The Bloody Tenant Yet more Bloody, Chapter 35
Examination of CHAP. XXXV.
Peace.
HEre, whereas it was ſaid, if it were the Magiſtrates duty or office to puniſh hereticks &c. then he is both a temporal and Eccleſiaſtical officers: Maſter Cotton anſwers, It follows not: except the Magiſtrate were to puniſh with Eccleſiaſtical cenſures, his puniſhment is meerly civil, whether impriſonment, baniſhment, or death.
Truth.
I reply, firſt, the ſtatutes of the Engliſh nation, and the oath of ſupremacy, have proved the Kings and Queens of England heads and governors of the church of England: And ifThe title head of the Church. to be an head or governor be not an office, let Maſter Cotton be againe requeſted to ponder the instance given, which he paſſeth by in ſilence; deny it ingenuouſly he cannot, and to juſtifie it I hope his light from heaven will not ſuffer him, although yet he would …aine excuſe it, by ſaying, they puniſh only with civil puniſhment, impriſonment, baniſhment or death. Therefore,
2. Here lies the myſtery of iniquity, and the Babel and confuſion of it, that either according to Popiſh Tenents the kings of the earth muſt give their power to the beaſt, and enſlave themſelves under the name and vizard of the ſecular power to be the Popes executioners, or according to Proteſtant Tenents, to wit, that Kings and Governours be heads of the church and yet be furniſhed with no Church-power nor ſpirituall cenſures.
Peace.
It would be thought ſome myſtical and monſtrous thing, that Kings and Governors ſhould be obliged to act in civil Judicature, and yet be furniſhed with no civil power, but ought to puniſh onelyonly with ſpirituall or Church-cenſures.
Truth.
The blinde and the lame mans robbing the Orchard is here verified. The Miniſter (though a blindeguide) he is the ſeer, but wanting legs and ſtrength of civil power, he is carried upon the civil Magiſtrates ſhoulders, whoſe blindneſs the ſubtle Clergy abuſeth, &c. but both together rob the Orchard of the moſt high and ſurea…enging God.
Truth.
I conceive it true, that the Kings and Governors of the national church of Iſrael had a national power; and had theThe civil Megiſtrate no ſpiritual officer, now as in Iſrael. Kord Jeſus been pleaſed to have continued national churches the Lings and governors of ſuch ſtates might well (as they of Iſrael were) have been both Temporal and Eccleſiaſtical officers.
Peace.
But now the Lord Jeſus aboliſhing that national ſtate, and inſtituting and appointing his worſhippers and followers to be the Iſrael of God, the holy nation and proper Antitype of the former Iſrael; it ſeems moſt unchriſtian, that either the work or the title ſhould remaine, whether with open or a masked face or vizard.
Truth.
Therefore as it pleaſed God in wonderful wiſdome and inconcei…eable depths of councel for a while to continue a national church national covenant &c. and to take them away as unſufficient, beggarly, and weak, either for the further advancement of his own glory, or ſalvation of men: ſo hath he taken away the adminiſtration thereof by carnal weapons, armes of fleſh &c. In ſtead of fire and ſword, and ſtoning the oppoſit…es in ſtead of impriſonment, baniſhment death, he hath appointed exhortations, reprehenſions, denunciations▪ excommunications, and together with preaching, patient waiting, if God peradventure will give repentance.
Laſtly, If the civil Magiſtrate muſt impriſon and baniſh▪ and put to death in ſpiritual caſes; and the civil Magiſtrate, is but a Miniſter or ſervant of the people (and ſo of God) and if theThe peoples power. people make the laws, and give the Magiſtrate his commiſſion and power; doth it not follow by this doctrine, that the people of the nations of the world▪ are fundamentally and originally both Temporal and Eccleſiaſtical? And then what is become of the foundations of the Chriſtian faith? And alſo are not hereby the people and nations of the world (whatever care be had to the contrary to reſtraine) incouraged, according to their ſeveral conſciences, I ſay encouraged and hardened in their bloody wars, impriſonings, baniſhings, and putting to death for cauſe of conſcience?
Peace.
Whereas it was ſaid to be Babel or confuſion, for the church to puniſh the offences of ſuch as are not within its juriſdiction with ſpiritual cenſures, or the civil ſtate ſpiritual offences with corporal or temporal weapons, Maſter Cotton anſwers, No confuſion, for ſo Paul directs the church of Corinth.
