his Ascension hee did not bring under all the earth and haughtinesse of people that is Kingly power that he alone might be exalted Esa. 2.11 17. Archer p. 22 c. Answ. Christ was the Stone Dan. 2.25 which did strike break and destroy the foure kingdomes there mentioned and was avenged of them for their pride and Idolatry which are the sinnes for which God threatens in Esay As God in his due time punished those foure Kingdomes so when Romes sins were come to ripenesse hee spared iâ— not For hee tooke peace from the earth and left the Roman forces to kill one another Rev. 6.4 And for being drunke with the blood of God people when her sinnes come in remembrance before God bee is fully to bee rewarded and at length to bee left desolate and burnt with fire Rev. 17. 18. How Christ at the comming to his Kingdome was and is exalted above all I have formerly declared how Christian Kings are his substitutes and nursing fathers of the Church See Esa. 49.23 60.3.11 c. Object Antichrist hath set up himself as Lord and God and prescribed Laws to the consciences of men so that Christ hath been cast out of his Throne and to this day hath raigned little outwardly The Devill himself in regard of multiplicity of Subjects is a greater King then hee For the greatest part of the world is beathen Antichristian or â—isked Glimps p. 9 10. Answ. Anitichrist hath indeed magnified himselfe as much as possibly hee could and attempted to throw Christ out of his Kingdome But Christs Throne abides firm for ever and ever Heb. 1.8 Antichrists Babel fals but of Christs Kingdome there shall bee no end Bâ—ke 1.33 And though the Devill hath many moe Subjects then Christ if you account the faithfull alone to bee Christs Subjects and the rest the Devils yet if you judg aright you shall finde that Christ hath moe subjects then the Devill and that Christs power over all is greater then the Devils For even the Devill himselfe and all his Subjects as you call them are at Christs command and if they doe any good 't is by their true â—orde exciting them and evill neither can they nor the Devill their Lord by usurpation doe except Christ permit them Besides every faithfull Servant of God and subject of Christ is as deare to God as the apple of his eye is as David Zach. 12.8 worth tenthousand of the Devils Vassals If the least in the kingdom of Heaven bee greater then John Baptist how much more pretious to God is any true Christian then millions of Reprobates Object Kings have their royall Thrones their Palaces their Attendants they appeare many wayes both in these and other matters what and how great they are Now what I pray you was there in Christ formerly answerable to the glory power and Majesty of some mean Kings in the world in these times Answ. If you will further urge to a comparison between Christ and Earthly Kings I doubt not but that you will easily discern your misprision For what Kings palace and Throne on Earth is comparable to Christs which is in Heaven 1 King 9.27 Psal. 11.40 VVhat Kings Attendants and messengers like in fidelity agility strength and observance to the Spirits holy Angels who are at Christs command Kings have their potent and puissant Hosts but infinitely inferiour to Christs Hosts that is all Creatures in Heaven and Earth far unlike to the thousand thousands that minister unto Christ and ten thousand thousands that stand before him Dan. 7.10 God gives to Kings great Majesty and glory Dan. 5.18 But Christs glory is above all Principalities and powers and all names of created excellency and into his hands God hath given all things Ephes. 1.21 Job 13.3 16.15 Kings send their Edicts to the utmost parts of their Dominions but Christ to all parts of Heaven and Earth Kings command their Officers and have them responsable for their services but Kings themselves are Christs Vicegerents and must bee countable to him for all Christs laws are most heavenly most perfect far surpassing all humane inventions The honours that any one receives from his King are but mean and momentary in regard of the honours which God â— gives Kings can punish the bodies of their Subjects with prison and death but God can cast both their soules and bodies into the lake of fire and brimston Kings stand in need and make use of their Subjects help and advise but Christ nor needs nor will use his subjects counsel and will use though hee needs not their services VVhat should I say more Christ in all things doth {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} not onely surpasse all that is in Kings but even all that can be spoken or conceived of them So great then is the glory and Majesty of Christ that the Moon may bee abashed and the Sun ashamed take the speech literally or else figuratively for Princes and such as they lend their light unto when Christ raigns on mount Sion and shews his power to bee above all created might whatsoever The Sun never saw any King doe such wonderfull workes as Christ here on Earth did effect If some subject bee ignorant of a Kings Majesty and eminency it is because his meannesse hath not accesse to the Court nor converse with such as can inform him but a good christian cannot but know Christs kingly glory and highnesse For though hee cannot approach that light and Majesty in which Christ now is yet may hee search the Scriptures which in excellent manner discover the same so far as it pleased the holy Spirit to describe them or is needfull for us to know Object But Christ himself saith My Kingdome is not of this World Therefore there was some power and royalty which was either denyed Christ or which hee would not take upon him Answ. A Kingdome may bee said to bee of this world in two respects First because the administration of it is by humane and worldly means and tends to worldly ends as namely to get a large extent of wordly Dominion a glorious name among men abundance of earthly matters and there is terminated In this sense not Christs but Alexanders and the Caesars kingdoms were of this world Secondly because it is so administred that Men conversing in this world may thereby take notice of Christ use the things of this world in an heavenly manner have on earth a conversation as it were in Heaven each man in his severall calling and place of worldly employment serve God and advance his kingdom of grace in this world and so submit themselves to Christs government here that they may bee heires of glory in a better world Such a kingdom Christ both had and hath in and over this world such a kingdom hee affirmed himself to bee born unto And as Christ governs this world and all things therein in ordine ad câ—lestia with reference to the world to come so Moses who
CHRISTS KINGDOME ON EARTH Opened according to the Scriptures Herein is examined What Mr. Th. Brightman Dr. J. Alstede Mr. I. Mede Mr. H. Archer The Glympse of Sions Glory and such as concurre in opinion with them hold concerning the thousand years of the Saints Reign with Christ And of Satans binding Herein also their Arguments are answered Imprimatur Ia. Cranford Feb. 12. 