and authority thereby to bind or to loose to acquit or condemn in his name Mat. 16.19 By this means they had a greater power then Earthly Judges who passe judgment onely upon mens bodies liberty and goods But Christ gave the Apostles power to remit and retain sins Joh. 20.23 and tels them that what they hind or loose on earth is bound and loosed in Heaven Mat. 18.18 The Apostles and their successors were good and faithfull Judges and indued with wisdom directing them to kisse the Son Psal. 2. and were not like Pilate and Herod and other Judges who opposed him Thirdly the Apostles for I will not deny them any their just titles were {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} rulers under Christ Acts 15.22 For Christ is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Ruler Mat. 2.6 and hath his rule and authority as hee is the great Governour above all feeding his people Israel expressed by this title Hence I suppose the Apostles to bee called Princes in all lands or all the Earth Psal. 45.16 for Christ sent them to all Nations They had their attendants who ministred unto and were directed by them These seeing and imitating the courses taken by the Apostles 1 Cor. 4.17 did work the work of God as the Apostles had done 1 Cor. 16.10 What is said of Paul and Barnabas and others Acts. 15.12 was true also of Peter James Matthias Silas Apollos and the rest they all had rule and authority given them by Christ according to their places And what authority Timothy and Titus had wee read in the Epistles wriâ— unto them The witnesses of Jesus Christ and of his Word who did not worship the Beast nor his image neither took his mark in their foreheads nor in their hands they lived and reigned with Christ and sat on the Thrones spoken of Rev. 20.4 and ordered matters in the Christian Church acccording to the direction of Christ the great ruler of the Church Object Before the famous thousand years and the great and terrible day of Christs conquering his enemies and setting up his kingdom Elias must come Mal. 4.5 and restore all things Mat. 17.11 Now Elias is not yet come nor are all things restored nor could the time of Christs incarnation and preaching bee termed a terrible day for it was a most joyfull day Alsted 54. Therefore Christs kingdom is not yet begun Answ. First Christ who had no guile found in his mouth tels the Disciples plainly That Elias was come before him Mat. 17.12 that is John Baptist in the spirit of Elias The Disciples conceived aright that Christ affirmed the Baptist to bee Elias Why then should any doubt of this truth Dr. Alsted might well have seen a figurative speech here as elswhere hee doth when a new State of the old Babels and Edoms spirit is termed Babel and Edom page 44. 53. Secondly the word Nora in Mal. 4. signifies not a day terrible to affright but a day with all diligent and reverend care to bee looked unto Such a day was it when Christ appeared in the flesh and published the Gospel Acts 2.20 a day of much comfort and joy and therefore Joel 2.31 it is called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a glorious day and Nora elswhere is rendred by {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} glorious Deut. 20,21 The Lord did for Israel great and glorious things for such they were to Israel at their comming out of Egypt And hence it is that Joreh Elohim is rendred one that fears God Job 1.1 and that Joseph using the same word saith I fear God Gen. 42.18 not that God was terrible to him but that hee had a filiall and religious fear of the divine Majesty And thirdly if you would know how Iohn Baptist restored all things First tell us how all men beleeved that John Baptist was a Prophet in very deed Mark 11. and how all men honâ—â—red Christ Luke 4.15 And if you answer not your selves wee will assay to find you an answer It must needs bee that all in these and the like places admits some restriction and concerning Iohns performance wee find that all things which he spake of Christ were true Joh. 10.41 That hee told the Publicans and Souldiers and other people their duties Luke 3.12 That the Pharisees and Sadduces and all Ierusalem and the Region round about Iordan were baptized by him Mat. 3.5 His doctrine was repentance for remission of sins and hee prepared the way for Christ by whom all flesh should see the salvation of God Luke 3.3 4 5. and many other matters he preached Now I am assured that no man will conceive that all things absolutely were to bee restored by himâ— for then what need would there bee of one greater then hee to come after him It is enough that hee taught such doctrine as set all matters in order according to Gods will for the approach of Christ the Saviour of mankind But 't is replied Saint Augustine and others say That Elias indeed shall come and restore all things that is confirm the Saints vexed with antichrists persecutions So that Malachies prophecy being once fulfilled in Iohn Baptist yet may a second time hereafter bee fulfilled in some worthy instrument of God Alsted p. 54. Answ I acknowledge Saint Augustine to bee in his time an excellent and bright shining light in Gods Church so other Fathers But I beleeve Christs exposition of Malachi to bee undoubtedly true namely that Iohn Baptist was that Elias spoken of by the last Prophet in the Old Testament and to have appeared in the very porch of the New Testament and that Malachies prophecy was by him perfectly fulfilled Yet because Gods dealings are often alike I say that God who sent Enoch to the Church of old declining Noah to the old World Elias to Israel Iohn Baptist to the Iews become wicked may also send some eminent person or persons to the world neare the end there of who shall give warning of Gods comming to his own people and servants in mercy to his enemies in judgment before the last day Object It is promised That all the ends of the Earth shall bee saved and every knee bow to Christ Esa. 45.22 23. and every tongue confesse unto him Rom 14.11 Phil 2.10 That all Israel shall bee saved Rom 11.26 Mic 2.12 But this hath not yet been performed there was never yet an universall conversion of all Nations nor of all Israel therefore Christs kingdom in which this is to bee fulfilled is not yet come or begun Alsted 89. Arch 11. 28. Glimps 28. Answ The word all in many places of Scripture cannot as was above said bee extended to every particular but must be warily limited It is said that Christ healed every disease Mat 4.23 that hee is a light to every man that is born Job 1.9 That Saint Lukes Gospel was written of all things which Christ had done Acts 1.1 whereas so short a book could not
is the wicked Emperâ—â—â— did persecute the Christian Church untill Constantine ruled which was about the year of Christ three hundred Secondly That Constantine imprisoned Satan that is the wicked Emperours and bound them a thousand years by so setling the government that they could not domineer over the Church as formerly In this time saith hee Antichrist reigned and the Saints lived and reigned with Christ that is embraced the Truth This period of time Rev. 20.2 lasted one thousand years Thirdly That Satan was loosed And then the Turk plagued the Roman Empire three hundred ninty five years that hee likewise vexed the false Church that of Rome and the true Church which began to appear out of the wildernesse in the year one thousand three hundred and forsook Romish superstition and opening her eyes to the truth rose from death by the first resurrection Three hundred years are now past saith hee since this began Further the Turk shall begin to fall in the year one thousand six hundred and fifty and bee quite overthrown in the year one thousand six hundred ninty five Antichrists or the Popes fall is in the year one thousand six hundred eighty six After this the Jews shall bee called and the Gentiles also come into the true Church So that seven hundred years moe being added to the three hundred above the Church shall enjoy happy times and the Gentiles continue in the truth This period of time Rev 20.4 is of years saith hee one thousand These three periods of time extend to two thousand three hundred years How long after the Jews shall continue to embrace the Truth God saith hee hath not revealed nor can any man tell But at length the world shall grow secure and wicked and then Christ will come and put an end to the Saints sufferings and patience and to the malice and misehievous practises of the ungodly against them Some truth is in these passages to it I assent First T is true that the wicked Emperours did persecute the Church untill Constantines time I adde that some of them after his time did also vex the Church T is a truth also that Constantine setled Christian government But not so say I that is continued one thousand years from his time For Rome infected the world with error about one thousand years after Christ I approve also his exposition of Antichrists reigning and of the Saints living and reigning at the same time with Christ But I hold these things not setled by him within their due limits of time T is true that rising from Romish superstition and errour is a first resurrection in some but I adde further that all rising from sin