this is that birth which is from above without which no man can see the Kingdome of Heaven Joh. 3. 3. Obj. This is effected here in the Kingdome of Grace c. 8. Answ True It is so in the beginnings thereof in order to its perfection in the Kingdom of glory for it will not be perfected till the Resurrection of the body from the dead that is called the day of Redemption Rom. 8. 23. Eph. 4. 30. It is perfected already in Christ our head the second Adam who was the Lord from Heaven but it must have its time of perfecting in the members begun here and perfected in the day of Christ 1 Cor. 13. 10. then it is that our vile bodies shall be changed and fashioned like unto his glorious Body Phil. 3. 21. Then the whole man shall come forth compleat in the Heavenly Birth 2. This new Creation shall be effected 2 By a neâ— Covâ—nant by and under a New Covenant man lost all in the breach of the Old Covenant but by the New Covenant he shall be renewed and become Heir of all things in and with Christ the Head and Lord thereof it 's New-Covenant Grace and New-Covenant-Work all true blessedness is by the New Covenant i. e. the Covenant of this new estate Jer. 31. 31. Heb. 8. 8. 13. 12. 24. Obj. This Covenant is said to be made and to be of force from the death of the Testator An. True it is so it took its effect then and virtually from the Fall from the first Promise that the Seed of the Woman should break the Serpents head so that all the Saints since the Fall were renewed and sanctified by virtue of this Covenant which became the alone ministration of God to men after the death of the Testator in and with whom the Covenant was made and that before the world was 2 Tim. 4 9. Tit. 1. 2. so that it hath had its effect virtually from the beginning as a preparation to glory but it is indeed the Covenant of the glorious Estate 3. And in this New Covenant is brought 3 A new Law forth a new Law for this new People the Law of Faith and the Law of Love Joh. 13. 34. A new Commandement give I unto you that ye love one another c. Obj. This was the Old Commandement and from the beginning the Sum of the whole Law Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy might and thy Neighbour as thy self Ans True as the Law it did require it as imployed in it but if any answered it it was by the Grace of the New Covenant though the duty of the Old but now it s the duty of the New Covenant seated on the new terms of the Gospel from the grace thereof from the love of Christ and effected thereby Rom. 5. 5. The love of Christ is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Spirit that he hath given to us 1 Joh. 4. 19. We love him because he loved us first it s therefore new because in all the Saints it s not only required but is true both in him i. e. Christ and in you i. e. the Saints and this is that which is and shall be the great Law of the perfect and glorious Estate in the new world and that to Eternity 4. There shall be a new habitation or 4 A new Habitation dwelling place for these new people a new Heaven and a new Earth Rev. 21. 1. I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth and the first Heaven the first Earth was past away c. Is 65. 17. 66. 17. to these Peter hath Relation 2 Pet. 3. 13. Nevertheless we according to his promise look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousâ—ess in which note 1. That the Apostle in this Scripture relates to the promise before mentioned Isa 5. 17 as appears in that he uses the express terms of that promise and there is no other promise thereof in the terms exprest in the Old Testament 2. That it is to be understood literally and not mystically or spiritually that is a wrong to the Scripture for it is the material visible Heavens and Earth that Peter treateth of vers 5 6 7. its the same that must be dissolved and this is that which is frequently called in Scripture the World or Earth to come Mat. 12. 32. Luk. 2. 35. Heb. 2. 5. the world of which the Saints by Faith are made Heirs Rom. 4. 13. For the Promise that Abraham should be the Heir of the world was not to Abraham or his Seed through the Law but through the Righteousness of Faith and this cannot be understood that it intends that all Believers should be accounted his Children though that be a truth and is exprest vers 11. and that for two reasons 1. It 's improper so to understand it for so believers are rather his Heirs his Children and not he their Heir for in this he is to be Heir of the world 2. Because in this Heir-ship of Abraham to the world his Children are Heirs to the same Promise with him the Promise is to Abraham and his Seed vers 16. therefore it is of Faith that it might be by Grace that the Promise might be sure to all the Seed What Promise to be the Heirs of the world this is the Country that our Fathers were seeking after and dyed in the Faith thereof Heb. 11. 13 14 15. Wherefore God hath prepared for them a City vers 16. a Holy and Heavenly City that must come down into this new world Rev. 21. 2. New Jerusalem that must come down from God out of Heaven that the Tabernacle of God may be with men Obj. This seems to be expalined vers 9. Object 10. to be the Church the Bride the Lambs Wife Answ I question not but that the Answ Church the Bride the Lambs Wife is included herein but it 's a description both of the City and of the Inhabitants the like we have chap. 3. 12. and Gal. 4. 25. Old Jerusalem was in Bondage with her Children and vers 26. but Jerusalem which is above is free which is the Mother of us all Here is new Jerusalem the holy City which is above and her Children which are the Saints exprest in these words which is the Mother of us all who are born from thence without which they cannot see the Kingdom of God Joh. 3. 3. see Psal 87. 3. and in this is clearly a distinction between the City and the Inhabitants Heb. 12. 22 23. 5. The Saints shall then have a new 5 A new Câ—vâ—â—ant name Rev. 2 17. and 3. 12. as they are already in some measure made partakers of the new nature and new name they shall then be perfected therein 2 Pet. 1. 4. Phil. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 44. 48 49. 53 54. they shall have a new name Isa 55. 15. he will call his Servants by another name chap. 62. 2. and thou shalt be called
of his feet glorious In a word it is for the Salvation of the Church for that God hath thus glorified himself in Israel chap. 60. 21. Thy people also shall be all righteous they shall inherit the Land for ever the branch of my planting the works of my hands that I may be glorified We may not imagine that God made himself such a Creation to lose the glory thereof but he will so order it in the Restauration thereof as shall be more for his glory then if it had never faln and thus it appears that this new restored Estate and Kingdom of our Lord on Earth must be for the gaining and augmenting of the Glory of God in the Created World beiâ—g restored by Jesus Christ who shall be the Visible Lord of that Estate 7. Reason to confirm this truth is that Reason 7 God hath stated the perminancy and everlastingness of his New Covenant Grace and Life to his people on the durableness of the Works of Creation which includes both the Heavens and the Earth Jer. 31. where the new and everlasting Covenant is stated ver 31. to 34. saith ver 35 36. Thus saith the Lord who giveth the Sun for a light by day and the Ordinances of the Moon and of the Stars for a light by night c. If those Ordinances depart from before me saith the Lord then the Seed of Israel shall cease from being a Nation before me fâ—r ever intimating in plain terms that when the Creation of Heaven and Earth ceaseth to be his Church must cease to be so that those who believe the destruction and nihelation of the Creation and that Christ shall have no restored Kingdome therein do thereby though inconsiderately believe an end of Church and Salvation by Jesus Christ chap. 33. 20 21. Thus saith the Lord if you can break my Covenant of the day and my Covenant of the night that there should not be day and night in their season then may also my Covenant be broken with David my Servant that he should not have a Son to Reign upon his Throne and his name muâ—t continue as long as the Sun Psal 72. 17. Which implyeth the perpetualness of the works of Creation if it were possible for these to fail then Christ our King and Covenant of peace might fail Psal 39. 29. the promise of the Saints glory being no longer then these do continue and if so Christs Reign on Earth is in it self no strange thing For as the new Heavens and new Earth which I will make shall continue before me saith the Lord so shall your Name and your Seed remain Isa 66. 22. As for the New Heavens and the new Earth see chap. 65. 17 18. 2 Pet. 3. 13. Rev. 21. 1 5. 8. I think I may say that it is the judgments Reason 8 of all Intelligent persons that if man had not sinned he had not dyed but lived for ever and then he must be created in such an estate and the Earth and Heaven must have been for ever for man to be supposed to be more durable then the matter of which he was and the Creation that was first made for him is irrational And man for sin returns to the Earth again his matter whereof he was made and is as truly Earth again as any other part of the Earth is and yet we on good grounds believe that God will bring up all men anew out of the Earth again in the Restauration and why should it be incredible to us that the Earth and Heavens that fell with man and for mans sin shall be renewed and changed any more then to believe the Restauration and change of men having as full and plain promises from the same God for the one as for the other The Restauration of the Heavens and Earth to be a habitat on for Christ and the Saints is I answer as authentick from Divine Revelation as the Resurrection and Change and as rational to all Rational and Intelligible persons 9. The Scripture saith expresly that Reason 9 the Earth abideth for ever Eccles 1. 4. One Generation passeth away and another cometh but the Earth abideth for ever Psal 104. 5. who laid the foundations of the Earth that it should not be removed that is it shall abide for ever in the renewed estate and then no wonder if the Kingdom of Christ be for ever in his Reign on Earth and the Saints Kingdom with him according to Dan. 7. 27. 10. And finally it must be so because Reason 10 both the Heavens and the Earth was made by Christ and for him Col. 1. 16. and he shall possess it all in another manner then yet he doth Heb. 2. 8. But now we see not yet all things put under his feet that is as it shall be in his visible Kingdom and possession Psal 2. 8. Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thy inheritance und the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy possession And thus it is clear both from plain Scripture and from Scripture Reason that Christ and the Saints shall Reign on the Earth that is in the new Heavens and new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness Isa 32. 1. Behold a King shall Reign in righteousness and Princes shall rule in Judgment c. 3. I now come to answer such Objections Ob. Answered against this truth as I have met withall Object 1. That Heb. 2. 5. For unto the Angels Ob. hath he not put in subjection the world to come of which we speak intends the present ministration of the Gospel that being the matter the Apostle is treating about both in the first Chapter and in the verses preceeding that saying and therefore it relates not to this Kingdom or World to come Answ It s frequent in Scripture to apply Answ that which especially relates to the glory to come to the present Ministration and that truly too because the present Gospel Ministration is an Usher and Preparative to that glory to instance in this Epistle c. 4. where the Apostle applyeth the rest of the Sabboth to this rest in Glory ver 4. 9. yet he applyeth it to the present time as began to be entered into by Faith ver 3. For we which have believed do enter into rest and chap. 8. 6. to 13. the Covenant which in its perfection relateth to the State of Glory and is the everlasting Covenant the Apostle applyed to the present time and Ministration and the reason is because it is all one Covenant it s the Gospel Covenant and the Application of it to the present time no whit derogates from its being the Covenant of the glorious state I could give many instances to this purpose as Joel 2. 28. to 31. is a Prophesie especially of the glorious estate yet the Apostle makes the Application thereof to the present time and that truly too But 2. the Apostle is treating both before and after of this restored estate as well as of the present ministration of the
is a height and depth unsearchable if we lived more in the apprehensions thereof it would fill us more with his fulness and conform us more to his likeness Eph. 3. 18 19. 2 Cor. 3. 18. Quest Did Christ our Lord give himself Quest a ransom for all men or for the elect only Ans He gave himself a ransom for all Ans men to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 6. he tasted Death for every man Heb. 2. 9. he was a Propitiation for the sins of the world 1 Joh. 2. 2. God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their sins Cor. 5. 19. and God so loved the whole world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3. 16. Object If it be so these absurdities will Object follow 1. That where Justice is satisfied the sinner must be saved it seems to be injustice to take satisfaction in Christ and to damn the sinners unless you hold that all shall be saved 2. Christ suffered in vain if he bear the sins of any that may miss of Salvation by Him Ans 1. The Satisfaction that God took Answ in the Sufferings of Christ lay more in the Excellency of the Person suffering than in the Greatness of the things suffered though the sufferings were exceeding great being born by an infinite Person it was the infinite Worth of the Person that suffered that set an infinite value on the Suffering more than if all the World had suffered to eternity 1 Peter 18 19. 2. Had it been for the redemption but of one person it must have been with the same price so that Satisfaction for the Sins of the World no whit augmented the price paid therefore no absurdity at all 3. No person is delivered only and simply on the sufferings of Christ but the satisfaction that God took in the sufferings of Christ was on terms of their believing and obeying the Gospel and on these terms it is that the Grace of the New Covenant is published to all and none are like to partake thereof without Faith Repentance and Obedience though not as the meritorious cause yet as the terms on which it is dispenced Mar. 16. 16. Luke 24. 47. though it 's true Repentance effected is the gift of Grace 4. VVere it not so the Plaister would not be as large as the VVound nor the Physicians hand be as large in the Cure as the Destroyer was to destroy which seems not only dishonourable to the Undertaking of Christ but contrary to Rom. 5. 15. to 20. though all partake not of the benefits the fault is in themselves and not in the Physician Hosea 13. 9. 2 Peter 2. 1. 5. Yet God had a special respect in this great transaction of the Suffering of his Son unto his elect whom he foreknew and predestinated them to be partakers of the Benefits thereof Rom. 8. 2 3 Heb 2. 10. Eph. 5. 25 26 27. 6. And finally the manner and method of Gods work both in the Creation of Man and since the Fall was 1. He made Man upright in his own Image and so left him in that good created estate to his own power and will to stand or fall God did not act to forward his Fall nor yet to hinder it more than give his Law of Command with the Threat on Disobedience but he sinned voluntarily by the temptation offered 2. Man being fallen from God he hath provided a Remedy a blessed way of Recovery and this Remedy is as large as the case requireth and is to be published and tendred to all and that truly too on the terms thereof that is Faith Repentance and sincere Obedience c. that now whoever will may come and take of this Water of Life freely and Man is left free to accept or not accept and so mans Destruction will be the second time of himself God hath not bound himself nor is he tyed in Justice to work men to the terms prescribed nor doth he any thing to hinder but very much the contrary not only in the All-sufficiency of the Means but by the publishing thereof and manifold mercies and invitations to Repentance VVhat he affords of special Grace and Assistance to any is his superabounding Mercy and it no whit derogates from from his general Love Kindness and Provision for mankind in general and it is mans wilful wickedness in choosing Death rather than Life and thereby judge themselves unworthy of the Life that is offered to them It is true God foresaw Man in his fallen state and saw that notwithstanding the Greatness of the Grace of his New Covenant yet that none would of themselves seek after God and sincerely cleave unto him in that New and Livings way on which he did determine and it was the Covenant and Contract between the Father and the Son in this great Undertaking that his Suffering might not be in vain to bring in some Souls effectually into the Grace of the Covenant and that not from any natural good in them more than others but without all respect of persons only his special and superabounding Grace having passed no Act but as relative to Sin and Disobedience that may hinder any but hath afforded both Means and Helps sufficient by which men might believe obey and be saved but they will not CHAP. IX Of the design of God in general in this his New Covenant Restauration-Work which was to make all things New THe design of God by Jesus Christ in his New Covenant-work was to make all things New Rev. 21. 5. And he that sate upon the Throne said behold I make all things New c. God made the first or old World both Heavens and Earth and all things therein for the use of man and then made man to possess it but man fell by sin and the whole Creation fell with him as a just Judgment of God upon man for his sin Gen. 3. 17. Job 15. 15. Now in as much as this old Creation was lost and faln the design of God by Jesus Christ was the recovery and restauration of all again and to make all New not of new matter that was not before but to make the Old New again all Old things must be made New Quest What is it that God designed by What will God make new A new People Jesus Christ to make New Answ 1. A new people brought out from the old stock a people renewed by the power and spirit of Grace by and through the Gospel and this is that which is owned of all the godly witnessed in the Scriptures and in a measure experienced by all the Saints 2 Cor. 15. 17. If any man be in Christ he is a New Creature Old things are past away behold all things are become New Eph. 4. 23 24. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that ye put on the New Man which after God is Created in Righteousness and true Holiness and
