he shall come again in the Flesh the second â—â—me so assureth us that this Coming of his shal be fâ—om Heaven viz. that third Heaven or blessed Heaâ—en wherein he now is and raigneth with his Father iâ— his humane nature as God and man in one person â—nd for to assure us hereof it is said This same Jesus â—hich is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Acts 1. 11. The Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout 1 Thes 4. 16. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with â—is mighty Angels 2 Thes 2. 7. From Heaven we look for our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Phil. 3. 20. and hereunto accords that Vision of Saint John I saw the holy City New Jerusalem coming â—own from God out of Heaven prepared as a bride â—dorned for her husband Rev. 21. 2 10. Where by New Jerusalem I understand all the Saints which Christ shall bring with him at his second Coming to be espoused unto him after a more glorious manner then formerly they were and if this New Jerusalem shall come down from God out of Heaven then Christ himself also shall come down from thence at his next return in the Flesh But it may be here demanded Whether Christ Quest shall come from the third Heaven at this next Return of his with a purpose to leave it To which demand I answer thus First The third Answ Heaven may be considered as the most high and holy place of the Godhead Father Son and Holy Ghost and so I say That Christ considered only as God shall never leave it because it is the essential place of the Godhead Secondly It may be considered as it is now the place of Christs humane Nature wherein he raigneth with the Father as God and man in onâ— person and so I beleeve That Christ at his seconâ— Coming from the third Heaven shall leave it altogether never to possess it again as formerly nor as the constant place of his habitation yet I deny not but conceive that after this descention of his he may be taken up again in his humane Nature at some times into the third Heaven for some ends known only to God as Saint Paul once was before hiâ— death but still I think that at his next Return from this Heaven in his humane Nature he shall leave iâ— altogether as the dwelling place of his humane Nature and that for these Reasons 1. The third Heaven was not promised to Christ for an everlasting habitation but only for a certain time as may be seen in these places Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool Psal 110. 1. He must raign till he viz. the Father hath put all enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15. 25. And that which is here promised shall be made good unto him at his second Coming and not before And if the third Heaven be not promised unto him for an everlasting habitation but for such a time as is expressed in the promise then we may well think That at his second Coming from this Heaven he shall leave it altogether as it is the dwelling place of his humane Nature 2. It is said That this third Heaven shall receive or contain Christ but for a certain time viz. until the times of restitution of all things Acts 3. 21. that is until the World to come shall be created and all things therein shall be restored according to the Decrees and Promises of God And if so then doubtless Christ at his second Coming from this Heaven shall leave it altogether considered as the dwelling place of his humane Nature 3. It is written That Christ at his second Coming from this Heaven shall resign or deliver up the Kingdom to God even the Father 1 Cor. 15. 24. And what Kingdom is this that he shall then deliver up to his Father Ans 1. I do not say with some Writers That he shall then deliver up his Mediatory Kingdom to his Father because this Kingdom which belongs unto him as he is the Son of David shall have no end Luk. 1. 33. Neither 2. do I say with others That he shall then deliver up his Church-Kingdom unto his Fathers sole dispose and Government because the Government of the Church both Militant and Triumphant is laid upon Christs shoulders as a Mediator and shall never be taken off from him Isai 9. 6 7. Neither 3. do I say with others That he shall then deliver up his Representative Kingdom consisting of outward Ordinances and Administrations now in use to be abolished by his Father because these things shall cease and determine of their own accord and be abolished before his second Coming at least in order of nature But I say That he shall then resign and deliver up the Kingdom of Heaven properly so called as it is his Fathers personal Kingdom unto the sole dispose and Government of his Father that so his Father may be all in all in it as he was before Christs coming thither 1 Cor. 15. 28. And if he shall resign this Kingdom to God even the Father then we may well think That at his next Coming from this Heaven in his humane Nature he shall leave it altogether as it is the dwelling place of his humane Nature 4. It is said That Christ after his next Coming from Heaven in the Flesh shall be subject to him that put all things under him 1 Cor. 15. 28. that is as if the Apostle had said While Christ remains in the third Heaven in his humane Nature and as the person of a Mediator we are not to consider him as the Fathers Subject because he is there after a sort equal with his Father his Father having advanced him at his own right hand upon his own Throne and having given unto him all power in Heaven and in Earth but after his coming from thence he shall be subject to his Father as he was before his Ascention and if so then doubtless at his second Coming from this Heaven he shall leave it as the dwelling place of his humane Nature 5. Have we never read That Christ after his personal Coming from this third Heaven shall possess his own personal Kingdom and sit upon his own personal Throne according to his Fathers appointment Luk. 19 12. and 22. 29. Rev. 3. 21. And how can this be unless he shall then leave his Fathers personal Kingdom and personal Throne and unless he shall then leave this third Heaven altogether considering it as the dwelling place of his humane Nature Sixthly It informeth us touching the place whither 6 Informat he shall come when he shall come again in the Flesh And so I cannot think that he shall come again from Heaven into this polluted world because this will be no fit place for a glorified Person to be and reside in but doubtless he shall come again from Heaven into the World to
be pronounced blessed at the general Judgment shall be blessed in the World to come But this shall be true of all Gods Elect therefore they shall all be blessed in the World to come 4. Because Gods Elect are all under that Covenant which God made with Abraham and his seed and have an inward right unto it which was a Covenant of blessing them and is extant in this form In blossing I will bless thee In thee shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed Genes 12. 2 3. 18. 18. that is the Elect of all Nations Now they that have an inward right to this Covenant shall be blessed in the world to come But Gods Elect have all an inward right unto it therefore they shall all be blessed in the World to come 5. Because Gods Elect shall enjoy all that Christ hath merited for them But Christ hath merited for them a blessed condition in the world to come for which cause it is said That God sent his Son to bless us Act. 3. 26. And he sent his Son to bless his Elect in that he sent him to merit for them the blessings both of this world and the world to come Doubtless then they shall all be blessed in the World to come 6. Because Christ hath promised That none of Gods Elect shall be lost Joh. 6. 37. And if none of them shall be lost then they shall all be blessed in the world to come 7. Because God doth continually bless his Elect in this world with spiritual blessings Eph. 1. 3. and with corporal and external blessings Prov. 10. 6. Wherefore doubtless they shall all be much more abundantly blessed in the world to come Now touching this blessedness of theirs there are four Queries here to be resolved As Of whom they shall be blessed in the World to Quere 1 come Ans They shall be blessed of the whole Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost For the God that made Heaven and Earth shall bless them Psal 134. 3. And the God that made Heaven and Earth is Father Son and Holy Ghost The God Almighty shall bless them Gen. 28. 3. And God almighty is Father Son and Holy Ghost The Father is almighty the Son almighty and the Holy Ghost almighty Neither may we think that the act of blessing is to be appropriated onely unto any one person in the Godhead because it is common to all For what causes they shall be blessed in the World Quere 2 to come Ans Primarily and chiefly they shall be blessed for Gods sake for his will and pleasure sake as the original cause and for the glory of his grace as the final cause And as God doth all things chiefly for his own sake Rom. 11. 36. so he shall bless his Elect in the world to come chiefly for his own sake Secondarily they shall be blessed in the world to come for Christs sake as the meritorious cause For as in Isaac typically so in Christ really shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed Rom. 4. that is the Elect of all Nations Thirdly they shall be blessed in the world to come for the same graces and virtues for which they are blessed in this world As God doth bless them in this Partly for their effectual knowledg of him and of his Will as it is said Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound Psal 89. 15. And for this he shall bless them in the World to come Partly for their faith and confidence in Christ Blessed are all they that trust in him Psal 2. 12. And for this he shall bless them in the world to come Partly for their humility godly sorrow hungering and thirsting after righteousness for meekness mercifulness Blessed are the poor in spirit blessed are they that mourn blessed are they that hunger Matth 5 3 4 5 6 and thirst after righteousness blessed are the meek blessed are the merciful c. And for these causes they shall be blessed in the world to come And partly for their godly fear Psal 112. 1. for their upright walking Psal 119. 1. for their godly conversation Psal 1. 1. for their patience in suffering for truth and righteousness sake Mat. 5. And doubtless for these causes shall they be blessed in the world to come In what manner shall they be blessed in the World to come Quere 3 Ans First They shall be fully and perfectly blessed For though there be no perfect bliss to be expected in this world neither is there perfect bliss enjoyed now in Heaven by the faithful Souls departed yet there shall be perfect bliss for Gods Elect in the world to come as we may gather from those words of the Apostle These all having obtained a good report through faith received not the Promises God having provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect Hebr. 11. 39 40. where he shews that the faithful mentioned before in this Chapter were not perfectly blessed in this life because they received not all the Promises and that their Souls now being in Heaven are not perfectly blessed there because they cannot be made perfect without us that do or shall beleeve in after-times But withall he intimates That both the faithful of former times and those of latter times shall be made perfect all of them together in the world to come And though these vessels of mercy may not be all of one size in the world to come but some of them may hold and contain more of Gods benediction then others yet all of them shall be filled up to the brim therewith and so shall be perfectly blessed Secondly They shall be everlastingly blessed For Gods mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him Psal 103. 17. And as their inchoate blessedness in this world shall end in that which is to come so that which is to come shall have no end Thirdly They shall be exceedingly blessed above all that we can now think or speak or conceive of their blessed condition according to that of the Apostle Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2. 9. where indeed the main scope of Saint Paul is to shew that the natural man is no competent judg of heavenly things as the spiritual man is Howbeit though the spiritual man can better judg of such things then the natural man can yet we must understand that the spiritual man cannot perfectly judg them while he is in this world neither can he fully comprehend the blessed condition of the Saints in the world to come Wherewith they shall be blessed in the World to Quere 4 come Ans They shall be blessed in the world to come 1. With everlasting Salvation Rom. 11. 2. With everlasting Life Joh. 3. 16. 3. With everlasting Glory 4. With everlasting Honor Rom. 2. 5. With everlasting Liberty Rom. 8. 6. With everlasting
Vers 6. Thou hast made him to have dominion over the works of tby hands Psal 19. 1. The Firmament sheweth his handy work Psal 102. 25. Of old hast thou laid the Foundation of the Earth and the Heavens are the work of thy hands Isai 48. 13. My hand hath laid the Foundation of the Earth and my right hand hath spanned the Heavens Thus all created Substances were made with hands and consequently that which was not made with hands was uncreated Now we read of the third Heaven that it was not made with hands Heb. 9. 11. and that when Christ entered into it he entered into the holy Places not made with hands Heb. 9. 24. Where the Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plainly distinguisheth the third Heaven not only from the Tabernacle in Moses time which was made with mens hands but also from the whole created world which was made with Gods hands not denying the whole Creation to be the work of his hands but saith of the third Heaven That it was not made with hands and if it were not made with hands then surely it was uncreated Agreeable hereunto is that other place 2 Cor. 5. 1. If our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens Where the Apostle shews that the Souls of the faithful after their separation from the body shall have an house not made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with hands plainly distinguishing the Souls heavenly house from its bodily or earthly house And as he denies not its bodily house to be made with hands nor could have denyed it because God made it of the dust of the ground Gen. 2. So he affirms that its heavenly house was not made with hands and if it were not made with hands then it was uncreated and if it were uncreated then it must needs follow that the third Heaven also was uncreated Secondly I take this for a ground That which 2 Argument was from everlasting and without beginning was never created which Proposition as I suppose will not be denyed because it is acknowledged on all sides That whatsoever had a beginning and was not from everlasting was created Gen. 1. 1. and whatsoever had not a beginning but was from everlasting was not created Now I assume That the highest Heaven commonly called the third Heaven was from everlasting and without beginning and I am moved to think so for these Reasons 1. God himself was from everlasting and without beginning as it is written Psal 90. 2. Before the Mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the Earth and the World even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God And we read in Scripture of Gods Glory before the world was Joh. 17. 5. Of his Ordination before the world was 1 Cor. 2. 7. Of his chusing of men before the foundation of the world Ephes 1. 4. And of his purpose before the world began 2 Tim. 1. 9. From which places I infer That God himself was from everlasting and without beginning and if he were from everlasting then he was somewhere from everlasting I dare not say he was no where from everlasting neither dare I say he was everywhere from everlasting but he was somewhere from everlasting and where was that but in the highest Heaven and if he were in the highest Heaven from everlasting then this Heaven was also from everlasting with God and so without beginning 2. This third Heaven is called Gods Place Isai 26. 21. The Lord cometh out of his Place to punish the inhabitants of the Earth and Mica 1. 3. Yea it is called his high and holy place Isai 57. 15. and his dwelling place 1 King 8. 30. Hear thou in Heaven thy dwelling place Now I demand whether it was not Gods dwelling place before the Creation as it hath been since Yes doubtless it hath been his dwelling place ever since the Creation and shall be so for ever and was so from everlasting for which cause he is said to inhabite eternity Isai 57. 15. and to inhabite eternity is to inhabite an eternal place for in the same Text his dwelling in an eternal place is distinguished from his dwelling in the hearts of humble and contrite ones And if the third Heaven was Gods eternal place then surely it was from everlasting with him and so without beginning Yea if we acknowledg God to be an everlasting Being I see no reason why we should deny him an everlasting place suitable to his Being 3. This Heaven of which I speak is called Gods Throne Isai 66. 1. Heaven is my Throne and Mat. 5. 34. Mat. 23. 22. Acts 7. 49. And was it not his Throne from everlasting Doubtless it was and so much I gather from that of the Prophet Psa 93. 2. where he saith thus to God Thy Throne is established of old thou art from everlasting which sounds in my ears as if he had said As God was from everlasting so was his heavenly Throne and if it were from everlasting then it was without beginning and if we acknowledg him to be an everlasting King and to have a Kingdom from everlasting as the Scripture witnesseth in many places why should we not also acknowledg this his heavenly Throne to be from everlasting and so to be without beginning 4. Yea this Heaven of which I speak is that which is predicable and may be predicated of the Essence of God and we may say without a trope or figure this Heaven is God and God is this Heaven for which cause I conceive it is that this Heaven is often put for God himself in the written Word as Dan. 4. 26. where it was said to Nebuchadnezzar Thy Kingdom shall be sure unto thee after thou shalt have known that the Heavens do rule which is all one as if it had been said After thou shalt have known that the most high God shall raign in the Kingdoms of men as it is interpreted for us Dan. 5. 21. So also it is said unto the chief Priests and Elders Mat. 21. 25. The Baptism of John whence was it from Heaven or of men as if it had been said Was it from God or from men only So again Luk. 15. 21. the Prodigal said unto his father I have sinned against Heaven and against thee which is all one as if he had said I have sinned against God and against thee And so lastly John said Joh. 3. 27. A man can receive nothing except it be given him from Heaven that is except it be given him from God from whom every good and perfect gift doth come In all which and other such like places God is described by the name of Heaven and called Heaven and why so For to teach us as I conceive that this Heaven is something appertaining to the Essence of God and doth not essentially differ from God himself but as he is a spiritual Being an independent Being so he is