Truth.
That very Parentheſis which Maſter Cotton ſtumbleth at, takes away his anſwer. For as it would be confuſion for the church to cenſure ſuch matters, and of ſuch perſons as belong not to the church: So is it confuſion for the ſtate to puniſh ſpiritual All Commonweals that ever have been, are or ſhal be in the World (excepting that of typical Iſrael) meerly civil.offenders, for they are not within the ſphear of a civil juriſdiction. The body or Commonweal is meerly civil, the Magiſtrate or head is a civil head, and each member is a civil member: and ſo far forth as any of this civil body are ſpiritual, or act ſpiritually, they and their actions fall under a ſpiritual cognizance and judicature.
Peace.
The reaſon (ſaith Maſter Cotton) is the ſame, for there be offences which tend to provoke wrath againſt the civil ſtate, Ezra 7. Why ſhould there be wrath againſt the king or his ſons?
Truth.
This reaſon indeed Maſter Cotton often inculcates and beates upon it, that the Pagan kings of Perſia were of his mind … The Decrees of Pagan kings for Iſrael, and the God of it, conſidered.I believe Maſter Cotton out of a zeal to God, but the Pagan kings out of a ſlaviſh terror, which never prevailed ſo far (that I know of) as to bring them to a kindly repentance of their own idolatries, or a true love to the God of Iſrael or his people.
Peace.
However your former anſwer is to me ſufficient; to wit, that thouſands of famous Towns, Cities and Kingdomes have flouriſhed in peace and tranquillity for many ages and generations, where God hath had no houſe, and not only where it was by the civil ſtate neglected, but alſo wholly perſecuted.
Truth.
In the time appointed and full ripeneſs of their ſins, the vengeance of God (after patience many generations abuſed) hath ſurely and fearefully viſited, yet in the interim, it is clear it is no ground of a neceſſity of preſent puniſhing of falſe worſhippers and idolaters, leaſt preſent wrath fall upon the King or his Son.
Peace.
Now whereas it was ſaid an intollerable burthen laidThe Miniſters lay heavy loads upon the Magiſtrates back. upon the Magiſtrates back, together with the care of the Commonweal to be charged alſo with the ſpiritual, &c. Maſter Cotton anſwers, 1. That the Magistrate ought to ſeek out meane… of grace for the people. 2. To remove idolatry and idolatrous Teachers. 3. It is commonly added, that he ought to preſerve the church pure by reformation.
Truth.
I reply, This work charged upon the kings, governors, and Magiſtrates in the world, makes the weight of their care and charge far greater, then ever was the charge of the kings of Iſrael and Judah, For their people were miraculouſly brought into covenant with God, to their hands, like a bridge, or houſe, or ſhip ready built; and needed only keeping up in reparation: yea an heavier yoak▪ then either their or our fathers were able to bear, conſidering all the ſeveral different conſciences, religions, and worſhips of all mankind naturally, and the many different opinions, factions, and ſects, which daily do ariſe, and that conſcientiouſly and zealouſly unto death: All theſe muſt by Maſter Cottons doctrine) lie before the bar, beſide all civil caſes, &c.
Peace.
Tis memorable that Paul himſelf, that had the care of all the churches, would not be intangled with civil affaires, further then his own neceſſities did call for; and ſometimes the neceſſities of his companions: but this yoak put upon the necks of Magiſtrates, is as full of temporal as ſpiritual care: And as it is impoſſible for them to bear▪ So the Lord in his holy ſeaſon, may pleaſe to teach them (as he hath taught ſome already through his grace) to lay that ſpiritual Burthen upon the ſhoulders of their only King of Saints Chriſt Jeſus, to whom the ſupream power and care of ſouls and churches doth alone belong.
Whereas it was further ſaid, that the Magiſtrate is to cheriſh, and to cleave unto the Saints, and to defend them from civil violence, but the ſpiritual care of them belongs to ſpiritual officers appointed by Chriſt Jeſus to that end, Maſter Cotton replies, this is but a pretence, becauſe the diſcuſſer acknowledgeth no churches extant, &c.
Truth.
Although amongſt ſo many pretending churches, the diſcuſſer be not able to ſatisfie himſelf in the rightly gathering of the Churches, according to the true order of Chriſt Jeſus, yet this is far from a pretence▪ becauſe the inſtitution of any ſtate government, order, &c. is one thing, and the adminiſtration and execution, which may be interrupted and eclipſed, is another.