in this life is likewise a first resurrection I grant also that the Turks have much plagued Rome and that both Turks and Popes have don great mischief to the true Church and that their tyranny shall fall in due time But the just year of their fall who can tell Lastly the Jews calling and the Gentiles fuller conversion may justly bee expected and indevoured But Goe teach all Nations expresses a command to us and a duty for them ever from Christs time to the worlds end What more I do approve will appear in other parts of this Discourse with my reasons thereof That many other passages herein are unsound and groundlesse I will particularly shew First Satan himself and not the wicked Emperours his instruments is bound Rev 20.2 And lest any should mistake herein bee that is bound is expresly set forth by four titles the Dragon the old Serpent the Devill and Satan So also Rev 12.9 And secondly bee that is bound is tyed fast from deceiving the Nations Now the old and grand deceiver is Satan himself and Rev 12.9 is called as indeed hee was before Christs time the deceiver of the whole world The Emperours course was by the sword and violent meanes of war not by wiles Whence Revâ— 13.4 the brag is made who can war with the Beast Therefore Satan himself and not the Emperours was bound Secondly if Constantine bound Satan first it may as well bee said that Maxentius a cruel Tyrant Julian the Apostate Maximus and other Arrians Pâ—as the murtherer of his predecessour and other the like wicked Emperours let him loose again Secondly how could Constantine who ruled but thirty years binde Satan a thousand years it must bee Christ who by his Almighty and endlesse power could binde Satan so long a time Thirdly when Satan was cast down from heaven into the earth and Sea Rev 12 which are termed the Abysse in which hee was bound Rev 20. hee gives his power and great autority to the beast Rev 13.2 that is as most Expositors hold the secular power of Rome 1. in the wicked Emperours 2. in the Popes arrogating the same Satan therefore was bound the wicked Emperours were loose Thirdly Satan is not loosed Vntill hee Rev 20. in eminent manner deceive the Nations again whom Christ commanded the Apostles to teach what he commanded This was don about a thousand years after Christ For then darknesse overspread the face of the Church Popes pride exalted it self above all called God and tyrannized over Princes then were superâ—itious â—ites and humane inventions mixed with and preferred before Gods ordinances then nice and Scholastick disputes to little or no edification were agitated and the milk and strong meat of sacred Scriptures neglected Fourthly If the first resurrection bee the bringing of men from Popish errours to truth and a raising them from a sinfull course to an holy life â— qua pridemâ—erant alieni which was not in use with them before as Mr. Brightman sayes on Apoc. 20.5 then may it also bee termed the first resurrection when many thousand Jews and Gentiles were converted from heathenish superstition and Jewish errours and embraced the Gospel in and presently after Christs time This is rather the first resurrection then that in which men abandoned Bomish superstition three hundred years agon in the time of Marâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 John de Ganduno John Wiclif and others as Mr. Brightman would have it Fifthly Suppose it granted that three hundred years are past since popish errours were gainsaid as indeed when ever did any errour manifestly spring but God had his witnesses of truth to oppose it what glound have wee to affirm that some Gentiles shall held the truth seven hundred years moe and the Jews no man knows how long after that By this account the world should endure two thousand three hundred years after Christs time which some learned men deny others will not define nor hath Mr. Brightman any found Argument to prove it If hee urg from Apocalyps 20. the thousand years mentioned for the reigning of the Saints with Christ and then the thousand years before them for Satans binding hee may as well adde a thousand years moe in which the Saints shall bee priests of God and reign also with him For the thousand years are a third time named and by
sayes as to Ezekiel 1 appoint thee a day for a yeare a day for a yeare To him the words are doubled that wee should not mistake In Daniel wee find them not single And must not of our owne heads devise what was never intended 2. The dayes two thousand three hundred in Dan. 8.14 bee properly understood of dayes according to Mr. Brightman and others Why then may not one thousand two hundred dayes Dan. 12.11 be so likewise expounded Reply Dayes one thousand two hundred and sixtie and moneths fortie two in the Revelation expresse a longer time then the bare words import So may the summe here If you say that in the Apocalyps is meant properly so many dayes or moneths you accord with the Papists who hold that Antichrist shall reign but just three years and a half Answ. I know well that Christs servants Rev. 11. witnesse to his truth that the beast Rev. 13.1 rages that the woman clad with the Sun Rev. 12. is preserved in the Wildernesse longer then three years and a half though the limits of their times expressed properly signifie no longer a spade but I say further that phrases and formes of speech in the Revelation have often reference to former matters to which they have some resemblance So Babel and Egypt in the Apocalyps signifie not properly but metaphorically places and States like them for mischiefs done to Gods people and their ruine thereupon So the three years and an halfe of the Saints preaching and persecution is not properly just so long but hath a reference unto Christs preaching and persecution which was in proprietie of speech just so long This is to shew that the Saints case is like Christs and the time not properly but by allusion understood of them So in Scripture the Saints afflictions are called the afflictions of Christ Col. 1.24 and the Saints are said to have {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a share and part of Christs sufferings Phil. 3.10 and to bee {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} partakers of Christs sufferings Heb. 12.8 and to bee {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} comformable and like to Christ Rom. 8.29 and Saint John and other Christians are said to bee companions in tribulation and in the Kingdome of Christ Rev. 1.9 Thus Christ is the great and eminent both Teacher of and sufferer for the truth his servants imitate his actions and are like to him in suffering Such was the course of Christs publick ministery whilst hee lived such must be theirs untill their deaths As hee so they must hold out and continue faithfull in their callings His time was but three years and an half theirs may bee lesse perhaps something more but however it will bee a momentary and short space in regard of the eternall weight of glory which follows it Againe as the seven Churches of Asia some purer some more corrupt some in diverse respects prais-worthy others in as many respects justly to bee blamed shew the state and condition of seventie and more Churches and what Christ hath to say to them in regard of their like obedience or disobedience unto him So the teaching and sufferings of Christ in three yeares and an halfe shew what shall bee the case of his servants in three times three or moe years of their ministry So that time is put for the condition of the time and things done therein As Act. 3.24 The Prophets foretold these times And Esther 1.13 wise men knowing the times that is things done in the times And Christ saith Father keep me from that houre Joh. 12.17 that uphold me in the sorrowes of that houre Thus then you see apparently that I run not into the Papists errour who absurdly bound Antichrists persecution and the Saints sufferings to three years and an half Rome first in its wicked and Idolatrous Emperours secondly in its proud and superstitious Popes hath been an Egypt and a Babel to Gods servants oppressing them these one thousand six hundred years and not barely three years and a half and in all this time God hath had witnesses to his truth The allusion both to the places and the time is most elegant and comfortable They that suffer with Christ shall also reign with him Sixtly If the setling of the dayes one thousand two hundred and ninetie counting them so many years as above bee faultie then Mr. Archers addition of fortie five yeares unto them which are the overplus of one thousand three hundred thirtie five dayes by him counted yeares Dan. 12.12 must also be erroneous Besides Mr. Archer mistakes by making those fortie five years to be a time of great affliction to the Jews For their welfare begins at the end of one thousand two hundred and ninetie dayes when Jerusalems desolation is repaired and the daily sacrifice renewed and a further accesse of happinesse is made unto them fortie five dayes after So that Dan. 12.11 12. speaks of the Jews welfare not of their misery and fits their condition in Antiochus time exactly for about fortie five dayes after Judas Maccabeus had cleansed the Altar and sacrificed thereon