First, of the parties covenanting.

Secondly, of the matter of the Covenant, or thing covenanted; For this is that which makes a Covenant, the persons agreeing, and the matter or thing whereupon they agree; for there cannot be a Covenant, but there must be these two things: The parties agreeing; And the conditions upon which they agree.

What A Covenant Is.

As for instance,

In the Legal Covenant made between God and the people of Israel.

1. God propounds His will and rule, by which He requires Israel to walk, and the benefits they shall have by obeying, Exod. 24:3-7. AND MOSES CAME AND TOLD THE PEOPLE ALL THE WORDS OF THE LORD, AND ALL THE JUDGMENTS. And verse 7, HE TOOK THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT, AND READ IN THE AUDIENCE OF THE PEOPLE. So Rom. 10:5, Moses describes the righteousness of the Law, THAT THE MAN THAT DOTH THESE THINGS SHALL LIVE BY THEM. And this you shall find in Lev. 18:4,5. YE SHALL DO MY JUDGMENTS, AND KEEP MINE ORDINANCES, TO WALK THEREIN: I AM THE LORD, YE SHALL THEREFORE KEEP MY STATUTES AND MY JUDGMENTS, WHICH IF A MAN DO, HE SHALL LIVE IN THEM. So Gal 3:12.

2. You may observe the people's consent on their parts, Ex. 24:3-7. ALL THE WORDS WHICH THE LORD HATH SAID, WILL WE DO. And verse 7, ALL THAT THE LORD HATH SAID, WILL WE DO, AND BE OBEDIENT. So that you see, God propounds the conditions, the people accept of them, and consent. Now here was a Covenant: Therefore it is confirmed, verse 8. AND MOSES TOOK THE BLOOD AND SPRINKLED IT ON THE PEOPLE, AND SAID, BEHOLD THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH THE LORD HATH MADE WITH YOU CONCERNING ALL THESE WORDS.

So for the Evangelical Covenant:

1. Here is my Son (said God) tendered in the Gospel; take Him, and rest upon Him for life and salvation, and cleave to Him, with renouncing of all other things. (Isa. 42:6). I will (said a Covenant-heart that is taught of God, I will) rest upon nothing on this side of Christ; but now live upon, and unto Christ, by the power of Christ in my heart. Now here is a Covenant, Rom. 10:9-11. IF YOU SHALL CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, AND SHALL BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU SHALL BE SAVED: FOR WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVES UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION IS MADE UNTO SALVATION. For the Scripture said, WHOSOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED. So Hosea 2:19. God speaks of a Covenant, a Marriage-covenant between Him and His people: I WILL BETROTH THEE UNTO ME FOR EVER, etc. And in the last verse you may see the mutual consent on both sides: I will say to them, YOU ART MY PEOPLE: There is the consent of God's part: And they shall say, YOU ART OUR GOD: There is the consent on the people's part. So you may see the answer of an Evangelical covenanting heart, Phil. 3:9. AND BE FOUND IN HIM, NOT HAVING ON MINE OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH IS OF THE LAW; BUT THAT WHICH IS THROUGH THE FAITH OF CHRIST, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS OF GOD BY FAITH. Gal. 3:14, THAT THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM MIGHT COME ON THE GENTILES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH. Here is my Son that was promised to Abram (said God) I will take Him, said Faith: (NOTE) Now here is an Agreement, or covenant. And this observe by the way, that where God makes the Evangelical Covenant with a soul, He gives the heart to accept of the Covenant, as by comparing two places you may see, Isa 54:10, FOR THE MOUNTAINS SHALL DEPART, AND THE HILLS BE REMOVED; BUT MY KINDNESS SHALL NOT DEPART FROM THEE; NEITHER SHALL THE COVENANT OF MY PEACE BE REMOVED, SAID THE LORD, THAT HATH MERCY ON THEE: And so He goes on to declare the excellent privileges of the people in covenant. And verse 13, He said, ALL YOUR CHILDREN SHALL BE TAUGHT OF THE LORD. And that this teaching is believing, whereby they take hold of the Covenant, is clear by our Savior Christ's exposition of this place, John 6:45, IT IS WRITTEN IN THE PROPHETS, AND THEY SHALL BE ALL TAUGHT OF GOD: EVERY MAN THEREFORE THAT HATH HEARD, AND LEARNED OF THE FATHER, COMES TO ME, that is, BELIEVES IN ME, as the 35th verse expounds it.

a. As for Me; Who is this? why the Lord, as appears by the clause after: said the Lord.

b. The other party covenanting, and that is, Them; Who does He mean by [Them?] Why your seed, and seed's seed: Where observe, He has reference to a third person, with Whose seed He makes this Covenant. And these are the Sons of Sion, such as turn away from ungodliness in Jacob, as you may clearly see, by comparing this verse with the former: For (said He) THE REDEEMER SHALL COME TO SION, AND UNTO THEM THAT TURN FROM TRANSGRESSION IN JACOB, SAID THE LORD. AS FOR ME THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, etc. That must needs be [Them] mentioned before.

2. Consider the matter of the covenant.

And that is the continual distribution of the Spirit of the Lord, and the Word of the Lord, into the mouth of the seed, and seed's seed. In which distribution, observe these particulars:

1. The things distributed, or conveyed: Those are two, Spirit, and Word.
2. The explication of the matter, what Spirit, and what Word? MY SPIRIT, said the Lord, and MY WORD.
3. Observe where this Spirit and Word is placed, as in a fountain to be conveyed; IN YOUR MOUTH.
4. Observe where the channel is that it shall run in, as it comes from the fountain: IN THE MOUTH OF YOUR SEED, AND OF YOUR SEED'S SEED.
5. The time when this distribution shall begin: FROM HENCEFORTH.
6. The extent, or continuation of this distribution: AND FOR EVER. But before I pass on to build, I must carefully lay a good foundation; for I make no question but if the foundation stand firm, the building will also stand; And Therefore for explication of the words and terms, there must be diverse questions resolved.

The First Question Answered.

Quest.: What is meant by this phrase, As for me?

Answ.: The phrase is taken usually two ways in Scripture.

1. For a peremptory Declaration of a thing concerning ourselves or others, 2 Sam. 22:31, AS FOR GOD, HIS WAY IS PERFECT, etc. where David does peremptorily declare that God's way is perfect; whatsoever His own way is, or man's way, Psal 41:12, AS FOR ME, YOU UPHOLD ME IN MINE INTEGRITY, AND SITS ME BEFORE YOUR FACE FOR EVER. Psal. 73:2, AS FOR ME MY FEET WERE ALMOST GONE, MY STEPS HAD WELL NIGH SLIPPED. Where He does peremptorily declare how the case stood with Him, not doubtfully, but certainly, Psalm 89:11, AS FOR THE WORLD, AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF, YOU HAVE FOUNDED THEM. Isa. 3:12, AS FOR MY PEOPLE, CHILDREN ARE THEIR OPPRESSORS, AND WOMEN RULE OVER THEM, etc. Isa. 47:4, AS FOR OUR REDEEMER, THE LORD OF HOSTS IS HIS NAME, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL. In all these places, the phrase imports a confident, peremptory declaration of the matter spoken of.

2. It is sometimes taken for a peremptory Resolution; when one is fully purposed to do a thing, and will not change; 1 Sam. 12:23, MOREOVER AS FOR ME, GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD SIN AGAINST THE LORD IN CEASING TO PRAY FOR YOU; BUT I WILL TEACH YOU THE GOOD AND RIGHT WAY. Psal. 55:16, AS FOR ME I WILL CALL UPON GOD, AND THE LORD SHALL SAVE ME. Josh. 24:15, AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD. Now in this place the phrase [AS FOR ME] imports both, I conceive: A peremptory declaration of God, that He will do such a thing: And a peremptory resolution of God, to make this Covenant with this seed, and seed's seed, spoken of here: So that it is out of doubt, there is no questioning of the truth of it. And it is made the more strong by the term (SAID THE LORD) being twice repeated in the verse.

The 2nd Question is,

Question 2. Answered.

Answer: It is a Covenant of grace, altogether free, Wholly and fully of God's part, without requiring any thing of man, to be performed as from Himself, and His own abilities; but God is the Whole undertaker: And that it is a Covenant of grace, you may see it plainly, if you compare this covenant spoken of here, with that which is called the new covenant, Jer. 31:33, BUT THIS SHALL BE THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAID THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAW IN THEIR INWARD PARTS, AND WRITE IT IN THEIR HEARTS, AND WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, etc. And Jer. 32:40, AND I WILL MAKE AN EVERLASTING COVENANT WITH THEM, THAT I WILL NOT TURN AWAY FROM THEM TO DO THEM GOOD; BUT I WILL PUT MY FEAR INTO THEIR HEARTS, AND THEY SHALL NOT DEPART FROM ME. Which Covenant the Apostle shows in Heb. 8:10-12, to be the new Gospel-covenant, or Covenant of grace; where God is the Whole undertaker for Himself, and for man both, and so He is here in this Covenant; Therefore it must needs be a Covenant of grace.

Question 3. Answer.

Answer: Christ.