1644. LONDON Printed by Ric. Cotes for Stephen Bowtell and are to bee sold at his shop at the signe of the Bible in Popes-head Alley 1645. Christian Reader DIvers are the Causes of Error in Religion Many there are who will not rest content with necessary and saving truths others are misled by Enthy siasms and their own private spirit some erre by reason of the weaknesse of their judgments and not attending to them that can better informe them but above all what Christ said to the Jews was and ever will bee true men erre not knowing the Scriptures Admit will some say what you affirme to bee most true in the generall temper of the now d sordered world you may not lay these imputations on such whom you undertake to answer they were men learned moderate cautelous well-studied in Scriptures It is granted but the best may erre and therefore let us search the Scriptures as did the Bereans and try whether side in these points maintain the truth Dr. Alstede was a man of vast comprehension but had many Irons in the fire Mr. Brightman I leave to Dr. Coopers judgement who sayes that pretending to give us a Revelation of the Revelation hee hath set forth an Obscuration thereof Mr. Mede was my worthy and learned friend but not to bee preferred before truth Mr. Archer was held to bee a pious and good Christian if hee bee not the Author of the Book in his name let him beare the blame that fathered it upon him who should bee the penman of the Glympse I know not With none of these deale I farther then they are ingaged in this dispute What I cite out of Dr. Alstede is from the English Edition more parable now then the Latin What I crave of you good Reader is this that you would read without prejudice examine each matter throughly and judge impartially Yours in all Christian Offices of love to be commanded T. HAYNE The Contents of this Treatise Chap. I. WHether Christs Kingdom on Earth bee yet begun or not The Question sttated The Affirmative proved Page 1. Chap. II. The chiefe and common Argument produced against my Tenent answered and confuted p. 4. Chap. III. The answer to many Objections of the Divines who endeavour to prove that Christs famous Kingdom is not yet begun p. 9. Chap. IV. Mr. Th. Brightmans judgment of the Times in Daniel and the Apocalyps particularly examined and refuted p 34. Chap. V. Dr. J. Alsteds and Mr. H. Archers and others account and Arguments about the same Times propounded and refuted p. 38. Chap. VI The Arguments and authorities from the Rabbins urged by Mr. Mede on Rev. 20. answered p. 54. Chap. VII Objections out of Rev. 21. and 22. cleared by other Scriptures and answered p. 66. Chap. VIII Whether the binding of Satan for a thousand years Rev. 20. be already past The question stated p. 71. Chap. IX The famous and notable binding of Satan Rev. 20. is already past p. 72. Chap. X. Objections answered whereby it will further appear that the eminent binding of Satan is already past p. 74. Some faults escaped are thus to be amended PAge 9. Line 10. read as is p. 121. 16. r. of Gods p. 15 1. 13. r. crucifâ—e him p. 16. 〈◊〉 thousand years p. 23. 1. 5. r. any whosoever p. 25. 1. 15. r. a peace which p. 31. 〈◊〉 assâ—ctions p. 43. 1. 29. r. a time p. 44. 1. 25. r. â—xtie dayes p. 47. 1. 1. r. Dan. 7.8 is not Antichrist p. 48. 1. 29. r. dayes and nineâ—e p. 49. 1. 36. that is uphold p. 54. 〈…〉 p. 55. 1. 28. r. â—ude 14. p. 53.1.12 r. did and will p. 64. 1. last r. Coch notes on p. 66 1.â— r. is 〈◊〉 p. 70. 1. 27. r. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} p. 75 â— â— r. up in the p. 77. 1. 16. r. tweâ—ft-twentieth and 1. 28. r. hst p. 85.1.3 blot out so CHRISTS KINGDOME on Earth opened according to the SCRIPTURES Chap. I. Whether Christs Kingdome be yet begunne or not The Question stated The affirmative proved THat we may rightly set downe the state of the Question and cleerely deliver the truth concerning Christs Kingdome frequently mentioned in Scripture wee must know That God is omnipotent the fountaine and originall of all power and dominion That his kingdome is ever lasting and throughout all ages Psal. 145.13 That his Throne is in heaven Psal. 105.19 And that he rules not in Jacob onely but even to the ends of the world Selab Psal. 59.13 We must also observe concerning Jesus Christ That by him the world was made Joh. 1.3 That whatsoever the Father doth the same doth the Sonne also Joh. 5.19 And that the Throne of the Son of God our Saviour is for ever and ever Heb. 1.8 So that in regard of the Soveraigne power and dominion of Christ it is undoubtedly true that at all times hee rules hath an absolute Kingdome in the World and doth whatsoever pleaseth him Psal. 135.6 The rules and Laws of this Kingdome are delivered to Gods people in the Scripture and Christ according thereunto continues the administration thereof on Earth untill at the end of the World hee comes againe to the last judgement and then hee delivers up this his Kingdome as a faithfull Governour of the same to his Father 1 Cor. 15.24 And ever afterward sits in the Throne of his Father Rev. 3.21 that is in Heaven which is Gods Throne Mat. 5.34 Acts 7.49 Of this extent is Christs Kingdome yet in regard that God hath sometimes permitted Satan and wicked men in extraordinary manner to domineere and exercise their worldly and ungodly power And that at other times hee hath made his owne Soveraignty by remarkable mercies and judgments in more especiall manner to appeare God and Christ upon this more glorious expression of their over-ruling might are then especially said to have a Kingdome and to Reigne because in such times their glory and Majesty doth more manifestly shew it self Exod. 15.18.1 Sam. 12.12 Obad. 21. Apoc. 12.10 and elswhere Indeed the World were its eye-sight cleare might well discern Gods power to bee above all in many lesse matters but especially When hee removes some Kings and sets up others Dan. 2.21 4.14 VVhen Babels eminent Monarchy was pull'd down by the Medes and Persians Esa. 13.17 The Medes and Persians Might queld by the Grecians Dan. 7.7 21. The Grecian Domiâ—ion broken and divided between the foure chiefe Captaines of Alexander Dan. 11.4 And then againe subdivided by two of Alexanders Captaines the one in the South the other in the North of Judea
and Earth given him Mat. â—8 18 A Kingdome which lasteth for ever Luke 1.33 And this Kingdome he had at or neare his ascension at which time and a thousand and some hundreth yeares after the Roman Kingdome stood and as some affirme yet stands Therefore the Roman Kingdome is not the fourth Kingdom in Daniel Argum. 2. The fourth Kingdome in Daniel is to bee destroyed before Christs Kingdome to which all Nations and not the Jews onely are to submit Dan. 7.14 not before a Kingdome of a thousand yeares as some conceit yet to come begins But the Roman Kingdome was not destroyed before Christs Kingdom began to which all Nations were to submit for it began about the time when Christ sent to all Nations to obey what hee commanded Maâ— 28.20 At which time and thence to this present the Roman Kingdome continues Therefore the Roman Kingdome is not Daniels fourth Kingdome Argum. 3. If the fourth Beast Dan. 7. expresses the Roman Kingdom then the Beast Rev. 13.1 to the 11. sets forth the very same Kingdome and not one like thereunto For most Exposisitors hold and that aright that that Beast Rev. 13.1 sets forth the Roman Kingdom But the Beast Rev. 13.8 to the 11 verse expresses not the very same bnt a like Kingdome to the foure Kingdomes Dan. 7. Therefore the fourth Beast Dan. 7. expresses not the Roman Kingdom That the Beast Rev. 13.1 to 11. expresses not the very same but a like Kingdome to the foure Kingdomes Dan. 7. I thus prove The chiefe mysticall and figurative termes in the Revelation having reference to something in the Old Testament expresso some new matter like the Old and not the same with the Old But the Beast Rev. 13.1 hath in the figurative and mysticall termes thereof reference to the Old Testament namely to the foure Beasts Dan. 7. Therefore that Beast Rev. 13.1 expresses not the very same but a like Kingdome to those foure in Dan. 7. What â—asfirmed of the chiefe mysticall and figurative termes in the Revelation is evident For Egypt Babylon the New Jerusalem the Wildernesse Paradise Manna and other the like termes expresse new matters like the old and not the same And that there is a manifest reference of that Beast Rev. 13.1 to the foure beasts Dan. 7. is most manifest For In Dan. 7. The 1. Beast is a Lion 2. A Beare 3. A Leopard 4. A Beast with ten horns The Beast Rev. 13.1 Hath 1. A mouth like a Lion 2. Feet like a Beare 3. A body like a Leopard 4. It hath ten hornes And as the foure Beasts Dan. 7. have seven Heads The Lion one the Bear one the Leopard foure and the fourth Beast one So the Beast Rev. 13.1 Hath seven Heads Thus the reference is most evident Answ. To this Argument is answered Bee it granted that Christs providentiall