Antiochus became extreamly sick and confessed how unjustly he had tyrannized over the Jews 1 Macc. 6.8.9 c. and soon after in the next year died Seventhly Mr. Archer affirmes that Julian was the setter up of the abomination of desolation spoken of Dan. 12.11 Mr. Brightman is of the same opinion on Dan. 12. Admit this to be true then hee must also bee the taker away of the daily sacrifice for both these go together and have the same time asoribed unto them Now Julian was so farre from taking away the Jewish sacrifices that hee indeavoured to set them up and did much countenance the Jeâ—es against the Christians Socrateâ— Eccl. Hist. B. 3. Eighthly there is no reason why Mr. Archer should hold that after dayes or years one thousand two hundred and ninetie Dan. 12.11 the Jews should bee cal'd to Christianitle The Text faith no such thing but tels how the Jews should bee freed from two miseries first from the desolation of Jerusalem secondly from the taking away their daily sacrifiâ—e Seeing these two are the miseries befalling the Jews untill the end of the time there designed they must necessarily fall in the time that sacrifice was lawfull And therefore they must not bee in the daies of Titus or of the Turk Ninthly These learned men swerve from the truth by not making Christ at his being on earth the strong man who bound Satan and gave his Apostles power to tread on the Serpent whose head himself brok and whom hee made as lightning to fall from Heaven so that from the time of Christs Ascension the devill could not prevail to deceive all Nations as before hee had don but was loosed about a thousand years afterward as hath been declared above Tenthly There is not any passage in the Revelation or elsewhere that I know from which it can bee proved that the Papacy
and Earth given him Mat. â—8 18 A Kingdome which lasteth for ever Luke 1.33 And this Kingdome he had at or neare his ascension at which time and a thousand and some hundreth yeares after the Roman Kingdome stood and as some affirme yet stands Therefore the Roman Kingdome is not the fourth Kingdom in Daniel Argum. 2. The fourth Kingdome in Daniel is to bee destroyed before Christs Kingdome to which all Nations and not the Jews onely are to submit Dan. 7.14 not before a Kingdome of a thousand yeares as some conceit yet to come begins But the Roman Kingdome was not destroyed before Christs Kingdom began to which all Nations were to submit for it began about the time when Christ sent to all Nations to obey what hee commanded Maâ— 28.20 At which time and thence to this present the Roman Kingdome continues Therefore the Roman Kingdome is not Daniels fourth Kingdome Argum. 3. If the fourth Beast Dan. 7. expresses the Roman Kingdom then the Beast Rev. 13.1 to the 11. sets forth the very same Kingdome and not one like thereunto For most Exposisitors hold and that aright that that Beast Rev. 13.1 sets forth the Roman Kingdom But the Beast Rev. 13.8 to the 11 verse expresses not the very same bnt a like Kingdome to the foure Kingdomes Dan. 7. Therefore the fourth Beast Dan. 7. expresses not the Roman Kingdom That the Beast Rev. 13.1 to 11. expresses not the very same but a like Kingdome to the foure Kingdomes Dan. 7. I thus prove The chiefe mysticall and figurative termes in the Revelation having reference to something in the Old Testament expresso some new matter like the Old and not the same with the Old But the Beast Rev. 13.1 hath in the figurative and mysticall termes thereof reference to the Old Testament namely to the foure Beasts Dan. 7. Therefore that Beast Rev. 13.1 expresses not the very same but a like Kingdome to those foure in Dan. 7. What â—asfirmed of the chiefe mysticall and figurative termes in the Revelation is evident For Egypt Babylon the New Jerusalem the Wildernesse Paradise Manna and other the like termes expresse new matters like the old and not the same And that there is a manifest reference of that Beast Rev. 13.1 to the foure beasts Dan. 7. is most manifest For In Dan. 7. The 1. Beast is a Lion 2. A Beare 3. A Leopard 4. A Beast with ten horns The Beast Rev. 13.1 Hath 1. A mouth like a Lion 2. Feet like a Beare 3. A body like a Leopard 4. It hath ten hornes And as the foure Beasts Dan. 7. have seven Heads The Lion one the Bear one the Leopard foure and the fourth Beast one So the Beast Rev. 13.1 Hath seven Heads Thus the reference is most evident Answ. To this Argument is answered Bee it granted that Christs providentiall Kingdome over all things and his spirituall Kingdome over his Church were administred by him when hee lived upon earth yea even from the beginning of the world and shall continue unto the worlds end Yet his Monarchicall Kingdome in which hee shall govern and raigne as earthly Monarchs have done universally over the world is not yet begun Mr. Archer Replicat Christ in his Kingdome above mentioned is the most absolute King and Monarch that ever was is or shall bee and you much debase and vilify him and his Kingdome in comparing it and counting it inferiour to earthly Monarchies and Kingdoms For they rose out of the Sea or Earth Dan. 7.3 17. Rev. 13.1 11. But Christs Kingdome is set up by the God of Heaven and is often called the Kingdome of Heaven in the Gospel Christ is the Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.43 and therefore is above all Joh. 3.31 The kingdoms of other States were destroyed Dan. 2.44 But Christs kingdome is everlasting and can never bee destroyed Dan. 7.27 Other great kingdomes of the world ruled over one hundred twenty seven Provinces or the like But Christ is to have all Nations to serve him Psal. 72.11 Even the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession Psalme 2.8 In all things Christ hath the preheminence And therefore Christ at the time mentioned was a more absolute Monarch then any King ever was is or shall bee and had a lawfull authority to give out his commission for all Nations to be taught to observe his commands Mat. 28.20 But to come close up to the Point Thus I argue Argum. 1. When Herod Pilaâ—e and the Jewish Rulers rose up against Jesus Christ God set him up to bee his King on Mount Sion his holy Mountaine and gave him so eminent a Kingdome that to it all Kings Judges and people must submit or else bee crusht with an iron Scepter Psal. 2. Act. 4.26 27. Pnt Herod Pilate and the Jews rulers rose up against Jesus Christ one thousand five hundred and moe yeares agon This is undeniable Therefore God set up Christ his King on Sion his holy mountaine and gave him a Knigdome so eminent as above one thousand five hundred and moe yeares agon What ever men conceive Wâ—e must to the Law and testimony to the sacred authority of Scripture and seeing wee have good ground thence so to doe wee may and doe averre that notwithstanding worldly potentates not subtle reasonings onely but mighty oppositions also aganst Christ God set him up King on mount Sion and laughed to scorn the vain and frustrate designes of his Adversaries agents for and friends of Rome the then most potent Kingdome on Earth So that it must bee granted that Christs Kingdom then set up was more powerfull then Romes which to this very day never could though assisted by the Gates of Hell either by might or policy prevaile against Christs Kingdome Argum. 2. Christ in St. Johns time was the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 had all things given him by his Father Luke 10.22 All power in Heaven and Earth Mat. 28.18 before his ascension so that hee was the head of the Church his body and in place farre above all principality power and Domination and every title and name that is named not in this world onely but in the world to come Ephes. 1.21 22. Therefore at Christs being here on earth or neere unto that time he had an absolute and boundlesse Soveraignty farre above all Monarchs and Kings that heretofore lived or ever shall hereafter For though many of them had very large Dominions and great prosperity both in Peace and Warre and subdued and vassalled many other Kings to their Scepters yet none of them had all power in heaven and earth committed into their hands by God They were not capable of such honour nor fit to be intrusted with so great a charge Chap. III. The Answer to many Objections of sever all Divines who would provetha Christs famous Kingdome is not yet begun T Is sufficiently above proved that Christs eminâ—nt Kingdome was long since begun yet against this truth as against