My grounds are these,

1. From the connection of the verses, He is spoken of in the former verse; the Redeemer, He that shall come to them that turn from ungodliness in Jacob. And this title, Redeemer, is peculiar to Christ, Job 19:25, FOR I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES, AND THAT HE SHALL STAND AT THE LATTER DAY UPON EARTH. Psalm 19:14, O LORD MY STRENGTH AND MY REDEEMER. Isa. 60:16, YOUR REDEEMER THE MIGHTY ONE OF JACOB. Gal. 3:13, CHRIST HATH REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW. Luke 24:21; say the Disciples that went to Emmaus, concerning Jesus Christ of Nazareth, WE TRUSTED IT HAD BEEN HE THAT SHOULD HAVE REDEEMED ISRAEL; And so it was, for Christ expounds to them all the Scriptures concerning Himself, verse 27. And so all other Scriptures (for ought I can find) when they speak of the Redeemer, mean Christ.

2. Because this person spoken to here, stands as a Root, Fountain, or Way, through Whom the Spirit of God, and His Word is conveyed to others. MY SPIRIT WHICH IS UPON THEE, etc. And this is peculiar to Christ, Matt 11:27, ALL THINGS ARE DELIVERED TO ME OF MY FATHER (said Christ) AND NO MAN KNOWS THE SON BUT THE FATHER, NEITHER KNOWS ANY MAN THE FATHER SAVE THE SON, AND HE TO WHOM THE SON WILL REVEAL HIM. John 14:6, JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, NO MAN COMES UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME, John 1:16, OF HIS FULLNESS HAVE WE ALL RECEIVED, AND GRACE FOR GRACE. John 5:22, THE FATHER JUDGES NO MAN, BUT HATH COMMITTED ALL JUDGMENT TO THE SON. In this, Christ the covenant of grace is made good; Therefore the Lord said, Isa. 42:6, I WILL GIVE HIM FOR A COVENANT TO THE PEOPLE.

Objection: But some may say, How can this be meant of Christ, Who is God, equal with the Father, and has the Word and Spirit by possession? How can it be said, MY Spirit which is upon THEE, and MY Word which I have put in your mouth?

Answer: Christ must be considered according to His two-fold nature, Divine and Human: According to His divine nature, He is equal to the Father; but according to His Human, inferior to the Father. And here He is spoken of as He is God and Man, as He is Christ, anointed; for He is set here as a Way, through Whom God conveys grace to man, and so the Spirit and Word may be said to be put on Him.

1. For the Spirit, Psalm 45:7, GOD, EVEN YOUR GOD HATH ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR FELLOWS. And that this is spoken to Christ, appears plainly. Heb. 1:9, where the same words are rehearsed, and applied to the Son of God, which in the beginning of the chapter, is said to be the brightness of God's glory, and the express image of His person, etc. Isa. 61:1, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR, etc. That this was a Prophecy. of Christ, is plain, by Christ's own exposition, Luke 4:18, where Christ reading the words of Isaiah in this Scripture tells the people, verse 21, THAT DAY THIS SCRIPTURE WAS FULFILLED IN THEIR EARS. And (said the Text) they all bear Him witness that it was so, John 3:34, speaking of Christ, you have these words: FOR HE WHOM GOD HATH SENT, SPEAKS THE WORDS OF GOD, FOR GOD GIVES NOT THE SPIRIT BY MEASURE TO HIM. So that you see the Spirit was put upon Christ, for He was anointed with it, and it was given to Him.

2. For the Word, That was put in Him mouth, see John 7:17,18. IF ANY MAN WILL DO HIS WILL, HE SHALL KNOW OF THE DOCTRINE, WHETHER IT BE OF GOD, OR WHETHER I SPEAK OF MYSELF. HE THAT SPEAKS OF HIMSELF, SEEKS HIS OWN GLORY; BUT HE THAT SEEKS HIS GLORY THAT SENT HIM, THE SAME IS TRUE, AND NO UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IN HIM. So that Christ speaks the word of God of Him that sent Him, John 8:38, said Christ, I SPEAK THAT WHICH I HAVE SEEN WITH MY FATHER. But yet more plainly, John 12:49,50, FOR I HAVE NOT SPOKEN OF MY SELF, BUT THE FATHER WHICH SENT ME, HE GAVE ME A COMMANDMENT WHAT I SHOULD SAY, AND WHAT I SHOULD SPEAK: AND I KNOW THAT HIS COMMANDMENT IS LIFE EVERLASTING; WHATSOEVER I SPEAK THEREFORE, EVEN AS THE FATHER HATH SAID UNTO ME, SO I SPEAK. In Isa. 50:4 you have these words, THE LORD HATH GIVEN ME THE TONGUE OF THE LEARNED, THAT I SHOULD KNOW HOW TO SPEAK A WORD IN SEASON TO HIM THAT IS WEARY. This learned tongue is given by the Lord, and this party to Whom it is given, is meant primarily Christ, as appears by the invitation, Mat. 11:28, COME UNTO ME ALL YE THAT ARE WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST: So that you see notwithstanding this objection, yet it is clear, that this person spoken to, in the term THEE, is Christ.

The Fourth Question Answered:

Answer: Both Jews and Gentiles: all that are taken into the covenant of grace, of all nations. My grounds are these:

1. Because if it should be entailed upon the Jews only, then it could not infallibly be made good, because Here is promised a succession of the Word and Spirit to continue in the mouth of seed, and seed's seed: and the Jews have been a long time cast off, and are as yet not called into the faith of Christ. Therefore it must needs include Gentiles that embrace Christ, as well as Jews, Who are sons of God by faith in Christ as well as Jews, Gal. 3:26 WE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. Consider what the Prophet Hosea says, Hos. 3, the two last verses: FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL ABIDE MANY DAYS WITHOUT A KING, AND WITHOUT A PRINCE, AND WITHOUT A SACRIFICE, AND WITHOUT AN IMAGE, AND WITHOUT AN EPHOD, AND WITHOUT TERAPHIM: AFTERWARD SHALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL RETURN AND SEEK THE LORD THEIR GOD, AND DAVID THEIR KING, AND SHALL FEAR THE LORD AND HIS GOODNESS IN THE LATTER DAYS. So that this continual succession of Spirit and word from Christ, could not have been made good upon the Jews only; Therefore it must needs take in Gentiles also.

2. Because this covenant is a covenant of grace, and the covenant of grace reaches the Gentiles as well as the Jews. And it is entailed upon seed's seed, and the seed of the Jewish church according to faith, are as well Gentile-believers as others, Gal 4:28 NOW WE BRETHREN AS ISAAC WAS, ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE; speaking of the Galatians that believe, Who were Gentiles.

3. It is for the subject matter of it, the Spirit and Word that is to be given, and the Gentiles are partakers of the Spirit and Word of the Gospel as well as the Jews, Eph 3:6 THAT THE GENTILES SHOULD BE FELLOW HEIRS, AND OF THE SAME BODY, AND PARTAKERS OF HIS PROMISE IN CHRIST BY THE GOSPEL. Gal 3:2: RECEIVED YOU THE SPIRIT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW OR BY THE HEARING OF FAITH? That is, the Gospel. Mark, RECEIVED YOU, you Galatian Gentiles, RECEIVED YOU THE SPIRIT, etc. Acts 2:17, I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH, said God. Therefore upon the Gentiles as well as the Jews.

4. It appears to be so from Isa. 59:19 where He speaks of men's fearing the Lord from the West, and His glory from the rising of the sun: which must needs be meant of the Gentile Nations as well as the Jews.

5. Because whatsoever is spoken of the Jews in the covenant of grace, is applied in the New Testament to Jews and Gentiles by virtue of their union with Christ, 1 Cor. 12:13, FOR BY ONE SPIRIT ARE WE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY, WHETHER WE BE JEWS OR GENTILES, WHETHER WE BE BOND OR FREE, AND HAVE BEEN ALL MADE TO DRINK INTO ONE SPIRIT. Heb. 8:11, ALL SHALL KNOW ME FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST: That is, all Jews and Gentiles that are taken into covenant. Rom. 4:16, THEREFORE IT IS OF FAITH, TO THE END IT MIGHT BE BY GRACE, TO THE END THE PROMISE MIGHT BE SURE TO ALL THE SEED, NOT TO THAT ONLY WHICH IS OF THE LAW (that is, the Jews) BUT TO THAT ALSO WHICH IS OF THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM (that is, the Gentiles) for He says, HE IS THE FATHER OF US ALL. Now the Romans are taken in, in this word US, and they were Gentiles, Gal. 4:28. The Apostle says of the Galatians, WE BRETHREN, AS ISAAC WAS, ARE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE; Nay, more plainly yet, the covenant made with the Jews, Isa. 54:13, AND ALL YOUR CHILDREN SHALL BE TAUGHT OF THE LORD, is applied by Christ to all Believers. John 6:45, IT IS WRITTEN IN THE PROPHETS, AND THEY SHALL BE ALL TAUGHT OF GOD; EVERY ONE THEREFORE THAT HATH HEARD AND LEARNED OF THE FATHER COMES TO ME, said Christ; though I confess the fullness and glory of these promises concern the Jews at their calling in again, as Rom. 11:12,15, Now if the fall of them be the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness? Verse 15, if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? Verse 25, 26 FOR I WOULD NOT, BRETHREN, THAT YE SHOULD BE IGNORANT OF THIS MYSTERY, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in: And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written, THERE SHALL COME OUT OF SION THE DELIVERER, AND SHALL TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB; FOR THIS IS MY COVENANT UNTO THEM WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.