Kingdome over all things and his spirituall Kingdome over his Church were administred by him when hee lived upon earth yea even from the beginning of the world and shall continue unto the worlds end Yet his Monarchicall Kingdome in which hee shall govern and raigne as earthly Monarchs have done universally over the world is not yet begun Mr. Archer Replicat Christ in his Kingdome above mentioned is the most absolute King and Monarch that ever was is or shall bee and you much debase and vilify him and his Kingdome in comparing it and counting it inferiour to earthly Monarchies and Kingdoms For they rose out of the Sea or Earth Dan. 7.3 17. Rev. 13.1 11. But Christs Kingdome is set up by the God of Heaven and is often called the Kingdome of Heaven in the Gospel Christ is the Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.43 and therefore is above all Joh. 3.31 The kingdoms of other States were destroyed Dan. 2.44 But Christs kingdome is everlasting and can never bee destroyed Dan. 7.27 Other great kingdomes of the world ruled over one hundred twenty seven Provinces or the like But Christ is to have all Nations to serve him Psal. 72.11 Even the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession Psalme 2.8 In all things Christ hath the preheminence And therefore Christ at the time mentioned was a more absolute Monarch then any King ever was is or shall bee and had a lawfull authority to give out his commission for all Nations to be taught to observe his commands Mat. 28.20 But to come close up to the Point Thus I argue Argum. 1. When Herod Pilaâ—e and the Jewish Rulers rose up against Jesus Christ God set him up to bee his King on Mount Sion his holy Mountaine and gave him so eminent a Kingdome that to it all Kings Judges and people must submit or else bee crusht with an iron Scepter Psal. 2. Act. 4.26 27. Pnt Herod Pilate and the Jews rulers rose up against Jesus Christ one thousand five hundred and moe yeares agon This is undeniable Therefore God set up Christ his King on Sion his holy mountaine and gave him a Knigdome so eminent as above one thousand five hundred and moe yeares agon What ever men conceive Wâ—e must to the Law and testimony to the sacred authority of Scripture and seeing wee have good ground thence so to doe wee may and doe averre that notwithstanding worldly potentates not subtle reasonings onely but mighty oppositions also aganst Christ God set him up King on mount Sion and laughed to scorn the vain and frustrate designes of his Adversaries agents for and friends of Rome the then most potent Kingdome on Earth So that it must bee granted that Christs Kingdom then set up was more powerfull then Romes which to this very day never could though assisted by the Gates of Hell either by might or policy prevaile against Christs Kingdome Argum. 2. Christ in St. Johns time was the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 had all things given him by his Father Luke 10.22 All power in Heaven and Earth Mat. 28.18 before his ascension so that hee was the head of the Church his body and in place farre above all principality power and Domination and every title and name that is named not in this world onely but in the world to come Ephes. 1.21 22. Therefore at Christs being here on earth or neere unto that time he had an absolute and boundlesse Soveraignty farre above all Monarchs and Kings that heretofore lived or ever shall hereafter For though many of them had very large Dominions and great prosperity both in Peace and Warre and subdued and vassalled many other Kings to their Scepters yet none of them had all power in heaven and earth committed into their hands by God They were not capable of such honour nor fit to be intrusted with so great a charge Chap. III. The Answer to many Objections of sever all Divines who would provetha Christs famous Kingdome is not yet begun T Is sufficiently above proved that Christs eminâ—nt Kingdome was long since begun yet against this truth as against
was in Gods place and his Deputy to direct Aaron and the Israelites and David who was Gods shepheard to govern and feed the Jews did {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} perform the best service they could for the bringing the people in those times of the world under them to a more blessed estate in another world Replicat But when the people would have made Christ a King hee did not assent thereunto but went from among them Joh. 9. Answ. The people there out of a sudden apprehension of Christs power who miraculously fed many thousands with five barly loaves and two fishes were not fit instruments nor had a calling to fit them for conferring on Christ so great a dignity Scinditur incertum studia in contrariavulgus is a true and cleare verdict upon them as the schism Joh. 10.19 plainly shews they which to-day would make Christ a King will to morrow depose him if not they some others in a like but contrary heat upon some sleight distaste will doe it Their Hosanna one day their Crucifige soon after shew the mutability of their fancy Secondly had Christ accepted of the kingdom at these few Jews instance this might have been an occasion of a grievous combustion in that seditious and discontented people because the chief Rulers of the Jews consented not thereunto and had much people blindly led by them If the chiefe builders refused the head corner stone and said Wee will not have this man rule over us and further conspired saying Come this is the heire let us kill him Christ who well knew Gods law for the government of that people would not bee made King unlesse hee was orderly called thereunto by the chief Elders and Rulers of their Tribes Thirdly Christ did not deny or publikely gainsay his being made a King but perceiving their intention to take him and make him a king hee withdrew himself and thereby both avoided civill dissention to which that people were too too prone and continued also his humble course of life that as a Lamb hee might come to the slaughter and die for us Hee well knew the time appointed for his humiliation and waited his Fathers good pleasure for his exaltation Fourthly when hee was set as a king upon the holy hill of Sion his purpose was to propagate his kingdom by other courses then suited with these peoples plots and devises Their thoughts and wayes were not Christs thoughts and wayes For his mind was to demonstrate his glorious might and Sovereignty and his Infinite and all-seeing wisdome by means in the worlds eye and humane esteem most unlikely This in his good time he accordingly peformed Object The Saints are said Apoc. 20 to raign with Christ a thouand yeeres this is not yet fulfilled Therefore there shall be hereafter a thousand yeeres of Christs raign in which the Saints shall raign with him on earth For their raign with him in Heaven is everlasting Answ. Obsrve well that 't is no where said that Christs raign on kingdom is of a thousand yeares continuance His kingdom foretold Dan. 7.14 begun long since and continues for ever hee neyer reversed his command of teaching all Nations Ever since that edict people of all Nations and languages have been called to Christianity shewed their faith by their practise and sealed their Testimony such as have been called thereunto by their deaths Secondly for the space of a thousand years after Christs time many were called in severall Nrtions and in every part of that thousand yeeres many lived and raigned with Christ and the true doctrine of the Gospel was held in some good measure untill neare the end of the thousand yeeres at which time there was a declining Mr. Fox Mart. Pres. pag. 5. Then matters grew worse and worse Fox p. 215 vol. 1. Sylvester a Sorcerer about that time held the Popes Chair And Hildebrand soon after appeared to rule not by Gods but by Satans spirit Id. pag. 237. So that soon after these wicked beginnings error and superstition spread very much in the Churches proceedings Quest When then did the thousand years of the Saints raigning with