no more remembred nor come into mind in respect of its present and pristine condition form and manner of Being Isai 65. 17. Rev. 21. 1. and consequently in this respect it shall one day be dissolved and brought to dust And for further satisfaction in this point I shall â—nswer these three Queries By whom this present world shall be dissolved Quer. 1 Answ It shall be dissolved by him that made it It Ejusdem enim est mundum creare eundem destruere was only God himself that created it in the beginâ—ing Gen. 1. 1. and God himself shall dissolve it Psal 102. 26. Heb. 12. 26. by his mighty power By what means it shall be dissolved Answ It â—hall be dissolved by means of fire of which fire Quer. 2 we read thus A fire shall devour before him and â—t shall be very tempestuous round about him Psal â—0 3. The day cometh that shall burn like an Oven and all the proud yea and all that do wickedly shall he stubble and the day that cometh shall burn them up that it shall leave them neither root nor branch Mal. 4. 1. The Heavens and the Earth which now are are reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and Perdition of ungodly men In which day the Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat 2 Pet. 3. 7 12. And though I cannot perfectly shew what Qualis autem futurus sit hic ignis Deus novit qui est ignis consumens Wolleb kind of fire this shall be because only God himself who is a consuming fire perfectly knows what kind of fire it shall be yet I dare affirm that it shall be such a Judgment of fire as never was hath been or shall be before it 2 Pet. 3 7. And that this fire shall be extraordinary 1. For its noise because it is said That the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise 2 Pet. 3. 10. that is with such a noise as shall be heard all the earth over while the fire shall be yet in the Heavens 2. For its brightness or shining because it shall be seen all the earth over whiles it shall be yet in the Heavens as the lightening shineth from the one end of Heaven to the other Mat. 24. 27. 3. For itâ— melting and burning vertue because it shall melt and burn up such things as were never melted burnt and consumed since the world began When it shall be dissolved Answ Touching thâ— time of the worlds dissolution the Scripture teachetâ— Quer. 3 us three things viz. 1. That it shall be dissolved in Gods appointed time because he doth all his works in his appointed time and as he hath appointed a day wherein hâ— will judg the world in righteousness so he hath appointed a day wherein he will dissolve this presenâ— world Acts 17. 31. 2. That the time of Christs second coming shaâ— be the time of the worlds dissolution as may appeaâ— plainly Mat. 24. 3. 1 Cor. 15. 24. 2 Pet. 3. 7 10 12 where we find that in the very day of Christs second Coming the Heavens being on fire shall bâ— dissolved the Elements shall melt the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Howbeit as we know not in what day or hour oâ— the year and of the age of the world the Son of maâ— shall come so we know not in what day or houâ— of the year and of the age of the world this presenâ— world shall be dissolved 3. That the time of this worlds dissolution draweth nigh 1 Cor. 10. 11. Jam. 5. 8. 1 Pet. 4. 7. And wâ— have no reason to think it to be far off because manâ— Symptomes of the worlds dissolution mentioned iâ— holy Writ have been observed in our times as wâ— have heard of the plentiful preaching of the Gospel and of great Persecutions thereupon we have heard of Wars and Famines and Pestilences and Earthquakes in divers places we have heard of many false Teachers and false Christs of many Seducers â—â—d seduced persons amongst us we have seen how â—iquity hath abounded and love hath waxed cold â—mongst us And seeing these Symptomes of this â—orlds dissolution have been amongst us we have â—o reason to think its dissolution to be far off Inâ—eed there are some Symptomes of this worlds dissoâ—ution which are not as yet made visible unto us as â—he final Ruine of the Roman Antichrist the battel of Gog and Magog and that alteration which shall â—e in the Sun Moon and Stars Mat. 24. but for ought I know these three may speedily come and soon follow one another And I have read a Judicious Divine * Mr J. Z. in his printed Book on Rev. 20. who thinks that the Ruine of the Roman Antichrist will be made visible about the year 666. that the battel of Gog and Magog will follow shortly thereupon and that the alteration forementioned in the Sun Moon and Stars will immediately succeed This Position thus cleared makes for the refutation of Vse of four erroneous opinions The first opinion is of such as think that this present world is eternal in respect of its present form and condition and so shall never be dissolved which was the opinion of Aristotle the Philosopher who was the more to be pitied because he knew not the Scriptures nor the power of God as therein revealed but we Christians have known the Scriptures and have read often in them of the end of the world and therefore have no reason to hearken to Aristotle in this Assertion of his The second opinion is of those who think that this present world shall cease to be altogether after its dissolution wherein they are much mistaken For though it shall cease to be in some respect aftâ—â— its dissolution viz. in respect of its former and prâ—stine condition yet it shall not cease to be altogâ—ther because it shall have an everlasting Being undeâ— a new form and condition as hath been beforâ— proved and as mans body after its dissolution shaâ— have an everlasting Being under a new form anâ— condition neither do I think it worth my labouâ— to spend more words in confutation of this opinion The third opinion is of those who think that this present world shall only be purged by fire at the latter day from its evil qualities and not dissolved As the old world in Noahs time was drowned in respect of its superficies and in respect of some creatures in it yet the substance of it remained firm So say they This present world shall be purged by fire from its corruptions and evil qualities but the substance of Heaven and Earth shall remain as an everlasting Monument of Gods Wisdom and Power Goodness and Mercy But these are mistaken also For though I grant That fire hath a purging and refining vertue and that if the Lord should restrain the fire of the great Day before mentioned as a Goldsmith restraineth the fire when the
â—â—e Judgments approaching For as in the days â—â—fore the Flood they were eating and drinking â—arrying and giving in marriage until the day â—at Noah entered into the Ark and knew not â—til the Flood came and took them all away So â—â—all also the Coming of the Son of man be Mat. 24. â—â— 39. Indeed this sign is visible in part at this preâ—â—nt and shall be conjunct and simultaneous with â—e second Coming of Christ in the Flesh yet it â—â—all be more visible then now it is immediately beâ—â—â—e this Coming of his to such as shall have eyes to â—â—scern it 4. A great paucity of true Beleevers is mentioned a sign presaging his second Coming in the Flesh â—â—r Christ himself saith When the Son of man comâ—â—h shall he find faith on the earth Luk. 18. 8. â—hich Interrogation of his sounds in mine years as â—he had said Though at my second Appearing there â—â—all be found much dead faith a great profession â—â— faith and many unprofitable kinds of faith yet â—â—at lively faith which justifies a sinner before God â—â—all be found but in a few And though it be true â—â—at this sign shall be also conjunct and simultaneous â—ith the second Coming of Christ yet doubtless â—â— shall be more apparent then now it is immediately â—efore his second Coming to such as shall have eyes â—â— discern it 5. A great alteration in the visible Heavens anâ— Earth which now are is mentioned as a sign prâ—saging his second Coming in the Flesh for it is saiâ— That there shall be signs in the Sun and in thâ— Moon and in the Stars and upon the Earth distresâ— of Nations with perplexity the Sea and the waveâ— roaring Luk. 21. 25. And before that great anâ— terrible Day of the Lord come the Sun shall â—â— darkened and the Moon shall not give her lighâ— and the Stars shall fall from Heaven and the poers of Heaven shall be shaken Mat. 24. 29. Anâ— though some Writers do put an allegorical sence upon these passages yet the litteral sence must and wâ— stand good which is That all these creatures shâ—â— withhold their wonted operation and influence anâ— shall no more be able to give comfort unto men nâ— to shew forth their glory as before but shall ceaâ— from their service and lose their power as a learneâ— Divine writes And though this sign be not yâ—â— M. Dickson in his commentaries on Mat. 24. 29. apparent yet it shall be immediately before the appearing of Christ in the Clouds 6. After these things it is said Then shall appeâ—â— the sign of the Son of man in Heaven Mat. 24. 3â— And here by the sign of the Son of man I do noâ— understand with some Writers the sign of tâ—â— Cross nor with others the glorious Person of Châ—â—â—â— himself coming in the Clouds but by it I undeâ—stand the fire of the great day of the Lord whicâ— shall begin in these visible Heavens and shall shiâ—â— all the world over as the lightening shineth from onâ— end of Heaven unto the other This is the sign the Son of man and the last sign of his which shâ—â— be in Heaven before his personal approach in tâ—â— Clouds Thus the Word of God informeth us â—â— the signs presaging the second Coming of Christ in the Flesh Fourthly It informeth us touching the time of his second Coming in the Flesh and so teacheth 4 Informat us 1. That the very punctual time that is the day and hour of this Coming of his is known only to God himself not to men nor to Angels nor to Christ himself as he is the Son of man For of that day and that hour knoweth no man no not the Angels which are in Heaven neither the Son but the Father Mark 13. 32. And in this sence our Saviour said unto his followers It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Acts 1. 7. 2. That we should not think the time of this his second Coming to be far off because the Scripture speaks of it as of that which is near at hand Luk. 21. 31. Rom. 13. 12. Phil. 4. 5. 1 Pet. 4. 7. Rev. 22. 10. Jam. 5. 8. wherefore if we will judg according to Scripture we should judg it to be near at hand And seeing the most part of those signs which presage this second Coming of his have been already observed in the world and the rest of them are dayly expected it seems unreasonable to me that any should think it to be far off or yet a thousand years off as some have thought 3. That the day of this his second Coming shall be a long day and longer then any that hath been or shall be before it for it shall be somewhat like that day in Joshua's time when the Sun and the Moon stood still in the midst of Heaven Josh 10. 12 13 14. and it shall be such a day as is described by the Prophet Zechariah in which it shall not be clear nor dark but it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord not day nor night but it shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light Zech. 14. 6 7. Yea we may well conceive that it shall be a very long day because of the great transactions that shall be in it for on that day shall be 1. The dissolution of this present world 2. The Creation of the World to come 3. The subduing of all Christs Enemies unto him 4. The Resignation of the Kingdom of Heaven unto God the Father 5. The Appearing of the Son of man 6. The Resurrection of all the dead And 7. The Sentence of the last Judgment So it must needs be a long day that shall be famous for all these transactions And hereunto I add That though the punctual time of his second Coming in the Flesh be known only to God yet some Divines think that the yearly or annual time of the worlds end and his second Coming are not obscurely pointed at in Scripture by those numbers of 1260. Rev. 11. 3. of 1290. Dan. 12. 11. of 666. Rev. 13. 18. of 1335. Dan. 12. 12. For say they If these numbers were rightly Vide Mr J. E. in his Book entitled The deliverance of the whole House of Israel understood they would put us very near upon the worlds end the second Coming of Christ and from these places they infer That the whole raign of the Papal Antichrist from the first to the last shall be 1260 years and his fall or ruine shall be in the year of our Lord 666. and this second Coming of Christ shall be 45â— years after that But I deliver this only as the opinion of some and so leave it to the censure of the godly and to the experience of after times not doubting that some matter of moment will be found in it Fifthly It informeth us touching the place from 5 Informat whence
come which shall be created instead of this that is into the new Heavens and the new Earth And so first he shall come into the new Heavens there to be made visible to the Inhabitants of this Earth that some of them viz. his friends may be caught up together in the Clouds to meet him in the ayr of the new Heaven 1 Thes 4. 17. and that others viz. his enemies may be afflicted and astonished to behold him Rev. 1. 7. And from thence he shall descend unto the new Earth there to reside and dwell for ever and all his Saints with him as it is written We look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein shall dwell Righteousness viz. the Lord our Righteousness with all his righteous Ones and nothing else but Righteousness 2 Pet. 3. 13. And as it is written again Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them Rev. 21. 3. Yea this dwelling of Christ and his Saints upon the new Earth was lively represented unto us at the time of his Transfiguration upon the Mount for then and there Christ himself with Moses and Elias appeared Mat. 17. in a humane shape and Peter said Master it is good for us to be here that is to reside or dwell here let us build three Tabernacles one for thee one for Moses and one for Elias By which Transfiguration we are plainly taught what shall be hereafter But here perhaps some will be ready to object and Object say It will be a dishonour to Christ and his Saints if they shall leave the third Heaven for to reside and dwell in the World to come or upon the new Earth This will be no dishonour at all unto them because Christ and his Saints shall be in some respects Answ more glorious in the World to come and upon the new Earth then now they are in the third Heaven as we may well conceive for these Reasons 1. Because the World to come will be more suitable and proportionable unto humane bodies and natures then the third Heaven now is 2. Because in the World to come Christ shall raign in his own personal Kingdom with all his Saints with him whereas now in the third Heaven he raigns as Mediator only in his Fathers personal Kingdom and with only some of his Saints with him 3. Because in the World to come all Christs Enemies shall be manifestly subdued unto him whereas now while he remains in the third Heaven we cannot see all things put under him Heb. 2 8. 4. Because in the World to come the Saints shall raign with Christ both in soul and body and that for ever whereas now in the third Heaven they raign with him onely in respect of Souls and that but for a time These things considered I am so far from thinking that it will be a dishonour to Christ and his Saints when they shall leave the third Heaven for to reside upon the new Earth that I rather think it will be an encrease or augmentation of honour and glory unto them Seventhly It informeth us touching the manner 7 Informat of his second Coming in the Flesh and sheweth that he shall come again in like manner as he went into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Acts 1. 11. that is to say 1. As he ascended in a visible manner in the sight of many so he shall come again in a visible manner for they shall see the Son of man come in the Clouds Mat. 24. 30. And every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him Revel 1. 7. 2. As he ascended in a bodily manner and in his humane nature so he shall come again in a bodily manner and in his humane nature Mat. 24. 30. 3. As he ascended in a triumphant manner triumphing over Death Hell and the Grave so he shall come again in a triumphant manner triumphing over all his Enemies 4. As he ascended gloriously so he shall come again in the glory of his Father with power and great glory 5. As he ascended in a kingly manner with some good Angels attending on him so he shall come again in like manner with all his holy and mighty Angels attending on him 2 Thes 1. 7. Mat. 25. 31. 6. As his Ascention gave his Enemies great cause to lament and bewail their condition so his Coming again shall give them great cause so to do for then the Tribes of the Earth shall mourn Mat. 24. 30. And all the kindreds of the Earth shall wail because of him Rev. 1. 7. 7. As his Ascention into Heaven gave his friends great cause to rejoyce because he went thither to prepare a place for them so his Coming again from thence shall give them great cause to rejoyce too because unto them that look for him he shall appear the second time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 9. 28. Eightly It informeth us touching the ends of 8 Informat his second Coming in the Flesh which ends may be thus expâ—essed 1. He shall come again from Heaven for to judg and raign in the World to come for it is said He shall judg the quick and the dead at his appearing and in his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4. 1. From whence I gather That Christ shall have a Kingdom in the World to come wherein he shall judg and raign So much also may be gathered from 1 Chron. 16. 31 33. And if so then he shall come again from Heaven for to judg and raign in the World to come Luk. 1. 33. Jude 15. 2 He shall come again from Heaven for to render unto every one according to his works as it is written Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be Rev. 22. 12. From whence I gather That as Christ in the World to come shall render unto the good according to the good works which shall be found upon them not remembering their evil works and unto the wicked according to the evil works which shall be found upon them not regarding their seeming good works So he shall come again from Heaven for this end 3. He shall come again in flaming fire for to take vengeance on them which know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1. 8. viz. in case they shall not repent of these sins before their death 4. He shall come again from Heaven for to convince all that are ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him Jude 15. 5. He shall come again from Heaven for to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that beleeve 2 Thes 1. 10. viz. in the World to come All these Informations put together and all that Vse hath been here said touching the