his Ascension hee did not bring under all the earth and haughtinesse of people that is Kingly power that he alone might be exalted Esa. 2.11 17. Archer p. 22 c. Answ. Christ was the Stone Dan. 2.25 which did strike break and destroy the foure kingdomes there mentioned and was avenged of them for their pride and Idolatry which are the sinnes for which God threatens in Esay As God in his due time punished those foure Kingdomes so when Romes sins were come to ripenesse hee spared iâ— not For hee tooke peace from the earth and left the Roman forces to kill one another Rev. 6.4 And for being drunke with the blood of God people when her sinnes come in remembrance before God bee is fully to bee rewarded and at length to bee left desolate and burnt with fire Rev. 17. 18. How Christ at the comming to his Kingdome was and is exalted above all I have formerly declared how Christian Kings are his substitutes and nursing fathers of the Church See Esa. 49.23 60.3.11 c. Object Antichrist hath set up himself as Lord and God and prescribed Laws to the consciences of men so that Christ hath been cast out of his Throne and to this day hath raigned little outwardly The Devill himself in regard of multiplicity of Subjects is a greater King then hee For the greatest part of the world is beathen Antichristian or â—isked Glimps p. 9 10. Answ. Anitichrist hath indeed magnified himselfe as much as possibly hee could and attempted to throw Christ out of his Kingdome But Christs Throne abides firm for ever and ever Heb. 1.8 Antichrists Babel fals but of Christs Kingdome there shall bee no end Bâ—ke 1.33 And though the Devill hath many moe Subjects then Christ if you account the faithfull alone to bee Christs Subjects and the rest the Devils yet if you judg aright you shall finde that Christ hath moe subjects then the Devill and that Christs power over all is greater then the Devils For even the Devill himselfe and all his Subjects as you call them are at Christs command and if they doe any good 't is by their true â—orde exciting them and evill neither can they nor the Devill their Lord by usurpation doe except Christ permit them Besides every faithfull Servant of God and subject of Christ is as deare to God as the apple of his eye is as David Zach. 12.8 worth tenthousand of the Devils Vassals If the least in the kingdom of Heaven bee greater then John Baptist how much more pretious to God is any true Christian then millions of Reprobates Object Kings have their royall Thrones their Palaces their Attendants they appeare many wayes both in these and other matters what and how great they are Now what I pray you was there in Christ formerly answerable to the glory power and Majesty of some mean Kings in the world in these times Answ. If you will further urge to a comparison between Christ and Earthly Kings I doubt not but that you will easily discern your misprision For what Kings palace and Throne on Earth is comparable to Christs which is in Heaven 1 King 9.27 Psal. 11.40 VVhat Kings Attendants and messengers like in fidelity agility strength and observance to the Spirits holy Angels who are at Christs command Kings have their potent and puissant Hosts but infinitely inferiour to Christs Hosts that is all Creatures in Heaven and Earth far unlike to the thousand thousands that minister unto Christ and ten thousand thousands that stand before him Dan. 7.10 God gives to Kings great Majesty and glory Dan. 5.18 But Christs glory is above all Principalities and powers and all names of created excellency and into his hands God hath given all things Ephes. 1.21 Job 13.3 16.15 Kings send their Edicts to the utmost parts of their Dominions but Christ to all parts of Heaven and Earth Kings command their Officers and have them responsable for their services but Kings themselves are Christs Vicegerents and must bee countable to him for all Christs laws are most heavenly most perfect far surpassing all humane inventions The honours that any one receives from his King are but mean and momentary in regard of the honours which God â— gives Kings can punish the bodies of their Subjects with prison and death but God can cast both their soules and bodies into the lake of fire and brimston Kings stand in need and make use of their Subjects help and advise but Christ nor needs nor will use his subjects counsel and will use though hee needs not their services VVhat should I say more Christ in all things doth {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} not onely surpasse all that is in Kings but even all that can be spoken or conceived of them So great then is the glory and Majesty of Christ that the Moon may bee abashed and the Sun ashamed take the speech literally or else figuratively for Princes and such as they lend their light unto when Christ raigns on mount Sion and shews his power to bee above all created might whatsoever The Sun never saw any King doe such wonderfull workes as Christ here on Earth did effect If some subject bee ignorant of a Kings Majesty and eminency it is because his meannesse hath not accesse to the Court nor converse with such as can inform him but a good christian cannot but know Christs kingly glory and highnesse For though hee cannot approach that light and Majesty in which Christ now is yet may hee search the Scriptures which in excellent manner discover the same so far as it pleased the holy Spirit to describe them or is needfull for us to know Object But Christ himself saith My Kingdome is not of this World Therefore there was some power and royalty which was either denyed Christ or which hee would not take upon him Answ. A Kingdome may bee said to bee of this world in two respects First because the administration of it is by humane and worldly means and tends to worldly ends as namely to get a large extent of wordly Dominion a glorious name among men abundance of earthly matters and there is terminated In this sense not Christs but Alexanders and the Caesars kingdoms were of this world Secondly because it is so administred that Men conversing in this world may thereby take notice of Christ use the things of this world in an heavenly manner have on earth a conversation as it were in Heaven each man in his severall calling and place of worldly employment serve God and advance his kingdom of grace in this world and so submit themselves to Christs government here that they may bee heires of glory in a better world Such a kingdom Christ both had and hath in and over this world such a kingdom hee affirmed himself to bee born unto And as Christ governs this world and all things therein in ordine ad câ—lestia with reference to the world to come so Moses who
Chap 20. In Chap 12. there is no mention of these matters at all M Mede Clavis Apoc. part 2. Synch 4. Answ. First in generall I answer the same thing is often in the Revelation expressed in a different manner As namely first Christ Rev 1. appeares to St. John in Patmos after a glorious manner amidst the seven golden Candlesticks In Chap 5. hee appears on a Throne in the midst of twenty four Elders as a Lamb that had been slain And Chap 6.2 hee is seen on a white Horse armed and crowned and riding with conquest Secondly usually when divers visions run upon one matter in the Revelation what is omitted or not so clearly expressed in one is more fully and plainly opened in another that so the whole matter intended may result from the severall visions compared together Hence Rev 1.7 the godly comming to the knowledg of Christ crucified for their sins lament and waile But Chap 12.12 upon Christs conquest over Satan they rejoyce And Chapter 15.2 3. they harp and sing as Moses and Israel having passed safe thorow the red Sea in which the Egyptians were drowned M. Mede himself grants that divers visions in the Apoc. do relegere run over again and expresse one and the same thing in a different manner Clavis Apoc part 2. Proem So Mr. Brightman on Apoc 11.1 Many Expositors unanimously agree herein Secondly in particular I answer Christ is the Angell of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 That came down from heaven Joh. 6.38 Apoc. 20.1 Hee being on Earth and the chief Ruler of the Heaven on earth that is his Church This exposition I have above confirmed hee I say I fought with Satan 2 conquered him 3 excluded him from heaven 4 cast him into the earth and Sea This Christ doth under the name of Michael Chap. 12. His fighting with and conquest over Satan intimates that the Dragon was taken and as a captive of most malice bound fast shut up and chained The casting of the Dragon into the Earth and Sea and his exclusion from heaven fully expresse his binding and confining to the bottomlesse pit How Earth and Sea are answerable to the Abysse or bottomlesse pit I have formerly shewed Evident it is that these bee forms of speech which humanitus loquendo after the manner of men set forth one and the same thing namely Gods restraining Satan And hence it appears how the twelve and twenty Chapters in divers manner and somewhat different notions expresse the same restraint of Satan and how each Chapter helps to the more clear understanding of the other Many good Expositors judge them so to do Object Satan was not bound in the time of the six former Seals and six former Trumpets For in the time of the six former Seals hee was in Bâ—â—tail with Michael and when Michael had overcome him then only arose the ten horned Beast out of the Sea and bad Satans power and Throne given him which hee exercised against the Church Then also Satan cast a floud of water out of his mouth to overwhelm the woman and prepared to war with the rest of the womans children Therefore Satan was not bound in the time of the six former Seals and in the beginning of the Trumpets time And in Trumpet five is not Satan loose It the Angel of the bottomlesse pit called Abaddon and Apollyon any other but Satan who was cast down from heaven by Christ For none other in all the Apocalyps fell down from heaven to the Earth nor can the title there used well sit any other However Satan was not then bound not the pit shut and sealed but open for out of it a smoak issued c. Chap. 9.2 And out of the mouth of the Dragon the Beast and false Prophet came unclean Spirits of Devils Apo. 16.13 How then is Satan bound in all this time Mr. Mede Clav. Apoc. part 2. Synch 4. Answ. Vnder seal one which Mr. Mede makes rightly to bee at or near the beginning of the Apocalypticall times Christ appears a Conquerer and goes on more and more to conquer And whom here did hee conquer but his grand adversary the Devil For Christ risen from death sat on Gods right hand was about all principalities and powers and had all things under his feet Ephes. 