Christ end Tell us the time punctually Answ. As wee cannot design the very year and day of the beginning of Christs famous kingdom Gods setting him up King upon the hill of Sion nor doe wee hold it necessary but onely in generall aver with Scripture that it was begun in Christs life time on Earth So for the end of the thousand yeares of the Saints raigning with Christ wee will not point out the very yeare and day â— but wee say that about a thousand yeers after Christs time Satan being loosed did with the full height of his malice infuse into the Pope and his instruments Pride error and other impieties insomuch that by the Popes power and craft conjoyned the Nations in al the kingdoms of this western part of the world in great measure yeelded to the Popes supreme authority over all Kings to his pretended infallible determinations to many superstitious observances and were led blind fold into a multitude of false and currunt doctrines In this grand Apostasie Christ had faith full servants who saw Romes declining from truth and growth to an height of wickednesse These as the rest of the Saints formerly continued to inhabit the holy City the new Jerusalem though they were assaulted with bloudy and most violent persecution and were extremely oppressed and tyrannized over untill Luthers time Object The Saints are said to reign with Christ the thousand yeares in which Satan is bound Rev. 20. Their reigning with Christ imports more then when it is said that Christ reigns in or with them This their reigning with Christ hath never yet been performed For Christ hath never yet visibly and personally come again to the Earth that they might reign with him as the words import And therefore hereafter he must so come and they reign with him Archer Answ. 1. There is nothing spoken Apoc. 20. which may assure us or indeed give us any the least warrant of Christs personall and visible comming again to reign here on earth If such a matter had been it might much better have been concluded from this Lo I am with you always to the worlds end Matâ—ult Or from Christs walking amidst the golden Candlesticks Rev. 1. that is the Churches of God That hee then did perform and in the same manner which is there meant he will ever do it to the last day These speeches and the like put together would soonerafford which indeed they do not a personall presence of Christ still on earth then any speech Apoc. 20. And 2. where t is said The Saints reign with Christ on earth how can that be more emphaticall and imply more then this Wee shall suffer with Christ Rom 8.19 No man ever hence inferred that Christ must again come down from Heaven that wee may suffer with him In both speeches of reigning with and suffering with Christ
saith that John in the Revelation prophesied that Christians should accomplish that thousand year in Jerusalem Answ. Justin beleeves the resurrection of the body wee deny it not But Justin asserts not two resurrections as some now doe one a thousand years before the other Justin sayes that Jerusalem shall bee re-edified inlarged adorned in such sense as Ezekiel and Esay foretold it is most true A Jerusalem that in Rev. 21.10 Gal 4.26 all the world over shall bee made a place of Gods worship as was the old Jerusalem to the great joy of all people the distinction of Jew and Gentile shall bee taken away and all true Christians shall bee the Israel of God and true Jews and shall have no need of the old Jerusalem How implicitly in Esaies words by Justin cited the thousand years should be pointed at he is quicksighted that can discern No man I think endeavours now to prove the thousand years from that text in Esay It there were any such thing in Esays words Logick now if ever would work it out Further St John sayes not totidem verbis in expresse terms what Iustin alledges but that there shall be a new Ierusalem comming down from heaven not built by man and that the Saints shall reign a thousand years with Christ and I will also grant that this reign should bee in the new Jerusalem But that reign was in the beginning of the Gospels times for a thousand yeers and shall not bee towards the end of the world This Ierusalem is mother of us all of all the Israel of God of all beleeving Iews and Gentiles in all times to the world end and is not limited to old Jerusalems seat and some certain time That kingdom began long since and was such as hath been above shewed not such as the pleaders for the thousand yeers to come describe it Object Divers of the Ancient Fathers besides Iustin Martyr as Ireneus Tertullian Lactantius Nepos and others held the opinion of the thousand yeers reign Austine himself sometime inclined to the same and it seems to bee Ieroms prime Argument against it that it savoured of Judaism to reject this opinion is a neglect of an ancient Tradition of the Church Papias recommended it to the Fathers above they to us Answ. The antiquity of this opinion will be little warrant to the verity of it if wee consider that Ireneus sayes That Papias an Auditor of St. John asserted it whereas Papias himself denies that ever hee saw or heard the Apostles And Eusebius B 3. Histor Eccles. sayes that Papias was too credulous and of shallow judgment and by mis-interpreting Apostolicall expositions led others into errour as Ireneus in this very point and as some conceive in the opinion of Antichrists reign but for three years and an half near the worlds end You see then what a tottering and weak foundation this tradition hath It is granted that Austin had an inclination to like of it but his {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} second thoughts made him wisely to abandon those Fathers faulty opinion and to correct his own as for Ierom hee censures the millenary conceit to bee a Iewish {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} fable and so inconsistent with the vision in Apoc. 20. jarring in it self contrary to other Scriptures and unworthy of the Christian faith See Ierom on the life of Papias Hee had therefore Arguments sufficient to confute it Dionysins a learned and judicious Bishop of Alexandria called together the chief abettors of this opinion and argued with them about it three dayes from morning till night and examined Nepos Book in defence thereof whereupon in conclusion his chief opposer yeelded and promised never to teach or so much as to mention the opinion again and all the rest there present submitted to the truth Euseb. Histor. B. 7. Repl. Bee this opinion true or false or whether the Fathers held an errour herein or no to bee of the same minde with the Jews is not alwayes culpable The Rabbins tell us that the seventh millenary is the great day of Judgment That the world shall continue six thousand years and in the seventh thousand bee destroyed with fire and purified and the Lord alone shall bee exalted in that day Esa. 2. that is shall bee King over all the Earth They say that God in this millenary shall break the wicked and that it shall bee a great Sabbath or day of rest Other Rabbins hold that the sixt millenary shall be the day of Judgment Rabbi Elias sayes that the world should continue two thousand yeers before the Law two thousand years under the Law two thousand under Christ See these and other their opinions cited by Mr. Mede on Revel. 