Peace.
Indeed Ieremy could not rightly have been judged a pretender, when he mourned for, and lamented the deſolations ofA time when no viſible Church of God in the world for the right forme and order, &c. the temple, prieſts, elders, altar, ſacrifice, &c. and neither he nor Daniel, nor any of Gods prophets or ſervants, could (during the time of the deſolation and captivity) acknowledge either temple, or altar, or ſacrifice right, extant upon the face of the earth.
Truth.
He that ſaith the Sun (Chriſt Jeſus) is not to be ſeen in our Horizon or Hemiſphere, in his abſence, or when he ſuffers an Eclipſe, cannot be ſaid to deny that the Lord Jeſus his holy ordinances ought to be viſible in the worſhip and ſervice of God: Although the diſcuſſer be not ſatisfied in the period of the times, and the manner of his glorious appearing, yet his ſoul uprightly deſires to ſee and adore, and to be thankful to Maſter Cotton, yea to the leaſt of the diſciples of Chriſt Jeſus, for any coal or ſparke of true light, amongſt ſo many falſe and pretended candles and candleſticks, pretending the glorious name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
Peace.
Next, Maſter Cotton demands what reaſon can be given, why the Magiſtrate ought to break the teeth of lyons (ought to ſuppreſs ſuch as offer civil violence) and not of the Wolves, that make havock of their ſouls, who are more miſchievous then the lyon, as the Pope of Rome, then the Pagan Emperors? He wonders the diſcuſſer ſhould favor the Pope more then the Emperour, except it be that he ſymbolizeth rather with Antichriſt then with Caeſar.
Truth.
It may here ſuffice to ſay two things (not to repeat other paſſages.)
Firſt, The civil ſtate and Magiſtrate are meerly and eſſentially civil; and therefore cannot reach (without the tranſgreſſing the bounds of civility) to judge in matters ſpiritual, which are of another ſphere and nature then civility is: Now it is moſt juſt and proper, that if any member of a civil body be oppreſt, the body ſhould relieve it: As alſo it is juſt and proper, that the ſpirituall ſtate or body ſhould relieve the ſoul of any in that ſpiritual combination oppreſſed.
Therefore (Secondly) for ſpiritual and religious oppreſſions, the king of kings Chriſt Ieſus hath ſufficient providedly in his ſpiritual kingdome: therefore (Acts 20) Paul gives the charge againſt thoſe ſpiritual Wolves to the elders of the church at Epheſus, The wolves at Epheſus, Act. 20.and not to civil Magiſtrates of the city, which Paul ſhould have done (notwithſtanding they were worſhippers of Diana) if it had been their duty to have broke the teeth of thoſe ſpirituall Wolves &c.
Peace.
It is (indeed) one thing to prohibite the Pope, the prelates, the Presbyterians, the Independents, or any from forcingThe duty of civil power in matters of Religion. any in the matters of their reſpective conſciences, and accordingly to take the ſword from ſuch mens hands, or (as their executioners) to refuſe to uſe it for them: It is another thing to leave them freely to their own conſciences, to defend themſelves as well as they can, by the two-edged ſword of the ſpirit, which is the word of God, which all the ſeveral ſorts of pretenders ſay they have received from Ieſus Chriſt.
Truth.
The renowned Parliament of England hath juſtly deſerved a crown of honour to all poſterity, for breaking the teeth of the oppreſſing Biſhops and their courts; but to wring the ſword The changing of perſecutors is onething, the aboliſhing of perſecution another.out of the hands of a few prelates, and to ſuffer it (willingly) to be wrung out of their own hands, by many thouſand Presbyterians, or Independants, what is it but to change one wolfe or lyon for another, or in ſtead of one, to let looſe the Dens of thouſands?
Peace.
But why ſhould Maſter Cotton inſinuate the diſcuſſer to glance a more obſequious eye upon the Pope, then upon the Emperor?
Truth.
I fear Maſter Cotton would create ſome evil opinion in the heart of the civil Magiſtrate, that the diſcuſſer is (as the bloody Iews told Pilate) no friend to Caeſar: whereas upon a dueThe perſecuting Cleargy no cordial friends to Magiſtracie. ſearch it will be ſound clear as the light, that it is impoſſible that any that ſubſcribe ex animo to the bloody Tenent of perſecution, can (ex animo) be a friend to Magiſtracy. The reaſon is, all perſecutors, whether prieſts or people, care onelyonly for ſuch Magiſtrates as ſuite the end, the great bloody end of perſecution, of whom they either hope to borrow the ſword, or whom they hope to make their executioners. Their very principles alſo (Papiſt and Proteſtant) lead them neceſſarily to diſpoſe and kill their heretical, Apoſtate, blaſpheming Magiſtrates.