1.20 and therefore the Dovils also among the rest Nor is it possible that any created power can so long as Miâ—Medâ— holds maintain a combate with Christ When he pleases do â—ake all Dominion into his hand and make all powers subject to himself It hath been proved above that Satan at or near Christs Resurrection and Ascension was bound by Christ Then Satan being shut up gave his power to the Beast with ten horns Rev. 13.1 2. that is to the Roman secular power which began its tyranny in the primitive times and continued it against the Christians many years And therefore this Beast began not his devilish persecution many hundreth years after St. Johns time upon the end of the sixth Seal as Mr. Mede holds And whereas it is said that Satâ—mâ—ast a flood of water after the woman the speech is metaphoricall as is that of the Abysse or Sea into which Satan was cast and intimates that Satan going to prison himself raised what waves of trouble hee could against the woman And whereas He formerly stood before the woman to devour her child Apoc. 12.4 his mischief was prevented and himself was cast into the Earth and Sea or Abysse and thither {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} hee went Verse 17. yet by the ten horned Beast Rev 13. Vicarius ejus his Deputy Mr. Mede Clav. Apâ—part 2. Synch 4. invested with his great power He made war with them that dwell in Heaven or the Church Rev 13.6 7. which had the Festimony of Jesus Christ Rev. 12.17 What was done by the authority of the Devill may bee said to bee done by himself So what was done in Baptism by Christs autority is said to bee done by Christ whereas not Christ but the Apostles did Baptize Joh 4.1 So Solomon is rightly said to build the Temple which his Subjects built by his autority direction and charge To the second part of the objection I answer 'T is not materiall whether Satan bee at the fifth Trumpet loosed or no His Deputy hath seope enough to doe mischief though hee bee imprisoned Stars are the Angels of the Churches Rev. 1. and a star faln from Heaven here denotes the Bishops of Rome who before were bright and shining stars in the Church but at length by the height of their pride and their declining to herefie fell to the earth This hath the assent of many learned Expositors To the Bishops of Rome thus fallen was permitted by God and given by Satan {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} imports both as if need bee shall bee proved the key of the bottomlesse pit They having Satans power and depths of crast for lying signes and wonders as the ten horned Beast
CHRISTS KINGDOME ON EARTH Opened according to the Scriptures Herein is examined What Mr. Th. Brightman Dr. J. Alstede Mr. I. Mede Mr. H. Archer The Glympse of Sions Glory and such as concurre in opinion with them hold concerning the thousand years of the Saints Reign with Christ And of Satans binding Herein also their Arguments are answered Imprimatur Ia. Cranford Feb. 12. 1644. LONDON Printed by Ric. Cotes for Stephen Bowtell and are to bee sold at his shop at the signe of the Bible in Popes-head Alley 1645. Christian Reader DIvers are the Causes of Error in Religion Many there are who will not rest content with necessary and saving truths others are misled by Enthy siasms and their own private spirit some erre by reason of the weaknesse of their judgments and not attending to them that can better informe them but above all what Christ said to the Jews was and ever will bee true men erre not knowing the Scriptures Admit will some say what you affirme to bee most true in the generall temper of the now d sordered world you may not lay these imputations on such whom you undertake to answer they were men learned moderate cautelous well-studied in Scriptures It is granted but the best may erre and therefore let us search the Scriptures as did the Bereans and try whether side in these points maintain the truth Dr. Alstede was a man of vast comprehension but had many Irons in the fire Mr. Brightman I leave to Dr. Coopers judgement who sayes that pretending to give us a Revelation of the Revelation hee hath set forth an Obscuration thereof Mr. Mede was my worthy and learned friend but not to bee preferred before truth Mr. Archer was held to bee a pious and good Christian if hee bee not the Author of the Book in his name let him beare the blame that fathered it upon him who should bee the penman of the Glympse I know not With none of these deale I farther then they are ingaged in this dispute What I cite out of Dr. Alstede is from the English Edition more parable now then the Latin What I crave of you good Reader is this that you would read without prejudice examine each matter throughly and judge impartially Yours in all Christian Offices of love to be commanded T. HAYNE The Contents of this Treatise Chap. I. WHether Christs Kingdom on Earth bee yet begun or not The Question sttated The Affirmative proved Page 1. Chap. II. The chiefe and common Argument produced against my Tenent answered and confuted p. 4. Chap. III. The answer to many Objections of the Divines who endeavour to prove that Christs famous Kingdom is not yet begun p. 9. Chap. IV. Mr. Th. Brightmans judgment of the Times in Daniel and the Apocalyps particularly examined and refuted p 34. Chap. V. Dr. J. Alsteds and Mr. H. Archers and others account and Arguments about the same Times propounded and refuted p. 38. Chap. VI The Arguments and authorities from the Rabbins urged by Mr. Mede on Rev. 20. answered p. 54. Chap. VII Objections out of Rev. 21. and 22. cleared by other Scriptures and answered p. 66. Chap. VIII Whether the binding of Satan for a thousand years Rev. 20. be already past The question stated p. 71. Chap. IX The famous and notable binding of Satan Rev. 20. is already past p. 72. Chap. X. Objections answered whereby it will further appear that the eminent binding of Satan is already past p. 74. Some faults escaped are thus to be amended PAge 9. Line 10. read as is p. 121. 16. r. of Gods p. 15 1. 13. r. crucifâ—e him p. 16. 〈◊〉 thousand years p. 23. 1. 5. r. any whosoever p. 25. 1. 15. r. a peace which p. 31. 〈◊〉 assâ—ctions p. 43. 1. 29. r. a time p. 44. 1. 25. r. â—xtie dayes p. 47. 1. 1. r. Dan. 7.8 is not Antichrist p. 48. 1. 29. r. dayes and nineâ—e p. 49. 1. 36. that is uphold p. 54. 〈…〉 p. 55. 1. 28. r. â—ude 14. p. 53.1.12 r. did and will p. 64. 1. last r. Coch notes on p. 66 1.â— r. is 〈◊〉 p. 70. 1. 27. r. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} p. 75 â— â— r. up in the p. 77. 1. 16. r. tweâ—ft-twentieth and 1. 28. r. hst p. 85.1.3 blot out so CHRISTS KINGDOME on Earth opened according to the SCRIPTURES Chap. I. Whether Christs Kingdome be yet begunne or not The Question stated The affirmative proved THat we may rightly set downe the state of the Question and cleerely deliver the truth concerning Christs Kingdome frequently mentioned in Scripture wee must know That God is omnipotent the fountaine and originall of all power and dominion That his kingdome is ever lasting and throughout all ages Psal. 145.13 That his Throne is in heaven Psal. 105.19 And that he rules not in Jacob onely but even to the ends of the world Selab Psal. 59.13 We must also observe concerning Jesus Christ That by him the world was made Joh. 1.3 That whatsoever the Father doth the same doth the Sonne also Joh. 5.19 And that the Throne of the Son of God our Saviour is for ever and ever Heb. 1.8 So that in regard of the Soveraigne power and dominion of Christ it is undoubtedly true that at all times hee rules hath an absolute Kingdome in the World and doth whatsoever pleaseth him Psal. 135.6 The rules and Laws of this Kingdome are delivered to Gods people in the Scripture and Christ according thereunto continues the administration thereof on Earth untill at the end of the World hee comes againe to the last judgement and then hee delivers up this his Kingdome as a faithfull Governour of the same to his Father 1 Cor. 15.24 And ever afterward sits in the Throne of his Father Rev. 3.21 that is in Heaven which is Gods Throne Mat. 5.34 Acts 7.49 Of this extent is Christs Kingdome yet in regard that God hath sometimes permitted Satan and wicked men in extraordinary manner to domineere and exercise their worldly and ungodly power And that at other times hee hath made his owne Soveraignty by remarkable mercies and judgments in more especiall manner to appeare God and Christ upon this more glorious expression of their over-ruling might are then especially said to have a Kingdome and to Reigne because in such times their glory and Majesty doth more manifestly shew it self Exod. 15.18.1 Sam. 12.12 Obad. 21. Apoc. 12.10 and elswhere Indeed the World were its eye-sight cleare might well discern Gods power to bee above all in many lesse matters but especially When hee removes some Kings and sets up others Dan. 2.21 4.14 VVhen Babels eminent Monarchy was pull'd down by the Medes and Persians Esa. 13.17 The Medes and Persians Might queld by the Grecians Dan. 7.7 21. The Grecian Domiâ—ion broken and divided between the foure chiefe Captaines of Alexander Dan. 11.4 And then againe subdivided by two of Alexanders Captaines the one in the South the other in the North of Judea