20. Answ. No man holds the Jews in all things culpable They are most carefull and vigilant preservers of the originall Hebrew Text intire and uncorrupt so that had not the Jews and Greeks been kept distinct people untill these times the knowledge both of the Hebrew Greek originals had perished by the prevalency of Papistical darknesse See my preface to Cognatio Linguarum The Iews also when they list to speak out shew good skill in the sacred stories Besides many passages in their Talmuds about their rites and customes serve better to open some difficulties in the New Testament then our Latine Commentaries What I attribute to the knowledge lockt up in the Hebrew tongue see in my Book Cognatio Linguarum Posit 9. The Rabbins have many truths but like good corne in much chaffe themselves often times so speake that they will tell you Stultus credit omni verbo it is sillinesse to take all they speak for sad truth Maimonid part 1. chap. 62. Schick Bechin Happer pag. 114. Some truths they hide under Enigmaes and Parables and of them they say I finding a Pomegranat did eat the Kernels and laid by the Rinde P. Galatin 1.7 Yet many such riddles they have not worth the cracking their shell and more like a deafe nut then an wholsome Pomegranat These fall under Pauls prohibition of not giving heed to fables 1 Tim. 1.4 Hee that will prositably peruse them must try all things in them and keep that which is good 1 Thes. 5.21 And whoever will hope to deale soundly with them which would bee a glorious and heavenly work for their conversion must bee able to match and surpasse them as in sound knowledge of the Scripture so in their own tongue and learning as the Apostles and ancient Fathers did the Greeks Herein Mr. Broughton did much and had hee lived longer by good incouragement was both able and willing to have done far more Secondly for the present question observe the Jews jarring opinions Some of them hold the day of judgment the wickeds breaking and the Messias his exalting to bee at the end of the fift millenary which is fully past for I hold the world to be five thousand five hundred seventie one years old in this year
16.28 Mark 9.1 and many of them might live untill what was shewed to St. John Rev. 6 by the horses and riders upon them was in some sort fulfilled The high Priest and his assistants might live to see the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God and come in or with the clouds of heaven Matth. 26.24 to punish the Jews and ruine Jerusalem as Henoch bid the old word behold God comming with thousands of his holy ones or Angels to destroy the old world Jud. 14. In the same manner the Son of man is set forth with a Crown on his head and a Sickle in his hand when bee comes to fill up the Wine-presse of his wrath Revel. 14.18 The mourning here spoken of was in part fulfilled Act. 2.37 in the Jews who seeing that is pondering in their minds how they had kild the Lord of glory as Peter there told them Were with griefe pricked at their hearts repented and beleeved in Christ Now what was done by them was and is in like manner done by all converts of all Nations whatsoever from Christs time to the worlds end Thus it appears that the passages above instanced in may bee said to bee done at the Gospels first progresse and yet must continually be done by all who become Christians in after times Instance of Mr. Mede The royall Kingdome of Christ who feeds the innumerable multitude that have palms in their hands Revel. 7.17 and Christs victory over the ten Kings vassals of the Beast Rev. 17.4 are better referred to Christs last glorious coming then to his first comming Answ The multitude with palms in their hands are converts of all nations kinreds tongues and people who praise God for their salvation Rev. 7.10.11 The like is done Revel. 5. where the redeemed out of all Nations acknowledge all power riches wisdom strength honour glory and praise to belong to Christ who sits crowned upon his throne This vision in Chap. 5. Mr. Mede himselfe holds to bee fulfilled in the beginning of the Apocalypticall times The Palm bearing multitude bee they in what time they shall continue the same course of ascribing all praise honour power c. to Christ sitting on his throne And Christ Revel. 17.14 conquering the ten Kings shews himself to bee Lord of Lords and King of Kings Now before the visions here mentioned Christ was exalted far above all principalities powers and dominations and every title and name that is named not in this world onely but in the world to come Ephes. 1.21.22 and in the very entrance of the Revelation in stiled the Prince of the Kings of the earth Revel. 1.5 Therefore the royall Kingdom and all power and honour c. begins to bee due to Christ at his first comming and must in all times afterward even to his second comming at the worlds end be ascribed unto him Instance The mariage of the Lamb Revel. 19.7 The New Jerusalem Revel. 21.9 The Lamb the light of the new Jerusalem Vers 23. are better applied to the last and glorious comming of Christ then wrested to his first comming Answ. To these Instances I purpose to answer in their due place where now I come to speak of divers passages in the two last Chapters of the Revelation Chap. VII Objections out of Revel. 21. 22. answered AMong learned expositers many controversies and doubts are moved about the two last Chapters of the Revelation I will briefly handle that which especially concerns the matter here to bee discussed Obj. Many most excellent and admirable promises are made unto Christians Apoc. 21. and 22. which must bee made good at one time or other Many of them have not yet been fulfilled therefore they are to bee fulfilled hereafter and that must bee either in the thousand years of the Churches prosperitie in which the Church and Saints of God shall reign with Christ before the end of the world or else in the world to come in heaven The promises are these of new heavens and new earth of a new Jerusalem of its being prepared and trimmed for Christ the bus band thereof of freedom from tears death sorrow pain of all things made new and many other the like Read the Chapters Answ. I grant that the promises in these two Chapters are for this life And thus by severall arguments I prove it First the new Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven and is on earth if it were to bee in heaven then it should ascend from earth to heaven which it is not said to doe And this ascending to God befals not Gods servants both in body and soulâ— untill the last judgment bee past whereas in this life the Ephesians and other converts become fellow Citizens with the Saints Ephes. 2.19 And secondly there can bee no tears in heaven which need to bee wiped away from the Saints eyes Thirdly T is on earth that the Saints thirst Revel. 21.6 and there Christ refreshes them with the water of life Joh. 4.14 In heaven they thirst not but are fully satisfied with all joy and pleasures for evermore Psal. 16. Then fourthly the Nations that are saved Revel. 1.24 walk a phrase usuall for conversing in this life in the light of Christ who is the light of the world and glory of his people Israel Luk. 2.32 And t is on earth that Kings doe their service to God and bring their people to the New Jerusalem or the true Church On earth are civill distinctions of Kings and people of master and servant but in heaven a Lazarus is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in an Angelicall condition no lesse then a great Monarch all there rest from their labours Fiftly Christ who is the wisdom of the Father is the Tree of life Prov. 31.18 and 22. Rev. 22.2 and is the life of men in this world 1 Ioh. 5.20 As hee is the spirituall Manna so hee is the fruit of this tree every moneth fed upon by beleevers Sixtly The leaves of this tree serve to heale the Nations Rev. 22.2 Now in heaven there is no account kept by moneths nor are there any sores of the Saints to bee healed or that need cure The soules of all faithfull are purified by faith in this life Act. 15.9 And their bodies lie down and leave what was sinfull and corrupt in them in the dust of the grave and rising glorious and immortall ascend to heaven Thus by these Arguments it appears that the condition of Gods people in this life is in these two Chapters declared Secondly I will shew that many passages in these Chapters which seem to belong to the Saints state in heaven expresse their happy condition not onely in the thousand years from Christs time but in all the dayes of the Gospel to the worlds end and thus I prove it First Every one that is in Christ is a new creature and not onely so but all things are become new 2 Cor. 5.17 This is answerable to Apoc.