Peace.
But why ſhould Maſter Cotton … ſinuate any affection in the diſcuſſer to that Tyrant of all earthly Tyrants, the Pope?
Truth.
To my knowledge Maſter Cotton and others have thought the diſcuſſer too zealous againſt the bloody beaſt: yea, and who knows not this to be the ground of ſo much ſorrowful difference between Maſter Cotton and the diſcuſſer, to wit that the diſcuſſer grounds his ſeparation from their churches upon their not ſeperating from that man of ſin? For Old England havingNeither Old nor New England ſtatechurches ſeparate from the Pope. compelled all to church, compel'd the Papiſts▪ and the Pope himſelf in them: The daughter New England, ſepararing from her mother in Old England, yet maintaines and practiſes communion with the Pariſhes in Old▪ Who ſees not then, but by the links of this myſtical chaine, New England Churches are ſtill faſtned to the Pope himſelf?
Peace.
Maſter Cottons third reply is this▪ that it is not like that ſuch Chriſtians will be faithful to their prince, who grow falſe andMaſter Cotton and Bellarmine all one, for the depoſing heretical princes, &c. diſloyal to their God▪ and therefore conſequently the civil Magiſtrate muſt ſee that the church degenerate and apoſtate not, at leaſt ſo far as to provoke Chriſt to depart from them.
Truth.
This is indeed the down right moſt bloody and Popiſh Tenent of perſecuting the degenerate, heretical and Apoſtate people: of depoſing, yea and killing Apoſtatical and heretical princee and rulers.
The truth is, the great Gods of this world are God-belly Godpeace▪ God-wealth, God-honour, God-pleaſure &c. Theſe Gods muſt not be blaſphemed, that is▪ evil ſpoke of, no not provoked, &c. The gods of this World.The ſervants of the living God being true to their Lord and Maſter, have oppoſed his glory, greatneſs, honour &c. to theſe Gods, and to ſuch religions, worſhips, and ſervices, as commonly are made but as a mask or vaile, or covering of theſe Gods.
Peace.
I have long been ſatisfied, that hence proceeds the mad cry of every Demetrius and crafts-Maſter of falſe worſhip in the world, Great is our Diana &c. Theſe men blaſpheme our goddeſs, diſturbe our City▪ They are falſe to our Gods, how▪ will they be true to us?
Hence that bloody Act of Parliament in Henry the fifth his dayes made purpoſely againſt that true ſervant and witneſs ofThe Lord Cobham his troubles in Henry the 5. dayes. God (in thoſe points of Chriſtianity which he knew) and other ſervants of God with him, the Lord Cobham, concluding Lollardy not only to be hereſie, (that is, indeed true Chriſtianity) but alſo treaſon againſt the Kings perſon: whence it followed, that theſeThe beſt of our late Biſhops, as Biſhop Hall have not ſpared to render hereticks and Traitors all one. poor Lollards (the ſervants of the moſt high God) were not only to be burnt as hereticks, but hanged as traitors.
Truth.
Accordingly it pleaſed God to honour that noble Lord Cobham, both with hanging and burning, as an heretick againſt the church, as a traiter againſt the king: And hence thoſe diveliſh accuſations and bloody huntings of the poor ſervants of God in the reign of Francis the ſecond in Paris, becauſe it was ſaid that their meetings were to couſult and act againſt the life of the king.
Peace.
If this be the touchſtone of all obedience, will it not be the cut-throat of all civil relations, unions and covenants between Princes and people, and between the people and people?Civil ſociety pluckt up by the rootes. For may not Maſter Cotton alſo ſay, he will not be a faithful ſervant, nor ſhe a faithful wife, nor he a faithful husband, who grow falſe and diſloyal to their God? And indeed what doth this, yea, what hath this truly-ranting doctrine (that plucks up all relations) wrought but confuſion and combuſtion all the world over?
Truth.