Dan. 11. Who battered one another untill they bad no more strength then the two leaâ— of the image part of iron part of clay Dan. 2.41 42. But so dull is man of understanding that in these Kingdomes earthly spleâ—dor and glory obvious to the eye is admired and Cyrus and Alexanders great prowesse highly extold but Gods indulging and advancing their Empires though very discernible by an attentive and heedfull minde is passed over and unregarded But in this very case God hath not left himself without witnesse but tels us both how Josuab was famous through the World for his victories Josh. 6.27 The Heathen people could mark that And tels how also it was God who sought for Israel Iosh. 10.42 This many could not so well observe Scripture also declares how Babel the glory of Kingdomes doth fall by the Medes Es. 13 17. and how also it was the hand of God that overthrew the might of that Kingdome Esa. 14.22 Suppose the world negligent to observe Gods power and goodnesse in these and the like passages can it possibly be so blind so regardlesse when the Sonne of God was incarnate come to undoe the works of the Devill shewed his power by many miracles and wrought mans salvation and divulged the same to all people VVee must needs see what is so often iterated that then the Kingdome of God was at band yea was come to the people then living and that whosoever submitted thereunto was a subject of that Kingdome 'T is true that Satan in those times brag'd that all the Kingdomer in the World were his owne and it is evident that hee had long domineered among the Heathen and usurped power over the Jews and vassalled them in great part to his pleasure Yet by Christs casting out Devils out of many persons possessed by his conquest over Satan at his death by his giving his Disciples power to tread on Serpents and Scorpions and power over the enemy it clearely appeares that the kingdome power and glory as the Church confesses Rev. 4. 5. is truly his and that hee is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev 19.16 The wise men were by God directed to esteem Christ a King though found in a manger Pilate adjudging to death the Lord of life yet resolutely gave him his due stile and Christ himselfe denyed not but witnessed the truth that hee was a King and born so to be Iob. 18.37 This Kingdome Christ began to expresse and make known while hee lived here on earth VVe can not but confesse it when wee consider that hee commanded windes waves diseases devils that hee conquered death and aseended to his Throne in heaven and yet hath his Throne of power in his Church Apoc. 5.6 and hath been is and will bee with the Apostles and their Successors alwayes even to the end of the world Mat. 28.20 Hee is said Apoc. 6. To bee crowned as a King and on a white horse to ride forth conquering and to conquer And therefore the great and famous Kingdome of Christ that mentioned in Dan. 2.44 Dan. 7.13 Psal. 2. hath already long since begun now is and ever will continue and is not as most Jews and some Christians too sarre herein consenting to that deceived Nation affirm hereafter to take its beginning much lesse is it to bee a Kingdome of a thousand years continuance and no more That Christs Kingdom is long since begun thus I punctually prove by these Arguments Argument 1. The destruction of Jerusalem and its Sanctuary was acted a thousand and some hundred yeares agon about the yeare of Christ 73. But Jesus Christ was to bee the Messias or annointed Prince before the desirâ—ction of Jerusalem and its Sanctuary Dan. 9.25 26. Therefore Jesus Christ was the Messias or annointed Prince a thousand and some hundreth yeares agon And is not now to begin that Kingdome Argum. 2. Princes upon or presently after their being declared to be annointed Princes begin their Kingdome Scripture and common experience confirm this But it was declared that Jesus Christ was the Messias the annointed Prince before the end of the seventy weeks Dan. 9.24 25 26. which no Expositor extends further then the destruction of Jerusalem and that was one thousand five hundred yeares agon Therefore Jesus Christ began his Kingdome before the end of the seventy weeks one thousand five hundred yeares agon and is not now to begin it Argum. 3. No good and lawfull King sends out his commands and requires them to bee obeyed before hee hath begun his Kingdome But Christ sent out his commands and required obedience to them at his being here upon Earth one thousand five hundred yeares agon Mat. 28.20 Therefore his Kingdome then began and is not hereafter to begin Chap. II. The chiefe and common Argument produced against my Tenent answered and confuted AGainst the Tenent above confirmed this Objection is commonly made Christ comes not to that his Kingdome in Daniel untill the fourth Kingdome in that propbesie bee destroyed Dan. 7.11 13.14 27. But the fourth Kingdome in Daniel is that of the Romans which is yet in being Therefore that Kingdome of Christ is not yet begun Answ. In speech of foure great Kingdomes without reference to Daniels propheâ—ie the Babylonian Kingdome is the first the Medes and Persians make the second the Grecians is the third and the Romans is rightly counted the fourth But if question bee about the foure great Kingdomes in Daniel Alexander the Great and his foure chiefe Captaines who after his death were made Kings of severall Nations and were more famous then the rest are the third Kingdome in Daniel Afterward Seleâ—cus Nicator King of Syriâ— and Ptolomie Lagides King of Egypt and their posterity became potent for a long time above all other Kings They being two and endeavouring by marriage to agree in one and by their frequent dissentions much molesting the Jews whose Country did lie between Syria and Egypt make the fourth Kingdome in Daniel expressed by the two legs of iron with feet part of iron part of clay and by the fourth beast Dan. 7. which was more savage and cruell to the Jews then the three former Kingdomes That the Kings of Syria and Egypt are the fourth Kingdome in Daniel is averred and suâ—hciently proved by these learned skilfull and most diligent searchers into the sacred Text Namely Fr. Junius Im. Tremelius H. Broughton Robert Rollocke Am. Polanus And. Willet Is Genius Joh. Borelius Joh. Scharpius Joh. Woolebius Mr. Diodate and some others That their judgement is sound and good and that the Romans bee not the fourth Kingdome in Daniel I thus prove Argument 1. The fourth Kingdome in Daniel was to be destroyed before God gave Christ the great and most eminent and everlasting Kingdome and Dominion Dan. 7.11 13 14 27. But the Romane Kingdome was not destroyed before God gave Christ the great most eminent and everlasting Kingdome and Dominion mentioned Dan. 7. For Christ had all power in Heaven
began in the year four hundred and six T is true that about this time Constantine left Rome and made Constantinople his royall Seat but the Bishop and Church of Rome did not then so apostate and degenerate from what they had been that grosse popery and Antichristianism may bee laid to their charg Constantine who erected Churches placed new Bishops in them countenanced other good Bishops already placed so held his Imperiall autority and Vicegerency under Christ that the Bishop of Rome never in his time exalted himself above the royall Scepter or challenged an universall autority over all Churches There were faultâ— in Churches and errours in Bishops and teachers before Constantines time and in it But wee see by Christs judgment upon the seven Churches in Asia Rev. 2. and 3. that some faults and errours do not presently unchurch a people as rank Popery and Antichristianism doe Eleventhly If the ten Kings received their kingdom Apoc. 17.12 and imployed their power in oppressing the Church together with the beast namely the persecuting Emperours then they received that their power from the Câ—sars long before the year four hundred and six And if it bee meant of receiving their power from the Popes it is manifest that they submitted not their necks nor took their Scepters from the Popes untill many years after four hundred and six namely untill about the year of Christ one thousand and odde Herein therefore Mr. Archers ground-work fails him Twelfthly How can the year one thousand two hundred and sixty bee attributed to the Pope alone Suppose so many years given to the warring Beast Rev. 13.4 5. that is the Emperours which make the sixth head and theâ— ruled in Saint Johns time I finde nor the like time ascribed to the beast with two horns or to any particular type whereby the Popes alone are expressed Mr. Brightman holds the beast Rev. 13.1 not to bee the Emperours or civill State of Rome but the Popes because the Imperiall State was risen before St. Johns time and Christ shewed to Saint John matters onely which were to bee don after the giving of those visions Rev. 4.1 To this I Answer Christ did shew St. John matters which for the most part were to bee don after the Vision Rev. 4. But hee shewed him also first some things absolutely don and past as namely five of the heads of the Beast seen by John were faln and gon Rev. 17.11 Christ appeared to him as a Lamb that had been stain Rev. 5.6 This was don long before that vision And secondly some things shewed to John were formerly in part fulfilled and were yet more and more to bee fufillled in and after his time As these God doubtlesse before sat gloriously upon his Throne as hee is said to sit Rev. 4.2 The Elders namely John himself and the other Apostles and the whole Church of God before Johns Visions ascribed praise honour glory c. to the Lamb as they doe Rev. 4. 