by another Name which the Mouth of the Lord shall Name the Lord will take away that Name of Reproach which his people hath had in the world throughout all ages and they shall be known and owned even by their Enemies to be the blessed of the Lord Isa 61. 9. All that see them shall acknowledg that they are the Seed which the Lord hath blessed chap. 60. 14. The Sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet and they shall call thee the City of the Lord the Zion of the Holy one of Israel 6. In this new Estate their work shall 6 Shall sing new Songs of Praise be to sing new songs of praise to God and to the Lamb Rev. 5. 9. 4. 8. that is it the prophet speaks so much of and exhorts so much unto singing of new songs Psal 96. 1. and 98. 1. it relates especially to this Estate they shall sing such new songs of praise to God and to the Lamb as none can learn but the Redeemed ones suitable to the measure of the new work in them can the Saints now sing new songs or else they were better sing none but then they shall be compleated therein without mixture Reasons from Scripture further to illustrate and confirm this glorious Truth 1. It s the accomplishment of the Eternal Counsel and purpose of God the Prophet speaking of this same work i. e. the Restauration saith Isa 25. 1. Thy Counsels of old are Faithfulness and Truth So likewise Reason Further to confirm this Truth 1. The purpose and counsel of God the Apostle Paul deeply discoursing discovering this Mistery of the Restauration by Jesus Christ in the New Covenant saith Eph. 1. 11. Who worketh all things after the Counsel of his own Will Hence it is that Jesus Christ by whom the Work was to be accomplished was from Everlasting Mic. 5. 2. John 6. 38 40. And the Mercy of God herein is from Everlasting to Everlasting 2. His Eternal Grace and-Love to his 2. His Eternal Grace Love Chosen Ones whom he purposed to this Estate therein to glorifie the Riches of his Grace and to glorifie them with this Glory in this New World Jer. 31. 3. 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. 3. This is the substance and Life of the 3. This is the substance of the New Covenant New Covenant which all true Christians believe and should claim their Interest therein and indeed it is of concernment to all Believers to understand what and wherein Heirship doth consist which is to this New World see the New Covenant Gen. 12. 3. and 22 18. In thy Seed that is in Christ shall all Nations of the Earth be blessed This Promise in the word Blessed includes the Blessedness of this New World to the Heirs thereof So the Apostle applyeth it as hath been before minded Rom. 4. 13 16. Gal. 3. 18 19. 29. in all which it 's evident that the Hiership of Abraham and his Seed that is Believers by vertue of the New Covenant is to this Inheritance which serves to open the Heirship spoken of in all other Scriptures I mean the New Covenant Heirship 4. It was the great Designe of God made 4. It was the designe of God manifest since the Fall manifest ever since the Fall and all things since hath been working in order thereunto Gen. 3. 15. and 12. 3. Psal 37. 11. with Mat. 5. 3. Rev. 5. 10. It was the great Designe of God in sending Christ into the World and of Christ in coming into the World to do that for the World without which this new Work and World could not be accomplished Heb. 11. 40. And in order to the accomplishing hereof he is ascended up where he was before to prepare a place for his People John 14. 2 3. and to prepare a people for that place Heb. 12. 2. 2 Cor. 5. 5. And when he comes again the second time in his Power and Glory it will be in order to the finishing of this Work Mat. 25. 34. Rev. 21. 1. to the Object It 's frequently said in Scripture that the Reward of the Saints is in Heaven That it 's laid up in Heaven for them c. 1 Pet. 1. 4. Ans It is true it is so and that without any Contradiction at all to this present Truth which is so apparantly held forth in Scripture It behoves us so to Understand one Truth as not to lose or destroy another which hath been a great Weakness amongst Christians But let us see a little how both may stand together the Inheritance of the Saints may be said to be in Heaven and to be reserved in Heaven for them 1. As all the good Gifts of God given to the Saints on the Gospel account now in this day of Grace in order to that Glory are said in sence and substance to be in Heaven for our Heavenly Birth must be from thence John 3. 3. Except a man be born again above so the Word is he cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven Jerusalem which is above is the Mother of us all and every good and perfect Gift cometh down from the Father of Lights Jam. 1. 17. And doubtless the Glory of that Estate is administred here below by the Word and Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 12. But the Glory it self is reserved in Heaven till the time appointed and then the Glory shall be administred down from thence as now the Grace and gracious Gifts are 2. We Read in Scripture that New Jerusalem must come down from God out of Heaven and the Tabernacle of God will be with them Rom. 21. 23. So that it may very well stand together that it is in Heaven and yet shall come down into the New Earth No wonder if that State and Glory of the Saints is called Heaven then when in perfection in the New earth and New state of the Church in it's imperfection in this side that Glory because made partakers of some of the Virtues of Grace is called Heaven and the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 13. 31 32 47. and 25. 1. Rev. 18. 20. 3. It is said in Scripture that the Bodies of the Saints shall be fashioned like unto the Body of our Lord Jesus Phil 3 21. and they shall be like unto the Angels Luke 20 36. and that they shall have Spiritual Bodies 1 Cor. 15. 44. Capable to ascend and descend and so may have the possession of Heaven as well as of the Earth if it will add to their Glory But he will make the place of his Feet glorious Isa 60. 13. and what place that is see Ch. 66. 1. Mat. 10. 35. Act. 7. 49. â—o conclude this Chapter this opens â— Window into that Truth so much by most condemned that is the personal Reign of Christ with his Saints where it 's like to be no doubt but in this New World must have the
this world in its old estate but in the world to come The new Heaven and new Earth wherein dwelleth righâ—eousness see this more full in cap. 9. 2. The Restauration work and Kingdom Reason 2 of Christ on Earth was the great design of God to be accomplished and made manifest ever since the Fall of Man and therefore it must be as you may see at large in chap. 9. unto which I refer the Reader for Confirmation of this Argument and indeed Gods Covenant and design in this matter is the foundation of this building hence it is that he hath so abundantly filled his word with the Prophesies and promises thereof throughout both the old and new Testament as hath been before proved 3. This hath been the Faith of the Saints Reason 3 of old and should be ours built upon the word of the Lord and therefore it must be so or else they must lose their faith and expectation to enjoy a Heavenly Kingdom and Country with Christ their King Heb. 11. 13 to 16. speaking of the Fathers of old that they all died in Faith not having received the promise i. e. of actual possession but having seen them afar off and were perswaded of them and imbraced them and confessed that they were strangers and Pâ—lgrims in the earth What promises was it which they saw and were perswaded of Surely it must be the promises of this glory which made them to be as Strangers and Pilgrims in this world and thereby plainly declared that they sought a Country that is the Country Kingdom Blessedness and Glory promised Psal 37. 11. The meek shall inherit the Earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace verse 29. The Righteous shall inherit the Land and dwell therein for ever and this Christ applyeth to the New Covenant Mat. 5. 5. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth Rev. 5. 10. And hast made us unto God Kings and Priests and we shall Reign â—n Earth O! why should the people of God now be so unbelieving as to tâ—is truth and the Saints of old so full of Faith therein 4. It must be so because the Earth and Reason 4 World was at first made for man God made the World and all things therein and then made man to possess it and gave him rule and Dominion over it Gen. 1. 28. though he quickly lost it by his sin and immediately the second man the Lord from Heaven was promised by which it was upheld and man to have the use thereof in the faln state and in much misery and in subordination to the Lord Jesus in order to the Restâ—uration promised that God might not lose his design in his work here below but might raiâ—e it up to a better and more glorious end Psal 8. 4 5 6. The Prophet in way of admiration saith What is man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of man that thou visiten him for thou haâ— made him a little or a little while lower then the Angels thou hast crowned him with glory and honour thou madest him to hâ—ve Dominion over the works of thine hands thâ—u haâ—t put all things under his feet c. in which the Propâ—et relates 1. To Adam before his Fall who was a Figure of him that was to come And 2 Especially to Jesus Christ the second man and Lord from Heaven wâ—o comes in to take the headship and Dominion especially of the restored world and all his people with him as is explained by the Apostle Heb. 2. 6 7 8. by which its evident that as God made the world for man and he by his sin lost it so it shall be restored to I will not say its first and Primitive Purity a better estate for man then at the first as the Lord thereof exceeds the first man Who was of the Earth Earthly so must it be restored suitable to such a Lord and the Inhabiters thereof with him it must be a Holy Heavenly Country VVherein dwelleth Righteousness be sure God did not make the World to destroy it but he will restore it to be an habitation for men according to the end of its first Creation 5. Both Christ and the Saints have had Reason 5 their suffering part here below in this world and therefore must have their glory here below in the place of their reproach and suffering of their Faith and Service shall their honour be they have suffered on Earth and they shall Reign on Earth thus of Christ Isa 53 12. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoile with the strong because he powred out his soul to the death c. Because he suffered here he must have a portion divided with the great and divide the spoile with the strong What in Heaven No the great and strong are not like to come there but it must be here below according to the many promises before mentioned when all things shall be manifestly put under his feet and the Saints his followers in the Regeneration shall have their glory with him Matt. 19. 28. which answers Isaiah 1. 26 27. Romans 8. 17. 6. It must be so for the glory of God for Reason 6 he made all things at first very good for his own glory but it stood not in that estate but soon fell by sin and must with man have been dissolved had not Christ been promised by whom it was and is supported in order to a greater glory if the World had been dissolved God had losed the glory of so great a work in breaking it to pieces as soon as it was made and if there were no more glory to God to be expected from his Creation of the wonderful Fabrick of the Heavens and the Earth with the things therein then hath been in the faln state wherein he hath been so much dishonoured and abused it had been but little differing from its being dissolved immediately upon the Fall But we are to understand that the design of God was not to let such a Creation and glorious building to fall to nothing or die away by degrees through age and corruption for his own creating power and glory to restore it to a more glorious â—ate then at first he will not let go the glory of such a Creation at so low a rate as is imagined No no but he will yet once more make the place of his feet glorious Isa 60 13. What that is see Isa 66. 1. chap. 44. 23. Sing O Heavens for the Lord hath done it shout O ye lower parts of the Earth break forth into singing ye Mountains O Forrest and every Tree thâ—rein for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob and glorified himself in Isâ—ael What is the matter Why it is for the accomplishment of the Restauration Work When God did send Jesus Christ from Heaven Prophecyed of by the Prophets it is for the New Heavens and new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness it is for that God hath made the place
Gospel as c. 1. 10 11 12. and after the Text mentioned ver 6 7 8. so that ver 5. is a relative to that both before and after it being usual in Scripture to intermix things that wisdom may be exercised to find out the Relatives to which each matter doâ—h relate instance 1 Cor. 6. 12 13. which mâ—st be understood with c. 8. and 1 Tim. 5. 23. inserted without any reâ—ative as we find but a sentence intermixed relating to Timothies health 2. Ob. Peter in his 2d Ep. 3. Chap. speaks Object of a Dissolution of the Heavens and Eâ—â—th by Fire and not a Restauration therefore it seems unlikely to be restored c Ans We must understand the Diâ—solâ—tion to intend the corrupted estate thereof Answ and so a refining and purifying or renewing out of its old estate and must be understood with other Scriptures as Heb. 1. 11 12. taken out of Psal 102. 26. and applyed to the Restauration work of Christ they shall perish but thou remainest and they all shall wax old as a garment as a vesture shalt thou fâ—ld them up and they shall be changed c. which explains what Peter intends by dissolving or burning or changing and making new and this Peter himself explains to be his meaning in the same chap. v. 13. Nevertheless we according to his promise look for a new Heaven and a new Earth c. That is though I speak of burâ—ing with fire yet I intend not a dissolution but a changing restoring A new Heaven and new Earth according to his promise 3. Object That Christ doth already Reign and is in his Kingdom his Church and in some sence his people do Reigne Object with him 2 Pet. 1. 11. So an enterance shall he ministred to you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And Col. 1. 13. We are said to be delivered out of the Kingdom or power of darkness into the Kingdom of his dear Son Answ We have an entrance by Faith into the Kingdom of Christ now and are become his subjects i. e. true believers but Answ that does not argue that neither Christ nor Saints shall have no Kingdom hereafter it s a truth believed of all Christians that Christ hath his Kingdom of Grace here in and over his Church and that Christ and Saints shall have the Kingdom of glory hereafter and it is the same in substance that I plead for Christs Kingdom in and over his Church now in this world may not should not work such thoughts in any that he shal have no Kingdom in the world to come 4. Object The Fifth Kingdom is already that Kingdom mentioned Dan. 2. 