But I shall endeavor to clear this a little further, because some deny that the covenant, Heb. 8 which is called there the new covenant, reaches the Gentiles at all, but is made only with the Jews: Therefore before I go any further, I shall clear up, that it is made both to Jews and Gentiles, and that will tend to the clearing up this which I affirm Here of this Covenant.

1. Because the Scripture mentioned but two covenants between God and man; as they are His Church and chosen people: in which Covenants He holds forth life to be had, but in a different way; in the one, by doing, in the other, by believing: that is, a Legal, and an Evangelical, Gal. 4:24,25,26; which things are an Allegory; for these are the two Covenants: the one from mount Sinai, which genders to bondage, which is Agar; for this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem that now is, and is in bondage with Her children: But Jerusalem which is above, is free, which is the Mother of us all. Here are the two Covenants typed out by Sarah and Hagar: Hagar the Legal Covenant on Mount Sinai, Sarah the Evangelical Covenant.

Now the Gentiles as well as the Jews are in the Evangelical Covenant, Gal. 4:26, 27, 28, 31. Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the Mother of us all, Gentiles as well as Jews. And we brethren, as Isaac was, are children of the promise: So then brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free. We Gentiles are taken into Jerusalem's Covenant that is above, verse 26. That is Jerusalem spoken of, Rev. 21:1, 2. The Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, as a Bride prepared for Her Husband. She is said to be above, because she comes down from God when she is discovered: that is, the Church of the Jews converted, and set up in glory: Above, that is not yet manifested, or come down in Her beauty; or above, that is in Her glory and eminency above other Churches: And yet the Galatian Believers, and so other Gentiles are Her children, and in Her covenant, and born of the Spirit, and born by promise as Isaac was: And the covenant, Heb. 8, is Jerusalem's covenant that is above, an Evangelical covenant; Therefore the Gentiles are in it as well as the Jews.

2. It appears so, because the new covenant spoken of, Heb. 8, took place at the very death of Christ, Heb. 8:4-6. For if He were on earth, He should not be a Priest, seeing there are Priests that offer gifts according to the law, etc. verse 6. But now He has obtained a more excellent Ministry, by how much also He is the Mediator of a better Covenant, etc. Mark, He is so, said the Text, so that the better covenant, better than the legal covenant is in force; which covenant is set down in plain terms, verses 10-12. It is not according to the covenant God made with them, when He took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with them (said God) I will put my law into their minds, etc. And Christ is the Mediator of this covenant; Therefore it took place at Christ's death: And if not so, then we Gentiles are strangers from the covenants of promise still; But that is false; for the partition wall is broken down, Eph 2:12-16. The Apostle tells the Ephesians: That at the time they were without Christ, they were Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, etc. But now in Christ Jesus you Who were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ; for He is our peace, Who has made both one, and has broken down the middle-wall of partition between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the Law of the Commandments contained in Ordinances, for to make in Himself of twain, one new man; so making peace: And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. Mark the Apostle's discourse well Here, and you will see that we are not walled out of their Covenant; The partition-wall is broken down, and all Believers of the Jews and Gentiles are one body: so that it is clear, the covenant, Heb. 8, belongs to the Gentiles since the death of Christ, as well as to the Jews.

3. Those that have remission of sins, have it by virtue of that covenant, Heb. 8:12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more, said the Lord. And Heb. 10:17 the same words: and remission of sins is procured by Christ both for Jew and Gentile; He is the way for both to come to the Father, John 14:6, No man comes to the Father, but by me: And if the Gentiles have remission of sins by Christ, as they have, Luke 24:47. Christ commanded, That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all Nations. and Acts 10:43, To Him give all the Prophets witness, That through His Name, Whosoever believes in Him, should receive remission of sins. And the Author to the Hebrews, chapter 9:22 says; Without shedding of blood there is no remission: And there is no blood that procures remission, but Christ's blood, Rev. 1:6. He hath washed us from our sins in His own blood: And that remission of sins is given by virtue of this covenant, Heb. 8 as it is, or Christ pardons sin, with reference to this Covenant, Heb. 10:16,17. This is the covenant that I will make with them, etc. And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more. Then this covenant, Heb. 8 and Heb. 10 reaches the Gentiles as well as the Jews: but all the former I have proved to be true, Therefore the latter cannot be denied.

4. The same covenant God makes with the Jews, Christ Himself applies it to the Gentiles, as I hinted before, Isa. 54:11-13. Now Christ applies this, both to Jew and Gentile, John 6:45. See the truth of this also, Hosea 2, the last verse. I will say to them that were not my people, you art my people: Speaking of the Israelites, as the chapter shows, which were cast off, as the first chapter declares. And the Apostle, Rom. 9:26, applies this to the Gentiles, verse 24. Even us Whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles, as He said also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and Her beloved, which was not beloved.

5. Consider, That whenever God made a covenant with man, it was confirmed with blood, with shedding of blood; for so the covenant it confirmed, Gen. 8:20 which covenant God made with Noah, and all creatures; it is confirmed by Noah's offering sacrifice: So Canaan's covenant that God made with Abraham, Gen. 15:9-18, where Abraham by God's command takes a Heifer, and a she-goat, and a ram, and divides them in the midst, Therefore shed their blood: And it is said, verse 18, IN THAT SAME DAY THE LORD MADE A COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM, saying, TO YOUR SEED I HAVE GIVEN THIS LAND, etc. And the same covenant was confirmed, Gen. 17, by circumcision, which was a shedding of blood also: so the Legal Covenant, or the Covenant at the giving of the Law, was confirmed by blood, Ex. 24:8. AND MOSES SPRINKLED THE BLOOD UPON THE PEOPLE, saying, THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT, etc. And so Heb. 16:22. For where a Testament is, there must of necessity be the death of the Testator; for a Testament is of force after men are dead, otherwise it is of no strength at all while the Testator lives: whereupon neither the first Testament was dedicate without blood; for when Moses had spoken every precept to the people, according to the Law, He took the blood of calves and of goats, with water and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people, saying, THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE TESTAMENT WHICH GOD HATH ENJOINED UNTO YOU, etc. So the Gospel-Covenant is confirmed with the blood of Christ, Heb. 9:13-16, FOR IF THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND GOATS, AND THE ASHES OF A HEIFER SPRINKLING THE UNCLEAN, SANCTIFIETH, TO THE PURIFYING OF THE FLESH; HOW MUCH MORE SHALL THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, WHO THROUGH THE ETERNAL SPIRIT OFFERED HIMSELF WITHOUT SPOT TO GOD, PURGE YOUR CONSCIENCES FROM DEAD WORKS TO SERVE THE LIVING GOD: AND FOR THIS CAUSE HE IS THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW TESTAMENT: THAT BY MEANS OF DEATH, FOR THE REDEMPTION OF THE TRANSGRESSIONS UNDER THE FIRST TESTAMENT, THEY WHICH ARE CALLED MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL INHERITANCE; FOR WHERE A TESTAMENT IS, THERE MUST OF NECESSITY BE THE DEATH OF THE TESTATOR. You see Here, Christ is said to be the Mediator of the new Testament, or Covenant: And what Covenant that is, you may see, Heb. 8:8-12. Yea, and the Reader may take notice from the 16th verse of the 9th chapter of the Hebrews to the 15th verse of the 10th chapter, He shows the difference between the two Testaments; and then shows what the Covenant or Testament is, that is in force under Christ, chap. 10:16,17. This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, said the Lord, I will put my Laws in their Hearts, and in their minds will I write them, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now then thus I argue: Either this covenant is in force to us Gentiles, or else Christ must shed His blood again, at the time when it takes place; or it must be confirmed by some other blood: for a Testament takes place at the death of the Testator, Heb. 9:17. Now if this covenant be of no force yet, then the Testator is not yet dead; but if Christ be the Testator, then that is false; for He is dead, as the Scripture witnesses, and He is to die no more, Heb. 9: ult. "He was once offered to bear the sins of many, and to them that look for Him, He shall appear the second time without sin to salvation", Heb. 10:12. This man after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down at the right hand of God, verse 14. By one offering, He has perfected for ever those that are Sanctified. If any one say, It is by some other's blood that this Covenant shall be confirmed; I would request that man to show me by Scripture, by Whose blood it shall be confirmed; and till then (for my part) I must look upon Him as one accursed, that preaches another gospel that the Scripture has not preached: But Christ is the Mediator of this Covenant spoken of, Heb. 8 as you may see, verse 6. He IS (the Text says, not was, or shall be) the Mediator of a better covenant, which Covenant is laid down in the latter part of the Chapter; And He is dead already, and therefore the Covenant has taken place already, and is in force at this day, Heb. 9:17. A Testament is of force after men are dead. And consider also, If there were two Covenants, one for Jews, and another for Gentiles; there must be two Mediators, one for Jews, and another for Gentiles; but there is but one Mediator between God and Man, the MAN Christ Jesus, 1 Tim 2:5. Moses the mediator of the Legal covenant, Christ of the Evangelical; Therefore the Covenant, Heb. 8, being evangelical, teaches both to Jews and Gentiles, of which Covenant Christ is Mediator.