5. The New Jerusalem spoken of Rev. 21.10 was before Mother of the beleeving Galatians and other Christians Gal. 4.26 Heb. 12.22 I might instance in diverse other the like passages Observe this well or els Mr. Brightman will by a false fire mislead you in diverse other matters Thirteenthly Mr. Archer and some others though they decline the grosse millenary opinion of one thonsand years victory pleasure Joviality yet in ascribing to their refined thousand years plenty of all things without sin and making the Martyrs raised from death partakers thereof c. palpably as I conceive mistake For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink nor which is consequent other matters lesse necessary And to what end should the bodies of the Martyrs and Saints raised up immortall and glorified such they are described to bee 1 Cor. 15. live again on earth to make use of such poor accommodations and not rather enjoy glory and immortality in heaven for which the resurrection fits them as it did Christ risen from the dead and ascending into heaven Fourteenthly See how they jar and differ in their judgment Mr. Brightman to the summe three hundred and sixty in Julians time addes the one thousand two hundred and ninty in Dan. 12.11 and the forty five years more there in verse 12. and saies that the Turks power will bee extinct in the yeare one thousand six hundred ninty five to which summs those numbers doe amount Mr. Aâ—cher from three hundred sixty six and the other summes saies that in the year one thousand seven hundred the thousand years begin Dr. Alstede to the year ninty six in which saith hee Jerusalem fell addes the same one thousand two hundred and ninty and one thousand three hundred thirty five and affirms that the thousand years Apoc. 20 end in the year two thousand six hundred ninty four which Mr. Brightman ends about the year one thousand three hundred Mr. Archer to the year four hundred and six when saith hee the Papacy began addes the one thousand two hundred and sixty Apoc. 11.3 and 12.6 And tels us that the Papacy falls in the year one thousand six hundred sixty six Mr. Brightman from the same summes and an addition of years for the heads cure which Apoo. 13 was wounded which cure some others that think themselves Surgeons not inferior to him little thought of makes the Pope-doms fall to bee in the year one thousand six hundred eighty six See his Comment on Apoc. 13.5 Hereby it appears what liberty is taken to dispose of these Propheticall accounts of time rather according to humane fancy then clear evidence of Scripture whence their opinions become different and leave us more uncertain and unresolved then when wee consulted them except wee will confide and relie more on mens persons then on their proofs and arguments In opinions thus disagreeing it necessarily follows that some of them bee faulty and t is not improbable their grounds beeing so sandy and weak that all of them may bee false What Reasons I have here alledged to disprove them I humbly submit to the censure of such as are judicious in these matters Chap. VI The Arguments and autorities from the Rabbins brought by Mr. Mede on Rev. 20. answered MR. John Mede on Rev. 20. produceth diverse reasons for his opinion about the thousand years And thus first hee argues Gorists kingdom is joyned with his appearance to judge the quick and the dead 2 Tim. 4.1 But at Christs last appearing to judg the quick and the dead he is so sarre from beginnâ—ing a new kingdom that bee delivers up the kingdom to his Father That kingdom therefore which neither shall bee before the appearance of the Lord nor after the last resurrection is necessarily between them And this kingdom is said to bee for one thousand years Rev. 20. Answ. Saint Paul sayes not that Christs Kingdom was not before his appearing to judg the quick and the dead and Mr. Mede himself grants That Christ long before had a crown given
him and rode firth conquering and to conquer Rev. 6.2 This hee judges to bee in the beginning of the Apocalypticall times And that it was so I have above proved In the latter end of his Kingdom Christ makes an absolute conquest over the beast and â—alse Prophet and casts them into the fiery Lake and brings all men to judgment and then delivers up his Kingdom of governing and defending his Church in this world to his Father And they reign together eternally with the Saints in a setlâ—d and blessed estate Secondly I conceive the terms at his appearing and in or at his kingdom to bee in sense at his manifest appearing to bee the great King And that the form of speech is duobus pro uno positis by putting two expressions for one So Thunders and voices Rev. 8.5 are put for thundring or loud voices as both Mr. Mede and Mr. Brightman expound that place The reason why I thus understand it is because Christ ever truly the great King then appears manifestly to bee the great King indeed by an absolute conquest over the Churches enemies and by over-comming death and by bringing as the great and onâ—y King the whole world to judgement Object In Dan. 7.9 and Rev. 20.4 Thrones are said to bee set up and judgment given to the Saints who are said to judg the world 1 Cor. 6.2 and the Saints to obtain the Kingdom that is to live and reign with Christ Besides in Dan. 7.13 14. and Luk. 21.24 it is said That Christ shall appear in the clouds of heaven and have power glory and kingdom given him so that all people Nations and languages shall serve him and that these things shall come to passe when the times of the Gentiles shall come to an end That is when the little born Dan. 7.11 namely Antichrist is overthrown Therefore Christs glorious Kingdom and the Saints reign with him takes not place untill the Popedom bee ruined Answ. In Dan. 7.9 the Thrones that is those of the four beasts are said to bee so our new translation hath it cast down and the Antient of daies to sit on his Throne Hee gives judgement to the Saints that is on their party or inables them to maintain their party against the little horn that domineered over them before for a time times and half a time The Saints therefore in those daies after Antiochus his armies were defeated set up Gods worship again 1 Macc. 4. and maintained their cause against the body of the fourth Beâ—st which was then hornlesse Dan. 7.11 and 26 So that it began to decay and was consuming daily unto the end This the Jews Gods people did untill the Son of man came in the clouds of heaven and received the â—ternall kingdom Dan. 7.14 which began as was above proved one thousand five hundred years agon Secondly How Christs Kingdom so long agon begun the Saints judged and reigned I have likewise declared Thirdly Christs glorious comming to judgment is sometimes to bee understood of vengeance and punishment insâ—icted on the world for their sins So the Lord is said Judg. 14. To come with thousands of his holy ones to give judgment against all men and to rebuke the ungodly c. when hee drowned the old world So Christ comming with power and great glory in these Texts of Daniel and Luke may expresse his comming with vengeance against the Romans and Jews that kild him and opposed the Gospel For it is said Luk. 21 22 and 32. That that age and generation should not passe untill all those things were fulfilled Besides it is not said that Christ shall not so come untill the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled but untill Jerusalem bee trodden under foot by the Gentiles and the power of heaven Sun Moon and Stars that is the government of that people bee shaken This was don when Jerusalem was overthrown Repl The sense of Luke 21.32 may bee {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} this people Nation kindred of the Jews shall not passe or cease to be a Nation or people untill these things bee fulfilled The word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} so signifies Ans. The word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} expresses Dor generation in the old Testament a hundred times It is sometimes also put for Gnam Mispaâ—haâ—h Mâ—ledeth