44. that in the dayes of these Kings the God of Heaven will set up a Kingdom c. That is in the days of the fourth Monarch the divided Kingdom in their days shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which had its enterance at the first publishing of the Gospel after the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus So that if you will have another Kingdom state for Christ and Saints you must find out a sitxh Kingdom for the fifth is already in being where place will be found for the sixth is uncertain Ans There is no need to find a sixth that which is to come will be but the perfecting of that which is already begun it s the same in substance with the former Objection and the answer in sâ—bstane must be same it is a Kingdom begun now in the day of grace and shall be perfeted in the day of glory there is the beginning work of the stone before it becomes a Mâ—untain to fill the whole Earth and break and consume all other Kingdoms so that it is the fifth Kingdom that is begun and is in the world though not of the world and shall be perfected and become glorious and stand for ever at the appearing and Kingdom Object of our Lord Jesus 5. Object Christ speaks as if all should be done at his appearing on a sudden the Resurrection and Judgment and the Execution thereof Mâ—t. 25. 31. to 41. Joh. 5. 28 29. and the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 51 52. We shall all be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye c. which seems to import that there shall be no such work as you speak of at that day Answ Ans It s the Lords usual way in Scripture to speak much in few words as Isa 9. 6. There is Christ presented a Child in his birth and humiliation then the Government is upon his shoulders and of the increase thereof there shall be no end in one breath as it were is the birth and Kingdom of Christ stated as if it were to be accomplished all at once whereas in that Scripture is described that which from the beginning to the perfection of his Kingdom may be near upon 2000 years and so for ever and so things mentioned in those Scriptures may and must be done at and after the appearing of Christ in their time and order but not in so little time as is by some imagined 1 Cor. 15. 23 24. as to the Resurrection which is the case in hand Christ the first fruits afterward they that are his at his comâ—ng then or afterward cometh the end afterward more properly for it is the same in the Greek as is before Translated afterward which includes the whole time from Christs Resurrection till the finishing work at the giving up of the Kingdom to the Father and why the second afterward may not be as long as the first I know not And the hour of the Resurrection spoken of Joh. 5. 28. may be understood by ver 25. which hour doubtless includes the whole time of Gospel Conversion till Christs second coming a large hour and why the hour ver 28. should be limited more then the other I know not especially the Scripture presenting us with the order of the Resurrection as it doth i. e. First and Second Christ the first fruits afterward they that are his at his coming afterward cometh the end When all shall be raised and Death conquered and the Redemption perfected and doubtless the change shall be in a moment as is exprest But this proves not that all the work of this last and great day must be done in a moment because the Saints shall be changed in a moment and I do believe that they are very much mistaken that will allow our Lord but a moment of time to accomplish all his great work at his second and glorious appearing and Kingdom The 6. Ob. The Scripture saith that Christ must sit at the right Hand of God till all his enemies be made his footstool which seems to import that there will be no such work for Christ to do when he comes from heaven i. e. to subdue his enemies and to set up his Kingdom Ans The Scripture fully presents us with this that he is at the right hand of God the Father
the time of his peaceable Kingdom so much spoken of in Scripture to Commence from the time that he hath brought his enemies under him after his first appearing from Heaven which must admit of time to bring down his enemies and to bring the world in subjection to him as in the Type David and Solomon the one Conquering and preparing the other comes in and sets up the peaceable Kingdom and Reigns in glory as if he had been the person to whom the promise was made and so indeed he was in the Type but Jesus Christ was the true Solomon and King of Righteousness and King of Peace that shall Reign for ever I say probably it intens some such Kingdome State of which Solomons was the Type which shall succeed the fall and subjection of the worldly Monarcks and Enemies of Christ sutable to the many Prophesies and promises of such a thing Psa 110. 5 6 7. Isa 66. 15 16. Ezek. 38 and 39. chapters with multitudes of like Scriptures of the Prophets and in Rev. 19. is the same work described as a preparatory to the 1000 years Reign of which David was a special Type Psal 18. 32. to 46. now may be its enterance and probably its period will be at the perfecting of the Judgment Death it self in the last Resurrection being the last enemy that is to be conquered and so probably this 1000 years Reign is that which is intended 1 Cor. 15. 24 25 26. For he must Reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet c. which probably will be at the end of the 1000 years when Death and Hell and the Sea shall give up their Dead and so the last enemy i. e. Death destroyed and when this period of time is over and this work is done will be the time of giving up the Kingdom to the Father that God may be all in all and the Son subject 1 Cor. 15. 24. to 28. not that the Son was not subject before or his work was to do his Fathers will ever since his Incarnation but probably it imports an other manner of Government after the 1000 years Reign and the final judgment is over more immediately by the Father the Mediatory Kingdom of the Son being over and the Restauration work is finished not but that Christ is King still and Head of his Body the Church in the perfect state and in all things he shall have the preheminence as head of the Church and Lord over all and so his Kingdom shall be everlasting according to the distinct manners and methods determined and probably till this time that is the end of the 1000 years and perfecting the Judgment and conquest over all enemies and giving up of the Kingdom to the Father may not the Saints be capacitated to the glorious sight of the Father it being Christs work in his times to shew the Father to his members 1 Tim. 6. 15 16. for till this time will not the Mediatory Kingdom of Christ be finished nor the immediate Kingdom of the Father take place nor the Saints be capacitatâ—d thereunto 3. Quest Whether the New Heavens Quest. 3 and new Earth promised shall begin from the enterance of the 1000. years Reigne or from the ending thereof and of the final judgment Ans Very likely it may and must take its Ans enterance from the beginning of the 1000. years though probably not perfected till after the 1000 years and last judgment is over God having in all his works proceeded gradually and not done it upon a sudden so in the work of Creation and so in the work of Redemption and Restauration God hath been about it ever since the fall and may we rationally imagine that he will do any part of his great work on a sudden but that he will as always he hath done work by degrees accomplish his work gradually that it must have its enterance in the beginning of the 1000. years seems clear from the time of the new Heavens and new Earth must be fullfilled some promises which is not probably proper when the last judgment is over viz. as outward Prosperity Building Planting Eating Drinking c. as Isa 65. 17 to 25. which things are Relative to the Reign of Christ and probably may be accomplished in the 1000. years That we may without wrong to the usual way of Gods discovering his will in Scripture so understand it how frequently doth God as is said before bring forth that in one sentence as it were that gathers in all the time from the humiliation of Christ to the glory of his Kingdom as the new Covenant of his grace the promise of his spirit c. so that we may safely conclude that the new Heavens and new Earth shall be perfected in the Restauration work according to the time or times determined 4. Quest Whether we may suppose that Quest 4 there will be any place for unconverted persons in the new Heavens and new Earth during the thousand years Reign Ans It seems very clear from Scripture Ans that it shall be so see Isa 65. 20. Zec. 14. 16. to 19. which will be the Generation that after the thousand years is over Satan being loosed to tempt them will compass the Camp of the Saints and the Beloved City Rev. 20. 7 8 9. Which is like to be the last attempt of Satan and Men against the Church though then they shall do no act to hurt them but in their enterprise Fiâ—e shall come down from Heaven and shall devour them and then will be the final judgment v. 10. to 15. 5. Quest May we suppose that men can Quest 5 be so hardened as that after they have seen such wonders and the Glory of Christs Kingdom and enjoyed so much of Peace and good thereby as to attempt such a work against the Lord and his people Ans 1. What the Lord hath declared in Ans his word that we ought to believe will come to pass 2. It is no other in substance then hath been before notwithstanding all the judgments of God on Aegypt yet Pharaoh was hardened to his own destruction and notwithstanding the wonderful works of Christ when he came in his Humiliation yet the Jews were hardened against him to their own destruction 3. The Scripture saith that the Devil shall be loosed for a season to deceive them and so to harden them and there is no question but that he will be the same to the end that he hath been And 4. Their nature not being changed there will remain the same enmity against Christ and holyness on which Satan working they will be ready for the same work as other Persecutors hath been before them 6. Quest May we not account the day of Quest 6 judgment to be till after the thousand years Raign be over and finished Ans The judgment includes the whole Ans time from Christs coming from Heaven untill the work be finished it will be a day of Judgment in the various parts of
the execution thereof Judgment shall be executed upon the world at and from his first appearing till the Nations be broken and all subjected to him Isa 9. 3 4 5. Zep. 3. 8. Rev. 19. 11. to 21. And he shall judge in righteousness during the thousand years Reign and after it perfect the work So that his Kingdom and Judgment shall be together Judgment being one great part of his Kingly work 2 Tim. 4. 1 Who shall judge the quick and dead at his appearing and his Kingdom 7. Quest At what time may we suppose Quest 7 the Saints shall be raised at his first appearing in the Clouds of Heaven or at the enterance of the thousand years or after the thousand years are finished Ans Very probably at the enterance of Ans the 1000. years and that for these reasons 1. Because it is not likely that they should be raised before the Nations are subdued and the new Heavens and new Earth prepared 2. The Scripture saith that it shall be at the sound of the last Trump which imports that other Trumps had sounded before else it could not properly be called the last Trump and probably it may have relation to the seaven Trumpets mentioned in the Revelation which are all to be sounded at and after Christs appearing in carrying on the work of judgment upon the Nations and when the seventh Angel sounded which is the last Trump There were great voices in Heaven saying the Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord 〈◊〉 of his Christ and he shall Reign for ever and ever Rev. 11. 15. and chap. 20. 4. the Resurrection is stated to be at the enterance of the thousand years they lived and Reigned with Christ a thousand years We may groundedly suppose that after Christs appearing in the work he may ascend and descend often we may not imagine that he should be limited on Earth and so his coming at the sound of the last Trump to establish his peaceable Kingdoms to be the first Resurrection and all his appearances and works is included in his second coming and probably there may be Death in the time of this Reigne Isaiah 65. 20. And if so then there must â—e a Resurrection of some of the just as well as of the unjust at the end thereof 8. Quest May we suppose that this Quest Estate shall be Ushered in by the Lord in the hands of the Saints before the coming of Christ from Heaven or not Ans I know no ground from Scripture Answ for such a Conception although it hath been the imaginations of many in these latter days unless the raising of the witnesses spoken of Rev. 11. 11 12. be before the coming of Christ from Heaven then some wonderful work must be accomplished in some part of the world called the tenth part of the City where they Prophâ—cyed and were slaiâ— and must be raised whether any part of that work will be by the Lord time will manifest or whether it shall be before Christ comes from Heaven is to me a great question that I dare not meddle with nor undertake to determine yet I suppose it not a Corporal Slaughter by a Massacre as some imagine to be accomplished three days and an half before our Lord comes from Heaven my reason for it is because I find that Christ will have his Church visible on Earth when he comes though it will admit of great mixture and low in faith and probably under great Afflictions Mat. 25. 1 to 13. Luke 18. 7 8. But otherwise or any further then the raising of the witnesses which I very much question whether it will be before Christs appearing there is no ground to expect such a work as hath been by some supposed and what or when ever it be it will be far from Conquering the World to Christ it must be but the tenth part of the City some Nook or Corner where the witnesses have most eminently Prophecyed called the Street of the great City c. 9. Quest How are we to understand Quest. 9 those Prophecyes that speak so plainly and fully of Conquering and bringing down of the enemies of the Church in the latter days in a warlike way as Isa 9. 4 5. and 41. 15 16. with many other Scriptures to this purpose Ans We are to understand it to be performed Ans at and after the coming of the Lord from Heaven my grounds for it are as followeth 1. As the Prophets do foretell of such things and we are bound to believe the truth thereof and neither Christ nor his Apostles mentions any thing thereof in the new Testament but directs us to look for the coming of Christ and to a patient suffering and waiting for that day the Apostle speaks of the Apostasie but not of deliverance hence I conclude that it must be done at and after his appearing done it must be the new Testament allows no place for it before Christ cometh therefore it must be done at and after his coming 2. The Scripture States the time of the Restauration work spoken of by the Prophets and the conquering and bringing down of the Churches enemies to be at one and the same time where one is stated the other is stated likewise and must be done together for the fall of the enemies will be the Churches deliverance Isa 3. 3 4 5. and 25 26 27. Chapters and 66. 8 to 16. With multitudes of other Scriptures that I could mention and its evident that the Restauration Work shall be at and after Christs coming from Heaven Acts 3. 21. And therefore the bringing down of enemies shall be then 3. Because probably most of the things Prophesied of in the Revelation from chap. 4. may and must be done at and after Christs coming from Heaven my reasons for such a supposition are 1. Because the time of Johns receiving of it is called the Lords day Rev. 1. 10. and very probably do relate to that saying of Christ John 21. 22 23. If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee Which might be this coming called the Lords day so called because Christ did in Vision discover all things to John as it shall be done over when he cometh both in bringing down of his enemies and saving his people 2. Because very probably that the opening of the Seals Sounding of the Trumpets and pouring out of the Vials may be all at and after Christs coming from Heaven and if so it must admit of time for the doing thereof and must be the time of perfecting the Restauration work spoken of by the Prophets in bringing down of the World and saving of the Church My Reasons so to suppose are 1. Because the opening of the first Seal chapter 6. 1. 2. seems to be the first appearing of Christ from Heaven I saw and behold a white Horse and he that sate upon him had a Bow and a Crown was given unto him and he went forth Conquering and to Conquer I