Objection 1: But God says, This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, Therefore not with the Gentiles?

Answer: Does He exclude the Gentiles Therefore? when He says, Salvation is of the Jews? does He mean that salvation is not of the Gentiles? Is not God the God of the Gentiles also? Rom. 3:29. Is He the God of the Jews only, is He not of the Gentiles also? yes, of the Gentiles also; yea and they are justified both by one and the same way, verse 30. Seeing it is, one God that justifies the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith, Therefore they have remission of sin both by one and the same Covenant: And they have both one standing in Christ, and in the Church, Rom. 11:20. Because of unbelief they were broken off (that is the Jews) and you stand by faith (that is the Gentiles) Therefore they are not excluded Here.

Answer 2. It is said to be made with the house of Israel; you may as well exclude the Jews; for the house of Israel is one house, and the house of Judah is another house, Isa. 22:21. He shall be a Father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And Jer. 3:18, you may see they are distinct; IN THOSE DAYS THE HOUSE OF JUDAH SHALL WALK WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. You may also see the truth of this in Ezek. 37:15-22. So that by as good reason the Jews are excluded from this Covenant as the Gentiles: It is with the house of Israel; And are Jew and Gentile to be excluded? I would know then which house of Israel this Covenant is made with? for there were two houses of Israel; Isa. 8:14. FOR A ROCK OF OFFENSE TO BOTH THE HOUSES OF ISRAEL. So that by this assertion this Covenant will come at last, to be made with just no body, for it cannot be found out with Whom; but it is certain, Jews and Gentiles shall be brought into one sheep-fold, John 10:16. And one shepherd shall be shepherd to them all, they shall be all under one King. Rev. 11:15. THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE OUR LORD'S, AND HIS CHRIST'S, AND HE SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER. Zech. 14:9 THE LORD IS KING OVER ALL THE EARTH, IN THAT DAY THERE SHALL BE ONE LORD. There is but one mystical body of Christ, whether Jews or Gentiles. I Cor. 12:13 FOR BY ONE SPIRIT ARE WE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY, WHETHER WE BE JEWS OR GENTILES, etc. Eph. 4:4 THERE IS ONE BODY, AND THERE IS BUT ONE SPIRIT, BY WHICH THEY ARE INSPIRED: There is but one hope of our calling: Jews and Gentiles have but one Lord, Jews and Gentiles have but one Faith, Jews and Gentiles have but one Baptism, Jews and Gentiles have but one God and Father of all, Eph. 4:4-6. And how could this be, if there were two several Covenants, one for Jews, and another for Gentiles?

3. Consider, That believers both of Jews and Gentiles, are called in Gospel- times, Israel: and the other Israelites by birth are not to be accounted of in comparison of these Israelites, John 1:47 BEHOLD A TRUE ISRAELITE INDEED, IN WHOM IS NO GUILE. As if He should say, Here is the denomination of an Israelite indeed, ONE IN WHOM IS NO GUILE, Rom. 9:6-8 THEY ARE NOT ALL ISRAEL THAT ARE OF ISRAEL; NEITHER BECAUSE THEY ARE THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, ARE THEY ALL CHILDREN, BUT IN ISAAC SHALL YOUR SEED BE CALLED: That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed: Here be Israelites; this is Israel. Israel is not accounted after-generation now, nor Jews neither. Rom. 2:28,29 FOR HE IS NOT A JEW WHICH IS ONE OUTWARDLY, NEITHER IS THAT CIRCUMCISION WHICH IS OUTWARD IN THE FLESH: BUT HE IS A JEW WHICH IS ONE INWARDLY, etc. WE KNOW NO MAN AFTER THE FLESH (in respect of Gospel-privileges) said the Apostle, 2 Cor. 5:16. But if Christ have made a distinct Covenant with Israel after the flesh, from the Gentiles, then they sinned in it: then they ought to have known men after the flesh; but Israel after the Spirit; is Israel in Gospel-times. Gal. 6:16 AS MANY AS WALK ACCORDING TO THIS RULE, PEACE BE UPON THEM, AND MERCY, AS UPON THE ISRAEL OF GOD: Not the Israel after the flesh, but the Israel of God, that is, All Believers that are God's chosen. And the Author to the Hebrews does not say, THE COVENANT IS MADE WITH ISRAEL AFTER THE FLESH, as the Apostle calls them, 1 Cor. 10:18. But speaking of an Evangelical Covenant, He speaks in Evangelical terms, meaning Believers of Jews and Gentiles: And the very circumstances of the place shows He means Israel after the Spirit; for He speaks of writing His Law in their Hearts, and teaching them to know Him, and of pardoning their sins; which privileges belong not to all Israel according to the flesh, Therefore it is meant Israel in Gospel-sense.

4. If this should be restrained to Israel after the flesh, and that because Israel is named, Therefore it means only that people: Then see what consequences will follow from other places of Scripture, that speak in like terms.

1. Christ is said, Matt. 2:6 TO RULE THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, John 1:49. He is called the King of Israel, John 12:13. The people cry before Christ, BLESSED IS THE KING OF ISRAEL. Is not Christ the King and Ruler of the Gentiles Therefore? Why the Argument holds as good against the one, as against the other.

2. In Luke 1:68 God is called the God of Israel. So Acts 13:17. The God of this people Israel, etc. And He is said, Luke 1:54 to have Helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy: Shall I conclude now that He is the God of none, but of Israel? and that He has Helped none but them Therefore? How is the tidings of Christ great joy to all people then?

3. He is said to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins, Acts 5:31. And God is said, TO RAISE TO ISRAEL A SAVIOR, JESUS, Acts 13:23. Does He Therefore give repentance to none but Israel? nor remission and salvation to none but they? Have the Gentiles no part in this, because Israel is named? Or does He mean Israel in Gospel-sense? that is, All Believers of Jews and Gentiles? If He mean not so in these speeches, it is in vain to pray, or preach, or Hear, or hope, or believe? All is vain, there is no salvation for Gentiles. But this is contrary to Scripture, Eph. 1:7 IN WHOM WE (that is Ephesian - Gentiles) HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, Eph. 2:5,6 EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS, HATH HE QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH HIM, etc. Rev. 5:9. The Saints sing praise to God, for redeeming them out of every Kindred, and Nation, and Language.

4. Christ said, He was not sent, BUT TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, Matt. 15:24. Shall I now conclude from this, that Christ was not sent to the Gentiles?

5. Christ is called, Acts 28:20, THE HOPE OF ISRAEL. Have the Gentiles no hope in Him Therefore? So that if this be a sufficient ground to conclude, that this covenant was made with none but Israel after the flesh, because Israel only is named? Then upon the same ground I may conclude, That Christ is the King of Israel only, that God in the God of Israel only, that Christ gives repentance and remission of sins to Israel only, that Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel only; that Christ is the hope of Israel only. But all these are false, and Therefore the other is as false upon that ground.

Objection: But it is said, in the Covenant, THEY SHALL NO MORE TEACH EVERY MAN HIS NEIGHBOR, AND EVERY MAN HIS BROTHER, SAYING KNOW THE LORD; FOR THEY SHALL ALL KNOW ME, etc. But we see no such covenant fulfilled yet, and Therefore this is made to Israel only, and reaches not the Gentiles, but the Jews at their conversion.

Answer 1: That this teaching means the teaching of the Spirit, I confess; but that this Therefore excludes the teaching of God, by man, as an instrument, I deny: (The Scripture, Heb. 8, concerning neighbors and brothers teaching no more, something explained.)

But the meaning is, The Spirit's teaching shall be the chief and principal teaching, as in other Scriptures such like phrases are to be understood, John 6:27 LABOR NOT FOR THE MEAT THAT PERISHETH, BUT FOR THAT WHICH ENDURES, etc. He does not mean that a man should not labor at all for outward means; but not chiefly, or in the first place. So Paul, 1 Cor. 1:17 CHRIST SENT ME NOT TO BAPTIZE, BUT TO PREACH. Then it seems He was a false Prophet, ran without a Commission; for He did Baptize, as He confesses in that chapter; But He was no false Prophet, but a messenger of Christ, and a true Apostle: The meaning Therefore is, That was not the principal work about which Christ sent Him, but preaching the Gospel. So it is Here, THEY SHALL NO MORE TEACH EVERY MAN HIS NEIGHBOR; that is, not so much, the Spirit shall be chief in teaching, and not so much need of Neighbors and Brothers teaching: It means not they shall not teach at all; for mark Christ's command, Matt. 28:19, 20 GO TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM, etc. TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: AND LO I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD, AMEN. So that Christ gives commission and command to His Disciples to teach, and carry on Ordinances to the world's end. And Timothy having received commands touching Ordinances and Officers in the Church, is charged to keep them till the appearing of Christ, 1 Tim. 6:14.