Truth it self Therefore beware of them Secondly This Doctrine should humble all such as are enemies to Christs spiritual personal Kingdom in this world and will not submit unto it nor suffer him to reign over them by his Word and Spirit Surely such persons without repentance and without a pardon shall suffer for it when Christ shall come into his personal humane Kingdom And so much we may gather from the Prophets commination in Psal 2. For there he tells us of some that did rage and imagine a vain thing and band themselves together not onely against the Lord and against his Christ but also against the Laws of his spiritual Kingdom saying Let us break their bands in sunder and cast away their cords from us Vers 1 2 3. And shews withall how Christ shall deal with such unless they repent in his personal humane Kingdom viz. how he shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in peeces like a Potters vessel Vers 9. Yea our Saviour himself sheweth us how he will punish men in his personal humane Kingdom if they will not submit unto him in his personal spiritual Kingdom when he saith But those mine Enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me Luk. 19. 27. Be humbled therefore for this offence which is a great offence Thirdly This Doctrine should exhort and perswade all that are called Christians unto sundry duties As 1. To talk and confer much about this Kingdom of Christ that so they may rightly understand the doctrine nature and state hereof for it is said of Gods Saints That they shall speak of the glory of his Kingdom and talk of his power to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts and the glorious majesty of his Kingdom Psal 145. 11 12. And we should be like unto such in doing the like 2. To honor Christ as our everlasting King For God would have all men to honour the Son as they honor the Father And seeing he is and shall be our King for ever we can do no less then honor him and we should honor him so as 1. To harken to the Doctrine of his Kingdom Harken O Daughter and consider and incline thine ear Psal 45. 10. 2. To prefer him in our esteem before all the sons of men as the Prophet saith to the Church in reference to this Kingdom of his Forget also thine own people and thy fathers house so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty Psal 45. 10 11. 3. To repent of our sins and offences For the Prophet having spoken of his Kingdom doth thereupon exhort to repentance saying Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be learned ye that are Judges of the Earth Psal 2. 10. As if he had said Be wise to eschew evil and be learned to do good In which two things consisteth the practice of true repentance 4. To worship him with Fear As it is said in relation to Christ He is thy Lord God worship thou him Psal 45. 11. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling Psal 2. 11. Who shall not fear thee O Lord Rev. 15. 4. 5. To submit to his Government in this life And this is in the Prophets phrase To kiss the Son lest he be angry and we perish Psal 2. 12. 6. To beleeve and trust in him for all good things promised And upon this occasion the Prophet saith Blessed are all they that trust in him Psal 2. 12. 7. To be diligent in our general and particular Callings that we may become profitable servants in them For when Christ shall come into this Kingdom of his he shall plentifully reward his diligent and profitable servants and shall say unto one Be thou Ruler over ten Cities and to another Be thou Ruler over five Cities Luk. 19. 17 19. 8. To be patient in our Tribulations especially in such as we shall suffer for Christs sake For if we suffer with him we shall also reign with him in his Kingdom 2 Tim. 2. 12. 9. To make our Calling and Election sure unto our selves For so an enterance shall be ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Cheist 2 Pet. 1. 10 11. Lastly All good Christians should rejoyce and be glad when they hear and read of this Kingdom of Christ Yea we should never think that we have well meditated and throughly considered of this subject until the meditation thereof shall rejoyce our spirirs And for this end and purpose we shall finde in many places of Scripture where this Kingdom is spoken of that we are called upon to rejoyce As Rejoyce with trembling Psal 2. 11. Let the Heavens rejoyce and let the Earth be glad Let the field be joyful before the Lord for he cometh for he cometh to judg the world in righteousness Psal 96. 11 12 13. Let Israel rejoyce in him that made him Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King let them praise his name in the dance let them sing praises unto him with the Timbrel and Harp Psa 149. 2 3. The Lord God omnipotent reigneth let us rejoyce and be glad and give honor to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her self ready Rev. 19. 6 7. SECT IX Touching the different condition of good and evil Angels in the World to come HAving spoken of the Kingdom of Christ in the World to come I shall here in the next place say somewhat of the different condition of good and evil Angels in the World to come Yet I desire not to say much of this subject I had rather leave it to others who have better learn'd the art of amplification And some can better lay a foundation then build thereupon as others can better build then lay the foundation Onely I shall express briâ—fly what I have warrant from the Word of God to beleeve concerning the condition of both sorts of Angels As Concerning good Angels I beleeve 1. That they shall all attend upon Christ at his Coming from Heaven into the World to come For it is aid plainly The Son of man shall come in his glory and aâ—â— the holy Angels with him Matt. 25. 30. And again The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels 2 Thess 1. vers 7. 2. That they shall be serviceable to Christ about the last Judgment For it is said That he shall send his Angels that is his good Angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together his Elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other Matt. 24. 31. And that his Angels viz. his good Angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just and shall cast them into a furnace of fire c. Matth. 13. 49 50. 3. That they shall have a constant intercourse or passage between the third Heaven and the World to come as royal Messengers or Embassadors
but the third Heaven And if we acknowledg concerning God himself That he is and ever hath been above the created Heavens as we may well acknowledg because he is said to be most High and to be higher then the highest of created Beings why should we not also acknowledg concerning the third Heaven which is Gods essential Place or Vbi that it both is and ever hath been above the created Heavens and if so then it will necessarily follow That it was never created Sixthly I take this for another ground That 6 Argument which is a place of perfect Bliss was never created which I conceive to be true because there is no perfect Bliss to be found in this created World and we use to say None are perfectly blessed while they remain in this World but are subject to many defects and imperfections their knowledg cannot be perfect because it is mixt with ignorance their joy cannot be perfect because it is mixt with sorrow their love cannot be perfect because it is mixt with hatred their righteousness cannot be perfect because it is mixt with sin Yea this whole Creation is so far from being a place of perfect Bliss that it groans to be dissolved and so to be resolved into a more blessed condition and if there be no perfect Bliss to be found in this created world then it must needs be found in an uncreated place But say I The third Heaven is a place of perfect Bliss for there the Father is perfectly blessed above all degrees of comparison or comprehension there the Son is perfectly blessed in his degree and there the Saints are perfectly blessed in their degree and it is commonly said That this Heaven is a blessed Coelum beatorum Heaven the Heaven of blessed Ones and of blessed Souls departed and if so then it will follow That it was never created Seventhly I take this for my last ground That Argu ∣ ment 7 which never was any thing of or belonging to this created world was never created which Proposition we may well assent unto because all created Beings either were or are of or belonging to this created world And I add That the third Heaven never was any thing of or belonging to this created world as may appear by such places of Scripture as do distinguish this Heaven from this created world and from all things of or belonging thereunto Thus the Fathers being in this Heaven is distinguished from his being in this created world Our Father which art in Heaven Mat. 6. 9. Whosoever shall confess me before men him will I confess before my Father which is in Heaven Whosoever shall deny me before men him also will I deny before my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 10. 32 33. Thus Christs being in Heaven as touching his humane nature is distinguished from his being in this created world I came forth from the Father and am come into the World Again I leave the World and go to the Father Joh. 16. 28. This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall s◠come again in like manner as ye have seen him g◠into Heaven Acts 1. 11. Thus the being of holy Angels in this Heaven is distinguished from their being in this created world at other times In Heaven their Angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 18. 10. Likewise joy shall be in Heaven in the presence of the Angels of God Luk. 15. 7 10. And thus the being of faithful Souls in this Heaven is distinguished from their former being in this created world Luk. 23. 43. To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise From which distinguishing places I gather That this third Heaven never was any thing of or belonging to this created world and if so then it will follow from hence That it was never created And I would here demand of any indifferent Reader not prepossessed with prejudice Whether our Saviour Christ and the faithful Souls departed at the time of their ascention into this Heaven did not leave this created world altogether and so go unto the Father If you say They did not then you grant that they yet remain in some part of the created world and that at the time of their ascention they went but from one part of this created world unto another and consequently from one place of misery unto another But if you say They left this created world altogether when they ascended into this Heaven then by consequence you grant That they are now in an uncreated Heaven and so you do consent unto all that I have said concerning this matter Wherefore I hope these seven Arguments before produced will suffice for proof of my former assertion Howbeit to make the matter yet more plain I shall be contented to answer such Objections as I can imagine will be raised against the said assertion Peradventure some man will say Many natural Object 1 Philosophers have written much of the blessed Heaven which they call the Empyrean Heaven and Coelum Empyreum they say It is a created Heaven for which cause your former Assertion is the more to be suspected 1. My former Assertion is not to be tryed by the rules of natural Philosophy but by the written Answ Word of God which speaks of divers matters above the reach and proper scope of natural Philosophy and so I do not take natural Philosophers to be competent Judges in this case though I am willing to hear them when they speak of matter proper to their Science yet I think it more proper for a Divine then for a natural Philosopher to write of the third Heaven 2. Whatsoever they say touching this Subject I have met with a Christian Philosopher a judicious Writer who acknowledgeth the Bartholinus de Coelo third Heaven to be an uncreated Heaven to be distinguished from the whole created world and proveth that Empyrean Heaven of which they speak so much to be a meer Chimera or figment of their own and I hold the testimony of one such Christian Philosopher to be of more validity for my cause then the testimony of many more natural Philosophers can be against it Peradventure another will say Many good Divines Object 2 have spoken much of a blessed Heaven but not one word of an uncreated Heaven as you do but still they understand the third Heaven to be a part of the created world and why should you dissent from them 1. If in this point I dissent from good Divines Answ it is not out of any ill-will to them but out of love to the truth and out of a desire to manifest the truth that hath been too long concealed from many Amicus Socrates Amicus Plato Amicior Veritas 2. Suppose those good Divines do not agree with me in plain words nor speak out as I do That the third Heaven is an uncreated Heaven but seem to imply that it is a part of the created
world Yet I take it they do agree with me in effect and by good consequence when as they teach That the third Heaven is incorruptible unchangeable immoveable for if it be incorruptible unchangeable immoveable how can it be any part of the created world or if it be any part of the created world how can it be incorruptible unchangeable immoveable seeing we know that the whole created world is corruptible and groans to be delivered from the bondage of corruption Rom. 8. 21 22. And as it is corruptible so it is changeable and shall be changed Psal 102. 26. And as it is changeable so it is moveable and shall be moved and shaken yea it shall be shaken in pieces at the time of its dissolution as it is written Yet once more I shake not the Earth only but also Heaven Heb. 12. 26. If then those good Divines which the Objection speaks of do agree with me in effect and by good consequence why should I be blamed for speaking that plainly which they speak obscurely and implicitely Peradventure another will say If there be an Object 3 uncreated Heaven in all probability the Heaven of Heavens should be that but the Heaven of Heavens is a created Heaven as may appear Nehem. 9. 6. where it is said Thou even thou art Lord alone thou hast made Heaven the Heaven of Heavens with all their Host c. and if so then the third must needs be a created Heaven also I dare not confound the third Heaven with the Answ Heaven of Heavens as some have done even supposing them to be both one and that whatsoever is affirmed or denyed of the one may also be affirmed or denyed of the other But I conceive a great difference betwixt them for by the Heaven of Heavens in the place before quoted and in some other places of Scripture I understand only the highest of created Heavens which in reference to those inferior Heavens which are within its circumference is called the Heaven of Heavens But by the third Heaven I understand the highest Heaven Luke 19. 38. which is higher then the highest of created Heavens and hath no other Heaven above it being the highest of all Heavens and the highest mentioned in Scripture whereas the Heaven of Heavens before mentioned though it be the highest of created Heavens yet it is not the highest of all Heavens but hath this third Heaven above it Now I acknowledg That the Heaven of Heavens in the former sence considered is a created Heaven according to that of Nehem. 9. 6. and being the highest of created Heavens it must needs be it self also a created Heaven But it will not follow from hence That the third Heaven is a created Heaven because this is above all created Heavens and therefore must needs be uncreated as hath been shewed before And for the better avoyding of strife about words I acknowledg also That the third Heaven in a tolerable sence may be called the Heaven of Heavens viz. in respect of its transcendent excellency as God sometimes is called God of Gods Lord of Lords and King of Kings yet I do not remember that it is any where so called in Scripture but if it be any where so called it cannot be the same with the Heaven of Heavens before described Peradventure another will say If there be an uncreated Heaven that third Heaven into which Saint Object 4 Paul was caught up 2 Cor. 12. 2. should seem to be that but that third Heaven may be thought to be a created Heaven because it is called the third in reference to two created Heavens viz. the Airy Heaven and the Starry Heaven and if these two be created Heavens then the third also must needs be so too The consequence of this Objection is denyed for we read of two Adams in Scripture the first Answ Adam and the second and the first Adam was sinful yet it will not follow from thence that the second Adam was so too So though I grant the two Heavens before mentioned to be created Heavens yet it will not follow from hence that the third is so too And as I acknowledg that third Heaven into which Saint Paul was taken up to be that blessed Heaven of which I speak in my former Assertion so I have proved by seven Arguments already That it was never created and I am the more confirmed in it because Saint Paul calls that third Heaven by the name of Paradise and saith he heard unspeakable words in it not lawful to be uttered 2 Cor. 12. 4. whereas if a man could see and hear all that is to be seen and heard in the created Heavens I suppose it might be lawful for him to utter it Peradventure another will say That which is and Object 5 ever shall be the habitation of created Beings is a created place but the third Heaven is and ever shall be the habitation of created Beings as of Christs humane Nature of holy Angels and of faithful Souls departed therefore it is a created place First I acknowledg that the third Heaven is for the present the habitation of some created Beings Answ yet it will not follow from thence that it is a created place for we read that God himself is and ever hath been the habitation and dwelling place of the faithful in all generations Psal 71. 3. Psal 90. 1. Psal 91. 1. yet we may not thence infer that God is a created Being So though I grant That the third Heaven is the habitation of some created Beings for the present yet we may not hence infer That it is a created place Secondly Whereas the Objection saith That the third Heaven shall ever be the habitation of created Beings as now it is this is plainly denyed by me for I believe That the third Heaven shall be the habitation of Christs humane Nature of holy Angels and faithful Souls as now it is only for a time Rev. 20. 4. that is until the Father shall have put all things under his feet and shall have subduedall his enemies Psa 110. 1. and until the times of restitution of all things Acts 3. 21. and when this time shall be expired which shall be at the end of this present world I believe That Christ in his humane Nature shall come again from the third Heaven with all his holy Angels and Saints with him for to judg and raign for ever after in the World to come and that he shall then deliver up the Kingdom to God even the Father 1 Cor. 15. 24. What Kingdom That personal Kingdom of the Father in which he now raigneth and shall raign till then and that then the Father shall be All in All in his own personal Kingdom as he was before Christ came thither and shall be supream over all elsewhere though the Son be after a sort now equal with him and so shall Christ ever after sit upon his own personal Throne and raign in his own personal Kingdom Rev. 3. 21. Luk. 22.