be sound in the Faith and in the Principles of Religion is of deep concernment to all Christians and indeed a good and Christian walk in the way of sincere and universal holiness and obedience is that which greatly concerneth and becometh Christians in order to their eternal Welfare As a help to both have I presented this small brief Treatise to thy consideration in which I have to the utmost of my ability and light not only studied Truth that might be profiting to the Reader but brevity likewise that much might be found in a little Volume in which if persons exercise their own understandings in the use thereof they may probably reap some benefit thereby And Reader what thee dost find differing from thine own understanding be not hasty in judging or sensuring but read and ponder and search the Scripture to see whether it be so or no without which the most do wrong to the Truth and to thine own soul But I shall say no more but commit it to the Readers in the blessing of God praying for their profiting thereby and if your souls do reap any spiritual benefit or advantage in the use hereof let God have the Glory and the Author as Instrument hath his end answered And so fare the well in the Lord Grace Mercy Peace and Truth be with all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity Amen An Account of the Particular Matters Treated of in the ensuing Discourse CHapter I. Concerning God 1. That he is 2. What he is 3. How he doth subsist 4. Where he is Page 1. Chap. II. Of the Holy Scripture that it is the Divine Word and will of God proved by many Divine Arguments P. 48. Chap. III. Of the Creation of the world and all things therein P. 70. Chap. IV. Of the Creation of Man P. 73. Chap. V. Of the Angels and of their Creation P. 85. Chap. VI. Of the Devil and wicked Angels P. 99. Chap. VII Of the Fall of Man from his Created Innocency P. 107. Chap. VIII Of the way and means ordained of God for the recovery of Man out of his faln Estate P. 113. Chap. IX Of the design of God in general in his New Covenant Restauration which was to make all things New P. 123. Chap. X. Of the order and method of God in preparing a people for his glorious Estate pag. 133. and followeth in rest of the chapters Chap. XI Of Faith 1. what it is 2. how its wrought 3. its grounds and objects 4. its excellency p. 139 Chap. XII Of Repentance P. 149 Chap. XIII Treateth of Justification P. 163. Chap. XIV Is a more distinct discourse of Justification by Faith which answers to several questions and objections about the Matter P. 180. Chap. XV. Of Gospel assurance and whether it may be attained in this life P. 209. Chap. XVI A further Discovery of the New-Covenant and Life of Faith P. 248. Chap. XVII Of Sanctification and good works P. 253. Chap. XVIII Of the true and saving knowledge of God P. 270. Chap. XIX Of the Divine Vertue and grace of Love P. 293. Chap. XX. Of the Gospel fear of God P. 324. Chap. XXI Of the Law of God and what we are to understand thereby P. 341. Chap. XXII Of Prayer P. 364. Chap. XXIII Of Perfection and whether it may be attained in this life P. 406. Chap. XXIV Of Sincerity p. 421. Chap. XXV Of Election p. 441. Chap. XXVI Of Reprobation p. 451. Chap. XXVII Of the Church of Christ in the New-covenant p. 457. Chap. XXVIII Of the Ordinances Officers and Administrations in the Church of Christ p. 464. Chap. XXIX That the Estate of the Church in this world is an Afflicted Estate p. 499. Chap. XXX Of Death and the State after Death of the Resurrection and Judgment p. 531. Chap. XXXI Of the Coming Kingdom and Reign of Christ on Earth p. 548. CHAP. I. CONCERNING GOD. 1. That He is 2. What He is 3. How He doth subsist 4. Where he is 1. THat God is or that there 1 That God is or that there is a God is a God i. e. an infinite self-Being that hath given Being to all things c. is necessary to be believed of all and is the first step of Faith in order to Salvation Heb. 11. 6. He that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him Now though it be a common received Principle that God is yet in as much as it 's evident according to the Scripture That the Fool hath said in his heart that there is no God Psal 14. 1. And that the transgression of the Wicked saith within my heart that there is no fear of God before his eyes Psal 36. 1. And oft-times gracious Souls through their own weakness and Satans wiles meet with temptations on this account I shall therefore speak something to this so necessary a truth the grounds I shall present for evidencing this so great and sacred a principle of truth are as followeth 1. The Word of God the Scriptures of Truth Proof 1. The Scripture The word of God in the substance of them is to hold forth this one God or Invisible Creating Upholding and Preserving Power Gen. 1. 1. In the Beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth v. 6. God said let there be a Firmament c. and so throughout the Chapter and indeed throughout the Bible I shall mention but a few instances in the name of the whole Gen. 6. 5. God saw the Wickedness of man c. v. 6. Iâ— Râ—pented the Lord that he had made man c. v. 11. The Earth was corrupt before God see ver 12. 13. Exod. 20. 1 2. And God spake all these words saying I am the Lord thy God c. Psal 29. 1 2. Give unto the Lord O ye mighty give unto the Lord Glory and Strength give unto the Lord the Glory of his Name Psal 82. 1. God standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty c. Joh. 1. 1. In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God c Let this serve among the multitude of Scripture-Testimonies to prove that God is A second Testimony is the Works of 2. The works of God God which do abundantly declare and Preach forth the Divine Being and Omnipotent Power and Wisdom of this Divine though Invisible Creator of all things for Reason will tell us that none of these things could give Being to or Create themselves Man who is the most Intelligible and Rational Creature here below was so far from creating himself that let all the Wisdom of all the men in the World be conjunct in unity they are not able to Create or give Being to the basest of Creatures no not a Fly or Worm It s true the Image or likeness Man madâ— not himself of Creatures they can make of matter that was made before by the Creator but nothing can they Create
though there are that are called Gods many yet to us there is but one God c. 1 Cor. 8. 5 6. And who amongst all that are called Gods are like unto him Mic. 7. â—8 2. What this God is and truly he is a 2. What God is mystery and if his people tremble at his Word how much more ought we to have trembling thoughts of his unsearchable Being and in this he is an invisible mystery such a one whom no man hath seen nor can see but in thinking and speaking of him we must think and speak of him as he hath discovered himself unto us in his Word and by his Works and the secret teachings of himself thereby 1. What he is in his Nature and Essential 1. What God is in his Nature and Essence Being 1. He is a Spirit Joh. 4. 24. God is a Spirit c. 2. A holy Spirit Lev. 19. 2. I the Lord your God am Holy and chap. 20. 26. I the Lord am Holy Psal 22. 3. But thou art holy O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel Psal 99. 5. 6. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy Hill for the Lord our God is holy He is most holy 1. Sam. 2 2. There is none holy as the Lord c. 3. He is in himself an infinite unsearchable incomprehensible eternal and glorious spirit who is in and of himself and gives Being to all things therein is he differenced from all Created Spirits and Powers whether of Angels or men First in that he is infinite and incomprehensible in his whole name 2. In his Eternity 3. In his Power and Wisdom in Creating and upholding all things by the Word of his Power 2. What he is in his Name and Attributes 2. What he is in his Name and Attributes which are many and all thereby to make himself known to his people that they might learn to fear before him believe love obey him and trust in him as First His Power and 1. His Power Allsufficiency he hath let us to know that he is an Almighty One Gen. 17. 1. He saith to Abraham that not only Abraham himself but all his Children might know it and be encouraged I am God Almighty or Alsufficient walk before me and be upright Psal 62. 11. God hath spoken once twice have I heard this that Power belongeth to God hence he is called the Almighty Psal 68. 14. When the Almighty scattered Kings c. Psal 91. 1. He that dwelleth in the secret of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty 1 Cor. 6. 18. Rev. 1. 8. and this the Prophet David wonderfully describes in his Thanksgiving 1 Chron. 29. 11 12. Thine O Lord is the Greatness and the Power and the Glory and the Victory and the Majesty for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth is thine thine is the Kingdom O Lord and thou aâ—t exalted as Head above all both Riches and Honour come of Thee and thou Reignest over all and in thine hand is Power and Might and in thine hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all A great Comfort it is unto Christians that they have such a great Almighty and All-sufficient God able to do for them what-ever they need they may say as 2 Sam. 22. 33. God is my Strength and Power he maketh my way perfect and as Psal 118. 6. The Lord is on my side I will not fear what man can do unto me and that because this God is our God for ever and ever he will be our guide unto death and let it silence and still wicked men for ever Woe to them that God is such an Almighty one able to deal with and bring down all his and his Churches Enemies Ezra 8. 22. The hand of our God is upon all them that seek him for good but his Power and his Wrath is against all them that forsake him Psal 66. 7. He ruleth by his Power for ever his eyes behold the Nations let not the Rebellious exalt themselves 2. He is Omniscient as well as Omnipotent 2. His Wisdom he is most Wise see both Psal 147. 5. Great is our Lord and of great Power his Vnderstanding is Infinite Isa 40. 28. There is no searching of his Vnderstanding we may and must say as Psal 104. 24. O Lord how manifold are thy Works in Wisdome hast thou made them all all Wisdom and Counsel and Strength is in him Prov. 8. 14. Counsel is mine and sound Wisdome I am Vnderstanding I have Strength comfort for Christians that their God is such a God of Wisdom and Counsel he knows how to deliver his people in time of need 2 Pet. 2. 9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of temptation and to reserve the unjust unto the day of Judgment to be punished and this Wisdom is all in Christ and for his people Who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness c. he is Wisdom to us and Wisdom in us he giveth Wisdom to his people Prov. 2. 6 7. for the Lord giveth Wisdom out of his mouth cometh Knowledg and Vnderstanding he layeth up sound Wisdome for the Righteous c. see chap. 3. 13. 2. 3 4 5. 81. 3. In a word God is Infinite in his Wisdom and his Wisdom is exercised for and in behalf of his Church especially on the New-Covenant account in the Gospel of Salvation by Jesus Christ which is called the manifold Wisdom of God and exercised in all his works and wayes 3. He is a Holy God Infinite in Purity 3. He is a Holy God perfectly holy such a one with whom Iniquity can have no fellowship for God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all 1. Joh. 1. 5. therefore let no man say when he is tempted that he is tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man Jam. 1. 13. No he is a Holy God most Holy infinite in Holiness Isa 6. 3. the Seraphims cryed one to another and said Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole Earth is full of his Glory and this holy name in this Scripture is attributed unto Christ who was to fill the Earth with the Glory of the New-Covenant Grace Joh. 12. 41. These things said Esaias when he saw his glory and spake of him i. e. of Christ as is evident a holy God and a holy Lord Jesus and he will have a holy People or none 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. As he that hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation because it is written be ye holy for I am holy Gods holiness should engage his People to holiness to prize it and press after it for Holiness becometh the House of the Lord for ever Psal 93. 5. O blessed Consolation for all New-Covenant-spirited holy Ones their God is holy loveth holiness owneth all that are Created after him in
Preservation and Redemption hence the work of Creation is sometimes attributed to the Father sometimes to the Son and sometimes to the holy Spirit 1. Sometimes to the Father Heb. 1. 2. 1 Creation Attributed to the Father By whom he also made the Worlds He that is God the Father made the Worlds Eph. 3. 9 the mystery of the Gospel there spoken of that was hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ here the Creation is attributed to God the Father 2. It is attributed unto the Son Heb. 1. 2 To the Son 10. Thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the Earth and the Heavens are the work of thine hands which the Apostle applied to Christ the Son of the Father as is by the scope of the matter clearly discernable Col. 1. 16. For by him i. e. Christ were all things created c. Joh. 1. 3. All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made 3. It 's attributed to the Holy Spirit in 3 To the Holy spirit the work of Creation it 's said Gen. 1. 2. The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the Waters Psal 104. 30. Thou sendest forth thy Spirit and they are created c. Job 26. 13. By his Spirit he hath garnished the Heavens c. and ch 33. 4. The Spirit of God hath made me all which hold forth unity in the Divine Essence from their unity in the Work as we must unavoidably understand unless we lose both Reason and Religion that when the Creation is attributed to God the one infinite glorious Being it includes the whole three Father Son and Spirit it being attributed to each of them apart inrallibly includes the unity of Essence in the three Father Son Spirit these three are one and that the three are included in such Scriptures as these whâ—re one is spoken of Act 14 15 That you should turn from these vanities unâ—o the living God that made Heaven and Earth and the Sea and all things therein ch 17. 24. God that made the world and all things therein c. with multitudes of the like Scriptures which include the whole as one in Essence and Work though three in that unity or else all three could not be said to create the World 2. In Preservation and Redemption God 2 Prâ—vâ—â—l in Preservation Redemption the Father is said to preserve man and beast Psal 36. 6. and all things are said to consist by Jesus Christ Col. 1. 17. God is frequently in Scripture called our Saviour and so is Jesus Christ Tit. 3. 4 6. and the holy Spirit had his operation in this work of Salvation and Redemption by Jesus Christ crucified Heb 9. 14. so that there was and is unity and concurrence in every work which proves them to be one God or God to be one in three Father Son and Spirit 3. The Unity in these three is discovered 3 In their unity in the power of the Gospel in their unity in the power and authority of the Gospel which is to be administred in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit Mat. 28. 19. unity in power and authority declares unity in Essence and Nature or unavoidably three Divine Beings I shall yet proceed to speak more distinctly A more distinct discovery to this wonderful Mystery and pray the Lord to do it humbly soberly tremblingly and plainly and according to the word of Truth and I trust I shall not vary from the very plain terms and discoveries of God in the Gospel in this matter 1. God the Father is in Scripture said to God is said to be the father 1 as the original cause of all things be the Father and so distinguished as seems plain by the Divine Revelation 1. As he is the original cause of all things as a Father 1 Cor 8. 6. To us there is one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him Rom. 11. 39. For of him and through him and to him are all things c. Eph. 4. 6. One God the Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all And on this account he is the father of the whole Creation as the first effectual cause of all who are therefore said to be his Ofspring Acts 17. 28 29. For we are also 2 as making provision for all his Of-spring forasmuch as we are the Of spring of God 2. He having as a Father brought forth a Creation as his Of-spring he taketh care of all and maketh provision for all as his Of-spring and as a Father Psal 145. 15 16. The Eyes of all wait on thee and thou givest them meat in season thou openest thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing Psal 147 8 9. Who covereth the Heaven with Clouds and giveth to the Beast his food and to the young Ravens that cry Mat. 5 45. He maketh his Sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth Rain on the just and on the unjust hence Christ teacheth us to pray to God as our Father for daily bread 3. He is the Father in relation to his Son 3 He is the Father in relation to Christ his Son our Lord Jesus Luke 1. 35. The holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God John 1. 14 18. And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory as the Glory of the only begotten Son of God full of Grace and Truth v. 18. No man hath seen God at any time i. e. God the Father the only Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him Rom. 15 6. That you may with one mind and with one mouth glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ These with multitudes of Scriptures of like import prove God to be the Father as relative to Jesus Christ his Son 4. And so in him he is the Father relative on the New-Covenant account of all 4 In relation to his Children in him his New Covenant-spirited people i. e. true Believers espoused unto Jesus Christ his Son by Faith Gal. 3. 26. For ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Jesus Christ John 20. 17. Go to my Brethren and say to them I ascend to my Father and your Father c. Rom. 8. 16. 17. and thus he is the Father of the whole family in Heaven and Earth Eph. 3. 14 15. with ch 2. 19. 5. And so in him he is the Father of all 5 He is the Father of all our New Covenant-Mercy our New Covenant-Mercy relating both to Grace and Glory 2 Cor. 1 3. Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Mercies and God of all Comfort 2 Tit.