21.5 And appears further thus Christ is the second or new Adam hee maks new matters floods in deserts them that were not his people to bee his people be makes a new Covenant speaks to people by new tongues gives them new hearts and new spirits puts new wine into new bottles gives beleevers a new name written in a white stone clothes them with new garments puts a new song into their mouths makes a new heaven and a new earth and a new Jerusalem that is a Church of all beleevers both Jews and Gentiles These things began to bee performed in Christs life time and have been are and will bee continually in fulfilling unto the worlds end For all Christians from the first to the last have their portion herein Secondly the marriage of Christ with the Christian Church began with the preaching of the Gospel for then God made a marriage Feast and invited guests unto it Mat. 22.2 Joh. 3.29 Hee hath ever since now doth and will continue still inviting them thereunto so long as the world lasts Paul long since prepared the Corinthians a pure virgin for Christ their husband 2 Cor. 11.2 The other Apostles and Religious Teachers ever since have endeavoured the same for other people and Nations Thirdly the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Tabernacle of God was among men at the Gospels beginning Then Christ {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} bad his Tabernacle among men Job 1.14 and became Immanuel God with us by assuming humane nature This Tabernacle Christ took up with him to heaven at his ascension Besides as God had his dwelling or Tabernacle among the Israelites in the wildernesse and in Canaan so Christ walks amidst the golden Candlesticks the Churches here on earth Rev. 1. and on his throne hee sits in the midst of the Rulers of his Church Rev 5.6 and all Christians did doe and shall acknowledge his glory honour dominion to the worlds end as they in that Chapter doe Fourthly the Covenant by which men of all Nations are Gods people and hee their God Rev 21. was made at the beginning of the Gospel and continues to bee made with all converts to the end of time For God dwelt among the Corinthians and by Paul said unto them I will bee your God and ye shall bee my people 2 Cor 6.16 and hee is the same to every person of any Nation that fears him Acts 10.35 This Covenant is made with all that bee taught of God and hear him Jer 31.33 34. Iohn 6.45 And fifthly from the Christian Churches beginning to the worlds end All tears are wiped from the eyes of all beleevers no death sorrow crying pain doth rest on them but passes away Apoc 21.4 So that if they weep as men in affliction cannot but sometimes doe they upon better consideration will bee as though they wept not 1 Cor 7,31 They suffer tribulation but they come out of it and by the Lamb of God are filled full of all joy and comfort Rev 17.14 There will bee wicked men who with their tongues will calumniate and with their weapons wound them but their malice shall not prosper in the end They themselves shall fall because Gods Covenant of mercy and peace shall never fail his people Esa 54.10 c Hence the Saints are bidden when perils are at hand not to fear Acts 27.24 not to fear the fear of the wicked 1 Pet 3.14 God being their helper they need not fear what man can doe unto them Heb 13.6 Yea tears shall bee so wiped away and pain so allayed that they shall count it exceeding joy that they fell into temptations and afflictions Jam 1.1 Their sorrow is in the issue turned into joy which no man can take from them Joh 16.20 This is of force sufficient to wipe off all tears For they shall have assurance by their faith in the Lamb and in his blood and by their testimony given unto Gods truth to overcome Mat 28.8 Rev 12.11 I might goe on and further instance in other particulars which subserve and are fitted unto these already spoken of In brief I will collect them and say no more but what may point at them in generall First seeing the old Jerusalem is ruined God builds a new one the mother of all faithfull Christians both Jews and Gentiles and this must needs bee a great and capacious City having glorious foundations and walls to bee strong for defence and have gates on each side of it for accesse thereunto from the foure coasts of heaven Secondly if the twelve Patriarchs of old had their names graven in pearls and jewels and born by Aaron a type of Christ the upholder of all the faithfull for the comfort of each godly person in the twelve Tribes much more may the names of the twelve Apostles bee set upon the twelve foundations of this glorious City for the comfort of all such as are begotten children to Christ by them and their doctrine Thirdly if Gods Law was esteemed by David walking therein above gold above the finest gold and thousands of it then doubtlesse the streets of the New Jerusalem in which all good Christians walk may very well bee compared to gold as pure and clear as glasse Fourthly the Tabernacle and Temple of old glittered with golden surniture and the choicest gems the Christian Church comes not short of either of them but is as every man must needs grant far more glorious in all respects hath more excellent and spirituall priviledges and clear and comfortable doctrine far beyond all former times As the Tents for Gods people are inlarged and their curtains further spread then of old Esa. 54.2 So are Gods favours more extended to the Christian Church then formerly to the Jewish Fifthly If David was the light of Israel and by his high esteem of Gods word the light to mens paths made his people to walk safely in that light much more now is Christ the David or beloved of God and the light of the world and directs Christians to come out of darknesse unto the saving Truth These and other matters most glorious spoken of the Churches estate in Rev. 21. 22. are belonging to the Church of God in this life Nor need any man to admire that the high and heavenly expressions in these two Chapters used concern the estate of the Christian Church in this life For first the faithfull in their life time have {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} an exhibition or subsistence of things hoped for of the happinesse promised them for life to come They have {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a summary inventory of things not yet seen Heb. 11.1 that is of the inheritance immortall and undefiled and that fades not away but is reserved for them in Heaven 1 Pet. 1.4 The eye of faith is quicksighted and beholds things afar off as present Hereby Abraham in his dayes saw and enjoyed Christ and redemption by him and Moses which is much