a good hope to do it as he sheweth vers 14 15 23 24 28 29 30 31 32. Yet in all this Chapter he speaks not a word of a National Conversion of the Jews of latter times and when he saith Aâ—l Israel shall be saved vers 26. he is so far from speaking of the temporal Conversion of any â—hat he speaks of the final full and everlasting Salvaâ—ion of all the Elect Israel of God as hath been acknowledged by many learned Expositors Wherefore Calvin Gerard Wollebius when you shall awake out of this sleep I hope â—ou will say with me that ye have been in a dream â—hitherto and that this present world is evil and is â—ikely to be yet worse both in respect of sin and punishment But if some shall here object and say We must Object distinguish the morning and the evening of the latter times and must know that though the morning of the latter times doth yet continue perillous yet the evening shall not be so but shall be auspicious and glorious To this I answer It will be hard if not impossible Sol. for any to prove either that these perillous days of ours do belong unto the morning of the latter times or that the evening shall be less perillous then the morning hath been Rather I think it may be proved That the morning of the latter times was less perillous both in respect of sin and punishment and more eximious for holiness and happiness then the evening shall be Wherefore as I conceive this distinction thus applied will not help at a dead lift though it may be very useful as it may be applied some other way And though it be true that all such unconverted Jews as belong to Gods Election shall in time be converted yet it will be a sweating task for any to prove from the 11 Chapter to the Romans or from any other place or places of Scripture That there shall be an Universal or a National Conversion either of the present oâ— of a latter off-spring of Jews or that there shall be so great or so numerous a Conversion of Jews hereafter in any time to come as there was in the days of Christ and of his Apostles And if the Conversion of the Gentiles shall continue in a constant course and succession till the second Coming of Christ from the heavenly Sion Rom. 11. 25 26. what time will there remain for a National Conversion of a latter off-spring of Jews But more will be said of this in the following pages Again If this present world be evil in both the former respects then the sons of men should not love it in those respects nor set their hearts upon it Indeed we have no reason to hate this world as it is Gods workmanship nor as it is the place for Repentance and true Conversion nor as it is the place wherein much good may be received and done and wherein we are to seek the Kingdom of God and his Mat. 6. Righteousness to run the race of Christianity and to make our Calling and Election sure So neither have we any reason to love it for any vanity sin corruption or misery that is to be found in it according to that of Saint John Love not the world neither the things that are in the world 1 Joh. 2. 15. where the world is taken either figuratively for thâ— wicked of the world or else properly for the placâ— of earthly corruption and by the things that arâ— in the world he understands the sinful lusts hereof and shews that this world is not to be loved in these respects because if any man love the world in such respects the love of the father is not in him and all that is in the world saith he the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world Vers 16. And Sainâ— James tells us That the friendship of this world is enmity with God Jam. 4. 4. Nay we should be so far from loving it in those respects that 1. We should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2. 12. 2. We should use it rather for necessity then for delight and this is to use this world as not abusing it 1 Cor. 7. 31. 3. We should strive by faith to overcome and subdue in our selves the love of earthly vanities For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith 1 Joh. 5. 4. 4. We should take heed lest at any time our hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life and so that day of the Lord come upon us unawares Luk. 21. 34. 5. We should be heavenly minded and affected according to the Apostles advice If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Set your affection on things above not on things on the earth Col. 3. 1 2. And according to our Saviours advice Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where theeves break through and steal but lay up for your selves treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where theeves do not break through and steal For where your treasure is there will your heart be also Mat. 6. 19 20 21. 6. We should be much conversant in our thoughts and speeches about heavenly matters and affairs and this is to have our Conversation in Heaven from whence we look for our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Phil. 3. 20. 7. We should be constantly willing to leave this world and to be wholy divorced from it in the former respects as Elijah was when he said It is enough Lord take away my life for I am no better then my father as old Simeon was when he said Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace and Saint Paul was when he said I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is best of all And then may a man truly say with the Apostle I am crucified unto the world and the world to me Gal. 6. 14. when he is as willing to part with the world as the world is to part with him The next Position to be proved is That this present world shall one day be dissolved 2 Posit And here by this present world I understand the visible Heavens and Earth that now are together with the creatures and works which are in them or shall be found in them at the latter day For though the visible Heavens and Earth which now are may be called this present world considered as a Continent and the creatures and works in them may be called the things of the world yet all these together do but make up this whole visible world as appears 2 Pet. 3. 10. And to be dissolved is all
one as to be brought to dust as when a mans body shall be dissolved it shall be brought to dust according to that Gen. 3. 19. Dust thou art and to dust thou shalt return So when this world shall be dissolved it shall be brought to dust because it is the nature of fire when it burns up any substance to bring it to dust and ashes and this present world shall be burnt up as I am to shew by and by therefore it shall be brought to dust And that I be not misapprehended of any in this point these three Cautions are to be considered before I come to prove my Position 1. I do not say That this present world shall be annihilated or brought to nothing as some have thought because the dust hereof shall remain after its dissolution as the dust of mans body shall remain somewhile after its dissolution 2. I grant That some of Gods Elect shall be found alive in their bodies at the latter day and that their bodies shall not be dissolved but shall be preserved from the dissolution that shall then come upon this world as it is written Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the ayr and so shall we ever be with the Lord 1 Thes 4 17. but these only excepted this whole visible world shall be dissolved 3. Neither do I say That this present world shall be dissolved altogether in respect of its Essence and Being because it shall have a Being viz. a new form and manner of Being after its dissolution as when a man dyes his body is dissolved not altogether in respect of its Essence and Being because mans body shall have a new form and manner of Being after its dissolution Job 14. 14. but when a man dyes his body is dissolved only in respect of its present or pristine condition and shall be no more such a body as it was either for substance or corrupt qualities because the substance thereof shall be turned to dust and the present or pristine corrupt qualities thereof shal cease So when this present world shall be dissolved it shall not cease to be altogether because it shall be again under a new form and condition and that for ever 2 Pet. 3. 13. Isai 66. 22. for which cause it is said That the Earth abideth for ever Eccles 1. 4. and it cannot abide for ever under its present form and condition but doubtless it shall abide for ever under a new form after its new Creation and it is said that God hath established the world never to be moved 1 Chron. 16. 30. Psal 93. 1. Psal 96. 10. Jer. 10. 12. Ier. 51. 15. Isai 45. 18. Yet we know that this world shall be moved at its dissolution Heb. 12. 26. But the meaning of these places places is that after its new Creation it shall never be moved So then this present world shall be dissolved only in respect of its present or pristine condition that is it shall be no more such a world as now it is either for substance or corrupt qualities because the present substance of it shall be turned to dust and the present corrupt qualities and accounts of it shall be no more Now that this present world shall one day be dissolved in the former sence is fully acknowledged 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Saint Peter who saith All these things shall be dissolved 2 Pet. 3. 11. meaning by all these things the visible Heavens and Earth which now are with all the creatures and works in them which altogether make up this present world and he saith further vers 12. That these things being on fire shall be dissolved and so he plainly avereth that this present woâ—ld shall one day be dissolved and brought to dust And for further proof hereof these ensuing particulars should be considered 1. That this present world shall one day have an end put unto it as the Scripture witnesseth as often as it speaks of the end of this world as Mat. 24. 3. Mat. 28. 20. 1 Cor. 10. 11. 15. 24. 1 Pet. 4. 7. From whence I may thus reason That which shall have an end put unto it shall be so far dissolved but this present world shall have an end put unto it in respect of its present condition therefore in this respect it shall be dissolved 2. That this present world considered as before shall one day perish according to that They shall perish but thou shalt endure Psal 102. vers 26. Now that which shall perish shall so far be dissolved but this present world shall perish in respect of its present and pristine condition therefore in this respect it shall be dissolved 3. That this present world is mutable and shall be changed according to that As a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed Psal 102. 26. As mans body shall be changed Job 14. 14. Now that which shall be changed shall be so far dissolved as it shall be changed but this present world shall one day be changed as touching its present and pristine condition form and manner of Being therefore in this respect it shall be dissolved 4. That this world is corruptible and under the bondage of corruption as may appear Rom. 8. 21. and that which is corruptible shall one day be dissolved so far as it is corruptible but this present world is corruptible inrespect of its present and pristine condition therefore in this respect it shall be dissolved 5. That this present world is moveable and shall one day be shaken in peeces as it is said Once more I shake not the Earth only but also Heaven Heb. 12. 26. and that which may be shaken shall be dissolved so far as it may be shaken but this present world shall be shaken in respect of its present condition form and manner of Being therefore in this respect it shall be dissolved 6. That this present world is subject to vanity Rom. 8. 20. and is of a vanishing nature For the Heavens shall vanish away like smoak Isa 51. 6. Heaven and Earth shall pass away Mat. 5. 18. The fashion of this world passeth away 1 Cor. 7. 31. The world passeth away and the lusts thereof 1 Joh. 2. 17. Now that which shall vanish away shall be dissolved so far as it shall vanish away but this present world shall vanish away in respect of its present condition form and manner of Being therefore in this respect it shall be dissolved 7. That this present world waxeth old like a garment Psal 102. 26. Isai 51. 6. and hath been in its latter age for one thousand six hundred years 1 Cor. 10. 11. 1 Joh. 2. 18. Now that which waxeth old like a gaâ—ment shall one day be dissolved in that respect but this present world waxeth old in respect of its present condition therefore in this respect it shall be dissolved 8. That this present world shall one day be
be seen to begin or to be established in the earth And whereas they tell us of the Saints living and raigning with Christ a thousand years Rev. 20. 4. as if that place made much for them I would have them know that that place is not to be understood of Saints on earth as if they should live and raign with Christ in their bodies upon this corrupt earth a thousand years by vertue of a Reformation-change in this world but it is to be understood of Saints departed this life now in the third Heaven in respect of their Souls where they were to live and raign with Christ for a thousand years or more from the time when those words were spoken a certain time being there put for an uncertain even until his coming again from thence 3. It is an Error in these men to think that by the World to come the Scripture means a Reformation-change in this world seeing by the World to come we are to understand a new created world properly so called that shall consist of new Heavens and a new Earth properly so called and of new Creatures and occurrences in them as I hope to shew more fully in my next Section Yea the World to come shall be such a world wherein the righteous shall inherit everlasting life Luk. 18. 30. but supposing there should be such a Reformation-change in this world as they dream of yet we cannot therein inherit everlasting life therefore we may not understand by the World to come such a Reformation-change 4. It is an Error in these men to confound the World to come with this present world seeing the Scripture hath plainly distinguished them in many places Mat. 12. 32. Luk. 18. 30. Ephes 1. 21 c. And as the time to come cannot be all one with the time present nor the time present with the time to come so neither can the World to come be all one or at one time with this present world nor this present world all one or at one time with the World to come But leaving this phansie of theirs I proceed And I acknowledg in the fourth place That the 4 Posit World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world that is to say as soon as this present world shall have an end the World to come shall begin as soon as these visible Heavens shall be dissolved there shall be other Heavens in their stead as soon as this visible Earth shall be dissolved there shall be another Earth instead thereof with other creatures in it and so the World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world For confirmation whereof though I cannot produce any plain place of Scripture so clear as to convince all gain-sayers yet I can produce some probable grounds such as have satisfied my self as touching the truth of this Position As 1. The Scripture speaks not of any space of time much less of any considerable space of time that shall be betwixt the dissolution of this present world and the Creation of the World to come therefore it is probable that there shall be no considerable space of time betwixt them and consequently that the World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world 2. The Scripture speaks of divers things that shall happen in and upon one and the same day viz. the great Day of the Lord. As 1. The dissolution of this present world 2. The Creation of the World to come 3. The subduing of all Christs Enemies 4. The Resignation of the Kingdom to God even the Father 5. The glorious Appearing of Christ 6. The Resurrection of the dead 7. The Sentence of the last Judgment And if all these things shall happen upon one and the same day viz. the great Day of the Lord then it is probable that there shall be no considerable space of time betwixt them and consequently that the World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world 3. I have seriously thought upon that of the Apostle Paul Then shall we which live and remain be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the ayr 1 Thes 4. 17. where he intimates as I conceive That the World to come shall be created after the same order in which this present world shall be dissolved And as this present world shall be dissolved first in its upper part viz. the visible Heavens Clouds and Ayr which now are so the World to come shall be created first in its upper part viz. the new Heavens Clouds and Ayr c. and so the Saints which shall be found living upon this corrupt earth when the fire beginneth to seize upon it shall be caught up together with the Saints that shall come with Christ to meet him and them in the new Clouds and Ayr for I cannot imagine that either the Saints which shall come from Heaven or those that shall come from the Earth shall meet in these corrupt Clouds and Ayr which now are and so I may well gather from this place That the World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world Which Position thus cleared crosseth a certain Vse opinion of Mr Mede * In his Book on the Revelation for though he grants That the World to come shall not begin before this present world shall be dissolved yet he thinks that the Day of Judgment shall continue for a thousand years and thereupon shall follow the World to come But I would fain know what he means by the Day of Judgment in that place whether the Day of Sentence or the Day of Execution If he mean the Day of Execution he might as well have said the Day of Judgment shall continue for ever for doubtless the Execution of the last Judgment shall continue for ever and ever But if he mean the Day of Sentence I wonder he should say the Day of Judgment shall continue a thousand years seeing no good reason can be given why the Lord should so long deliberate about the Sentence of Judgment Notwithstanding then this opinion of his I am still of the opinion That the World to come shall begin immediately or suddenly upon the dissolution of this present world And if so there is no reason why good Christians should mourn grieve or be discouraged to hear of the dissolution of this present world seeing the World to come shall begin immediately hereupon It is a comfort against the death of these corrupt bodies of ours to hear that we shall have other and better bodies after the death of these so it should be a comfort against the dissolution of this world to hear that there shall be another and a better world after the dissolution of this SECT IV. Shewing The nature of the World to come considered as a Continent ANd that we may rightly understand
