           be
           
             last
             days
          
           beyond
           the
           last
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           will
           be
           confirmed
           by
           the
           next
           Branch
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Perfection
           of
           the
           Gospel
           Revelation
           ,
           included
           in
           that
           phrase
           ,
           God
           in
           these
           last
           days
           hath
           spoken
           to
           us
           
             by
             his
             Son.
          
           
        
         
           'T
           is
           but
           reasonable
           to
           suppose
           ,
           that
           since
           there
           has
           been
           a
           gradual
           Progression
           in
           Revelation
           from
           time
           to
           time
           ,
           and
           from
           a
           lower
           to
           a
           higher
           degree
           (
           as
           has
           been
           already
           proved
           )
           that
           the
           honour
           of
           all
           in
           the
           close
           should
           be
           reserved
           for
           the
           Son
           of
           
           God
           ;
           to
           whom
           the
           Prophets
           were
           Harbingers
           ,
           and
           the
           Angels
           themselves
           Ministers
           .
           This
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           Apostle's
           Argument
           ,
           and
           the
           drift
           of
           his
           Discourse
           ,
           in
           this
           Chapter
           ,
           beginning
           with
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             God
             who
             at
             sundry
             times
             —
             hath
             in
             these
             last
             days
             spoken
             unto
             us
             by
             his
             Son
             ,
             whom
             he
             hath
             appointed
             heir
             of
             all
             things
             —
             being
             made
             so
             much
             better
             than
             the
             Angels
             ,
             as
             he
             hath
             by
             inheritance
             obtained
             a
             more
             excellent
             name
             than
             they
             :
             for
             unto
             which
             of
             the
             Angels
             said
             he
             at
             any
             time
             ,
             Thou
             art
             my
             Son
             ,
          
           &
           c.
           ?
        
         
           Now
           as
           the
           Son
           is
           the
           last
           that
           appears
           ,
           so
           beyond
           his
           there
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           be
           any
           other
           Revelation
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           Revelation
           must
           be
           like
           to
           himself
           ,
           Perfect
           and
           Compleat
           ;
           and
           so
           there
           can
           be
           no
           other
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           whosoever
           pretends
           to
           another
           ,
           falls
           under
           the
           Anathema
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           Gal.
           1.8
           ,
           9.
           
           
             If
             any
             preach
             any
             other
             gospel
             than
             ye
             have
             received
             ,
             let
             him
             be
             accursed
             .
          
           For
           here
           it
           is
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           we
           find
           the
           great
           Prophecies
           fulfilled
           in
           the
           Messiah
           ;
           whose
           Characters
           ,
           though
           many
           ,
           all
           center
           in
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           as
           to
           Person
           ,
           Time
           ,
           Place
           ,
           Qualifications
           ,
           and
           Event
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           Him
           are
           all
           the
           Types
           fulfilled
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           
             good
             things
          
           accomplished
           ,
           which
           the
           Rites
           of
           the
           Law
           were
           the
           
             shadow
             of
          
           ,
           Heb.
           10.1
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           By
           Him
           is
           the
           most
           Perfect
           Revelation
           of
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           made
           known
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           of
           all
           that
           God
           has
           promis'd
           and
           we
           may
           expect
           .
        
         
         
           4.
           
           By
           Him
           have
           we
           the
           most
           Perfect
           Rule
           ,
           the
           Highest
           Motives
           ,
           most
           Noble
           Principles
           ,
           and
           Glorious
           Rewards
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           that
           conduce
           to
           the
           Perfection
           and
           Happiness
           of
           Mankind
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           to
           any
           one
           that
           reads
           and
           compares
           those
           several
           Dispensations
           before
           spoken
           of
           together
           ,
           as
           he
           must
           acknowledge
           there
           is
           this
           Gradation
           ,
           so
           that
           the
           Christian
           Institution
           is
           for
           the
           Matter
           and
           the
           Evidence
           of
           it
           superior
           to
           all
           ;
           and
           it
           will
           be
           as
           evident
           ,
           that
           it
           can
           be
           exceeded
           by
           none
           .
        
         
           For
           it
           is
           as
           perfect
           as
           can
           or
           need
           to
           be
           ;
           for
           we
           cannot
           ascend
           higher
           in
           our
           Notions
           and
           Conceptions
           of
           things
           than
           we
           are
           there
           taught
           .
           We
           cannot
           exceed
           its
           Rules
           in
           our
           Practice
           ,
           nor
           be
           defective
           in
           any
           necessary
           part
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           if
           we
           advise
           with
           and
           observe
           it
           .
           Nor
           can
           we
           desire
           more
           excellent
           Encouragements
           and
           Rewards
           than
           are
           therein
           proposed
           ,
           such
           as
           are
           Eternal
           .
           So
           that
           though
           the
           
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
             or
             of
             Moses
             made
             nothing
             perfect
             ,
             yet
             the
             bringing
             in
             of
             a
             better
             hope
          
           by
           the
           Gospel
           did
           .
           Heb.
           7.19
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           we
           have
           nothing
           farther
           to
           expect
           ,
           no
           more
           another
           Revelation
           than
           another
           Messiah
           ;
           no
           more
           than
           another
           God
           to
           reward
           us
           ,
           and
           another
           Heaven
           to
           reward
           us
           with
           .
        
         
           And
           with
           this
           I
           am
           to
           conclude
           ,
           having
           passed
           ,
           by
           God's
           Assistance
           ,
           through
           the
           several
           Heads
           I
           at
           first
           proposed
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           this
           Lecture
           .
           The
           Argument
           is
           the
           most
           Noble
           Subject
           in
           Religion
           ;
           what
           has
           been
           wanting
           in
           the
           Management
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           ascribed
           to
           the
           Weakness
           and
           Imperfection
           of
           the
           Instrument
           :
           But
           if
           there
           has
           been
           any
           thing
           offer'd
           ,
           which
           may
           tend
           to
           the
           farther
           Proof
           and
           Confirmation
           ,
           the
           Illustration
           and
           Improvement
           of
           it
           ;
           it
           is
           to
           be
           ascribed
           to
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           
             the
             giver
             of
             every
             good
             gift
             .
          
        
         
           From
           him
           must
           we
           wait
           for
           the
           Blessing
           and
           Success
           ,
           and
           
             To
             Him
             be
             all
             Honour
             and
             Glory
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           Finis
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A66407-e300
           
             Gen.
             18.18
             .
             22.18
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             26.4
             .
             28.14
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             25.22
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             Heret
             .
             Fab.
             l.
             5.
             c.
             11.
             
          
           
             Acts
             10.34
             .
          
           
             Origen
             .
             contr
             .
             Cels.
             1.6
             .
          
           
             Tit.
             1.2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             Hist.
             l.
             5.
             c.
             2.
             
             §.
             8.
             
          
           
             Joseph
             .
             de
             Bell.
             7.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             De
             civ
             .
             dei
             l.
             2.
             c.
             19.
             
          
           
             
               Antiquis
               Sacerdotum
               literis
            
             .
          
           
             
               Vt
               invalesecret
               Oriens
            
             .
          
           
             V.
             Isai.
             11.1
             .
          
           
             Jer
             33.15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             Zech.
             6.12
             .
          
           
             Luke
             1.78
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Contr.
             Cels.
             l.
             2.
             p.
             68.
             
          
           
             Isai.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             Mic.
             4.1
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Heb.
             9.26
             .