we need and in such a manner as we ought so that all those Titles given to the Spirit in the Scripture and those Works ascribed to him relating to his Office and Work in the God-head no whit derogates from his Union in the same Divine Nature or eternal Existency in and with the Father and the Son That there is any personality in God or three Persons in the Divine Essence is a Language I do not yet understand is made use of in the Scriptures therefore I avoid the terms though I am not willing to question or doubt but that those who use it who are godly and understand what they say do it thereby to express the Truth of the Scripture-distinction in the Trinity i. e. that there is Father Son and Spirit in unity of Nature and is but one God the word Person being not at all as I know given either to the Father or holy Spirit but to the Son as God and Man in one Person The truth of the Trinity proved from the Old Testament And this Truth i. e. a plurality in one infinite and eternal God is clearly to be proved from the Old Testament even from the Creation and that probably in more clear and God-like Terms of Distinction than Persons which probably the Learned have avoided for some at least supposed good Reasons on which account I shall at present say no more onely present to those that understand Gen. 1. 1. with vers 26. The sum of all is this That God is One Eternal Infinite Substantial Being distinguished into Father Son and holy Spirit and in all there are Divine and Distinct Relative Properties and Operations yet in all no one wills no one acts without the other Gen. 1. 1 2 26. Heb. 1. 2. Job 33. 4. Thus have I given a brief Discovery of The Conclusion my little little Apprehension in this great and wonderful Mystery of all Mysteries whom rightly to know is Life Eternal a Mystery not too curiously to be pried into but in the plain Demonstration of his own Word and I am sure it will remain a Mystery still This I believe is necessary for every Christian to believe in this matter That there is One onely True God and that this True God is One in Essence and Nature and that the Father Son or Word and holy Spirit is this True God That Jesus Christ in his both Natures Divine and Humane is the Son of God The second Man is the Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15. 47. And that the holy Spirit is the Out-goings and Effecting Operations of God and so is God of the same Nature the Enlightener Convincer Converter Sanctifier Strengthener and Comforter of the Saints in and 〈◊〉 â—eaâ—s appointed for that end i. â— tâ— Word of Truth and Doctrine of the Gospel Fourthly Where this glorious God is 1. He is in all places by his Spirit Psal 4 Where God is 139. 7. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit and whither shall I flee from thy presence See Vers 8 9 10. Prov. 15. 3. The Eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good 2 Chron. 16. 4. The Eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth to shew himself strong in behalf of them whose Heart is perfect towards him And as he is by his Spirit every where So 2. His Paternal Presence is in Heaven God the Father is in Heaven his Glorious Majesty for we must believe God to be a Substantial Being not â—n Airy Fancy a Nothing and such a Substantial Being as the Scripture declares him to be yea and infinitely beyond all Verbal Declaration or Heart-Conception that He is such an One whom no man hath seen nor can see and live such a One in his own Glory that if he should discover himself to the World would destroy it at once for no man hath seen him or can see him 'T is true Jesus Christ his Son is the Brightness of his Glory and the express Image â—f his Substance Heb. 1. 3. But the Glory of the Father is a hidden Glory and by the Son the Father hath been and shall be revealed in His Times 1 Tim. 6. 15 16. And Heaven is his Throne and the Earth his Footstool That the glorious Habitation of God is in Heaven is clear from Scripture-Revelalation that whiles the Son was on Earth the Father was in Heaven John 20. 17. Touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my Father but go to my Brethren and say to them I ascend to my Father to and your Father to my God and to your God And Christ teacheth to pray Our Father which art in Heaven c. Mat. 6. 9. And the Heaven where the Glorious Majesty is seems to be above all Created Heavens in the Increated Heaven his Eternal Habitation For as God is Eternal so He must have an Eternal Habitation Which is the Heaven into which Christ our Lord is Ascended to the Right Hand of Power and Glory Ephes 4. 10. He that descended is the same that ascended up far above all Heavens c. The most Glorious Heaven and Eternal Habitation of GOD far above all Created Heavens is called The High and Holy Place where He dwells Isaiah 57. 15. Psal 8. 1. Thou hast set thy Glory above the Heavens i. e. the Created Heavens Psalm 113. 4 5 6 The Lord is High above all Nations and his Glory above the Heavens Who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on High who humbleth Himself to behold things in Heaven and Earth i. e. To behold things in his Created Heaven and Earth Who is said to humble himself to behold things in Heaven and Earth that is Because the Created Heavens and Earth are all in the Fallen State by reason of the Sin and Fall of Man Therefore God doth greatly humble himself in looking after the Heavens and Earth in the Fallen State CHAP. II. Of the Holy Scriptures That it is the Divine Word and Will of God proved by many Divine Arguments I shall now proceed to present some grounds to prove the holy Scriptures to be the Word Will of God the holy and vine Truth of God it being a matter of concernment for Christians to be established in next our believing that there is a God and indeed we cannot savingly believe that God is unless we believe the Truth of his Word that it is the Divine Revelation of his Will relating both to matters of Faith and Practice in order to our spiritual and eternal well-being And I trust I shall propound several weighty and undeniable grounds for Confirmation of Faith in the Truth and Divinity thereof And the fâ—rst â—ort of Grounds I shall present 1. It s own witness which proves it Diuine are such as ariseth from it self that we may see its own Witness full of all sufficiency to prove its own Divinity 1. It s Divine Purity proves it to be of 1. It
of God theirs is and shall be the Consolations of the Scripture all its promises are Yea and Amen in Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 1. 20. theirs is the Grace held forth in the Scripture and theirs shall be the Kingdom of the Glory promised 4. If this be truth that the Scriptures are Vse 4 the Word of God i. e. his Divine Will made manifest to men then wo to all wicked men that walk contrary to this Rule they are not only like to miss of the Glory promised but must expect undoubtedly to meet with all the Plagues especially the eternal Plagues and Judgments therein denounced against unrepenting sinners If the Scriptures be the Divine Word and Will of God given as the Rule of Faith and Practice in order to our serving and the attaining of the Righteousness and Life therein held forth then wo to all those that slight it and refuse it that will have none of it that take what they list and leave what they list or like not certainly such must know one day what it is to undervalue the Word and Will of so high and so holy a God CHAP. III. Of the Creation of the World and all things therein 1. IN general that God created the World and all things therein is plain by manifold Testimonies of Scripture Gen. 1. 1. â—sal 33. 6. 136. 4. to 9. Act. 14. 15. 17. 24. And not onely so but 2. Light of Reason teacheth the same that there must needs be a First Cause of all things from whence they proceed Though Reason teacheth not the time and manner thereof that we must have from Divine Revelation Heb. 11. 3. Through Faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God c. that is not onely that God made the Worlds but the Manner Method and time according to the Scripture-Revelation Gen. 1. This the Apostles as we understood by Faith in the truth of that Revelation And this Creation of the Worlds intends the Celestial World and the Terrestrial World and all things therein whether they be things in Heaven or things in Earth visible and invisible c. all things were created by and for Him And that He made the Worlds in six days and that He made all things good yea very good the Scripture informs us in and the matter whereof the World was made is exprest Gen. 1. 2. the deep unformed Chaos The Earth was void and without form and darkness was on the face of the deep c. When this unformed Deep was created I suppose is not exprest in Scripturâ— though its supposed to be part of the first days Creation and intended in vers 1. Iâ— the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth i. e. the matter of which Heaven and Earth was afterwards formed But this seems not to be the thing intended and that 1. Because this confused deep was neither Heaven nor Earth 2. In that the Creation or forming of Heaven and Earth in order followeth and the word Beginning seems not to intend the first days work only but as a Preface or Prologue to the whole six days work in which the Heavens and the Earth were created in the beginning i. e. in the first six days of the World God created the Heaven and the Earth according to the Method there exprest in which all was finished and God rested from His Work the seventh day Whether God made the matter of which all was made of nothing is known onely to Himself Reason seems so to teach that if there were any first matter uncreated of which all was made that there must be something Eternal besides God But this being a secret I shall so leave it conâ—luding with the Scripture-Light and Language Hâ—b 11. 3. Through Faith we und 〈…〉 and that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God so that the things that are 〈◊〉 not made of things that do appear The Unity of the Father Son and Spirit with the Mâ—nner and Method in this Work of Creation I have according to my Understanding in the Scripture-Light spoken to in what I have before written concerning God The Reasons of Gods making the Worlds seems to be rendred in the Scripture i. e. to â—ulfil His Eternal Will and Counsel and to shew His Eternal Power and Godhead Eph. 1. 11. Rom. 1. 20. to glorifie Himself in His own Works Prov. 16. 4. 1 Chron. 29. 11. and that all things might glorifie Him therefore He made all things in a suitableness thereunto for He made all things good very good CHAP. IV. Of the Creation of Man IN this Chapter I shall according to the Light of the Divine Revelation treat of Mans Creation in five particulars 1. The time when he was made and 1 The Time when that is expressed Gen. 1. 26 31. to be the sixth day after all the rest of the Creation was made God made all things first and Man was the last of the Creation in relation to his time of being formed though first in purpose and council In which we may learn that ordinarily Gods greatest and most glorious ends and designs are effected in his last and concluding Work so it was in this wonderful work of Creation all the fore-going Work was but an Usher or Preparation for Man So it was in his calling Abraham out of his Country and the Affliction of his Seed four hundred years it was all in order to their possession of the promised Land which was the crowning Work at last and all before was a Preparation to it so in the work of Redemption and Restauration by Jesus Christ in all the parts of it the last will be the perfecting and crowning Work so in the Saints spiritual Race and Warfare and the Regeneration-state the last is that shall crown all 2 Tit. 4. 7 8. 2. Man was in his Creation the most 2 The Excellency of Man in his Creation excellent of all Gods Works here below and this appeareth 1. in that he made all things for him before he had made him he built him the World for his House the Garden of Eden for his Pleasure and Delight and all the Creatures for his Service and this appears in that he made all things first and last made Man and brought all to him and made him Lord of all Gen. 2. 19 20. Psal 8. 6 7 8. 2. In that he took time to consult about making man more than in all the rest of the Creation the rest of the Creation was made suddenly he spake the Word and it was done and much was done by Divine Ordinance Genes 1. 11 12 20 21. but when he comes to make Man he deliberates upon it an there seems to be as it were a Consultation of the whole Trinity Let us make Man which he did not of any other part of the Creation 3. In that he made Man in his own image and after his own likeness which is not said of any other of the Creatures so
Thirst c. that is called Soul in other Creatures and this lieth and liveth in the whole Body and is the Life and Animation thereof and this I understand is intended by Soul when distinguished from the Spirit In a word to be plain what is in man as to Life and Sence and Motion as in other Creatures that is the Soul what is in man above and beyond other Creatures wherein his Excellency consisteth as Rational that is the Spirit and this is the Spirit in all men 2. When considered in Saints as renewed by Grace 1. Negatively we are not to understand it to be the Spirit of God for we must distinguish between our Spirits and the Spirit of God as the Scripture frequently doth nor 2. Do I understand by Spirit is only intended the renewed Work of Grace or New Man created after God though much of the matter lieth there But affirmatively I understand that by Spirit in the Saints is meant the more rational understanding divine Part in which the New Work is wrought with the Work wrought in it Eph. 4. 23. And be ye renewed in the Spirit of your Minds By Mind is meant the Natural Soul the Spirit of the Mind that in which the Renewed Work is wrought the Image of God must begin to be Reneweâ— where first it principally was and where it was principally defaced which was in the Spirit of the Mind or Soul and this spiritual Work must pass upon the whole Man before our Redemption will be compleated Hence our Bodies must did as well as our sins and sinful Natures that so our Bodies may be changed as well as our Spirits that they may be raised immortal and incorruptible and that before we can attain the Perfection of the New-Covenant-Restauration they must be raised spiritual Bodies Wonderfully blinded are they who pretend themselves perfect or own Personal Perfection in this sinful and mortal Body and but in part renewed Soul or Spirit IV. In what Estate God made Man and 4 In what estate man was made this the Scripture doth help us in We know in what Estate we are by Nature in part by woful experience but what we were in our first Parents the Divine Revelation onely instructs us in which was an Estate of Uprightness free from sin Eccles 7. 29. In the Image of God Gen. 1. 26. And God said Let Vs make Man in Our Image after our Likeness ver 27. So God created Man in His own Image in the Image of God created He him Chap. 5. 1. 9. 6. And doubtless this Image and Likeness to God carried such an Excellency and Glory in it as that we being gone out from it cannot in any case comprehend it any otherwise than as by the Light of the Spirit in and by What is meant by being created in the image of God In â— things the Scripture we may give some guess at it in our Understandings And I shall propose my apprehension herein in these six things 1. In the Purity and Perfection of his Soul or Spirit breathed into him by God his Understanding Memory Will Affections Conscience all perfect concerning both God himself and the whole Creation as far as needed him in his station and might tend to make him comfortable and happy while abiding in that state 2. Without all sin or sinful inclinations any otherwise than as Temptations presented might prevail else he could not be upright and in the Image of God yet subject to Temptation else he had not sinned 3. A Power of Free-will of standing or falling keeping or losing his present happy Estate A power of standing or else he could not be in the Image of God or of falling and that both he and we have found I may in some sense say by woful Experience 4. Rule and Dominion over all the rest of the Terrestrial Creatures as Gods Vicegerent here on Earth as before hath been mentioned Psal 8. 