the nature of it and judg rightly thereof these ensuing Grounds should be weighed First I affirm That the World to come is taken 1 Ground both strictly and largely in the Word of God It is strictly taken wheresoever the World to come is distinguished from the matters and things that shall be contained in it as Mat. 12. 32. Luk. 18. 30. and 20. 34 35. Ephes 1. 21. Heb. 6. 5. in all which places it is mentioned by way of distinction It is largely taken wheresoever the World to come is named and not distinguished from the matters and things that shall be contained in it as Rom. 4. 13. Heb. 2. 5. where it is mentioned without a distinction Wherefore such might here be blamed as have spoken more or less of the World to come in a confused way neither distinguishing thereof nor shewing what they mean thereby seeing it is a received Maxime That ambiguous and doubtful terms should first be distinguished and afterwards Ambigua priua distinguenda defined or described But the very name of the World to come is ambiguous yet they have not distinguished it unto this day Secondly I affirm That in regard of the former 2 Ground distinction the World to come is to be considered two manner of ways of such as would describe it in a methodical way viz. extensively and intenâ—ively 1. It is to be considered extensively as we apprehend it for to be a Country a Continent or a place of â—arge extent and capacity Heb. 11. 14 16. in which sence I have spoken of it more especially in my former Sections and am now to speak more of it in this 2. It is to be considered in reference to the powers matters and things which shall be contained in â—t Heb. 6. 5. in which sence I am to speak of it more fully in my following Sections Wherefore I may be bold to say of such Writers â—s have spoken much of some things which shall be in the World to come but have said nothing of it as it shall be a Country or Continent That they have not methodically proceeded as concerning this Subject For if a man should write a large history concerning this present world and therein should say nothing of it as it is a Continent might we not well say Surely such a man was never throughly advised as touching the business he took in hand Yes And so may we think of such as have written nothing of the World to come as it shall be a Country or Continent whatsoever they have spoken of it in reference to the things which shall be contained in it Thirdly I affirm That the World to come considered 3 Ground as a Continent shall consist of new Heavens and a new Earth that is to say of new created Heavens and a new created Earth And so much I learn from that promise of the Lord Behold I create new Heavens and a new Earth and the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind Isai 65. 17. where it is to me apparent that the Lord describes the World to come in opposition to this present world considering each of them as a Continent and shews that as this present world as a Continent doth consist of those visible Heavens and Earth which now are and shall be no more remembered nor come into mind after their dissolution as touching their pristine condition So the World to come considered as a Continent shall consist of new created Heavens and a new created Earth and I am the more confirmed in this interpretation because in the 4 verses next before and in the 8 verses next after this promise the Lord speaks of divers things that shall be found in the World to come but all those things there mentioned shall be be found in the new Heavens and new Earth menâ—â—oned in this promise therefore it is plain from â—â—nce That the World to come considered as a Conâ—â—nent shall consist of new created Heavens and a â—â—w created Earth So much also I learn from that other promise of â—â—e Lord For as the new Heavens and the new â—arth which I will make shall remain before me â— shall your seed and your name remain Isai 66. 22. â—here the Lord describes the World to come both â— a Continent and also in reference to some things â—â—at shall be contained in it as a Continent he calls â— by the name of new Heavens and a new Earth â—â—d in reference to some things that shall be conâ—â—ined in it he saith That the Elect seed and their â—â—me shall remain before him viz. for ever Now â—e may not think that the Elect seed and their name â—hall remain for ever in this world but it is certain â—hat they shall remain for ever in the new Heavens â—nd new Earth here mentioned and so it is plain â—â—om hence too That the world to come considered â—s a Continent shall consist of new Heavens and a â—ew Earth So much again I learn from those words of Saint Peter Nevertheless we according to his promise â—ook for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein â—welleth Righteousness 2 Pet. 3. 13. where he deâ—cribes the world to come both as a Continent and â—lso in reference to something that shall be containâ—d in it as a Continent he calls it new Heavens and a new Earth and in reference to something that shall be in it he saith wherein dwelleth Righteousness In which latter clause the present tense â—s put for the future dwelleth for shall dwell and Righteousness is put for perfect Righteousness frâ—â— from all unrighteousness and sin Now we knoâ— that perfect Righteousness free from all unrightâ—ousness and sin shall never dwell in this preseâ—â— world but this perfect Righteousness shall dweâ—â— in the new Heavens and new Earth here mentioneâ— Wherefore by new Heavens and a new Earth Sainâ— Peter means nothing else but the World to come considered as a Continent and we may perceive iâ— too by his method in this Chapter for having spoken before of the dissolution of this present world and shewed what use we are to make of that point in vers 7 8 9 10 11 12. he descends in the 13 verse to speak of the World to come and shews what use we are to make of this point also vers 14. unto the end of this Chapter and he joyns these two Theams together by this connective particle Nevertheless which imports as if he had said Though it be so that this present world shall one day be dissolved and these visible Heavens and Earth which now are shall be burnt up and brought to dust yet we who are Believers according to the promise under the Old Testament do look for a new world instead of this that is for new created Heavens and a new created Earth instead of these and so it is clear also from Saint Peters doctrine That the World to come considered as a Continent shall consist of new created Heavens and a
new created Earth And lastly I learn so much from Saint Johns Vision thus expressed And I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away Rev. â—1 1. which place doth well accord with the three former because herein the Apostle describes the World to come in â—osition to this present world and shews that â—s present world considered as a Continent conâ—eth of a present visible Heaven and Earth that is â—â— Starry Heaven and an Ayry Heaven compassing â—s Earth So the world to come considered as a â—â—ntinent shall consist of a new created Heaven â—â—d Earth that is of a new Starry Heaven and a â—â—w Ayry Heaven that shall compass the new â—â—rth And so we have now a four-fold testimony â—â—m the word of God for the proof of this third â—ound If any shall here object and say That I am alone Object this interpretation put upon the new Heavens â—â—d new Earth and do but deliver my own judgâ—â—nt and so may well be suspected My answer is If I were alone in this interpretaâ—â—â—n Answ I should not deserve any blame in this respect â—â—cause I have the proper occasion scope and conâ—â—â—t of the four places before quoted clearly on my â—e and when I find any interpretation warranted â—â— the proper occasion scope and context of the â—â—ce I shall judg it to be right and true though I â—â—ould meet with an hundred Expositors of a conâ—â—â—ry judgment yet I assure you that I am not â—ne in this interpretation of the new Heavens and â— new Earth but amongst my few Books I have â—t with four Expositors well reported of at this â—y in the Churches of God who are of the same â—â—dgment with my self concerning this matter â—â—mely Piscator a In his Commentaries on 2 Pet. 3. 13 Dr Dickson b In his Commentaries on 2 Pet. 3. 13 and on Heb. 12. Mr Ellis c In his Book entituled The Deliverance of the whole House of Israel and the â—e Annotations on the Bible d On 2 Pet. 3. 13. the latter of which â—â—â—imates or hints this reason why the world to â—â—me as a Continent shall consist of new Heavens and a new Earth viz. that it may be somewhat prâ—portionable to the Saints for to delight their eyâ—â— and minds Wherefore it is not from an affectaâ—â—on of singularity but out of love to the truth that have informed the Reader with this Ground Moreover before I leave this Ground I wouâ—â— have it known That there are many other passagâ— of Scripture besides those before quoted whicâ— if rightly understood will make much for tâ—â— confirmation of it Of which I shall instance some As 1. It is said The world shall be established thâ— it shall not be moved Psal 96. 10. And how shall â— understand this passage Shall not this preseâ—â— world be moved and shaken from its present stâ—â— and condition at the time of its dissolution Yâ—â— doubtless it shall But the meaning of it is Thâ— this world after its new Creation and after it shâ—â— consist of new Heavens and a new Earth shall neâ— be moved or shaken according to that of the Apâ—stle This word Yet once more signifieth the â— moving of those things that are shaken as of thinâ— that are made that those things which cannot â— shaken may remain Heb. 12. 27. So that from tâ—â— passage thus understood we may gather That tâ—â— World to come considered as a Continent shâ—â— consist of new created Heavens and a new creatâ— Earth 2. It is said in another place The Earth abide for ever Eccles 1. 4. How so Shall this corruâ—â— earth which now is abide for ever in its present aâ—â— pristine condition No it shall be burnt up 2 Pet 3. 10. But the meaning of this passage is That tâ—â— Earth after its new Creation shall abide for eveâ— and so we gather from hence That there shall be a new created Earth after this Earth shall be dissolved and we may not imagine That the new created Earth shall be without a new created Heaven consequently we may infer That the World to come considered as a Continent shall consist of new created Heavens and a new created Earth 3. It is said elsewhere The meek shall inherit the Earth Mat. 5. 5. Yea The meek shall inherit the Earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Psal 37. 11. which promises belong to all the godly meek in this world as well as to any but we find by experience that there are some godâ—y meek in this world who can hardly be said to have any inheritance in this corrupt Earth and if some of the meek do inherit it it is but a small part of it and that with much grief and vexation of spirit not with abundance of peace wherefore the meaning of these promises is That all the godly meek shall inherit the new created Earth and therein delight themselves in the abundance of peace and consesequently the World to come as a Continent shall consist of a new created Earth and if so then of new created Heavens too 4. It is said in the Psalm last quoted The righteous shall inherit the Land and dwell therein for ever Psal 37. 29. where the Land is all one with the Earth and this promise belongs to all that are truly righteous as well as to any but we know that all who are truly righteous in this world do not actually inherit this corrupt earth and they that do inherit some little portion thereof shall not dwell therein for ever therefore this promise must needs have reference to the new created Earth or Land which all that are truly righteous shall not only inherit but also shall dwell therein for ever and so the World to come as a Continent shall consist not only of new created Heavens but also of a new created Earth 5. It is said of Christ His dominion shall be from Sea to Sea and from the River unto the ends of the Earth Psal 72. 8. which promise belonged to Solomon as a Type of Christ in a limited sence and by vertue of it he was to have dominion over divert Nations and Countries but this promise had reference to Christ in a larger sence and by vertue of it he is to have dominion over all people that ever were are or shall be as the Son of man which dominion is not to be expected in this corrupt world on this corrupt earth but it shall be made good unto him in and upon the new created Earth which new Earth shall not be without new Heavens and so we infer from hence That the world to come as a Continent shall consist of new created Heavens and a new created Earth 6. It is said in the name of all the faithful Servants of God We shall raign on the Earth Rev. 5. 10. the meaning of which promise is That they shall raign over all their enemies ghostly and
bodily Now we see by dayly experience that it is not thus with them on this corrupt earth for here the faithful Servants of God have many Tyrants that sometime raign over them in a Tyrannical way as Sin the Flesh Satan and the world here the plowers plow upon their backs and make long furrows here men Psa 66. 12 ride over their heads here they meet with a Law in their members that leads them captive to the Law of sin But we are to understand that this Promise shall be made good unto them in the new created Earth wherein they shall under Christ raign over all their Enemies bodily and ghostly which new Earth cannot be without a new Heaven And so we gather from hence That the World to come as a Continent shall consist of new created Heavens and a new created Earth 7. God said unto Abraham I will give unto â—hee and to thy seed after thee the Land wherein â—hou art a stranger all the Land of Canaan for â—n everlasting possession Genes 17. 8. Which Promise is to be made good to Abraham in his own person and to all his Elect seed in their persons Now we know that Abraham in his own person â—id possess the Land of Canaan no otherwise then â—s a stranger and that his Elect seed have not all â—ossessed it in their persons according to this Proâ—ise much less have they had it for an everlasting possession Wherefore this Promise must needs have â—eference to the World to come and to a new creâ—ted Earth wherein shall be a new Land of Canaan which Abraham and his Elect seed shall all enjoy in â—heir own persons for an everlasting possession which â—ew Earth and new Canaan cannot be imagined to â—e without a new Heaven And so I infer from â—ence also That the World to come as a Contiâ—ent shall consist of new created Heavens and a â—ew created Earth 8. It is said in another place That he who blessâ—th himself in the Earth shall bless himself in the God of Truth and he that sweareth in the Earth â—hall swear by the God of Truth because the former troubles are forgotten and because they are hid from mine eyes Isai 65. 16. And here if we compare the matter promised with the matter of the next precedent Verse together with the Reasons annexed to it and also with the matter of the next subsequent Verse we may easily find that the earth in this place is put for the new created Earth which God hath promised Wherein who so blesseth himself shall bless himself in the God of Truth and who so sweareth shall swear by the God of Truth and wherein also former troubles shall be forgotten and hid from Gods eyes Which new Earth shall not be without new Heavens as in the next Verse appears Therefore from hence also I gather That the World to come as a Continent shall consist of new created Heavens and a new createâ— Earth 9. Lastly We are taught to say to God in ouâ— prayers Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven In which Petition as I conceive this worâ— Earth includes not onely this corrupt Earth wherein we live but also that new Earth which shall bâ— created instead of this Because we are to desire That Gods Will so far as it shall be revealed to menâ— may be done in both as it is in Heaven that is tâ— say we are to desire that his Will may be done iâ— this corrupt Earth in some like manner as it is now done in Heaven viz. readily willingly chearfully constantly sincerely And we are to desire thaâ— his Will may be done in the new Earth in full likâ— maner as it is now done in the blessed Heaven viz perfectly without all sinful defects And doubtlesâ— Gods will shall be done in the new created Earth aâ— perfectly by all his Elect as it is now done by thâ— Saints in Heaven which are but some of them And seeing we cannot think upon such a new Eartâ— without a new Heaven I may safely conclude That the World to come considered as a Continent shall consist of new created Heavens and a new created Earth Other Scripture-passages might be produced for the ratification of this ground but I am loath to burthen the Reader with any more in this place Fourthly I affirm That the World to come considered 4 Ground as a Continent shall in some things correspond and accord with this present world As in these particulars 1. This present world considered as a Continent consisteth of visible Heavens and a visible Earth And here by visible Heavens we commonly understand both the Airy Heaven which is now next above us and the Starry Heaven which is now next above that And here also by a visible Earth we commonly understand both the dry Land and the Waters which now are Gen. 1. 9. So the World to come considered as a Continent shall consist of visible Heavens and a visible Earth as may appear by what hath been said upon the former ground 1 Thes 4 17 Dan. 12 3 And here again by visible Heavens I understand both that Airy Heaven and that Starry Heaven which shall be created upon the dissolution of these which now are And also by a visible Earth I understand both that dry Land and those Waters which shall be created upon the dissolution of these which now are 2. This present world considered as a Continent received its beginning by Creation and was created by God himself Gen. 1. 1. So the World to come considered as a Continent shall receive its beginning by Creation and shall be created by God himself Isai 65. 17. 66. 22. Yet I dare not say that it shall be created of nothing as this present world was Indeed it is possible enough with God to create it of nothing pre-existent Yet it seems more probable to me that it shall be created of the dust of this present world after it shall be burnt up and brought to dust As the bodies of men women and children in their Resurrection shall be formed or created of the dust of their old bodies But I will not contend for this as for a matter of Faith It 's enough for us to beleeve that the World to come shall be created by God himself either of nothing or of something and if of something then it 's probable that it may be created as well of the dust of this as of any other thing 3. This present world considered as a Continent doth contain in it variety of Creatures some rational some irrational So the World to come as a Continent shall contain in it variety of Creatures some rational some irrational as I intend to shew in the next part of this Treatise after I shall have spoken of the more principal matters of the World to come Fifthly I affirm That the World to come considened 5 Ground as a Continent shall differ from this present world both for