2. Suppose it should be granted, that is only the Spirit's teaching, and all teaching by man excluded; yet it will not follow that the Covenant is not now in force; for is it not in force, except it be in force in the same extent and measure? Except a man be taught only by the Spirit, is He not taught by the Spirit at all? Is not He as truly taught of God that is taught by God's instruments in God's way, as He that is taught by immediate inspiration? Did not God show Pharaoh what He was about to do, Gen. 41:25,28. And yet Pharaoh Heard it from Joseph's mouth: And Daniel tells the King Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 2:45 THE GREAT GOD HATH MADE KNOWN TO THE KING WHAT SHALL COME TO PASS HEREAFTER. So it is Here: Shall I conclude then, because the glory and fullness of the Covenant is to be made out at the conversion of the Jews; Therefore there is no such Covenant made now? Because the shining glory of the Church is to appear after the fall of Anti-christ, when the Bride, the Lamb's Wife has made Herself ready; shall I Therefore conclude God has no Church till then? Or that the Church now is not Christ's Wife? Or that the Churches now have not the same privileges in their measure, as the Church then shall have? Or that the Church now has nothing beautiful, because the beauty and glory of things is principally given to that Church? I should falsely conclude, if I should so conclude: Though then the glorious liberty of the sons of God be, yet the Church now is instated into liberty, Gal. 4. ult.,. SO THEN, BRETHREN, WE ARE NOT CHILDREN OF THE BOND WOMAN, BUT OF THE FREE. Gal. 5:1 STAND FAST THEREFORE IN THE LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HATH MADE US FREE, etc. Nay, there is no change of the Kingdom, but only a more glorious decking of the same Kingdom and Subjects, Heb. 12:26-28 WHOSE VOICE THEN SHOOK THE EARTH; but now He has promised, saying, YET ONCE MORE I SHAKE NOT THE EARTH ONLY, BUT HEAVEN ALSO. And this word, YET ONCE MORE, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made; that those things which cannot be shaken, may remain: Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, etc. Therefore there shall no new Covenant be made then, which is not in force now, though it shall be then more glorious. So that I hope you see this THEM, that this Covenant is made with, are Gentiles as well as Jews.

Objection 3

Objection: But some say this Covenant is not in force now, and yet the Gentiles justified and saved, by virtue of a Covenant in force too, which is this, HE THAT BELIEVES SHALL BE SAVED: And Therefore there is no loss to the Gentiles, though this Covenant be not yet fulfilled?

Answer

Answer: I answer, When the old Covenant vanished away, this Covenant took place, Heb. 8. ult. In that He says a new Covenant, He has made the first old. Therefore either the first covenant continues still, or this has taken place; but the first is disannulled, Therefore this has taken place.

2. Those speeches in Scripture that say (as Paul did to the jailer) BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND YOU SHALL BE SAVED, are but promises that center into, and depend upon the Covenant; for there is difference between a promise and a Covenant: God promised, Jer. 31:33 I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT. Now Here He promises to make the Covenant, but it was not a Covenant in force till the death of Christ, and so confirmed by His blood. So is that of believing in Christ, and being saved, a conditional promise, (I mean in the clear manifestation of it.) That upon believing, a man shall be saved; but the Covenant is absolute, free without condition: Nay, the conditions of the promises are absolutely promised in the Covenant: so that they all, promises and conditions both, have their life from the Covenant. And Therefore by virtue of the Covenant we have faith given, which is the condition to salvation: For God says I WILL WRITE MY LAW IN THEIR HEARTS, etc. And this is part of His law (I mean the law of liberty) that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, 1 John 3:23. Now this is promised to be written in the Heart, by virtue of this covenant: so that if this Covenant be not in force, there can be no faith, and so no salvation. Beside (He says) they shall know me; now knowledge is put for faith, John 17:3. THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL, THAT THEY KNOW THEE THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST WHOM YOU HAS SENT. And knowledge is the ground of faith, Rom. 10:14 HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE ON HIM OF WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? Therefore there can be no knowing God, nor believing in God, but by virtue of this covenant: And so the conditional covenant that they speak of, flows out of this covenant which is absolute, and Therefore it must needs be of force to us Gentiles.

Question 5.

The fifth Question for the explication of the words, is, Who are His seed and His seed's seed spoken of Here?

Answer

Answer: You see this HE, is Christ; and by seed, peradventure He means the Apostles, Whom He first called to Him, and sent them forth to beget others; He calls them children, John 21:5 CHILDREN, HAVE YOU ANY MEAT? Mark 10:24 CHILDREN, HOW HARD IS IT FOR THOSE THAT TRUST IN RICHES TO ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD; speaking to His disciples, as the verse shows: And by His seed's seed, may be meant those that they begot to Him, as Paul says to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 4:15: THOUGH YE HAVE TEN THOUSAND INSTRUCTORS IN CHRIST, YET HAVE YE NOT MANY FATHERS, FOR IN CHRIST JESUS I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU BY MY GOSPEL.

Peradventure, by seed, He means the first Church planted in Gospel-times, which was at Jerusalem: And by seed's seed, other Churches that were planted by them, when they were scattered by persecution, as Acts 8:1-4, compared with Acts 11:19-21.

But to give you the full meaning; I conceive by seed, and seed's seed, He means all Believers among Jews and Gentiles, all the Sons of God by faith, John 1:12,13 BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THOSE WHICH BELIEVED ON HIS NAME: WHICH WERE BORN NOT OF BLOOD, NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF GOD. Here is His seed, Gal. 3:29 IF YE BE CHRIST'S, THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM'S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO PROMISE. Here is seed's seed; Here is Abraham the seed, and Abraham's seed, Rom. 8:16 THE SPIRIT ITSELF BEARS WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRITS THAT WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD. 1 John 3:1 BELOVED, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD. Rom 9:8 plainly tells us Who the seed are; the children of the promise are counted for the seed. And these are called, His seed's seed.

1. Either in reference to their Mother the Church, Gal. 4: ult. WE ARE NOT CHILDREN OF THE BOND-WOMAN, BUT OF THE FREE. Rev. 12: ult. The woman there, which is the Church, is said to have a seed which keep the commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ.

2. Or else (which I apprehend to be nearer the truth) by seed's seed, He means Believers, that ensue in after-generations, that live one after another by course; for it cannot be meant of any carnal seed: And this appears, because they are such, that the Spirit of Christ, and the Word of Christ shall be in their mouths, which cannot be meant of wicked men. And that it is meant of Believers successively in all generations; I gather from these words, that the Spirit and Word is promised not to depart from them, from Henceforth and for ever.

Question 6

What time is pointed at in this word [Henceforth] when does this Covenant take place, and begin to be in force or clearly manifested?

Answer

Answer: Here may a four-fold time be conjectured.

1. From Adam.

2. From the present time when it was spoken.

3. From Christ's coming in the flesh.

4. From the Jews conversion.

And this last may seem to be of most force, from Rom. 11:26. Speaking of their calling in, in the end of the world He cites this very covenant: And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written, THERE SHALL COME OUT OF SION THE DELIVERER, AND SHALL TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB, verse 27, FOR THIS IS MY COVENANT UNTO THEM, WHEN I SHALL TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS. But we shall find another time when this Covenant took place, though the glorious fulfilling of it be referred to that time; as I said before, If Christ be the Testator and Mediator of this covenant, and His blood be the blood of this covenant, it must needs take place at His death. And this appears further, because diverse of the Jews were converted, saved, had their sins taken away presently after CHRIST'S death.

Question: But how can you think the time may be taken from Adam?

Answer: It has some probability.

1. Because the covenant was made with Adam after His fall, Gen. 3:13 I WILL PUT ENMITY BETWEEN THEE AND THE WOMAN, AND BETWEEN YOUR SEED AND HER SEED, IT SHALL BRUISE YOUR HEAD, AND YOU SHALL BRUISE HIS HEEL. And this covenant Isaiah speaks of, is a covenant of grace: and God has performed this covenant with the godly seed from Adam, giving them His Word and Spirit also, as you may see in Abel. And Gen. 6:2 THE SONS OF GOD SAW THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN THAT THEY WERE FAIR. Sons of GOD, that is by profession; for if any shall say they were Sons of God by creation; only, so were the daughters of men God's daughters by creation, Therefore this must needs mean more than by creation, even by profession, that had something of God communicated to them: And so God's Spirit and Word was given to Abraham, and to some all along in the time of the Law.

Objection: But God says, MY COVENANT IS WITH THEM: And the Geneva translation reads it, I WILL MAKE IT, and Therefore it cannot look to the time past?

Answer: The words truly read, are to be rendered thus [THIS MY COVENANT WITH THEM], you may see is put in a small letter, as not being in the Hebrew Text: and then the meaning may be this: THIS MY COVENANT I WILL CONFIRM UPON THEM. This points not at the time of making the Covenant: And the word [make] is added in small letters in the Geneva translation, it is truly rendered thus, AND I WILL THIS MY COVENANT WITH THEM: So that it might be all along in the time past from Adam.