6 7 8. And herein consisteth one special part of his being in the Image of God with his fitness thereunto In the fallen state where for necessity are but petty Kings and Rulers over men in comparison of this Great Lord of the World yet it 's said of them Ye are Gods there being something of Gods Image in Government though exercised by bad men in the fallen state 5. He might be made in the Image of God in the whole Man Body and Spirit for so the words seem to import Let Vs make Man in our Likeness i. e. in the Likeness or Image that God designed to bring forth His Son in who was with God and was God Immanuel God with us and in this as in other things might he be said to be the Figure of Him that was to come 6. I may adde that he was made in the Image of God in the Trinity Father Son and Holy Spirit yet but one God so He made Man Spirit Soul and Body yet but one Man all pure and perfect in the First Creation a Trinity in Unity and a Unity in Trinity in Man this Glorious Terrestrial Creature yet but one Man That as there was a Unity in Trinity in God Three and yet but One so would He make His Creature Man in His own Image that he might the better understand and know his God V. How Man was made God made 5 How Man was made Man in His own Image Male and Female created He them He created Man both Male and Female for by the word Man is intended Mankind i. e. both Man and Woman Whether the Woman was dividedly made the sixth day I suppose cannot be positively determined but that she was made in the Man the sixth day if not dividually is plainly asserted and the taking of the Woman out of the Man was but the separating of the Male from the Female that so they might be the more fit for all their relative concerns in this World and should doubtless teach the Man to love his Wife as his own Flesh and the Woman to love her Husband and to be subject to him as to her Lord and the End of God in the Creation of Man was His own Glory that Man might serve him in enjoyment of all his Works in this World and be to His Praise and Glory CHAP. V. Of the Angels and their Creation 1. THat there are Angels heavenly Spirits 1 That there are Angels the Divine Word doth evidently declare Gen. 16. 7. 24. 7. 19. 1. Psal 8. 5. with multitudes of Scripture to this purpose 2. That they were created and are the 2 That they were created Creatures of God though the Creation of Angels is but little mentioned in the Scripture if at all yet it is evident they were created and that both from Scripture and Reason 1. From Scripture Col. 1. 16. For by Him all things were created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities
or Powers c. By things invisible we are to understand the Angels and the same Principalities and Powers compared with Eph. 3. 10. where the Angels are called Principalities and Powers in heavenly places 2. Reason teacheth that they must be and are created or else they must be eternal which is proper to none but God and if so they must be God but they are not God but his Creatures made by Him and for Him 3. The time when they were created this 3 The time when they were created is not expressed with clearness in the Scripture though it is supposed that they were created in one of the six days and that it was in the first day Gen. 1. 1. that under the term of Heavens God created the Heavens and the Earth the Angels are included But to me it seems probable that they And that before the six days Creation were created before the beginning of the six days Creation and not included in the six days Work Reas 1. Because the Creation mentioned Reas 1 Gen. 1. seems to be the Creation of the visible Worlds i. e. of the Heavens and the Earth and not the celestial invisible Angels and that not only because there is nothing expressed about the Creation of the invisible Spirits but of the Heavens and the Earth with the manner thereof But 2. In that Creation all things were made Reas 2 for the use of Man therefore Angels were not any part of that Creation for they were not created for the use of Man before his Fall though since imployed in that Service the Scripture gives us no such testimony nor could it stand with his estate in Innocency being left to his own both will and power to stand or fall neither had he need on any other account being perfect in his estate and under God Lord of the whole Creation Reas 3. It is not probable that they Reas 3 should be any part of the six days Creation that being made for Man and therefore as a punishment upon Man fell all with Man both the Heavens Earth and all things therein of the six days Creation fell into a corrupted estate by the Fall of Man Gen. 3. 16 17 18 19. Job 15. 15. and that is it that the Heavens must be restored as well as the Earth 2 Pet. 3. 13. Heb. 1. 11 12. and if Angels had been then and on the same account created they must all have fallen with Man for the Sin of Man And therefore Fourthly probably not Reas 4 only the Creation of Angels but likewise the Fall of the Apostate Angels was over and past before God created this World And God might create this World and Man in the room of the Apostate Angels which may be one reason of their exceeding hatred and malice against Man And probably it be the Angels that are spoken of Job 38. 7. called Morning-Stars and the Sons of God who were present at the Creation of the World and sang the Praises of God in beholding thereof when the Morning-Stars sang together and the Sons of God shouted with Joy Compare it with v. 4 5 6. By all which it seems to appear that the Angels were the first of Gods actual Creation and the first World that he made was the World of Angels and may be included in the plurality of Worlds Hebr. 1. 2. 4. The Matter of what they were created 4 The â—â—tter of what thâ—y were 〈◊〉 p 〈…〉 bly of th◠〈◊〉 Elâ—ment is not in Scripture so clearly expressed as the Creation of the visible World is It is evident that they are Spirits substances and not fictions and imaginary only but spiritual Bodies or Substances whether they were made of all the four Elements or any of them which some deny is not to us maâ—erial though the Scripture seems most to adhere in their Description to that of Fire that they are of fiery Bodies though invisible it is true they appeared sometimes in the likeness of Men yet it seems that when they appeared most proper to their own nature it was in the likeness of Fire it was a Chariot of Fire in which Elijah was carried up to Heaven 2 King 2. 11. chap. 6. 17. Elisha prayed and said O Lord I pray thee open his Eyes that he may see and the Lord opened the Eyes of the Young man and he saw and behold the Mountain was full of Horses and Chariots of Fire round about Elisha The Angels seem to be in their invisible Glory for the Young man could not see them till his Eyes were open to this the Prophet seems to agree Psal 68. 17. The Chariots of God are twenty thousand even thousands of Angels Ezek. 1. 13. The likeness of the living Creatures was like burning ceales of Fire and like unto Lamps c. Exod. 3. 2. the Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in the Bush burning with Fire and the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of Fire out of the midst of the Bush c. with Act. 7. 30. Psal 104. 4. who maketh his Angels Spirits his Ministers a flaming Fire I understand the proper reading of the Words to be this to have the true sense thereof He maketh his Spirits Angels that is Messengers this holds analogy with the Scriptures and with Truth Angel signifying Messenger to make his Messengers Spirits is improper they were made so at first and he maketh them his Messengers even a flaming Fire his Ministers that is Ministring Spirits his Angels These things thus considered I most incline to this that they are for the most part of the fiery Element 5 The Number of Angels as to the account 5 The Number of Angels numberless of Man they were innumerable we may say as Rev. 7. 9. in another case a great number which no man could number God did not create them as he did Man one Man and one Woman to increase the World thereby and the Number to come forth in many Generations but he made them all at once a multitude in this Creation the Prophet speaking of good Angels saith Ps 68. 17. The Chariots of God are twenty thousand even thousands of Angels Where he names a certain number for an uncertain as appears by Dan. 7. 10. Thousand thousands ministred unto him that is of Angels for they minister to Christ and serve him in Judgment and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him that is to be judged by him Mat. 26. 53. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of Angels The fallen Angels are multitudes Mar. 5. 9. therefore they must needs be many in their first Creation 6. The state in which they were created 6 The state in which these were created must needs be good holy pure perfect for â—s they were a higher and foregoing Creation excelling Man in their Creation so they must be good for God who was and is Goodness
it self could make nothing but that which was good I say could not in respect of his Nature it would have been contrary to himself and that they were all so created is evident from the Scripture for some of them are good still Elect Angels called the Angels of God Heb. 1. 6. Psal 103. 20. and the others were so created for the Scripture saith that they kept not their first estate that is of Innocency and Goodness in which they were created for God never made them Devils but Angels of Light The Titles given to the good Angels in Scripture discover their Nature and Goodness they are called Spirits Heb. 1. 7 14. Ministring Spirits and Messengers of God They are called Gods Psal 138. 1. 8. 5. 97. 7. with Heb. 1. 6. Sons of God Job 1. 6. 38. 7. Principalities and Powers and Dominions and Cherubims and Scraphims all which holds forth their excellency in Nature and Work 7. Of the Degrees of Angels that there 7 Of the Degrees of Angels are Degrees of Angels is manifest in the Scripture there are Principalities and Powers and Thrones and Dominions Col. 1. 16. which intends not a difference in Nature but in Office and Imployment we read of Michael the Arch-Angel or chief Angel Jude v. 9. Rev. 12. 7. However some think him to be Christ I am and that on good grounds of another mind But what those Degrees and Orders of Angels are is not any further manifest in Scripture therefore I shall speak no further of it only thus much that God is the God of Order and hath set an Order and Government in the whole Creation and we have ground to believe that there is the most perfect and glorious Order in the heavenly Host 8. Of the Office Work and Ministry 8 Of the Office Work of Angels of the good Angels their Work and Office is twofold 1. Such as respects God their Creator 2. Such as respects the Creatures 1. Such as respects God their Creator 1 To praise God 1. It is to praise and glorifie him continually Psal 14. 8. 2. Praise him all ye Angels Praise him all ye Hosts Isa 6. 3. One cryed to another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole Earth is full of his Glory Luk. 2. 13 14. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace Good will towards Men. 2. They wait on God in Heaven with a 2 To do his Will ready mind to know and do his Will Mat. 18. 10. I say unto you that in Heaven their Angels do always behold the Face of my Father that is in Heaven Psal 103. 20. Bless the Lord ye Angels of his that excel in strength that do his Commandments hearkening to the voice of his Word Hence it is that Christ teacheth us to pray Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven that is as it is done by the Angels in Heaven 2. Such as respects the Creatures and the 2 Thâ—ir Service to Men. 1 Such as respect the Nations of the World World here below in the Government thereof in which Angels are imployed as is implyed in Heb. 2. 5. Vnto the Angels he hath not put in subjection the World to come c. which implieth that this World is much under the Government of Angels and in this note that not only good Angels but evil Angels are imployed and at work in the Government of the Nations 1. Good Angels that is it I am now treating about they have their Work both in the Government and overturns of the Nations Dan. 10. 20. the Angel tells Daniel Now will I return to fight the Prince of Persia and when I am gone forth lo the Prince of Grecia shall come and ch 11. 1. Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede even I stood to confirm and strengthen him which clearly imports the imployment of Angels in the Transactions and Government of worldly Kingdoms to carry on Gods Design in the Earth among the worldly Powers and to accomplish his Will And likewise the evil Angels are at work there to carry on their Design and if they could to prevent Gods Design Dan. 10. 12 13. the Angel tells Daniel that the Prince of the Kingdom of Persia withstood him one and twenty days and that Michael one of the chief Princes came to help him In which I observe two things 1. That by the Prince of Persia is intended an evil Angel who as far as permitted governed both the King and Kingdom of Persia for the King of Persia as a man could not stop the Angel till Michael came to his help 2. That he did for a time stop the Angel in his way and work for Daniel The Devil will hinder good from the Saints as much as possible he can But 2. and especially such Works as 2 Such as respect the Saints relate to the Saints the Ministry and Government of the Angels being especially for them and they are such as relate either 1. to this Life or 2. at and after Death 1. Such as relate to them in this Life and they are such as relate 1. to the Body 2. to the Soul i. e. both to the outward and inward man 1. Such as relate to the Bodies of the 1 Their Bodies 1 To preserve and defend Saints 1. is to preserve and defend them from dangers they are liable to both from Devil and Men as likewise accidents of danger they may fall into Psal 134. 7. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about those that fear him and delivereth them and 91. 11. For he shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways Gen. 48. 16. The Angel that redeemed me from all evil bless the Lad so the Angel warned Joseph to flee into Egypt to preserve Christ and to return when Herod who sought his life was dead Mat. 2. 13 19 20. see Dan. 3. 28. 6. 22. and sometimes makes use of his Angels in an offensive way to the wicked for preservation of his people 2 Chron. 32. 20 21. 2 King 19. 35. and to deliver out of the hands of Enemies Num. 20. 16. 2 To supply in need and distrâ—ss 3 To direct and Prosper in lawful undertakings 2. To bring needful things to them for their sustenance and preservation in time of distress as in the case of Hagar Gen. 21. 17 18. and Elijah 1 King 19. 5. 3. To direct and prosper them in their lawful and just undertakings and to accomplish their businesses for them as in the case of Abrahams Servant Gen. 24. 7 40. Gen. 23. 20. 2. Such as relate to the Soul 1. They 2 Such as relate to the Soul have and may reveal the Will of God to them in this they have bee frequent It is said the Law was given by the Disposition of Angels