substance and qualities That it shall differ from this present world for qualities or as touching its qualities is acknowledged by many Writers 1. Because this present world waxeth old like a garment and is grown decrepit but that to come shall be new 2. Because this is corruptible but that shall be incorruptible 3. Because this is mutable and moveable but that shall be immutable and immoveable Isai 66. 22. Heb. 12. 4. Because this is polluted and defiled but that shall be undefiled 5. Because this shall have an end but that shall be everlasting without end For which causes the World to come must needs differ from this present world for qualities or in and touching its qualities And hereunto I add That it shall differ also from this present world for substance or as touching the substance of it 1. Because the World to come shall not be created before the substance of this world as a Continent shall be burnt up and brought to dust as hath been before shewed And if so then the World to come must needs be another from this for substance and so differ from this as touching the substance of it 2. Because the World to come shall not be created of the substance of this present world but either it shall be created of nothing or of something that shall not be the substance of this And suppose it shal be created of the dust of this yet it wil not hereupon follow that it shall be created of the substance of this For as the dust of a mans body after it is burnt to ashes cannot properly be called the substance of his body so neither can the dust of this present world after it shall be burnt to ashes be properly called the substance of this world And seeing the World to come shall not be created of the substance of this it will necessarily follow That it shall be another from this and shall differ from this as touching the substance of it 3. Unless the World to come shall differ from this in and for the substance of it I cannot see how it can differ from it in and for the qualities of it because where any natural substance remains the natural qualities of it are wont to remain too As when in Noahs time the world then was drowned with a flood the natural substance of it remained and the natural qualities too though the superficies of it was much altered for a while But it is granted by many as I said That the world to come shall differ from this for qualities Therefore I infer from the premisses That the World to come considered as a Continent shall differ from this present world and be another from it both for substance and qualities Sixthly I affirm That the World to come considered 6 Ground as a Continent shall be the same for essence and essential properties with this present world Thus our new bodies after the last Resurrection shall be the same for essence and essential properties with these bodies which now we have And as it is essential to these bodies which now we have to to consist of flesh and bones of eyes ears hands and feet c. So it shall be essential to our new bodies after the last Resurrection to consist of flesh and bones of eyes ears hands and feet c. For I my self shall behold him saith Job with these same eyes Job 19. 27. Yet our new bodies shall not be the same with these for substance for thou sowest not that body that shall be 1 Cor. 15. 37. Neither shal they be the same with these for qualities for that which is sown in corruption shall rise again in incorruption that which is sown in dishonor shall be raised in glory c. 1 Cor. 15. 42 43 44. So the World to come shall be the same for essence and essential properties with this present world And as it is essential to this world to be Gods Creation and Workmanship to consist of visible Heavens and a visible Earth to be a round world and of large extent So shall it be essential to the World to come to be Gods Creation and Workmanship to consist of visible Heavens and a visible Earth to be a round world and of large extent And so much I gather from this Scripture-Maxim God hath established the world never to be moved Psal 96. 10. whereas we know that this present world shall be moved at the time of its dissolution in respect of its present substance and qualities but the meaning is That it shall never be moved in respect of its essence because this shall continue not onely until but after its new Creation I infer then That the World to come shall be the same with this for essence and essential properties though it shall not be the same with it for substance and qualities These six Grounds thus cleared make for the discovery Vse of three Errors The first Error is of those who think That the World to come shall be nothing else but that blessed Heaven or third Heaven which now is Which Opinion as I take it hath been effectually confuted before in my second Section and so I need say no more of it in this place The second is the Error of those who think That the World to come shall be the same for substance with this present world Which Error as I conceive hath been substantially refuted in my two last Grounds upon this Section For though I grant in one of them That the World to come shall be the same for essence with this world yet I have shewed in the other That it shall not be the same for substance with it And therefore I will say no more at this time concerning this matter The third is the Error of those who think That the World to come as a Continent shall not consist of new Heavens and a new Earth because say they where ever the Scripture speaks of new Heavens and a new Earth it speaks of a new reformed Church in this life all the world over before the end of it and not of the World to come Which Opinion hath obtained many Patrons Advocates and Followers of late years and in these Times who have hereupon fancyed to themselves strange Forms of Religion and strange Forms of Government and Discipline as necessary to be established in the Church in these latter Times But all of them have justly deserved to be censured by the Church 1. Because they have put a false gloss or interpretation upon those places which speak of the new Heavens and a new Earth 2. Because they make use of a figurative or allegorical interpretation when the proper and litteral sence is onely right and orthodox 3. Because they wrest many other places of Scripture in favor of this interpretation 4. Because that conclusion which they intend to prove by their wrestings is grosly erroneous in it self viz. That there shall be such a Reformed Church all the world over
as they speak of before the end come as I have before shewed Wherefore though I have here fit occasion given for to examine their Books and to discover their several Mistakes and Errors yet I am not willing in this Tract either to trouble â—he Reader any further with their conceits or to hinâ—er him from the meditation of profitable matters Again These six Grounds discovering the nature of the World to come should move and excite all â—eleeving Christians to look and hope for such a world to come as is here described with Christian hope after the example of S. Peter and the faithâ—ul with him who looked for new Heavens and a new Earth 2 Pet. 3. 13. So did the scattered Jews to whom he wrote his epistle they looked and hoped â—or the same Wherefore beloved seeing ye look for such things 2 Pet. 3. 14. And when Abraham looked for a City with foundations whose builder and maker is God Heb. 11. 10. doubtless he hoped â—or the world to come wherein this City shall be found So when the beleeving Romans had in them the hope of glory Rom. 5. 2. and Paul had in him the hope of the Resurrection Act. 23. 6. They had also in them a good hope of the world to come wherein such things are to be found If it be here asked why beleeving Christians should hope for the world to come I answer 1. The world to come is often promised in the Word of God and for this cause we should look and hope for it Nevertheless according to his promise we look for new Heavens and a new Earth 2 Pet. 3. 13. 2. VVe are commanded to look and hope for the world to come Look up for your Redemption draweth nigh Luk. 21. 28. Looking for that blessed hope Tit. 2. 13. And for this cause we should hope for it 3. This hope of the world to come is called the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 23. because the Gospeâ— teacheth and perswadeth it And for this cause we should hope for it 4. This hope of the world to come is called the hope of our calling Eph. 1. 18. because it should accompany the Christian Calling And for this cause it should not be wanting in us 5. Unless Beleevers hope in Christ for the world to come they are of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. And if it be asked after what manner beleeving Christians should hope for the world to come I answer thus 1. Our hope for the world to come should be a lively hope 1 Pet. 1. 3. such as should make us active and lively in the performance of Christian duties 2. It should be constant and stedfast such as should continue with us in the worst times unto the end of our days according to that of the Apostle Gird up the loyns of your minde be sober and hope unto the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 13. Prov. 14. 32. 3. It should be a patient hope such as should make us to wait patiently for the world to come and the good things thereof with the faithful at Jerusalem Luk. 2. 38. and with Joseph the Counsellor Luk. 23. 51. 4. It should be chearful such as should make us comfortable under the Cross of Christ with the beleeving Romans who rejoyced in hope of the glory of God to be revealed hereafter Rom. 5. 2. 5. It should be diligent such as should stir us up to be diligent in the exercise of all saving graces acâ—â—rding to that of the Apostle Seeing ye look for â—â—ch things be diligent that ye may be found of â—â— in peace without spot and blameless 2 Pet. 3. â— where he intimates That they who are diliâ—â—nt in the exercise of saving grace while they live this world shall be found of God and of Christ the world to come and accepted of him as perâ—â—ctly reconciled and as perfectly holy and conseâ—â—ently they shall be found of him in peace withâ—â—t spot and blameless Let us not then cast off this â—â—pe at any time SECT V. Touching the Second Coming of Christ in the Flesh HAving hitherto spoken of the World to come considering it chiefly as a Country or Contiâ—ent Method requires that I should now in the next â—â—ace speak of it in reference to the things which shal â—e contained in it And though I cannot name all â—he particular matters things and occurrences which â—hall be in the World to come yet the Scripâ—ure mentions many of them and such as I find â—entioned in Scripture I shall endeavor to discover â—â— God shall permit And amongst others I here name five principal things that shall be visible to men in the World to come viz. 1. The Second Coming of Christ in the Flesh 2. The last Resurrection 3. The last Iudgment 4. The Kingdom of Christ 5. The blessed Condition of all that arâ— Christs with the cursed Condition of alâ— that are none of his But in this Section I shall speak only of the first oâ— these viz. Of the Second Coming of Christ in the Flesh And here we must know that the Word of God doth inform us of divers things touching this matter As First It informeth us That the Second Coming 1 Informat of Christ in the Flesh is to be distinguished from all other Comings of his for wheresoever this Second Coming of his is mentioned as Acts 1. 11. Heb. 9. 26. and in other places it is distinguished from all other Comings of his And more particularly it is distinguished 1. From his Coming in the Spirit for after his Ascention he came to his Apostles in the Spirit or in a spiritual way in the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his promise before his Ascention I will not leave you comfortless but will come unto you Joh. 14. 18. And this his Coming in the Spirit was not his second Coming in the Flesh 2. It is to be distinguished from his first Coming in the Flesh For though his first Coming in the Flesh was a Coming from Heaven as his second Coming shall be as it is written No man hath ascended into Heaven but he that came down from Heaven even the Son of man which is in Heaven Joh. 3. 13. yet his first Coming in the Flesh was partly a coming into this polluted world at the time of his Birth as he saith To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth Joh. 18. 37. And partly it was a coming from place to place in this polluted world as He came from Galilee to â—rdan to John to be baptized of him Mat. 3. 13. â—e came to his own and his own received him not â—â—h 1. 11. He left Judea and came to a City of â—â—maria which is called Sychar Joh. 4. 3 5. But â—s second Coming in the Flesh shall never be a comâ—â—g into this polluted world nor
yet a coming â—â—om place to place in it wherefore it is plain by â—e Word of God That his second Coming in the â—esh is to be distinguished from all other Comings â—â— his Secondly It informeth us That the second â— Informat â—oming of Christ in the Flesh shall be most sure and â—ertain And we may not doubt hereof because â— is confirmed unto us by many plain testimonies â—f Scripture as by the testimony of Enoch the â—eventh from Adam Behold the Lord cometh â—ith ten thousand of his Saints Jude 14. that is â—he Lord Christ shall come the present tense being â—ut for the future as in other Prophecies So by â—he testimony of David Our God shall come and â—all not keep silence Psal 50. 3. So by the testimoâ—y of Christ himself for while he was in this world â—e said They shall see the Son of man coming in the Clouds of Heaven Mat. 24. 30. The Son of man â—hall come in his Glory Mat. 25. 31. Hereafter ye shall see the Son of man coming in the Clouds of Heaven Mat. 26. 64. Luk. 21. 27. If I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self Joh. 14. 3. So by the testimony of two Angels This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Acts 1. 11. So by the testimony of Saint Paul who speaks of the second Coming of our Lord Christ from Heaven aâ— of the manner of it 1 Thes 4. 15 16. So by tâ—â— testimony of Saint James Be patient Brethrâ—â— until the Coming of our Lord Jam. 5. 7 8. Aâ—â— if the second Coming of Christ in the Flesh be coâ—firmed unto us by so many plain testimonies of Scripture we should not doubt hereof but should looâ— upon it as upon that which shall be most sure anâ— certain Thirdly It informeth us of the signs presagiâ—â— 3 Informat the second Coming of Christ in the Flesh whiâ—â— are of two sorts viz. some such as have been alreâ—dy observed in this world and some such as havâ— not yet been observed in it The signs presaging his second Coming whicâ— have been already observed in this world are dâ—vers As 1. The preaching of the Gospel in all places aâ—signed and appointed for this purpose for our Sâ—viour hath shewed That before his second Cominâ— in the Flesh the Gospel of the Kingdom shall bâ— preached in all the world for a witness unto alâ— Nations Mat. 24. 14. where his meaning is not that at one and the same time the Gospel shall bâ— preached to all Nations in all the world but that successively and at several times it shall be preached to all Nations assigned and appointed to hear it in Vid. Dickson ad loc all the world for a witness unto them viz. of good in case they shall receive and obey it but of evil in case they shall reject and contemn it In which sence this sign hath been long observed already for the Gospel was preached shortly after Christs Ascention by the Apostles themselves to all Nations in the world then assigned and appointed to hear it and since their time it hath been preached to all Nations â—ppointed to hear it at this day it is preached in all places of the world assigned for this purpose and doubtless this Ordinance shall continue accordingâ—y until the second Coming of Christ and no â—onger 2. A great Apostacy or falling away from the truth of the Gospel for Saint Paul tells us That the Day of the Lord Christ shall not come except there come a falling away first 2 Thes 2. 3. which sign also hath been long observed in this world for this Apostacy from the truth of the Gospel began in Saint Johns time They went out from us but they were not of us 1 Joh. 2. 19. and it became more general and notorious about the time of Antichrists first rising we have much cause to complain of it at this day and may yet have more experience of it before the Coming of Christ because it is said That in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4. 1. 3. The discovery or revealing of Antichrist for the same Apostle saith That the Day of the Lord Christ shall not come except that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition 2 Thes 2. 3. And this sign hath been long since observed in the world and the revealing of Antichrist hath been long since discerned by such as have had discerning eyes though not by others For the Sun it self shining in the firmament is not discerned by such as are blind not through any defect of light in the Sun but through want of eye-sight in such as are blind yet such as have the power and benefit of their eye-sight can discern the Sun when it shines So though the Papists and such as are popishly affected cannot oâ— will not discern the revelation of Antichrist yeâ— the reformed Churches by the light of Gods VVorâ— and Spirit have long since discerned it and havâ— long since unanimously concluded and found the papacy or succession of Popes in the Sea of Rome tâ— be that great Antichrist which the Scripture speakâ— of because all the properties of this Antichrist do so fitly suit with the Papacy as a coat or garment can suit with the body for which it is cut out 4. The Consumption of Antichrist in a spiritual way for the same Apostle sheweth That before the second Coming of Christ in the Flesh he shall be consumed with the Spirit of Gods Mouth 2 Thes 2. 8. that is as some interpret with the spirit of Prophecy in the mouths of orthodox Preachers and Writers opposing his mystery of iniquity And it hath been observed in many Christian Churches that Antichrist hath been long in this Consumption already and that his power both in respect of Doctrine Discipline and Dominion hath been so much wasted and diminished in this spiritual way that he is past all hope of recovery 5. Persecution for Truth and Righteousness sake for our Saviour hath shewed That before his second Coming in the Flesh many of his faithful Servants shall be apprehended and persecuted delivered up to the Synagogues and into prisons and shall be brought before Kings and Rulers for his Name sake Yea they shall be afflicted and killed and hated of all men for his Name sake Luk. 21. 12. Mat. 24. 9. And have we not had much experience of this sign Yes witness the ten Persecutions after the Apostles times and those other Persecutions that have been since in divers parts of Christendom â—s in Spain France England and in other â—laces 6. Treachery or Treason amongst Professors of the â—ame Religion for our Saviour tells us also That â—efore his second Coming many shall be offended â—nd shall betray one another and hate one another Mat. 24. 10.