The second time is from the present, it seems to begin at the present from the Letter, giving the Righteous present consolations against the sins and evils of those times.

And so it is true, in regard of those that by faith apprehend the Messiah to come for the present.

But thirdly, I take it, that the time especially pointed at for the beginning of the making good this covenant in a clear and manifest way, was at Christ's revealing in the flesh, and shall be wonderfully illustrated at the conversion of the Jews, which is to come.

My grounds why this is the principal time of this covenants taking place, are these:

1. It is said, verse 20, THE REDEEMER SHALL COME TO SION. And this is a part of the Covenant, as you may see by the Apostle, Rom. 11:26, 27 THE REDEEMER SHALL COME OUT OF SION, AND SHALL TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB; FOR THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS. Now such kind of phrases in the Old Testament are principally understood of Christ's coming in the flesh, as Hag. 2:7, AND I WILL SHAKE ALL NATIONS, AND THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS SHALL COME, AND I WILL FILL THIS HOUSE WITH GLORY, SAID THE LORD. The desire of Nations shall come; that is, Christ come in the flesh: for then was the shaking of Nations fulfilled that the Prophet spoke of, as is clear, Heb. 12:26-28. So Mal. 3:1 THE LORD WHOM YE SEEK SHALL SUDDENLY COME TO HIS TEMPLE, EVEN THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT WHOM YE DELIGHT IN, HE SHALL COME, SAID THE LORD. That is, Christ's coming in the flesh, as appears by the first clause, I WILL SEND MY MESSENGER TO PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE THEE, which was John Baptist, as appears, by comparing this place with Matt. 11:10; Luke 1:78, 7:27.

Now this Redeemer's coming was, when Christ came in the flesh, as He says, I AM COME, THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY, John 10:10. And so John Baptist understood it of His coming, when He sent His Disciples to Him with this question, Matt. 11:3 ART YOU HE THAT SHOULD COME, OR LOOK WE FOR ANOTHER? And Christ by His answer in the verses following, shows that He was He: GO AGAIN AND SHOW JOHN WHAT YOU HEAR AND SEE: THE BLIND RECEIVE THEIR SIGHT, etc. As if He should say, These works testify that I am He that should come. In Luke 24:21 say the Disciples, WE TRUSTED IT HAD BEEN HE THAT SHOULD HAVE REDEEMED ISRAEL, etc. Now He takes occasion to reprove their slowness to believe: And said the Scripture, verse 27. Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself, showing that He was come, and was the Redeemer of Israel. In Acts 26:22,23 Paul witnesses the same; I SAY NO OTHER THINGS (He says) THAN THOSE WHICH MOSES AND THE PROPHETS DID SAY SHOULD COME: THAT CHRIST SHOULD SUFFER, AND THAT HE SHOULD BE THE FIRST THAT SHOULD RISE FROM THE DEAD, AND SHOULD SHOW LIGHT TO THE PEOPLE, AND TO THE GENTILES. And when Christ was born, Zacharias by the Holy Ghost blesses God, Luke 1:68, saying, BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, FOR HE HATH VISITED AND REDEEMED HIS PEOPLE: As knowing that the Redeemer was COME to Sion. So Rev. 5:9 THE FOUR BEASTS, AND 24 ELDERS confess that the Lamb (which is Christ) had redeemed them to God by His blood, out of every kindred, tongue, and nation: so that this must needs be understood of the time of Christ's coming in the flesh.

2. It is said, He shall come to SION. Now Sion is not only the city of David, the place where the Temple was built, and where the people of the Jews assembled to do Sacrifice: but the Gentile-Churches of Christ, to be called and gathered after Christ's revealing in the flesh, are called SION, Heb. 12:22. BUT YE ARE COME UNTO MOUNT-SION, WHICH IS THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, etc. And so the Saints are called Jews, Rom. 2: ult.,. HE IS A JEW THAT IS ONE INWARDLY, AND THAT IS CIRCUMCISION THAT IS IN THE HEART, etc. So that the Gentile- Churches, being called SION, as well as the Jews; and Christ being come to SION, it must needs mean His coming in the flesh, when Redemption and Life was made out to the Gentiles.

3. He is said to come to Sion (if you take Sion for the Jewish Church) in respect of His first manifestation to them, John 1:31 BUT THAT HE SHOULD BE MADE MANIFEST TO ISRAEL (John Baptist says) THEREFORE AM I COME BAPTIZING WITH WATER, AND THE GOSPEL WAS FIRST TO BE PREACHED TO THEM.

1. By Christ's sending forth His Disciples to them first, Matt. 10:5, 6 GO NOT INTO THE WAY OF THE GENTILES, AND INTO ANY CITY OF THE SAMARITANS ENTER YE NOT; BUT GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.

2. By the Apostles' speech and acknowledgments, Acts 13:46 THEN PAUL AND BARNABAS WAXED BOLD, AND SAID, IT WAS NECESSARY THE WORD OF GOD SHOULD FIRST HAVE BEEN SPOKEN TO YOU (speaking to the Jews:) BUT SEEING YOU PUT IT FROM YOU, AND JUDGE YOUR SELVES UNWORTHY OF ETERNAL LIFE, LO, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES.

The Apostle says, Rom. 11 THERE SHALL COME OUT OF SION THE DELIVERER, AND SHALL TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB. This has reference to the Jews calling, but it is not limited to that time, but speaks of Christ's incarnation also, for then He came out of Sion.

1. Because He was born of the Jews or Israelites, Rom. 9:5 of Whom concerning the flesh Christ came.

2. Because from Jerusalem, or Sion, was the Gospel spread abroad into all the world, Acts 8:4 THEN THEY THAT WERE SCATTERED ABROAD, WENT EVERYWHERE PREACHING THE WORD; for the Word was not preached to the Gentiles till that persecution, Rom. 15:26, 27. The Apostle says, IT HATH PLEASED THEM OF MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA, TO MAKE A CERTAIN CONTRIBUTION FOR THE POOR SAINTS THAT ARE AT JERUSALEM. Now mark; It hath pleased them (He says) and their debtors they are: And He proves it by this argument; for if the Gentiles have been made partakers of THEIR Spiritual things, their duty is also, etc. Mark, He calls them THEIR Spiritual things (that is the Jews;) So that then He came out of Sion to the Gentiles.

3. Because this is a covenant of grace, and so took its beginning principally and clearly from Christ's time, Rom. 10 THE WORD IS NIGH THEE, EVEN IN YOUR HEART, AND IN YOUR MOUTH, etc. SAY NOT, WHO SHALL ASCEND TO HEAVEN? that is, to fetch Christ from thence, etc. FOR THE WORD IS NIGH THEE, intimating thus much, That from Christ's revealing in the flesh, the new covenant of grace, the word of the Gospel, is nigh to every one that believes, or will believe.

The reason of the different reading, in Isaiah, and in the Romans, is this: Isaiah speaks according to the dispensation of the legal (or Old) covenant, which calls for works: HE SHALL COME TO THEM THAT TURN FROM UNGODLINESS. Paul speaks according to the dispensation of the Gospel- (or New) covenant, which advances grace: and Therefore it is said, HE SHALL COME AND TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.

Question 7.

Answer.

Answer: The Holy sanctifying Spirit of God, wherewith Christ was anointed, Luke 4:18 THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREACH, etc. The Spirit by which He was consecrated and enabled for the work He had to do: And this Spirit shall be given to the parties Here covenanted with, which is both the grace of the Spirit in the Heart, and the gifts of the Spirit for the Church's edification, John 7:38 HE THAT BELIEVES ON ME, as the Scripture says, OUT OF HIS BELLY SHALL FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER. And truly I do not know where the Scripture has said it, if not Here; MY SPIRIT SHALL NOT DEPART OUT OF THE MOUTH OF YOUR SEED, NOR SEED'S SEED, etc. Now the Text in John says, This spoke He of the Spirit, that they that believe on Him should receive: so that this is a Spirit communicated from Christ the fountain, to Believers; Therefore the same Spirit that is upon Christ.

Question 8.

Answer.

Answer: The Word that we have from Christ, the Gospel of truth; such a word as Christ preached, Luke 4:18, THE LORD HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; He hath sent me TO HEAL THE BROKEN-HEARTED, AND TO PREACH DELIVERANCE TO THE CAPTIVES, etc. AND TO PREACH THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD. The same word did the Apostles preach, the Gospel of truth: GO (the Angel says) Acts 5:20, STAND IN THE TEMPLE, AND SPEAK ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LIFE. 1 Tim. 1:3, I LEFT THEE AT EPHESUS (Paul says) THAT YOU SHOULDST CHARGE SOME, THAT THEY PREACH NO OTHER DOCTRINE: And what that Doctrine was, see verse 15. THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING, AND WORTHY OF ALL ACCEPTATION, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, OF WHOM I AM CHIEF: It is the Gospel preached to the poor.

Question 9.