Concerning faithfulneſs, it is moſt true, that godlineſs is profitable for all things, all eſtates, all relations: yet there is a civil faithfulneſs, obedience, honeſty, chaſtity, &c. even amongſt ſuch as own not God nor Chriſt: elſe Abraham and Iſaac Civil honeſty may ſtand with diſhoneſty againſt God and Chriſt in matters of Religion.dealt fooliſhly to make leagues with ungodly Princes. Beſides, the whole Scripture commands a continuance in all Relations of government, marriage, ſervice, notwithſtanding that the grace of Chriſt had appeared to ſome, and the reſt (it may be an husband, a wife, a Magiſtrate, a Maſter, a ſervant) were falſe and diſloyal in their ſeveral kinds and wayes unto God, or wholly ignorant of him.
4. Grant people and Princes to be like Iulian, Apoſtate from the true ſervice of God, and conſequently to grow leſs faithful in their places and reſpective ſervices, yet what ground is there, from the Teſtament of Chriſt Jeſus, upon this ground of their Apoſtacie, to proſecute them, as Maſter Cotton ſaith, The civil Magiſtrate muſt keep the church from Apoſtatizing ſo, as to cauſe Chriſt to depart from them.
5. Can the ſword of ſteel or arme of fleſh make men faithful or loyal to God? Or careth God for the outward Loyalty or Faithfullneſs, when the inward-man is falſe and treacherous?
Or is there not more danger (in all matters of truſt in thisA turn-coat in Religion more faithleſs then a reſolved Jew, Turk or Papiſt. world) from an hyyocrite, a diſſembler, a turncoat in his religion (from the fear or favour of men) then from a reſolved Jew, Turke or Papiſt, who holds firme unto his principles? &c.
Or laſtly, if one Magiſtrate, King or Parliament call this or that hereſie, apoſtacie, &c. and make men …ay ſo will not a ſtronger Magiſtrate, King, Parliament, Army (that is, a ſtronger arm, or longer and more proſperous ſword) call that hereſie and Apoſtacie Hereſie and apoſtacie often change their names to truth, and Chriſtianity, &c.Truth and Chriſtianity, and make men call it ſo? and do not all experiences, and our own moſt lamentable, in the changes of our Engliſh Religions, confirme this?
6. Laſtly, As carnal policy ever fals into the pit, it digs and trips up its own heels, ſo I ſhall end this paſſage with two paradoxes, and yet (dear peace) thou and I have found them moſt lamentably true in all ages.
Peace.
God delights to befool the wiſe and high in their own conceit with paradoxes, even ſuch as the wiſdome of this world thinks madneſs: but I attend to hear them.
Truth.
Firſt then, The ſtraining of mens cinſciences by civil Who knows not that the many turnings of Do. Pearne in Cambridge, brought it into a proverb, to wit, to p…nifie.power, is ſo far from making men faithful to God or man, that it is the ready way to render a man falſe to both: my ground is this: civil and corporal puniſhment do uſually cauſe men to play the hypocrite, and diſſemble in their Religion, to turn and return with the tide, as all experience in the nations of the world doth teſtifie now.
This binding and rebinding of conſcience, contrary or without its own perſwaſion, ſo weakens and defiles it, that it (as all other faculties) loſeth its ſtrength, and the very nature of a common honeſtConſciences yeelding to be forced or raviſhed, looſen all conſcience. conſcience: Hence it is, that even our own hiſtories teſtifie, that where the civil ſword, and carnal power, hath made a change upon the conſciences of men, thoſe conſciences have been given up, not only to ſpiritual, but even to corporal filthineſs, and bloody, and mad oppreſſing each other, as in the Marian bloody times &c.
Peace.
Indeed no people ſo inforced as the Papiſts and the Mahume…ans: and no people more filthy in ſoul and body, and no people in the world more bloody and perſecuting: but I liſten for your ſecond paradox.
Truth.
Secondly, This Tenent of the Magiſtrates keeping the church from Apoſtatizing, by practiſing civil force upon the conſciences of men, is ſo far from preſerving Religion pure, that it2 Paradoxes. is a mighty Bulwark or Barricado to keep out all true Religion▪ yea and all godly Magiſtrates for ever coming into the World.
Peace.
Doubtleſs this will ſeem a hard riddle, yet I preſume not too hard for the fingers of time and truth to unty, and render eaſie.
Truth.