10. but He that Receiveth his Testimony hath set to his Seal that God is True John 3. 33. Which God takes well and will justifie those that justifie him 2. It was the Designe both of the Father and the Son that this wonderful Designe of Grace to sinners both in the Father and the Son should come to us in the Way of Faith and Obedience that it might be valued and thankfully received and that God and Christ might be thereby glorified Eph. 1. 3. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Else we must suppose the Designe to be to purchase a Liberty for Men to sin and serve the Devil and dishonour God which would be Irrational and Irreligious to imagin 3. Because God and Christ in this Work did not only Designe to save Sinners from Wrath but to make them conformable to the Image of his Son and the Entrance of this Conformity is at the Entrance of this Grace even the first Work of Saving Faith and in this Conformity must Believers grow up more and more 1 Cor. 15. 48 49. 2 Cor. 3. 18. and 4. 10 11. Till they come to a Perfect Man in Christ their Head Eph. 4. 13. Quest 2. How can it be just in God to Quest lay the Sin and Punishment of Sinners upon a just Person that had not Sinned 1 Pet. 3. 18. The Just for the Unjust to bring us to God Answ 1. God will clear his own Justice Answ himself Rom. 3. 26. That he might be Just and the Justifier of him that Believeth in Jesus Vers 5. 6. Is God Vnrighteous c. God forbid then how shall God judge the World Gen. 18 25. Shall not the Judge of all the World do Right 2. Though it was not the same Persons that sinned yet in the same nature is the Redemption accomplished Heb. 2. 14. For as much as the Children were Partakers of Flesh and Bloud he also himself took part of the same so that though not the same Souls that sinned yet in the same Nature is the Satisfaction made and accepted Rom. 8 3. 3. Christ did the Work voluntarily and freely for Sinners and not by Computation otherwise there might not have appeared so much of Justice in it but he freely undertaking the Work having Power to dispose of himself in the Matter Joh. 10. 17 18. And God the Father accepting it was a wonderful Act both of Justice and of Mercy Justice in the Father in punishing the sins of Sinners upon his own Son and Mercy to us sinners that we might have a Door of Hope for Deliverance Quest Whether this Justification Quest imputed on Believing be a perfect and compleat Justification Answ It is so from the Guilt and Answ Eternal Punishment of sin yet notwithstanding God will visit the Inâ—quities and sins of his People as a Father for their good Psal 89 30 31 32 33. Heb. 12. 6 10. and doth judge them too but it is that they may not be Condemned with the World 1 Cor. 11. 30 31 32. For when sin is Pardoned the Offender is free and stands to God as if he had not sinned as to the Eternal Condemnation which was the great Designe of God and Christ in this Transaction Rom. 8. 1. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Col. 2. 13. 1 John 4. 17. Quest Is this Righteousness and Quest Justification by Faith the Everlasting Righteousness of Saints spoken of Dan. 9. 24. Answ As it is a perfect Righteousness Answ so it is in some sence Everlasting for we must stand Justified from the guilt of sin committed in this World for the sake of Christ to Eternity the Bloud of Christ is called the Bloud of the Covenant that is the Bloud of the New and Everlasting Covenant which is the Covenant of the Glorious State and so it is an Usher to the Everlasting Righteousness that is to be perfected in the Persons of the Saints Justification here for the sake of Christ is our Righteousness unto Acceptation Personal and Perfect Holiness in our compleat Conformity to Christ our Head will be our Eternal Personal Righteousness in Glory our Righteousness by Faith here will bring us to the Righteousness of Holiness and Glory hereafter Gal. 5. 5. Phil. 3. 20 21. Col. 3. 4. 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. See Mr. VVilson in this Life there is a justifying Righteousness which is not had but by Faith such as Abraham had it is perfect but not Inherent in us it steeketh in Christ's Manhood as the Subject and is ours by Imputation Rom. 4. 4 5 6. There is a Righteousness of Sanctification or sanctifying Righteousness in this VVorld c. This is Inherent but not Perfect growing daily by degrees unto Perfection Jam. 2. 21 22. More briefly thus there is a Righteousness in Heaven both Perfect and Inherent a Righteousness on Earth that is Perfect but not Inherent which is Justification or Inherent but not Perfect which is Sanctification Thus far Wilson in his Scripture-Dictionary on the Word Righteous In a Word that which I believe in this Matter is that the Imputed Righteousness of Christ here by Faith must abide for ever as the Foundation of our Eternal Happiness that if ever that should fail we must Perish So that the Church in Glory shall for ever admire Jesus Christ crucified and know the Weight and Worth of the Bloud of the Covenants and the Personal perfect Holiness of the Saints shall be their Everlasting Personal Righteousness in Glory Quest Whether the Imputation of Quest Justification to a Believer on the First Act of True Faith be Perpetual And whether One ought to Believe the Pardon of all Sin past present and to come as is the Apprehension of some Answ 1. Though it 's true that the Answ Justification of the New Covenant is certain and perpetual to true Believers yet they stand in it by their Constancy in the Faith and Obedience of the Gospel the Believer hath no ground to conclude it certain to him any longer than he continueth in the Faith for he stands by Faith Rom. 11. 20. Thou standest by Faith be not high-minded but fear 1 Cor. 16. 13. Watch ye stand fast in the Faith c. Heb. 3. 6 12. Yet we ought to believe that God will maintain our Faith and keep us from Falling Phil. 1. 6. 2 Tim. 1. 12. Jude vers 14. Else we could have no solid Comfort 2. And although I know no ground to believe the Pardon of sins before they are committed and that 1. Because I know no Scripture Rule for such a Faith it is an Unscriptural Fancy and Imagination 2. The Scripture doth direct us to the Pardon of sin after it is committed and the way in which we must expect to have it though not the cause that is in a way of Confessing as hath been before-minded 1 John 1. 9. Forsaking Prov. 28. 13. Prayer Mat. 6. 12. Forgiving of others Mat. 18. 35.
secret the rise whence Divine Virtues flow from the secret and hidden work of the Spirit of Grace yet the Spirit propounds to us the distinction rather by the object than the principle from whence it flows it lets us to know that if our love fix sincerely on the right objects then it flows from the right principle so then as natural love fixes on natural and worldly objects from natural causes so that is spiritual love that fixes on spiritual objects natural love never looks so high as God and Christ and Glory to fix there So then this is spiritual love that fixeth upon cleaveth to and delighteth in God and Christ in Grace and Glory as its chiefest and most special good and this is certain that we can never love God as we ought and as doth concern us unless we apprehend him to be our chiefest and most especial good Matt. 22. 37. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy soul and with all thy heart and with all thy mind which we can never do unless we prize him above all other good in the World and so of Christ Matt. 10. 37 38 39. He that loveth Father or Mother Son or Daughter or Life more than me he is not worthy of me Which no soul can attain to but by being instructed into the transcending worth of Jesus Christ this could the Prophet say Psal 73. 25. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee and the Spouses song 5. 10. My Beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest among ten thousand and Paul Phil. 3. 8. Yea doubtless I do account all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I might win Christ c. And this is that which every soul that loves the Lord Jesus in truth and sincerity can say so that if you love God and Christ above all you do then esteem him as your chiefest good as your alone portion you do undervalue every thing here below you can look upon every thing here below to be but vanity yea vanity of vanities Eccl. 1. 2. Vanity of vanities saith the Preacher Vanity of vanities all is vanity this doubling and trebling of its vanity argues it to be exceeding vain little and contemptible to the soul that loves Christ in comparison of him souls that have seen into and tasted of the goodness of the Lord and the excellency of Divine things can say with the Prophet Lam. 3. 24. The Lord is my portion saith my soul therefore will I hope in him Quest How shall I know that I love God Quest and Christ above all as my chiefest good as my portion and lot of mine inheritance Answ 1. If you love God above all as Answ your chiefest good which you do if your 1. Your meditations will be much upon him love be right your meditation will be much upon him and about him that as in the first place you have left all for him so your thoughts are precious of him if God and Christ Grace and Glory be of highest esteem in your hearts then you love God above all for what a man loves most and best his mind is most upon be it persons or profits c. a man may know what he loves most and best by the running out of his mind after it and exercise of his mind about it The worldling hath his mind taken up with the world runs after his profit and seeks after his gain from every quarter and when it goes well on that account all is well he troubles himself as little as may be about things of Divine concernment but the gracious soul presseth hard after God Ps 63. 8. My soul saith the Prophet presseth hard after thee As the worldling presseth hard after the world because it is his portion his all his chiefest good so does the soul that loves God as his portion follow hard after him that it may know him more and enjoy him more his meditations are daily of him he esteems his loving kindness better than life and therefore his soul is set upon him Ps 104. My meditation of him shall be sweet I will be glad in the Lord so that in a word where your minds are most set and most exercised and what you most prise there you love most and best For where your treasure is there will be your hearts also Mat. 6. 21. O how few that profess Christianity can approve their hearts to God in this matter 2. If you love God above all as your 2. You will love his things chiefest good you will love his things whatever hath his stamp upon it I mean on the spiritual account you love it and prize it for his sake 1. You love his Word and Will his 1. His Word Promises his Precepts all will be precious to you it is not possible for souls to love God and not to love his Word his Will Ps 119. 97. O how I love thy Law it is my meditation all the day ver 103. How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter than honey to my mouth This is a special property of a soul that loves the Lord to love his Word and to delight therein to suck sweetness there-from ver 72. The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of Gold and Silver Well by this you may know if you love the Lord you do love his Word his Will his Precepts his Promises it 's all precious to you and your meditation is much therein ver 97. and Ps 1. 2. Where you have a description of a Godly man to be one that doth meditate in the Law of God day and night that is his meditations are much exercised about the good Word of God 2. If you love God indeed you will 2. To do â—is Will. love to do his Word and Will you will love to obey him to submit to him in every things It 's a great mistake in persons who pretend to love the Word of God but do not love to do it such persons deceive themselves Joh. 14. 15. saith Christ If ye love me keep my Commandments This was the voice of the Law and this is the voice of the Gospel Exod. 20. 6. Shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments God never did nor never will accept any service but that which is done in love to him and he ever did and will accept of those who love serve and obey him according to his Word and Will and if you serve him in love his Commandments will be pleasant to you 1 Joh. 5. 3. This is the love of God that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous Then we love God when we keep his Commandments and they are pleasant to us and not grievous and if in this spirit of love you
c. and Chap. 15. 3 4. This shall be the song of Saints Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorify thy Name for thou only art holy 6. It 's that Virtue unto which happiness and blessedness is promised and that must needs be a Virtue absolutely necessary to Salvation and is included in true Faith Prov. 28. 14. Happy is the man that feareth alwaies This happy fear must be alwaies never off the heart Chap. 23. 17. Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day that is alwaies every day let not the fear of God be out of thine heart at any time Ps 112. 1. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord c. and 128. 1 4. By all which it appears that persons who fear God in truth are under the promises of Blessedness and therefore it is a choice Virtue 2. I shall endeavour to shew what the 2. What it is to fear God fear of the Lord is or what it is to fear God It is to have an holy honourable and reverend esteem of God to have the awe and dread of God upon our hearts because Holy and Reverend is his Name Ps 33. 8. Let all the Earth fear the Lord let all the Inhabitants of the World stand in awe of him Isa 8. 13. Sanctifie the Lord of Hosts Himself and let Him be your fear and let him be your dread It becometh the people of the Lord of Hosts to have humble holy reverend and trembling thoughts of God alwaies Ps 2. 11. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling serve him with reverence and godly fear It is to be feared that Christians have too low and common thoughts of God which exceedingly unbecometh them and is a great disadvantage on the spiritual account as well as dishonourable unto God This holy reverend fear is a love-like fear not a slavish fear a spouse-like fear flowing from or mixed with love Let the Wife see that she reverence her Husband or fear her Husband The Wives reverence of or fear toward her Husband is not or should not be slavish but in love and conscience of God's Ordinance so it behoves every true Christian to reverence honour and fear the Lord and that with this filial spouse-like fear to love God and fear before him To help on this work in the heart I Meditations to help us to fear God shall propound some serious meditations of God that may tend to beget and increase this holy reverend awe and fear of God in the heart 1. Live much in the meditation of his 1. His Greatness Greatness O God is a great God and a great King above all Gods and above all men Psal 89. 6 7. For who in the Heavens can be compared to the Lord Who among the sons of the Mighty can be likened unto the Lord God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the Saints and to be had in reverence of all that are round about him Note that this great fear of God in the Saints does arise from the consideration of the Greatness of God Who can be compared to the Lord who may be likened to our God in Heaven or Earth Therefore is he greatly to be feared in the assembly of the Saints c. Ps 147. 5. Great is our Lord and of great Power his understanding is infinite and 95. 