his feet Ephes. 1.20 21. Therefore Satan was then also conquered and triumphed over by Christ for hee was the grand Boutifeu and chiefe enemie of Christ and was by Christ imprisoned and laid fast up in chaines as conquerors deale with the ringleaders of such as with hostilitie oppose them Arg. 4. The 70. Disciples sent forth by Christ subdued devils by Christs name and Christ thereupon tels them that hee saw Satan fall from heaver as lightning and then did Christ give to his disciples power to tread on Serpents and Scorpions and all power of the enemy so that nothing could hurt them Luk 10.18 c. To which purpose also wee read 1 Joh. 5.18 that the evill one cannot touch them that are born of God Therefore in the primitive times one thousand five hundred years agon the devill was bound and in eminent manner restrained by Christ Chap. X. Objections answered whereby it further will appeare that Satans eminent binding for a thousand yeers is already past HOwever the arguments in the former Chapter sufficiently confirme the truth some there are who will not be satisfied therewith I will therefore answer what they produce to assert the contrary Object How was Satan bound say they when all the Apostles were persecuted Christs subjects distressed and destitute of all comforts and most of them cruelly put to death Gl. pag. 9. had not Satan a manifest hand and plot herein and indevored hereby to hinder if not to extirpate the Gospel Answ. Satan was long agon cast down by Michael or Christ and subdued as is above proved and seeing then hee could not doe the mischiefe hee desired to Gods Saints and hinder the advancing of the Gospel hee Rev. 13. gave his power and throne and great authority to the ten horned beast the Roman Tyrants who by their agents and friends then murthered the Apostles and Saints of God Secondly though the servants of God were persecuted and put to violent deaths yet Christ having conquered death its sting was taken away so that it was but a passage for them to a better life and to endlesse blisse Thirdly Christ when it so pleased him did often deliver his servants from dangerous persecutions and from death it self As namely Peter strictly watcht in prison Act. 12.7 and Paul when fattie persons had sworn not to eat or drink untill they had kild him Act 23.12 and then onely did God permit them to bee slain when they had finished their course and might best glorifie God by their deaths which they underwent willingly couragiously comfortably So that as formerly their lives so now their deaths made the Gospel greatly to bee taken notice of and to bee glorified Object Satan is cold the Prince of the ayre who works in the children of disobedience Ephes. 2.2 Hee is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a ruler of the world in darknesse here beneath Ephes. 6.12 The comming of the man of sin is by the works of Satan with signes and lying wonders 2 Thess. 2.9 Therefore Satan was not in the primitive times bound chain'd and sealed up the bottomlesse pit Answ. That which in Rev. 20. is termed the bottomlesse pit is in other notions cald Earth and Sea Rev. 12.12 and aire or darknesse Ephes. 2.2 The aire saith Philo Jud. is black and dark of its own nature and is cald {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} darknesse Hence the devill is stiled the Prince of the ayre and of darknesse The Sea and Earth also have no light of themselves but from above When therefore it is said the devill hath power in the ayre earth or sea by these are meant men of dark earthly and unquiet minds In which sense it is said Rev. 12.12 Woe bee to the inhabitants of the earth and Sea for Satan being by Christ cast out of the heaven of the Church hee came amongst the inhabitants of the Ayre Sea and Earth that is men who were not heavenly minded The affinitie of these terms appears first because the Beast which Apoc. 13.1 is said to rise out of the Sea is spoken of Apoc. 9.7 as ascending out of the bottomlesse pit And secondly there is a Tehom an Abysse or bottomlesse pit Psal. 71.20 ascribed to the Earth as elswhere to the Sea Now when Satan was cast down from domineering in the Church and had his speciall abode among wicked men hee set up first the ten horned Beast Revel. 13.1 to blaspheme the name of God to war with to overcome and kill Gods people And secondly hee set up the Beast with two horns Vers 11. who did the works of the first Beast and did also deceive the world with signes and lying wonders Vers 13,14 for this second Beast expresses fully the man of sin who 2 Thess. 2.9 is described by his false and commerfeit wonders What mischief Satan bound by Christ could not then work by himself hee endeavoured to act by these two his wicked instruments Quest Suppose it bee denied that heaven in Scripture at any time signifies the Church and that Earth Sea and Aire denote wicked blind and unquiet worldlings how can the contrary bee proved Answ. It is thus proved First The disciples are called the lights of the world Matth. 5.14 The godly Philippians must shine in the world as lights Phil. 2.15 When the teachers of sacred doctrine in the Church were puld down the Stars are said to fall from heaven Dan. 8.10 Rev. 9.1 The Angels or chiefe teachers of the Church are cald Stars Revel. 1.20 Therefore the Church is the heaven in which they move and shine and from which their light and influence proceeds to take men off from their worldly estate Secondly Saint Augustine saith expresly Sancti justi coelum vocantur holy and just men are called Heaven De civ Deilib 2. c. 21. and expounds that in Mal. 4. lest I come and destroy the earth of the wicked upon the Earth qui terrena sapiunt who mind earthly things Ib. c. 29. His judgment herein is sound because wee finde the members of Christs Church called heaven Rev 12.11 where the heavens and they that dwell therein that is such as overcome by the blood of the Lamb are bid to rejoyce And on the contrary the inhabitants of the earth are expounded to bee such as have not their names written in the book of life Rev. 12.9 Thus what was denyed I conceive is sufficiently proved Many learned Expositers give their assent hereunto Repl. The casting down of Satan to the earth and excluding him from heaven Apoc. 12. and Satans binding shutting and sealing up in the bottomlesse pit Rev. 20. are so far from expressing one and the same thing in different notions which some Expositers think they doe that there is no one word the same in both 1 The Angel binding Satan Apoc. 20 came from heaven but Michael in Chap. 12 fights with the Dragon in Heaven 2 Concerning Satan be is 1 taken 2 bound 3 shut up 4 sealed up
been By his example his Successors were infected with ambition pride tyranny stoutness disobedience to their Emperours lawfull Autority So that Mr. Fox saith That the Popes after this Hildebrand imitated him on the Kings of Israel did idolatrous Jeroboam Whereupon the Clergy of France said that Hildebrand ruled not by the Spirit of God but of Satan It seems that they saw Satan loose in him and his practises Pope Alexander that proudly set his foot on the Emperour Fredericks neck confirmed the wicked acts of this Hildebrand Pope Adrian said that this Frederick claimed homage of the Popes required it of them that were Gods and Sons of the high God In brief the Popes in these times did so domineer that Kings could doe little in their own Realms because the Popes exalted themselves and to get'a boundlesse autority took away all unity and concord Not England alone but Germany and France and most parts of the western world felt this to their smart had their Estates impoverished by large contributions and heavy exactions at the Popes pleasure and their blood lamentably and profusely exhausted in the wars for the holy Land as the Pope stiled them and in other combustions So that Mr. Fox averres that these courses were taken to weaken and bring low Princes and to advance and inrich the Popes And that