Thus I unty it: If the civil Magiſtrate muſt keep the church pure, then all the people of the Cities, Nations, and kingdomes of the world muſt do the ſame much more, for primarily and fundamentally they are the civil Magiſtrate: Now the world (ſaith John) lyeth or is ſituated in wickedneſs, and conſcquently according to its diſpoſition endures not the light of Chriſt, nor his golden candleſtick the true Church, nor eaſily chooſeth a true Chriſtian to be her officer or Megiſtrate, for ſhe accounts ſuch falſe to her Gods and Religion, and ſuſpects their faithfulneſs &c.
Peace.
Hence indeed is it (as I now conceive) that ſo rarely this world admit…eth or not long continueth a true ſervant of God in any place of truſt …d credit, except ſome extraordinary hand of God over-power, or elſe his ſervants by ſome baſe ſtaires of Flattery or worldly compliance, aſcend the chaire of Civilpower.
But (to proceed) ſaith Maſter Cotton, It was the duty of Jehoſaphat▪ Hezekiah &c. to reduce the people of Iſrael from their backſlidings becauſe they were an holy people, and is it not the duty of godly Princes to reduce their backſliding Churches to their primitive purity? It is true (ſaith he) David and Solomon were types of Chriſt, but ſo were not the other Kings of Iſrael and Judah, who were the one (the kings of Iſrael) all Apoſtates, and the other (the kings of Judah) many of them Apoſtate from Chriſt: And Secondly, If they were (ſaith he) all types of Chriſt, yet Chriſt being the Antitype, Chriſt hath aboliſhed them all, and ſo it were ſacriledge or Antichriſtian uſurpation for any king to be ſet over Chriſtians: Or if they were types of Chriſt in reſpect of their kingly office over the Church alone was it typical in Solomon to put Joab a murtherer to death, or Adonijah a traitor? and ſo conſequently unlawful for Chriſtian Princes to put murtherers and traitors to death? Further, ſaith he, What thoſe kings might do in type, Chriſt Jeſus might much more do in his own perſon, as the Antitype: but he put no man to death in his own perſon, and therefore they were not types but ſervants of Chriſt, and paterns and examples to Chriſtian Magiſtrates, yea, Ahab, who ſhould have put Benhadad to death for his blaſphemy.
Truth.
I underſtand thoſe kings of Iſrael and Judah, untillHow the kings of Iſrael and Judah were types and figures of Chriſt to come. their cutting off or excommunicating out of the land of Canaan, to be yet viſible members of the church of Iſrael and Judah, and as kings of Iſrael and Judah types of Chriſt Jeſus, partly in his own perſon, who did that (being the true ſpiritual king of Iſrael) which they did or ſhould have done, in that typical national church or land of Iſrael▪ and (2) partly in the officers of his kingly power and government of his church, which officers and church falling away, untill an abſolute cutting off, are the Antitypes (in reſpect of viſible government) of thoſe former kings of Iſrael and Judah.
Peace.
Can it be imagined that thoſe wicked Kings, Jeroboam▪ Baaſha, Ahab &c. were figures of Chriſt Jeſus?
Truth. Maſter Cotton himſelf grants David and Solomon types of Chriſt Jeſus, and yet, how abominable and monſtrous ſome of their practices? we muſt therefore diſtinguiſh between their perſons, and ſins, and frailties.
As kings of Iſrael (Gods Church and people) doubtleſs they were the figures of (the K. of Iſrael) Chriſt Ieſus: yea it is probable that the land of Canaan, with the officers and governors thereof, before Chriſt time, was but a figure of the ſpiritual land or Chriſtian church, with the officers governors & adminiſtrations therof good and evil: Although the applying of the times and perſons each to otherThe types of the old Teſtament many and deep. requires a more then ordinary guidance of the finger or holy Spirit of God.
Peace.
I remember that ſome of eminent note for knowledge and godlineſs have not ſtuck to affirme, that the Gentile PrinceCyrus called Chriſt, a figure of Chriſt. Cyrus as he was called Gods ſervant, anointed, or Chriſt (Iſa. 44) I ſay, that he in a reſpect, as a reſtorer of Gods people was a figure of Chriſt Ieſus.
Truth.
It is not improbable, but that the moſt holy and only wiſe (whoſe works are known unto himſelf from the beginning of the world) did by ſuch famous inſtruments of mercy to the literal Iew, type out Chriſt Ieſus and his heavenly inſtruments, mercy and goodneſs to the myſtical and ſpiritual, Chriſtian Iews &c.