Yea the brother shall betray the broâ—her to death the father the son and the children â—hall rise up against their parents and shall cause â—hem to be put to death Mark 13. 12. And hath not â—his sign been already observed in the world Yes â—t sundry times and at this day we find it an hard â—atter to find a faithful friend whom we may safeâ—â— trust mens hearts for the most part are so full of â—uile and deceit of treachery and falshood 7. The trouble of War for our Saviour hath â—urther told us That before his second Coming in the â—lesh we shall hear of Wars and rumors of Wars â—nd Nation shall rise against Nation and Kingdom â—gainst Kingdom Mat. 24. 6 7. And surely there â—ath been woful experience of this sign in former â—ges and of latter years amongst our selves and at â—his day we see that the Sword is drawn and doth â—â—ge devour and tyrannize in divers parts of the â—orld yea we know not when it shall be sheathâ—d up again neither is it probable that it shall cease â—nd be quiet before the Roman Antichrist shall be â—estroyed nor yet then in all places because Christ â—t his second Appearing shall find some Nations in â—posture of War Rev. 20. 8 9. 8. The trouble of Famines Pestilences and Earthâ—uakes for our Saviour hath told us That before â—s second Coming there shall be these judgments in divers places Mat. 24. 7. Mark 13. Luk. 21. Now how many of these Pestilences Famines and Earthquakes have been already observed in the world the Chronicles of several Nations may inform us and how many more of such judgments may yet be observed before the end cometh after times may declare 9. The swarming of false Christs false Prophets and false Teachers in the visible Church for our Saviour hath foretold us That before his second Coming in the Flesh many of this generation shaâ—â— arise in the visible Churches and shall swarm anâ— creep into houses like the Locusts of Egypt anâ— shall deceive many Mat. 24. Mark 13. Luk. 21 2 Tim. 3. 6 7. Now the Churches of Christ havâ— many sad stories upon record concerning such Locusts since the Ascention of Christ especially in the Arrian times and since the raign of Antichrist began and the number of such is much increased of late iâ— the Church of England and doth rather increasâ— then decrease in other Countries yea and is likely so to do still towards the end of the world 10. The prevailing of Errors and Heresies in thâ— visible Church by the spirit of delusion for thâ— Scripture testifieth That before the second Coming of Christ in the Flesh God shall send men strong delusions to believe a lye because they received noâ— the love of the truth 2 Thes 2. 10 11. And as somâ— shall bring in damnable Heresies so many shaâ—â— follow their pernicious ways 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. and many shall be deceived by them Mat. 24. Now how long the Churches of Christ have had experience oâ— this sign their Ecclesiastical stories can witness anâ— how such Errors and Heresies have prevailed latelâ— â—â— the Church of England many can witness with â—â—eat regreet and how long this spirit of delusion â—â—all prevail with men before the mouth of all â—ickedness shall be stopt onely GOD himself â—â—ows 11. A great growth of iniquity causing a decay â—â— decrease of love for our Saviour hath shewed â—hat before his second Coming in the Flesh iniquity â—all abound and because it shall abound the love â—â— many shall wax cold Mat. 24. 12. where as it Vide Dickson in his Commentaries on this place â—â—ems to me the abounding of iniquity is to be reâ—â—â—ained to the unregenerate sort whether prophane â—â— formal in whom the practise of iniquity was to â—ound and doth abound in these latter times 2 Tim. â— 2 3 4. and the frigescence or waxing cold of love â—â— to be restrained to the regenerate of the same â—â—mes who perceiving many of their supposed breâ—â—ren to revolt to the practise of iniquity and to reâ—â—rn back with the dog to his vomit shall be jealous â—â—d suspicious one of another and so shall wax cold â—â— love one towards another not knowing whom â—â— trust not as if the habit of love or the truth of â—hristian love should decay in them but they shall â—ot be so servent in the exercise and manifestation of â—â—eir love to each other by reason of the abounding â—f iniquity in others as so merly they were And â—oubtless this sign also hath been already observed â—â— many in the world and is that which may easily â—e perceived in these days by such as have eyes to â—â—scern it For do we not see how shy the godly â—e and how fearful of trusting one another at this â—y And all this because iniquity doth so much â—ound in many professors whom they have lately â—â—â—ken for their beloved brethren Moreover as these before mentioned are suâ—â— signs presaging his second Coming as have been â—â— ready observed in the world So there are othâ—â— signs presaging it which have not yet been nor câ—â— be yet observed in the world because they are noâ— but shall be hereafter As 1. The Ruine of the Roman Antichrist is menâ—â—oned as a sign presaging his second Coming in tâ—â— Flesh for it is said That Christ shall destroy hiâ— with the brightness of his Coming 2 Thes 2. 8. nâ— with his Coming but with the brightness of â—â— Coming and here by the brightness of his Coâ—ing I understand the last temporal Judgment thâ— God shall bring upon the Roman Antichrist whiâ—â— shall be a Judgment of the Sword accompaniâ—â— with hailstones from Heaven Rev. 16. 19 21. Aâ— as this Judgment shall destroy him so it shall be clear and bright evidence of Christs second Approaâ—â— to be near at hand and for this cause may be caâ—â—ed the brightness of his Coming and thougâ— this sign be not yet apparent yet it shall be herâ—after 2. The warlike preparations of Gog and Magoâ— for a battel with the Saints and against the holy Citâ— is mentioned as a sign presaging his second Cominâ— in the Flesh for it is said That Satan being loosâ— out of his prison shall go forth to deceive the Nâ—tions which are in the four quarters of the eartâ— Gog and Magog to gather them together to battel Rev. 20. 8. And though it be true that Christ shaâ— come again and shall with fire from Heaven devouâ— these adversaries before this battel shall be fought yet this warlike preparation of Gog and Magog is to be esteemed as a near and close presage of his seconâ— Coming and albeit this is not yet visible yet it â—â—all be in due season 3. A great security of Nations is mentioned as a â—n presaging the second Coming of Christ in the â—â—esh for we read That Christ at this Coming of â—â— shall find the most part of the world in a secure â—â—sture neither mourning for their sins nor fearing
second Coming of Christ in the Flesh should admonish all men to whom these tydings shall come 1. To beware of Atheism that they be not found Atheists in this point for they that are Atheists in this particular will scoff at this doctrine as it is said There shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying Where is the promise of his Coming 2 Pet. 3. 3 4. and it shall be evil for such at that day 2. To beware of ignorance and disobedience that we be not found wilfully ignorant of God and wilfully disobedient to the Gospel of Christ because at his second Coming he shall punish such as shall be found in the guilt of these sins with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and from the glory of his power 2 Thes 1. 9. 3. To beware of intemporance and excess in eating and drinking and the cares of this life Take heed lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeting and drunkenness and the cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares Luk. 21. 34. 4. To beware of security that we do not sleep as do others and promise our selves peace and safety in our sins because sudden destruction shall come upon such as travel upon a woman with child and they shall not escape 1 Thes 5. 3 6. 5. To beware of causeless contention and strife with our neighbors For if a servant shall say in his heart My Lord delayeth his coming and shall begin to beat the men-servants and maidens the Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him and in an hour when he is not aware and will cut him in sunder and will appoint him his portion with unbelievers Luke 12. 45 46. 6. To beware of all erroneous opinions about this Subject And seeing we have such clear Informations in the Word of God concerning it it will be dangerous for us to listen to any Informations contrary to these or to entertain any erroneous opinions in reference to this second Coming of Christ in the Flesh of which sort I have met with some created at this day As one saith There shall be a third Coming of Mr J. Arch Christ in the Flesh to which many Scriptures before quoted properly belong as he thinks and that his second Coming in the Flesh shall be only to raise the dead Saints and to set up his Kingdom upon this Earth and to establish it in the hands of all his dead and living Saints whereupon he shall withdraw himself into Heaven again until his third Coming at the end of the world whereas the Scripture speaks plainly but of two Comings of his in the Flesh and shews That as his first Coming in the Flesh was to take away sin so his second Coming shall be without sin unto Salvation Hebr. 9 28. Another saith That his second Coming in the Flesh is yet far off a thousand years off at least Another saith That his second Coming in the Flesh shall not be before there shall be a National Conversion of the Jews which shall occasion a more full Conversion of Gentiles Another saith That his second Coming in the Flesh shall be into this corrupt world Another saith That after his second Coming in the Flesh he shall return bodily into the third Heaven there to reside for ever and his Saints with him But I rescent these opinions as so many wild fansies or foperies such as have no footing at all in the Word of God And though I might here fill many pages with a large Confutation of them yet I forbear because I desire to furnish the Reader with more profitable matter and do think that by the light of the former Informations the judicious Reader may discern the darkness of these conceits Again That which hath been said touching the second Coming of Christ in the Flesh should exhort and perswade all men to whom these tydings shall come to these following duties 1. To be watchful against sin and Satan that we may keep a good Conscience in all things Sleep not as do others but watch and be sober 1 Thes 5. 6. Behold I come as a thief blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments lest he be found naked and they see his shame Rev. 16. 15. 2. To beleeve his second Coming in the Flesh assuredly seeing we have no reason to doubt thereof and seeing they that beleeve not this are no better then Atheists and Christ shall come to be admired in them that beleeve 3. To look for that is to hope for this second Coming of his as we are taught to do both by precept 2 Pet. 3. 12. and by example Philip. 3. 20. 4. To love this second Coming of his seeing there shall be a Crown of Righteousness for such as love his Appearing 2 Tim. 4. 8. 5. To pray for this second Coming of his that it may be hastened Rev. 22. 20. and that we may be accounted worthy to stand before him at that day Luk. 21. 36. 6. To be diligent whiles we live both in our general and particular Callings For blessed is that man whom the Lord when he cometh shall find sâ— doing Luk. 12. 43. SECT VI. Touching the last Resurrection AS the second Coming of Christ in the Flesh is one of the first things which shall be made visible in the World to come So the last Resurrection is another of them which shall be made visible too upon the same day with his second Coming if not at the same instant And touching this Subject also the Scripture informeth us of divers things As First It informeth us That the last Resurrection 1 Informat is to be distinguished from a spiritual Resurrection 1. Because all that have now a lively faith are partakers of a spiritual Resurrection in that they are quickened together with Christ and are risen together with him Ephes 2. 5 6. Col. 3. 1. according to his promise The hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voyce of the Son of man and they that hear shall live Joh. 5. 25. whereas none of them are yet partakers of the last Resurrection 2. Because a spiritual Resurrection is all one with Regeneration being that Grace of God whereby men are quickened spiritually and so raised from the death of sin unto the life of Righteousness and translated from death unto life in a spiritual sense 1 Joh. 3. 14. but the last Resurrection shall not be all one with Regeneration 3. Because a spiritual Resurrection is called the first Resurrection and that properly Rev. 20. 5. 6. but the last Resurrection shall not be the first 4. Because this spiritual Resurrection is proper only unto such as are or shall be blessed and holy as it is said Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection for upon such the second death hath no power but they shall be Priests of God and of Christ
also which shall be given and pronounced upon the Reprobates under the name and notion of unjust persons shall be to this effect Go ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels And the reason of this Sentence also shall be added thus For I was hungry and ye gave me no meat I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink I was a stranger and ye took me not in naked and ye clothed me not sick and in prison and ye visited me not Verily I say unto you in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these ye did it not to me Matth. 25. 41 42 43 44 45. And will it not be just That after a Throne hath been prepared for Judgment and summons have been given and a personal appearance hath been made and a cause hath been produced and evidence hâ—th been brought in that this Sentence of Judgment should be given Yes doubtless Wherefore seeing all the proceedings of this Judgment shall be just I may well infer That the last Iudgment shall be just and righteous altogether Sixthly I affirm That the Word of God teacheth 6 Inform. â—â— something touching the time of the last Iudgment As 1. That this Judgment shall be upon one and the same day with the second Coming of Christ And for this cause the day of his second Coming is called the day of Iudgment Mat. 10. 15. 2 Pet. 3. 7. 1 Ioh. 4. 17. Iude 6. And here it should be remembred that the day of Judgment is taken and used in a double sence 1. For the day of Sentence As when it is said that every idle word that men speak they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment Mat. 12. 36. 2. For the day of Execution As when it is said The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to reserve the unjust to the day of Judgment to be punished 2 Pet. 2. 9. Now when I say that the day of Judgment shall be the same with the day of Christs second Coming we must understand it of the day of Sentence not of the day of Execution because the day of Execution shall continue after the day of his second Coming 2. It teacheth us That the time of the last Judgment should not be thought to be far off because Saint Iames saith Behold the Iudg meaning Christ standeth before the door Iam. 5. 9. which expression is taken from an earthly Judg who when he standeth before the door should not be thought to be far of but neer at hand neither should his judgment be thought to be far of but neer at hand but Christ our Judg standeth before the door saith he therefore we should not think him to be far off but neer at hand neither should we think this Judgment of his to be far off but neer at hand Seventhly I affirm That the Word of God teacheth 7 Inform. us something touching the place of the last Judgment and shews where it shall be viz. in the World to come For it is said That Christ shall judg the quick and the dead at his appearing and in his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4. 1. Whence I gather That Christ at his second appearing shall have a humane Kingdom such as now he hath not and that where this Kingdom shall be there shall the last Judgment be But this Kingdom of his shall be in the World to come as I shall have occasion to prove hereafter therefore this Judgment of his shall be in the World to come Yet I suppose that all Divines are not of my mind Object in this For perchance one may think That this Judgment shall be in the third Heaven which now is because it is said That God shall call to the Heavens above and to the Earth that he may judg his people Psal 50. 4. Whereunto I reply That this conceit is against Answ that Article of our Creed wherein we profess to beleeve that Christ shall come from the third Heaven for to judg the quick and the dead And what need he come from thence for to judg them if he shal judg them there or there pronounce Judgment upon them Besides this place quoted from the Psalmist relates not to the place of this last Judgment but to the persons that shall be judged And so the meaning of it is as if he had said God shall command the Heaven from above to let forth the Souls that are therein and the Earth from beneath to yeeld forth the bodies of men therein that so both in Soul and body they may be judged Wherefore I cannot imagine that this Judgment shall be given or pronounced in the third Heaven Another may think That this Judgment shall be Object in the Ayr that now is because it is said That such as shall live and remain at the second Coming of Christ shall be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the ayr 1 Thess 4. 17 Whereunto also I reply That the Apostle in the Answ place quoted speaks not of the clouds and ayr which now are but of those which shall be created instead of these as hath been before intimated That the glorified bodies of Christ and his Saints shall not come into this corrupt ayr And so from this place we may better prove that this last Judgment shall be in the World to come then that it shall be in the Ayr that now is And withall I add That those Divines which have taken much pains to describe Christs Throne in the Ayr that now is might well have saved that labor Another may think That this Judgment shall be Object upon the Earth that now is and particularly in the valley of Jehoshaphat which as some say is scituate beween Mount Sion and Mount Olivet because the Prophet Joel saith That God will gather all Nations and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat and will plead with them there Ioel 3. 2. But to this I answer That if we view the Context Answ well we shall finde that the Prophet Ioel there speaks of a temporal judgment that was to be brought upon the Enemies of Israel and Iudah in the valley of Iehoshaphat and not of this last Judgment How then can it be proved from hence That this last Judgment shall be upon the earth that now is and namely in the valley of Ichoshaphat But if any will say This Temporal judgment might be a type of the last Judgment I will not gainsay it Yet all that I can gather from this is That this last Judgment shall as certainly be in the World to come as that was in the valley of Ichoshaphat that now is And it may be that the Throne of the last Judgment shall be neer about the valley of Ichosaphat which shall be in the World to come Eighthly I affirm That the Word of God teacheth 8 Inform. us something also touching the Execution of the last Judgment As