people nation progeny But then commonly it intends and denotes the Nation or family then living which is all one in meaning with Generation In this sense The People and Nation and race of men now living shall not passe or be extinct untill all these things be accomplished Repl If you deny the Texts Dan. 7.9 22. Rev 20.4 to expresse the great day of judgment Christs comming in the clouds with power and great glory and the Saints with him to judge the Earth and abolith Antichrist with the brightnesse of his comming in the thousand years yet to come you undermine the pillar of Evangelicall faith concerning the glorious comming of Christ Answ God is known by executing judgment Psalm 9.16 Not by the great and sinall judgment onely but by other particular judgments also on mankind Some Jews might mis-conceive of Gods dealing towards them and be perswaded that they should in or at Christs time get their necks from under the yoak of their oppressors But when they saw Jerusalem in that age ruined many Jews cruelly slain the rest grievously disperst how could they but think and you now conceit that God then sate gloriously in judgment against them who were grown as secure as they in the old world Mat. 24.37 Luke 17.26 As this judgment was conspicuous and shewed the great power and glory of Christ and verified Christs speech of some then standing by him who should not taste death untill they saw Christs kingdom come with power Mark 9.1 So I verily believe that Christ will come in the clouds or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} with clouds of witnesses Mark 14.62 and great power to judge and destroy Antichrist and all his Churches enemies Apoc. 20.9 Thus doe I endeavour to hold up the pillar of Evangelicall truth and in no wiâ—e undermine it Christ I say hath already by the brightnesse of his comming in the word preached given Antichrist such a blow that hee shall never lick himself whole and will in his good time bring him to utter confusion What was done in the thousand years I have above sufficiently unfolded Object Justin Martyr tels Trypho the Jew that himself and all Orthodox Christians knew the resurrection of the body and the thousand years in which Jerusalem should be re-edified adorned and inlarged according as Ezekiel and Esay had prophecied of a thousand years in which shall bee a new heaven and new earth So that Jerusalem is made to triumph and the dayes of Gods people to bee as the dayes of the tree of life In these words saith Justin we hold that the thousand years are implicitly pointed at He further
his feet Ephes. 1.20 21. Therefore Satan was then also conquered and triumphed over by Christ for hee was the grand Boutifeu and chiefe enemie of Christ and was by Christ imprisoned and laid fast up in chaines as conquerors deale with the ringleaders of such as with hostilitie oppose them Arg. 4. The 70. Disciples sent forth by Christ subdued devils by Christs name and Christ thereupon tels them that hee saw Satan fall from heaver as lightning and then did Christ give to his disciples power to tread on Serpents and Scorpions and all power of the enemy so that nothing could hurt them Luk 10.18 c. To which purpose also wee read 1 Joh. 5.18 that the evill one cannot touch them that are born of God Therefore in the primitive times one thousand five hundred years agon the devill was bound and in eminent manner restrained by Christ Chap. X. Objections answered whereby it further will appeare that Satans eminent binding for a thousand yeers is already past HOwever the arguments in the former Chapter sufficiently confirme the truth some there are who will not be satisfied therewith I will therefore answer what they produce to assert the contrary Object How was Satan bound say they when all the Apostles were persecuted Christs subjects distressed and destitute of all comforts and most of them cruelly put to death Gl. pag. 9. had not Satan a manifest hand and plot herein and indevored hereby to hinder if not to extirpate the Gospel Answ. Satan was long agon cast down by Michael or Christ and subdued as is above proved and seeing then hee could not doe the mischiefe hee desired to Gods Saints and hinder the advancing of the Gospel hee Rev. 13. gave his power and throne and great authority to the ten horned beast the Roman Tyrants who by their agents and friends then murthered the Apostles and Saints of God Secondly though the servants of God were persecuted and put to violent deaths yet Christ having conquered death its sting was taken away so that it was but a passage for them to a better life and to endlesse blisse Thirdly Christ when it so pleased him did often deliver his servants from dangerous persecutions and from death it self As namely Peter strictly watcht in prison Act. 12.7 and Paul when fattie persons had sworn not to eat or drink untill they had kild him Act 23.12 and then onely did God permit them to bee slain when they had finished their course and might best glorifie God by their deaths which they underwent willingly couragiously comfortably So that as formerly their lives so now their deaths made the Gospel greatly to bee taken notice of and to bee glorified Object Satan is cold the Prince of the ayre who works in the children of disobedience Ephes. 2.2 Hee is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a ruler of the world in darknesse here beneath Ephes. 6.12 The comming of the man of sin is by the works of Satan with signes and lying wonders 2 Thess. 2.9 Therefore Satan was not in the primitive times bound chain'd and sealed up the bottomlesse pit Answ. That which in Rev. 20. is termed the bottomlesse pit is in other notions cald Earth and Sea Rev. 12.12 and aire or darknesse Ephes. 2.2 The aire saith Philo Jud. is black and dark of its own nature and is cald {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} darknesse Hence the devill is stiled the Prince of the ayre and of darknesse The Sea and Earth also have no light of themselves but from above When therefore it is said the devill hath power in the ayre earth or sea by these are meant men of dark earthly and unquiet minds In which sense it is said Rev. 12.12 Woe bee to the inhabitants of the earth and Sea for Satan being by Christ cast out of the heaven of the Church hee came amongst the inhabitants of the Ayre Sea and Earth that is men who were not heavenly minded The affinitie of these terms appears first because the Beast which Apoc. 13.1 is said to rise out of the Sea is spoken of Apoc. 9.7 as ascending out of the bottomlesse pit And secondly there is a Tehom an Abysse or bottomlesse pit Psal. 71.20 ascribed to the Earth as elswhere to the Sea Now when Satan was cast down from domineering in the Church and had his speciall abode among wicked men hee set up first the ten horned Beast Revel. 13.1 to blaspheme the name of God to war with to overcome and kill Gods people And secondly hee set up the Beast with two horns Vers 11. who did the works of the first Beast and did also deceive the world with signes and lying wonders Vers 13,14 for this second Beast expresses fully the man of sin who 2 Thess. 2.9 is described by his false and commerfeit wonders What mischief Satan bound by Christ could not then work by himself hee endeavoured to act by these two his wicked instruments Quest Suppose it bee denied that heaven in Scripture at any time signifies the Church and that Earth Sea and Aire denote wicked blind and unquiet worldlings how can the contrary bee proved Answ. It is thus proved First The disciples are called the lights of the world Matth. 5.14 The godly Philippians must shine in the world as lights Phil. 2.15 When the teachers of sacred doctrine in the Church were puld down the Stars are said to fall from heaven Dan. 8.10 Rev. 9.1 The Angels or chiefe teachers of the Church are cald Stars Revel. 1.20 Therefore the Church is the heaven in which they move and shine and from which their light and influence proceeds to take men off from their worldly estate Secondly Saint Augustine saith expresly Sancti justi coelum vocantur holy and just men are called Heaven De civ Deilib 2. c. 21. and expounds that in Mal. 4. lest I come and destroy the earth of the wicked upon the Earth qui terrena sapiunt who mind earthly things Ib. c. 29. His judgment herein is sound because wee finde the members of Christs Church called heaven Rev 12.11 where the heavens and they that dwell therein that is such as overcome by the blood of the Lamb are bid to rejoyce And on the contrary the inhabitants of the earth are expounded to bee such as have not their names written in the book of life Rev. 12.9 Thus what was denyed I conceive is sufficiently proved Many learned Expositers give their assent hereunto Repl. The casting down of Satan to the earth and excluding him from heaven Apoc. 12. and Satans binding shutting and sealing up in the bottomlesse pit Rev. 20. are so far from expressing one and the same thing in different notions which some Expositers think they doe that there is no one word the same in both 1 The Angel binding Satan Apoc. 20 came from heaven but Michael in Chap. 12 fights with the Dragon in Heaven 2 Concerning Satan be is 1 taken 2 bound 3 shut up 4 sealed up