Answer:

Answer: Because that which is in the mouth is ready to be uttered, in regard of publishing and declaring the truth, Ex. 13:9, THAT THE LORD'S LAW MAY BE IN YOUR MOUTH (the text says) What does He mean by that? why the former verse shows: AND YOU SHALL SHOW YOUR SON IN THAT DAY, saying, THIS IS DONE, BECAUSE OF THAT WHICH THE LORD SAID UNTO ME, WHEN I CAME FORTH OUT OF EGYPT. So that the Law in the mouth shows a readiness to divulge and publish it, Num. 22:38. Balaam says, THE WORD THAT GOD PUTS IN MY MOUTH, THAT I WILL SPEAK. Mark, the word is put into the mouth to be spoken, Num. 33:5, 12, 16. THE LORD PUT A WORD IN BALAAM'S MOUTH, and said, RETURN TO BALAK, AND THUS SHALL YOU SPEAK. Verse 12, MUST I NOT TAKE HEED TO SPEAK THAT WHICH THE LORD HATH PUT IN MY MOUTH? Verse 16, AND THE LORD PUT A WORD IN BALAAM'S MOUTH, AND SAID, GO AGAIN TO BALAK, AND SAY THUS. Nay, it is spoken of this very Christ prophetically, Deut. 18:18, I WILL RAISE THEM UP A PROPHET FROM AMONG THEIR BRETHREN LIKE UNTO THEE, AND WILL PUT MY WORD IN HIS MOUTH, AND HE SHALL SPEAK UNTO THEM ALL THAT I COMMAND HIM. Mark, the words in the mouth is, that they may be published. 2 Sam. 14:19. When the woman of Tekoah had spoken to King David, she said, YOUR SERVANT JOAB, HE PUT ALL THESE WORDS IN THE MOUTH OF YOUR HANDMAID. Psa. 5:9. THERE IS NO FAITHFULNESS IN THEIR MOUTH. That is, they speak not truly, nor faithfully. Psa. 40:3. He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Mark, a song in the mouth, is praise to be uttered. Matt. 18:16. That in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (i.e.) that they may speak and testify what they Hear: So that all along, the Scripture means delivering a message, declaring or publishing: so that by Word in their mouth, is meant, That they shall preach the same Gospel that Christ preached.

Question 10.

Answer.

Answer: He does not mean that they should keep His words there, and not utter them forth: but He means, they should meditate upon them, and have them ready to declare, as occasion serves. John 1:8. This book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein all day and night, that you may observe to do all that is written therein.

The Last Question is:

Answer:

Answer: The word says, for ever. The Geneva Bible says, even for ever. Another translation has it, from this time forth for ever more, world without end. And this appears, that it is to continue while the world lasts, because it is a covenant of grace, which is an everlasting covenant, Jer. 32:40. I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not depart from them, etc. For ever Here, means to the end of the world, as Matt. 6:13. [For Thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever] Now Christ's Kingdom is Christ's for ever, and this covenant concerns Christ's Kingdom; it concerns the distribution of the Spirit and Gospel: And so for ever is taken, John 6:58. He that eats of this bread, shall live for ever, What is spoken of Christ or His Kingdom is this term [for ever] is taken without limitation of time Rev. 11:15. The kingdoms of this world are our Lord's and His Christ's, and He shall reign for ever and ever. Restrain the word how you will, or can, and it means to the last period of the thing treated of, Phlem. 15. Perhaps He departed for a season, that you should receive Him for ever. (i.e.) to the last period of life; till the relation of Master and Servant be broken by death. So Here [for ever] (i.e.) so long as there is any Spirit or Word of Christ to be distributed.

So that I hope (through the assistance of Christ, Whose servant I am, and upon Whom I depend) I have laid such a foundation, that Earth and Hell cannot raze; concerning the meaning of the Holy Spirit in this scripture, and now I shall confidently build upon it.

The point of Doctrine from the words thus opened, shall be this:

I have three things to handle in the following of this point: The explication of it, and the Confirmation, and the Application.

I shall explain something in the point, that you may know what I mean.

1. To tell you what I mean by Christ's coming in the flesh, and revealing the new covenant: I mean by this, His being incarnate in the days of His flesh, tendering grace to the Jews, and giving some glimpses to the Gentiles: And after His death, giving commission to His disciples to go teach all Nations, and hold Him forth to every creature,

2. By Ages, I mean Generations; that there was not any Generation of men, nor any age of time, but this was in some measure made good.

3. By succession of Believers, I mean not carnal succession; That a believing man must needs have a believing child. Neither do I mean that the succession of Believers was in one place, City, Country, or Nation; but that there has been always believers in one place or other; neither do I mean any personal succession, in regard to office, as of Apostles, and the like; nor a succession of order and ordinances among those believers in all particulars: But that the world in all ages has had believers, Whom God has accounted for His people, and Who have been endowed with the Spirit of Christ, and enabled in some measure to declare it.

And so understood, I shall endeavor to clear three things.

1. That there has been always a succession of Believers.

2. That there has been a succession of Spirit.

3. Of the Word, or Gospel, or Prophesying, or declaring of the gospel.

Concerning the first of these, two things will make it good.

1. It was prophesied of.

2. It was performed.

1. It was prophesied of.

The first Scripture I shall name, is, Psa. 72:5, THEY SHALL FEAR THEE AS LONG AS THE SUN AND MOON ENDURES, THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS. Mark, throughout all generations.

Objection: But some may say, this is spoken of the time when Christ shall set up His Kingdom.

Answer: I know it is; but if you restrain it only to His Monarchy, you are deceived; He set up His Kingdom in part when He died, and rose from the dead, and gathered in Souls and Churches to Him; for upon this consideration the Apostles preached, Acts 5:29-31. THEN PETER AND THE OTHER APOSTLES ANSWERED AND SAID, WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN: THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS RAISED UP JESUS, WHOM YE SLEW, AND HANGED ON A TREE, HIM HATH GOD EXALTED WITH HIS RIGHT HAND TO BE A PRINCE, AND A SAVIOR, TO GIVE REPENTANCE TO ISRAEL, AND REMISSION ON SINS: AND WE ARE HIS WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS, AND SO IS THE HOLY GHOST, WHOM GOD HATH GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM. Mark, they witnessed, and the Holy Ghost too, that CHRIST was exalted now to be a Prince; Therefore now His Kingdom began.

Another Scripture is, Psal. 100:5. FOR THE LORD IS GOOD, HIS MERCY IS EVERLASTING, AND HIS TRUTH ENDURES TO ALL GENERATIONS. He speaks Here of a mercy joined with truth; A covenant-mercy, a Church-mercy, as is clear out of the Psalm: and this endures to all generations; Therefore there must needs be a Church in all generations.

A third Scripture is, Psa. 102:12. BUT YOU, O LORD SHALL ENDURE FOR EVER, AND YOUR REMEMBRANCE TO ALL GENERATIONS. And then see, verse 13. YOU WILT ARISE, AND HAVE MERCY UPON SION. But some may say, Sion lies in the dust? True, but it is Sion still, though Sion afflicted; for if it were not Sion, how could God have mercy upon Sion.

A fourth Scripture is, Psal. 45. ult.,. I WILL MAKE YOUR NAME TO BE REMEMBERED IN ALL GENERATIONS; THEREFORE SHALL THE PEOPLE PRAISE THEE FOR EVER AND EVER. It matters not to this point, whether this be the speech of Christ, or the Church: If of Christ, then it shows that the Church shall be mentioned in all generations. If of the Church, then she could not cause Christ to be remembered, if there were no Church to remember Him.

A fifth Scripture is, Ex. 3:15. When God had declared His Covenant-name there, He said, THIS IS MY NAME FOR EVER, AND THIS IS MY MEMORIAL TO ALL GENERATIONS. Showing clearly, that there should not be a generation, but there should be some in it that should remember God in His covenant and by His covenant-name.

A sixth Scripture is, Luke 1:48. FROM HENCEFORTH (Mary says) ALL GENERATIONS SHALL CALL ME BLESSED.

Objection: But some may say, So do the Papists most frequently, Therefore this will prove nothing.

Answer: The meaning is not, that they shall call Her blessed in complement, but in truth, that having tasted the sweetness of Christ, they should look upon Her as a blessed instrument Whom God raised up for the bringing Him into the world, by Whom they have unspeakable benefits; For this in Scripture- sense, is the meaning of this phrase, to call blessed. Psal. 72:17, HIS NAME SHALL ENDURE FOR EVER, HIS NAME SHALL CONTINUE AS LONG AS THE SUN: MEN SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIM. Mark, there is a rich benefit: and now mark, from the tasting and enjoying of this benefit, all nations shall call Him blessed. So David called Abigail blessed, in relation to the good He had by Her. And so Matt. 23. ult.,., YE SHALL NOT SEE ME HENCEFORTH, TILL YE SHALL SAY, BLESSED IS HE THAT COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD (i.e.) brings us good news of Christ. Mal. 3:12. All Nations shall call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land, etc. That is, they shall acknowledge the goodness of God in a special manner to you. And so it is meant in Luke 1:48. From the taste and apprehension of Christ, they shall look upon Mary as one highly favored of God, and as a blessed instrument of bringing Him into the world, that they have happiness in: And then how can they acknowledge the goodness of God to Mary, that neither know God, nor love God, nor care for God at all, nor feel sweetness in God communicated to their souls? So that this proves, that in all generations some shall enjoy benefit by Christ, and be His people.

