220 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II.
livered unto us such a tract and series of the ages of the world from its beginning as atheism hath no tolerable pretence, from tradition, testimony, or the evidence of things themselves, to break in upon. Whatever is objected against the beginning of all things, and the course of their continuance in the world, delivered unto us in the Scripture, which is secured not only by the authority of divine reve- lation, but also by a universal evidence of all circumstances, is fond and ridiculous. I speak of the account given us in general, sufficient unto its own ends, and not of any men's deductions and applications of it unto minute portions of time, which probably it was not de- signed unto. It is sufficient unto its end that its account, in general, which confounds all atheistical presumptions, is not to be impeached. And although the authority of the Scripture is not to be pleaded immediately against atheists, yet the matter and reason of it is, which from its own evidence renders all contrary pretensions contemptible.
(2.) God hath hereby given an account of the beginning, progress, trials, faith, obedience, and whole proceedings of the church, in the pursuit of the first promise, unto the actual exhibition of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Hereunto were all things in a tendency for four thousand years. It is a glorious prospect we have therein, to see the call and foundation of the church in the first promise given unto our common parents; what additions of light and knowledge he granted unto it successively by new revelations and promises; how he gradually adorned it with gifts, privileges, and ordinances; what ways and means he used to preserve it in faith, purity, and obedience ; how he chastened, tried, punished, and delivered it ; how he dealt with the nations of the world with respect unto it, raising them up for its affliction, and destroying them for their cruelty and oppression of it ; what were the ways of wicked and sinful men amongst them or in it, and what the graces and fruits of his saints ; how by his power he retrieved it out of various calamities, and preserved it against all opposition unto its appointed season; — all which, with innumerable other effects of divine wisdom and grace, are blessedly represented unto us therein.
Now, besides that spiritual wisdom and insight into the great de- sign of God in Christ, which is required unto a right understanding in these things as they were types of better things to come and examples of gospel mysteries, there is a skill and understanding in the records and monuments of time, the geographical respect of one nation unto another, the periods and revolutions of seasons and ages, required to apprehend them aright in their first literal instance and intention. And besides what is thus historically related in the Scrip- ture, there are prophecies also of things to come in the church and amongst the nations of the world, which are great evidences of its
CHAP. VIII.] MEANS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE MIND OF GOD. 221
own divinity and supporting arguments of our faith; but without some good apprehension of the distinction of times, seasons, and places, no man can rightly judge of their accomplishment.
Secondly, there are, in particular, prophecies in the Old Testa- ment which reach unto the times of the gospel, upon the truth whereof the whole Scripture doth depend. Such are those concern- ing the calling of the Gentiles, the rejection and recovery of the Jews, the erection of the glorious kingdom of Christ in the world, with the oppositions that should be made unto it. And to these many are added in the New Testament itself, as Matt, xxiv., xxv., 2 Thess. ii. 1-12, 1 Tim. iv. 1-3, 2 Tim. hi. 1-5, iv. 3, 4 ; but especially in the whole book of the Revelation, wherein the state of the church and of the world is foretold unto the consummation of all things. And how can any man arrive unto a tolerable acquaintance with the accomplish- ment of these prophecies as to what is already past, or have a distinct grounded expectation of the fulfilling of what remains foretold, with- out a prospect into the state of things in the world, the revolutions of times past, with what fell out in them, which are the things spoken of? Those who treat of them without it do but feign chimeras to themselves, as men in the dark are apt to do, or corrupt the word of God, by turning it into senseless and fulsome allegories. And those, on the other side, by whom these things are wholly neglected do despise the wisdom and care of God towards the church, and disre- gard a blessed means of our faith and consolation.
Some things of this nature, especially such as relate unto chrono- logical computations, I acknowledge are attended with great and apparently inextricable difficulties ; but the skill and knowledge mentioned will guide humble and modest inquirers into so sufficient a satisfaction in general, and as unto all things which are really use- ful, that they shall have no temptation to question the verity of what in particular they cannot assoil. And it is an intolerable pride and folly, when we are guided and satisfied infallibly in a thousand things which we know no otherwise, to question the authority of the whole because we cannot comprehend one or two particulars, which, perhaps, were never intended to be reduced unto our measure. Be- sides, as the investigation of these things is attended with difficulties, so the ignorance of them or mistakes about them, whilst the minds of men are free from pertinacy and a spirit of contention, are of no great disadvantage, for they have very little influence on our faith and obedience, any otherwise than that we call not into question what is revealed; and it is most probable that the Scripture never intended to give us such minute chronological determinations as some would deduce their computations unto, and that because not necessary. Hence we see that some who have laboured therein unto