the restlesse spirits of Romanists and especially of the later sprung brood of the Jesuites more violent then ever have raised grievous combustions in the Church there is scarce any eye so dim that doth not clearly discern Thus it appears that Satan was loosed about six hundred years agon and then deceived the world as of old and that by the means of Romanists grievous Wars and bloudshed have broken forth which may well bee tearmed the wars of Gog. And so the learned H. Bullinger esteems them and more sully relates the miseries of those wars Of the same minde is the judicious D. Paraeus and others In those Wars many of Gods Saints were vexed with the Popes pride exalting himself above Christian Princes were much afflicted injured and slain the like may bee said of other Wars which have succeeded them for the holy Land Repl. The expresse words Rev. 20.3 are that Satan shall bee loosed but for a short time in which hee deceives the Nations and promotes the wars of Gog which compasse the holy City Therefore it is an errour to make the wars of Gog of five or six hundred years continuance already past Whereas Gogs assault will bee but a sudden â—urry and last but a little time nor in those wars shall an hair of the Saints perish Arch. 34. 41. So many years cannot bee counted a shors time D. Alstede p. 36. Answ. Five or six hundred years may in Scripture phrase be termed a short time For first Where the Saints Souls under the Altar are bid to rest a little season untill their fellow servants bee killed even as they Rev. 6.11 It is manifest that the Saints of God have been â—illed much more then six or seven hundreth years as were the Christians at or near the Primitive times of whose fouls in that place is mention Secondly Five or six or seven hundred years may bee termed a a short time of the Churches sufferings if they bee compared with the eternall blisse that Gods people shall enjoy after their miseries in this life are ended In the like sense the afflictions of Gods Servants in this life how great soever are termed light and momentary in regard of the most excellent and eternall weight of glory in the life to come 2 Cor. 4.17 And thirdly so many years in regard of the thousand years of Satans restraint are a shorter time and may bee termed a short time with respect to the thousand years In this sense Dr. Alstede himself and some others take them Fourthly Christ himself saith Behold I come shortly or quickly Rev. 22.20 and yet is not hee come to make an end of the world as there of revealing matters from the Primitive times to the worlds end in which space one thousand six hundred years are already past Thus six hundred years and moe may bee termed a short time Mr. Archer here erres against plain Scripture Gogs wars shall not bee a sudden and short hurry not much harmfull to Gods Saints For God tells us that Satans rage shall bee fierce because â—ee bath but a short time Rev. 12.12 Gogs wars are in the four Coasts of the Earth and are so great and furious that God comes down himself to put an end to them and to vanquish and punish the Autor and Instruments of the War Wherefore D. Alstede more soundly holds that in these wars will be a grievous and lamentable affliction of Gods people Repl. If the wars of Gog and Magog have already lasted so long as you conceive then surely they cannot bee far from their end and the last and finall judgment must be near at hand But it is expected that there shall bee a time of great prosperity of the Church in all matters not sinfull Arch. pag. 3. and that the same time should begin within some few years and continue many hundreth years before the last day of judgment And that the Jews also shall be called and enjoy those happy times Answ. It is very probable that the day of judgment is neer For first there hath been as was foretold 2 Thess. 2. a departure front the true Religion and that most conspicuous and manifest about a thousand years after Christ and the man of sin the son of perdition the adversary of Christ the exalter of himself above all that is called God is disclosed and by good proof demonstrated Luther and many other Learned Writers some in many since his time have laid open to the world Antichrists wicked enterprises by the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and shewed how in the ages before Luther the world was gull'd by strong deâ—sioâ—s and beleeved lies Secondly the new Babel that is Rome is fallen in her honour and repute Her grand claim of universall vicarship her power over Kings her unerring judgment in matters of controvâ—rsie her vast chalenge of all power spirituall and tâ—porall and her like capitall errours are plainly by the writings of the Orthodox party confuted and by religious Princes within their own Territories taken away in good part and will daily more and more fall to the ground At Cyrus conquest of the old Babel the Kings and their Nations subject to her Scepter left her So now England Scotland Denmark a great part of Germany the Protestant Churches in France and others elswhere once under Romes yoak have already abandoned the Popes power and censure the Roman Church justly as condemned by God himself in the Apocalyps And in truth the Pope is more honoured at a distance which often beguiles the eye then in some parts of Italy and even in the territories near Rome Thirdly are not men become self-lovers proud covetous boasters blasphemers disobedient to Parents unthankfull unholy without naturall affection truce-breakers false accusers c. 1 Tim. 3.1 such as Paul there saith men would bee in the last dayes Whereas Gods servants should bee endowed with righteousnesse faith charity peace and should bee gentle apt to teach patient c. 1 Tim. 2.22 which are vertues graces in these days somewhat rare Let us therefore not be secure and cry peace peace and happy dayes but remember the worlds stupiditie in the dayes of Noah and Lot Luk. 17.27 how the world then feared nothing till judgment seised on them Let us rather watch and waite for Christs comming and appearance being confident that as Christ by the Sword out of his mouth his heavenly word the bright shining light of the Gospel hath made a great manisest â—msumption of Antichrist so by his glorious and last comming he will abolish him 2 Thes. 2.8 Matth. 25.31 And destroy them that destroy the earth Rev. 11.18 among whom Antichrist the Pope of Rome hath been and is a chiefe actor Then shall all the world see most clearly Christ to be which in truth hee hath ever been the Lord of Lords and King of Kings Revel. 19.16 Then even his enemies shall see that his Kingdom was such as could not bee shaken nor prevailed against by all their malice power and designes and hee thenceforth shalll reign in heaven with his faithfull servants in happinesse for evermore Rev. 11.15 Concerning the Jews calling to the Goâ—el I have above spoken Here onely I adde that wee should take heed of any proud or contemptuous cariage towards them They were broken off from the true Olive and wee graffed in God is able to graffe them into it again It concerns us to use all good means to win them to Christ If wee can trade to the Indies for worldly commodities why should wee not take courses for reducing some at least of that once beloved nation into Christs fold FINIS