3. For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all Gods And as an effect of this or a resultancy drawn from this meditation of his Greatness above all ver 6. O come let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the Lord our Maker that is seeing he is such a great one above all even our Maker let us worship and bow down and kneel before him i. e. Let us worship him in all humility and holy reverence Let us have Grace to serve our God with reverence and godly fear Exod. 15. 11. Who is like unto thee O Lord among the Gods who is like unto thee glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders And this result the Prophet draws from this meditation Jer. 10. 6 7. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee O Lord and thy Name is great in might who would not fear thee O King of Nations for to thee doth it appertain That is to be great above all and to be feared above all this is the first consideration that will tend to season our souls with this blessed Virtue the greatness the gloriousness of God to live upon our hearts 2. The holiness and purity of God He 2. His Holiness and Purity is Glorious in Holiness Holy and Reverend is his Name Serious thoughts of Gods Holiness will beget and increase in us this holy reverend fear Psal 99. 9. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his foot-stool for the Lord our God is holy The sight and apprehension of the Holiness of God will help us to worship him reverendly and awfully This was it made Isaiah Chap. 6. 3. 5. When the Seraphims cried out as overcome with the holiness of God Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts to cry Wo is me I am undone I am a man of polluted lips c. Thus you see and I hope all true Christians can experience that serious thoughts of the Holiness oâ— God will â—ill them with humble honourable and awful thoughts of him 3. The great Goodness and Mercy o 3. His Goodness God especially on the new Covenant account will tend wonderfully to season thâ— soul with this Virtue and this mixed witâ— the rest makes it to be Evangelical fear thaâ— son-like spouse-like fear that so mucâ— concerneth and becometh the Saints thâ— is the promise of the Lord to his people Hos 3. 5. Afterwards shall the children of Israâ— return and seek the Lord their God and David their King that is Christ Jesus and shall fear the Lord and his Goodness in the latter daies It 's the latter day work especially under the Gospel for Saints to fear the Lord and his Goodness Ps 130. 4. With thee is forgiveness that thou maist be feared the Goodness Forgiveness and Mercy that is with God will make his people to fear him and fear to sin against him fear to displease him he that will sin without fear because God is good and gracious may justly fear that he is without all Grace gracious souls fear to sin against so good and gracious a God Shall all the Nations fear and tremble at all the great goodness that God will do for and shew unto his people Jer 33. 9. And shall not the great goodness of God cause the hearts of those interessed in it to fear and tremble before him Surely it 's impossible for a gracious soul to take a view of the Greatness the Glory the Purity and the goodness and Mercy of God and of his own badness but with astonishment holy reverence and fear and thus they shall fear the Lord and his
Reign and he must execute Justice and Judgment in the Earth c. To this agreeth Ps 96. throughout ver 13. as the sum of all Before the Lord for he cometh for he cometh to Judge the Earth he shall Judge the VVorld in Râ—ghteousness and the people with his truth see the same Ps 98. 9. and 82. 8. After divers exhortations to worldly Governours to do Justice to the poor and fatherless to the afflicted and needy c. and reprehensions for their wilful miscarriage in this matter and hopeless expectation of any redress therein concludes the whole as the comfort of the afflicted with this petition and assurance of Faith Arise O God judge thou the earth for thou shalt inherit all Nations implying that there will â—e but little or no righteousness in the earth till that day and then shall he possess the Nations and judge them with equity and truth 2. In his daies Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely c. that is free from afflictions and wrongs from enemies as they had been formerly liable to which cannot be rationally understood otherwise than the peaceable Kingdom of Christ on earth sutable to Ezek. 37. 24. to the end and Jer. 30. 8 9. Which Scriptures cannot be allogorised unless men resolve to turn all Scripture into allegories and so turn out all the truth of Scripture as some have done according to their own fancies but God hath put a stop in the way of allegorising these Scriptures and turning out this so great a truth as that Acts 3. 20 21. The Heavens must receive our Lord till the times of the restitution of all things which God both spoken by the mouth of all his holy Pâ—ophets since the world began What is this restitution spoken of by the Prophets but the restoring and glory of the Church and this must be when God does send Christ again from Heaven in Glory the first coming of Christ was a preparative to this work as that without it the restauâ—ation could not not be accomplished and as what the Prophets foretold of his humiliation was even so fulfilled ver 18. Why should we be incredulous that what they have spoken concerning his Kingdom and Glory in the restauration work should not be even so fulfilled likewise And what reason there is for us to turn plain Scriptures into Allegories relating to the Reign of Christ on Earth any more then for the Jews to Allegories the Scriptures that spake of his humiliation and so lost the truth thereof I do not yet understand Bâ—t to proceed to further proof of the truth Dan. 2. 44. The God of Heaven will set up a Kingdâ—m which is this fifth Kingdom of the store cut out of the Mountains without hands which shall never be destroyed and chap. 7. 27. And the Kingdom and Dominion under the whole Heaven shall be given unto the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve and obey him here is the Reign of Christ and Saints on Earth so plainly and expresly stated as is impossible with good conscience to gainsay it is the Kingdom under the whole Heavens not above the Heavens in the greatness and power thereof given to the Saints when taken by Christ and all Dominions shall serve and obey him that is Christ as the great Lord and King of the World To this agreeth the new Testament Testimonies relating to this truth and fully holding harmony therewith Luke 1. 32 33. And he shall be great and he shall be called the Son of the highest and the Lord shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end This fully answers the old Testament Prophesies in this matter 2 Tim. 4. 1 The Apostle in express terms states the Kingdom of Christ to be at and after his appearing He will judge the quick and dead at his appearing and his Kingdom which must be the Kingdom spoken of by the Prophets Rev. 11. 17. The Song of the Saints was and will be for that thou hast taken to thy self thy great power and hast raigned and the nations were angry c and no wonder for many of his people are angry at those who believe the truth thereof we may not understand it to be his providential reign over the World as it is constantly exercised nor his spiritual Reign in and over his Church which he hath always exercised but some more higher and glorious visible Kingdom and reign on Earth after the sound of the seventh Angel and the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voices in Heaven saying the Kingdom of this world are become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever What can be more plain in the very terms of the Prophets they were his before but now in another manner then before chap. 19. 1 to 8. it is the great Song of the Saints That the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth What did he not Reign before Yes surely but now in another manner more visibly glorious ruling the world and saving his people with the everlasting Salvation spoken of Isa 45. 17. and to this agreeth Rev. 20. 4. Where the Saints are said to Live and Reign with Christ a thousand years and chap. 5 9. 10. it is the Song of the Saints That Christ the Lamb of God hath redeemed them from the Earth by his blood and made them unto God Kings and Priests and they shall reign on Earth and to this time and state do that Phil. 2. 9. 10 11. agree thus amongst the multitude of Scripture testimonies to this great truth have I mentioned some plain full and undeniable testimonies for confirmation that he that runs may read 2. I shall further confirm this truth from Reasonâ— thereof clear Scripture reasons and arguments infallibly drawn from thence 1. It is the great promise of the new Covenant Reason and therefore it must be contained in Gen. 22. 18. And in thy Seed shall all the Earth be blessed compared with Rom. 4. 13 For the promise that he i. e. Abraham should be the Heire of the World was not to Abraham oâ— to his seed through the law but through the righteousness of Faith where Abrahams heirship to the World and the Heirship of all hir spiritual seed i. e. Believers is stated to be not by the Law but by the Covenant of Grace in Christ Jesus who was the Seed to whom the promise was made Gal. 3. 16. and is to be obtained by the righteousness of Faith and the Heirship is exprest to be Heirs of the World both of Christ and Abraham and all the true seed Rom. 4. 16. and by this Scripture that is to say that Abraham and his seed are the heirs of the world may we understand all other Scriptures that speak of the Saints heirship yet not of
till the Kingdom is given up which will be during his Mediatory Office and Work which will not be ended till long after his coming from Heaven to Reign on Earth not till all his enemies be made his footstool for he is now at the right hand of God and so shall be when he cometh in the Clouds of Heaven Mat. 26. 64. Mar. 14. 62. and afterwards so shall continue during his Reign For he must Reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15. 25. And is at his Fathers right hand of power in doing thereof Psal 110. 5 6. 7. Object It seems to be too low for Obj. Christ to come from Heaven from his Fatheâ—s Glory to Reign on Earth it seems too much to derogate from his glory to leave his present state for such a Kingdom and it may seem to derogate from the glory of the Saints to come from Heaven to Reign on Earth Ans 1. As for Christ I say 1. That it is Ans generally and truly believed that he shall come from Heaven to judge the World without any supposition of diminishing of his glory and why any should suppose it to be below his Glory to Reign on Earth any more then to come from Heaven to Judge the World I know not when his Judging work will be one part of his Kingdom 2. If Christ did not think it below him to come in his humiliation and to suffer for hâ—s Church on Earth Phil. 2. 6 7 8. Eph. 5. 25. why should we think it so much to deâ—ogate from his Glory to come from Heaven to Reign with his Church in his Kingdom on Earth especially when the Earth shall be made a glorious habitation 3. It will be so far from derogating from his glory that it is indeed the top of the glory designed as the fruit of his Sufferings and Mediatory Office it is true as to personal glory it cannot be augmented or diminished of what it is but as to the great New Covenant Design in the Restauration as Head of the Church and over all visibly made manifest so it will be the wonderful increase of his Government and Glory which is the glory to be looked for by the Saints Tit. 2. 13. And as for the Deceased Saints to lose their glory in coming from Heaven to Reign on Earth I answer 1. That the Deceased Saints though in a better place and in a better condition then when in the body yet are not in their perfect glory though free from sin and affliction for the spirit was fitted to and for he body and is not in a capacity for the glory of the restored state without the body if it were no need then of the Resurrection and the Apostle saith in vain that we are of all men most miserable if the dead rise not by which our hope of a better life would be frustrate and the Scripture saith That the Souls of those beheaded or slain for the testimony of Jesus cry for vengeance against those that slew them Rev. 6. 9 10. which argueth they are not in such a perfection of glory as is supposed 2. The Scripture saith that they shall come from Heaven without any supposition of diminishing to their glory but rather as a part of their glory 1 Thes 4. 14. Those that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him 3. It will be the Saints Glory to Reign with their Lord and those who believe it look not on it as such an unglorious Estate but triumph in it as their great glory That they shall Reign on Earth Rev. 5. 10. 4. It will no whit derogate from their glory when they shall have the glory of Heaven on Earth the glorious presence of Christ and of Saints and Angels Heaven upon the Earth shall be enjoyed Rev. 21. 1 2 3 4 5. 8. Ob. The Scripture saith that the Saints Obj. shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall ever be with the Lord 1 Thes 4. 17. Which seems to imply that there shall not be such an Earthly Reign as you speak of but rather a going away to Heaven with the Lord. Ans So doubtless they may and must be Ans caught up to fulfill the Scripture which saith the Lord our God will come and all the Saints with him Zech. 14. 15. So that they must be taken up to meet him that they may come with him and that it is not only their Spirits but their bodies raised and united to their spirits that must come with him is evident 1 Thes 4. 14. Those that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him it is the body that sleeps and not the spirit so properly though it intends the whole man body and spirit united will God bring with him so that our meeting the Lord in the air is so far from weakning this truth that it adds to it for we must meet him to come with him 2. The Scripture tells us plainly of Christs coming down upon the Earth with his Saints Joel 3. 11. Zec. 14. 4 5. where is not only the truth asserted but the place named And thus much in answer to the Objections 4. I shall answer some Questions that 4. The questions about it may arise about the whole matter although we may not expect to answer all questions and doubts about it by reason of ignorance for we know but in part and in a very little part too comparatively to the heighth and depth of mystery that is in this new Covenant Restauration it behoves us to believe the truth of the matter though there be many things in it and concerning it that we cannot know till we come to know as we are known till that which is perfect is come yet something brokenly I may offer in the matter 1. Quest When the beginning of this Quest Kingdom of Christ shall be Ans 1. As hath been before shewed it is Ans begun already in the way of grace as a preparative in order to glory 2. He will come in his Kingdom when he cometh from Heaven 2 Tim. 4. 1. he will come in his Kingdom with power and great glory and all his work at and after his appearing shall be the Kingdom work conquering ruling and judging work 2. Quest It s said Rev. 20. 4. That the Quest 2 Saints Lived and Reigned with Christ a thousand years when may we suppose may be the time of the beginning and so of the Period of the 1000 years and how may we reconcile that with those Scriptures that saith that he shall Reign for ever Dan. 7. 14. Luke 1. 33. Ans That Rev. 20. 4. seems to import Ans some particular time of enterance to and period of some particular distinct exercise of his regal power in some distinct manner from what it was before or shall be after the period thereof yet all but one Kingdom though variously and distinctly exercised from its enterance or beginning and probably it doth point out