2. I will now not only prove it was foretold, that it should be so, but that it was so.

1. Christ called a people to Him when He was upon earth, which followed Him in the regeneration, His Disciples, I mean the Twelve and diverse others.

2. Those Apostles and Disciples were sent by Him to call in others, both Jews and Gentiles: and they did so, as the History of the Acts makes it manifest: And so it is clear, that a succession of believers continued till the time of Antichrist, 2 Thes. 2:3. [That day shall not come, except there be a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed.] So that till the revealing of that man of sin, there was no falling away; but Believers maintained the Gospel in all ages; for the falling away is showed to be by reason of the revealing of the man of sin.

3. Now that there was a succession of Believers under Antichrist, or in the time of Antichrist, is clear also, from Rev. 12:1, etc. AND THERE APPEARED A GREAT WONDER IN HEAVEN, A WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN, AND THE MOON UNDER HER FEET, AND UPON HER HEAD A CROWN OF TWELVE STARS. The woman was the Church, clothed with the Sun; that is, The Church in Her glorious array; And what Church can this be, but the Church in the Primitive times, when she was most pure, (as things are most pure at the fountain) when the Doctrine of Christ most purely dispensed, and believers clothed with the Sun of Righteousness, the Righteousness of Christ, set forth in Scripture. The Moon under Her feet, some say is outward things that are mutable and changeable as the Moon; but I take it, the meaning is, as the Moon has a borrowed light from the Sun, so the ways of this Church, where Her feet went, were borrowed from Christ, the true Sun of Righteousness: And indeed, this Church for Her Ordinances and Discipline had Her light from the Sun CHRIST, and so walked. The Crown of twelve Stars, was the Doctrine of the twelve Apostles; for the Angels of the Churches are called Stars, Rev. 1: ult.,. These are in the hand of CHRIST; but upon the Head of the Church, as Her Ornament. Now this could agree to no Church, but the Primitive Church; for, 1. It could not be meant of any Church before this time; for the Revelation was of things to come after, Rev. 4:1 says the first voice out of Heaven, I WILL SHOW THEE THINGS WHICH MUST BE THEREAFTER. 2. It could not be meant of the glorious Church of the Jews, for that shall not be driven into the wilderness, after once set up, Rev. 21:4, GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES: AND THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH, NEITHER SORROW, NOR CRYING; NEITHER SHALL THERE BE ANY MORE PAIN, FOR THE FORMER THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY. Chap. 20:9. THE ENEMIES COMPASSED THE TENTS OF THE SAINTS, BUT FIRE CAME DOWN FROM GOD, AND CONSUMED THEM. Therefore it must needs be the Primitive Church. I mean, before the falling away.

Objection: But this cannot be meant of the Primitive Church; for we read of the design of the Beast against the Church, before this Woman is mentioned, Rev. 11:7 THE BEAST THAT ASCENDS OUT OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT SHALL MAKE WAR WITH THEM, AND SHALL OVERCOME THEM, AND KILL THEM. Yea, the Beast made war against them, under the sounding of the fifth Angel, Rev. 9:1. For then the bottomless pit was opened; but this Woman seems to show Herself under the seventh Angel's sounding, Rev. 11:15. AND THE SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDED, etc. And so He goes on to show what fell out under it, and without distinction mentions the History of this Woman.

Answer: This Book mentions things, first, more darkly, then repeats them again, as occasion serves, and as times should discover them more clearly; As the opening of the bottomless pit is mentioned, Chap. 9:1, 2. And yet the rising of the Beast is mentioned again. Chap. 13:1. And after the pouring out of the Vials, Chap. 16, which shows the utter ruin of the Beast. The Woman is mentioned in Her pomp again, sitting upon the Beast, Chap. 17. So the calling of the Jews is mentioned, Chap. 7, from verse 13 to the end. But yet darkly; it is mentioned more clearly, chap. 19:7, 8, 9, etc. But most clearly, chap. 21, and 22. And so it is Here in the 12th chapter. This is a repetition, more clearly setting out the state of the Church under the Emperors, and the Pope both.

Now to let other things pass, This Woman is driven into the Wilderness, Rev. 12:6,14. AND THE WOMAN FLED INTO THE WILDERNESS, WHERE SHE HATH A PLACE PREPARED OF GOD, etc. AND TO THE WOMAN WAS GIVEN TWO WINGS OF A GREAT EAGLE, THAT SHE MIGHT FLY INTO THE WILDERNESS, etc.

Two Questions Answered About the Woman's Being in the Wilderness

Where we must examine two things,

1. What she did there.

2. How long she was to continue there.

Question 1. What She Did There? And What The Wilderness Is?

To the first, she was fed there, and nourished and preserved; not destroyed and come to nothing; but supported, and fed, and continued, Rev. 12:6,14. There she was to live and continue, and have supply and nourishment: And the Wilderness (I conceive) is the Temple, spoken of, Rev. 11:1. For the Temple was to be taken care for, when the Holy City was trodden under foot, and the two Witnesses prophesied in sackcloth, and the Worshippers were in the Temple, which was nothing else but the Woman in the Wilderness, in a more retired condition; and yet there were two Witnesses to feed Her there.

The second Question is, How long this Woman was to continue in the Wilderness?

Answer: Forty-two months: The same term of time that the Holy City is trodden under foot, Rev. 11:2. The time of the two Witnesses Prophesying in sackcloth, Rev. 11:3, which is 1260 days: It is just the time, and the same time of the Beast's rising and reigning, Rev. 13:5. There was power given Him to continue, or make war, Forty-two months: And this time she was to abide in the Wilderness, Rev. 14:6. 1260 days, verse 14. Three years and a half, set out by these terms, A time, times, and a half a time; all these fall into the same time.

Question: It may be demanded, For how long time is this forty-two months?

Answer: It cannot be limited to three common years and a half; for this is the time wherein Antichrist should be born, grow up, and have dominion over the Nations, be wounded, and be Healed again; all which could not be in such a space of time, and experience tells us the contrary; Therefore we must seek out some other meaning. Let us Therefore number them according to other Scriptures, and according to the old types; for (almost) all things in this book are spoken according to old types.

1. Then shall each month note out seven years, as Daniel's weeks did: there is no Scripture to second it: And beside, these months are counted by the particular days afterwards; Therefore that cannot be.

2. Observe, These months are no Julian months neither; for after this account there would be eighteen days more, above the number Here set down: Therefore we must reckon them Egyptian months, that is, thirty days to a month, and so the time will be just 1260 days: And I reckon them so, because the two Witnesses are said to be slain, and lie dead in the great city, Spiritually called Sodom and Egypt.

3. Observe, We must begin this account neither from the passion of Christ, nor from the time of John's being in the Isle, for that is forbidden, Rev. 4:1. [I will show you things which must be done Hereafter.] For next that time was the dwelling in Heaven, and clothing with the sun, as I showed before.

Now Therefore the days or months must needs be prophetical, a year for a day, according to Num. 14:34, Ezek. 4:6. I HAVE APPOINTED THEE A DAY FOR A YEAR. A day for a year, (so the Hebrew has it.) And so in Numbers, Forty days, each day for a year, ye shall bear your iniquities: And so must these days be numbered.

Now it appears by that which I have spoken (when this account begins, I shall not be curious in searching it out;) but this lies clear, That through the time, times, and half a time, the forty-two months, the thousand two hundred and sixty days, while the two Witnesses prophesied in sackcloth, and the Woman lay hid in the Temple or Wilderness, and the Beast raged and made war; yet there was the Woman still, she was not slain, nor buried, nor rotted to dust; for, Rev. 12:6, She is said to have a place prepared of God, that they should feed Her there 1260 days: Therefore she was a living woman, else she could not have been fed. And verse 14. She is said to be nourished for a time, times, and half a time: so that she decayed not utterly. And this Church is said to have a seed that keeps the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ, last verse. So that you see there have been Believers in all ages, even in the darkest times of Antichrist's rage and reign.

But lest any should cavil at this (and yet I know not how He should) Therefore consider, I shall make it good, so, that I think Satan Himself cannot deny it.

In the fourth chapter of this Revelation, He portrays and sets out a true Gospel-Church, with Her Ordinances and Officers (for in this book He speaks not of things in the glorious Heavens, but in the Church on Earth, till the calling in of the Jews, as any ingenuous man may easily observe.)

Now then, what society can this be, but the true Church of Christ, that worship God upon earth, over Whom Christ reigns, and which worshippers are in His presence continually? Now these Officers are called four Beasts, chap. 4:7. The first beast is like a lion, i.e. the ruling Elder, Who is terrible to unruly walkers. The second is like a Calf, i.e. the Pastor, in regard of His labor and care of the Church. The third had a face like a Man, (i.e.) the Deacon, exercised about the bodies of Men. The fourth like a flying Eagle: that is, The teacher, Who