know that whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall he receive of God at the day of Judgment whether he be bond or free Ephes 6. 8. More particularly it should exhort us 1. To beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ effectually so as to rely upon him for Pardon Peace Sanctification and Salvation and not to content our selves as many do with a bare profession of faith or with an historical faith or with a temporary faith or with a false faith saying they beleeve that all shall be saved c. seeing we know that a dead faith cannot save any but it shall be well for such Beleevers as have a lively faith at the day of Judgment as it is written He that beleeveth shall be saved Mark 16. 16. Christ shall come to be admired of those that beleeve 2 Thes 1. 10. And whosoever beleeveth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3. 16. Joh. 11. 2. To repent of our sins dayly by way of confession contrition and prayer seeing we know it shall go well with such penitent sinners at the day of Judgment when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of God Acts 3. 19. 3. To be doers of Gods Word and not hearers only deceiving our own Souls seeing we know it shall be well with the doers of Gods Word at the day of Judgment as it is written Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the will of God which is in Heaven Mat. 7. And it shall be then said unto every doer of Gods Will Well done good and faithful Servant thou hast been faithful in little I will make thee Ruler over much enter into thy Masters Joy 4. To be merciful unto such as are in misery seeing we know that Mercy rejoyceth against Judgment yea against the last Judgment Jam. 2. 13. 5. To be circumspect in our ways according to that of Saint Iames So speak and so do as they that shall be judged by the Law of Liberty Jam. 2. 12. 6. To fear the last Judgment not with a distrustful fear but with an awful and reverential fear so as to be admonished thereby to eschew the evil forbidden and to do the good required as David feared the temporal Judgments of God Psalm 119. 120. 7. To make our Calling and Election sure seeing we know that it shall be well with Gods Chosen at the day of Judgment Rom. 8. 33. SECT VIII Touching the Personal-Humane Kingdom of Christ in the World to come THough the Kingdom of Christ be Monarchical and so but one Kingdom in a large sence there being no other Christ superior or equal to him in it yet there be different estates of his Kingdom and every estate of it is called a Kingdom in Scripture and so we have warrant from the Word of God to distinguish of the Kingdom of Christ and to say there is a three-fold Kingdom of his viz. 1. His Essential Kingdom 2. His Personal-Divine Kingdom 3. His Personal-Humane Kingdom 1. The Essential Kingdom of Christ is that Kingdom which belongs to him as he is God equal with the Father and the Holy Ghost for whatsoever is common to the three persons in the Trinity is essential to each of them as the Godhead is common to all and essential to each of them Omnisciency is common to all and essential to each of them Omnipotency is common to all and essential to each of them So there is a Kingdom common to all of them which therefore may be called the essential Kingdom of Christ as he is God equal with the Father and the Holy Ghost which Kingdom of his is called by some His Natural Kingdom by others His Native or Providential Kingdom by me His Essential Kingdom And this Kingdom of his hath for its Object both this world and the World to come It is every where in Heaven in Earth and under the â—â—â—th it extends to all creatures together with their actions and all accidents incidental unto them as it is said God hath established his Throne in Heaven and his Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 103. 19. O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy Name in all the Earth Psal 8. 1. God ruleth in the kingdoms of men Dan. 4. 17 25. And the Wisdom of God saith By me Kings raign and Princes decree Iustice By me Princes rule and Nobles even all the Iudges of the Earth Prov. 8. 15 16. 2. The Personal-Divine Kingdom of Christ is that Kingdom which belongs unto him as he is God and man in one Person and wherein he now raigns in his Divine Nature For it is commonly acknowledged by Divines That Christ now raigneth over his Militant Church in his Divine Nature and hath so raigned from the beginning hitherto and shall so raign unto the end of the world in a spiritual way and that both inwardly by his Word and Spirit and outwardly by the Discipline and Government which he hath appointed in his Church And they say The Person which thus raigns is God and man yet the Nature wherein he raigns is not the Humane but the Divine Nature and therefore I call it his Personal-Divine Kingdom Of this Kingdom of his it is said The Kingdom of God is at hand Mar. 1. 15. The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation The Kingdom of God is within you Luk. 17. 20 21. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. And I acknowledg that this Kingdom of his may fitly be called his Spiritual Kingdom because his Government in it is altogether Spiritual It may fitly be called his Donative Kingdom because he received it by donation and gift from his Father Joh. 17. 2. It may fitly be called his Mediatory Kingdom because it belongs unto him as he is a Mediator between God and man And it may fitly be called his Oeconomical Kingdom because it extends properly to his Family the visible Church Neither do I think that think this Personal Kingdom of Christ considered as meerly Divine shall extend to the Church Triumphant 3. The Personal-Humane Kingdom of Christ is that Kingdom which belongs unto him as he is the Son of man and the Son of David and wherein he shall raign in his Humane Nature bodily and visibly And though I grant That this Kingdom of his shall be a second estate of his Personal Donative Mediatory Occonomical Kingdom yet for distinction sake I call it his Personal-Humane Kingdom because only in this estate of his Kingdom shall he raign after a bodily and humane manner Now this is the Kingdom of which I am here to speak and I shall speak of it partly by way of Doctrine and partly by way of Use and Application By way of Doctrine I shall lay down several principles or grounds needful to be known concerning this Kingdom of Christ As First I affirm That Christ shall one day have
â— Ground a Personal-Humane Kingdom wherein he shall raign bodily in his Humane Nature as we may well conceive 1. Because he shall one day have a Kingdom wherein he shall judg the quick and the dead 2 Tim. 4. 1. But he shall never judg the quick and the dead in his present Personal-Spiritual Kingdom Therefore he shall one day have a Personal-Humane Kingdom wherein he shall do this 2. Because he shall one day have a Kingdom wherein some shall sit at his right hand and others at his left hand as is acknowledged Mat. 20. 21 23. But none shall sit on his right hand and on his left in his present Personal-Spiritual Divine Kingdom Therefore he shall one day have a Personal-Humane Kingdom wherein some shall sit on his right hand and some on his left 3. Because he shall one day have a Kingdom wherein some shall eat and drink at his table after a new manner yet unknown as it is acknowledged Luk. 22. 30. Ye shall eat and drink at my tabl in my Kingdom But none shall eat and drink at his table after a new manner and way yet unknown in his present Personal-Spiritual Kingdom Therefore he shall one day have a Personal-Humane Kingdom wherein this shall be done 4. Because Christ was long since anointed to be a Prophet a Priest and a King not only in his Divine but also in his Humane Nature And we know that in the days of his flesh he executed his Prophetical and Priestly Offices not only in his Divine but also in his Humane Nature though he did not then so execute his Kingly Office Therefore doubtless he shall one day execute his Kingly Office also in his Humane Nature and so he shall one day have a Personal-Humane Kingdom This ground should firmly be held against such as think that Christ shall never have a Personal-Humane Kingdom but say That the Personal Kingdom of Christ is and ever shall be only a Spiritual Kingdom And though I do not read much yet I have read two or three Books printed of late years which speak much of the Personal Raign or Kingdom of Christ but what they speak they refer only to his Spiritual Kingdom and nothing at all to his Personal-Humane Kingdom Now all that I shall say of these Writers is this I will not dishonour them so much as to name them it my margin neither do I think that they have as yet seriously considered of such Reasons as are here alledged and might be farther alledged for the Personal-Humane Kingdom of Christ but if at any time they shall seriously consider of them I perswade my self they will be of another mind Secondly I affirm That Christs Personal-Humane â— Ground Kingdom shall never be found to be of in or belonging to this persent world And so much I gather from those words of our Saviour My Kingdom is not of this world if my Kingdom were of this world then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered unto the Jews but now is my Kingdom not from hence Ioh. 18. 36. where our Saviour speaks not of his Essential Kingdom nor of his present Personal-Divine Kingdom because both these belong to this present world as wel as to any other But he speaks of his Personal-Humane Kingdom which belongs not to this world in any respect For they that have humane Kingdoms in this world have some to fight for them against their enemies but Christ while he was in this world had no servants to fight for him against the Jews Therefore his Personal-Humane Kingdom belongs not to this present world Again we know that while Christ lived in this world he had no Humane Kingdom of it but he still â—ppeared in the form and condition of a Servant not in the form and condition of a humane King Phil. 2. â—herefore we may well think that he shall never be a humane King nor have a humane Kingdom in this world Moreover we know that Christ shall not come again in his Humane Nature before this present world shall be dissolved and an other world shall be created instead hereof And if Christ shall not come again in his Humane Nature till then it is manifest That his Personal-Humane Kingdom shall never be found to be of in or belonging to this present world This ground also should be firmly held against such as think that Christ shall have a Personal-Humane Kingdom in this world which is the opinion of many Millenaries in these days For though some of this sort are come on to this Error to think that Christs Personal Kingdom shall be only a Spiritual Kingdom yet the most part of this sort think that Christ shall have a Personal-Humane Kingdom in this world either for a thousand years or at least for a certain time And they which are of this opinion are forced to hold some other erroneous opinions as 1. That Christ shall come again in his Humane Nature a thousand years before the end of this world 2. That he shall convert all Nations both Jews and Gentiles that he may raign over them at his Coming 3. That he shall raise the dead Saints a thousand years before the rest of the dead that they may raign with him Thus one Error conceived genders many But our Saviour himself hath sufficiently confuted these Opinionists in one saying when speaking of his Humane Kingdom he saith My Kingdom is not of this world How then can they prove that Christ shall have a Humane Kingdom in this world And if they would but consider farther what hath been said for the clearing of this second ground it may be that they might be be the better convinced of their Error Thirdly I affirm That this Personal-Humane 3 Ground Kingdom of his shall be very visible and apparent unto men in the World to come For 1. Seeing there is such a Kingdom belonging to him it must needs be apparent to men either in this world or in the World to come but it shall not be apparent to men in this world Joh. 18. 36. Therefore it shall be apparent unto them in the World to come 2. We find that the World to come shall be put in subjection not to the Angels but to Christ as the Son of man Heb. 2. 5 6. And if so then doubtless his Humane Kingdom shall be very visible and apparent unto men in the World to come 3. Our Saviour saith Hereafter ye shall see Heaven open and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man Ioh. 1. 51. Hereafter we shall see this and where shall we see it not in the highest Heaven which now is there is no such thing to be seen not in this present world here is no such thing to be seen but in the World to come we shall see this Kingly Honour given to Christ and so his Personal-Humane Kingdom shall be very apparent to men in the World to come 4. It is plainly said That every
from the Father to the Son of man and from the Son of man to the Father or from the personal Kingdom of the Father to the personal Kingdom of the Son and from the personal humane Kingdom of the Son unto the personal Kingdom of the Father And so much I learn from those words of our Saviour himself Hereafter ye shall see Heaven open and the Angels of God viz. his good Angels ascending and descending upon the Son of man John 1. vers 51. 4. That as they are now blessed so shall they be for ever blessed in the World to come And by so much the more shall they be blessed in the World to come by how much their Ministry and Service shall be more visible to the Saints and better understood of them in the World to come then now it is Which condition of the good Angels may inform Vse us First That the Humane Nature in Christ shall in dignity far excel the good Angels in the World to come For we are sure that these Angels shall serve Christ and administer unto him but we are not sure that Christ shall serve them in the World to come And we know that Christ is now for the present above these Angels in his Humane Nature at his Fathers right hand and that he took not upon him the nature of Angels but the seed of Abraham and the nature of Mankinde and therefore he shall still be above the Angels in his Humane Nature And albeit during the time of his Humiliation he was made a little lower then the Angels that he might suffer in the flesh Yet now he is exalted above them and shall be crowned with glory and dignity above them in the World to come for ever Again This condition of the good Angels in the World to come may inform us That the adopted Children of God have great cause to be thankful for the perseverance of these Angels in the state of grace for that God hath kept them hitherto in their holy station that so they might be helpful to us by their Ministry both in this world and in the World to come And though our fleshly nature be not sensible of the Ministry of these Angels yet we should beleeve according to the Scriptures That God doth make their Ministry beneficial to his adopted ones in this life divers ways Sometimes for Instruction as he sent a good Angel to instruct the Shepherds concerning the birth of Christ Luk. 2. Another to instruct the women concerning his Resurrection Another to instruct his Disciples touching his Ascension Act. 1. 11. Sometimes for Direction as he sent a good Angel to direct Lot what course to take for his own and his families safety Sometimes for Protection as it is written The Angel of the Lord encampeth about them that fear him Sometimes for Deliverance as he sent a good Angel to deliver Peter out of prison Act. 12. Sometimes for Consolation as when the Devil had ended his temptation against Christ he sent good Angels to administer comfort unto him Mat. 4. Now if we consider what excellent Creatures these good Angels are and how glorious they shall be in the World to come we shall finde it a great mercy of God that he hath made them ministring spirits and hath sent them to minister for the good of those who are heirs of Salvation Hebr. 1. 14. And consequently that the adopted ones have great cause to be thankful for their Perseverance Concerning evil Angels I beleeve 1. That they shall be subject not onely unto Christ himself but also unto the Saints in the World to come And to assure us hereof it is said That the Saints shall judg the Angels that is the evil Angels 1 Cor. 6. 3. And that the God of peace shall bruise Satan under their feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. And so much God said unto Satan in the beginning shortly after his Fall I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel Gen. 3. 15. 2. That they shall be everlastingly punished in the World to come and to assure us hereof it is said That everlasting fire is prepared for the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25. 41. 3. That this everlasting punishment of theirs shall be full of torment as they themselves well know and therefore they cryed unto Christ saying What have we to do with thee Jesus thou Son of God Art thou come hither to torment us before the time Mat. 8. 29. And again I beseech thee torment me not Luk. 8. 28. 4. That this everlasting punishment of theirs shall be full of darkness For if now they be punished with everlasting chains under Darkness Jude 6. much more shall this punishment be upon them in the World to come And if Reprobate men shall be cast into outer darkness for their sins Mat. 22. 13. how shall Reprobate Angels escape this punishment Which condition of evil Angels in the World to Vse come may inform us That the Kingdom of Satan shall one day have an end and then all his opposition against God Christ and the Saints shall cease and determine SECT X. Touching the blessed condition of Gods Elect and the cursed condition of Reprobates in the World to come more generally considered HAving spoken of the different condition of good and evil Angels in the World to come I am in the next place to speak of the different condition of mankinde viz. of the godly and the wicked of the Elect and Reprobates in the world to come And this different condition of theirs may be considered more generally and more specially The general difference that shall be betwixt them may be expressed in these two Propositions Gods Elect shall be blessed in the World to come Reprobates shall be cursed in the World to come Gods Elect shall all be blessed in the World to 1 Proposit come As we may well conceive for these Reasons 1. Because Gods Elect are all known of God with the knowledg of approbation as it is written The foundation of God standeth sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2. 19. And the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous Psal 1. 6. Now all that are thus known of God shall be blessed in the World to come But Gods Elect are all thus known of him therefore they shall all be blessed in the World to come 2. Because Gods Elect have their names all written in Heaven Luk. 10. 20. And they that have their names there written shall be blessed in the World to come why else should they be bid to rejoyce in this But this is true of all Gods Elect therefore they shall be blessed in the World to come 3. Because Gods Elect shall all be pronounced blessed at the general Judgment and our Saviour shall then say unto them Come ye blessed Children of my Father c. Matth. 25. 34. Now they that shall
which may be thus expressed in two Propositions Gods Elect shall be at liberty in the world to come Reprobates shall be in bondage in the world to come The former Proposition is That Gods Elect 1 Proposition shall be at liberty in the world to come that is to say they shall be at liberty from the wrath of God and from all the effects and fruits thereof in that world and so much may be made good by sundry Arguments As 1. S. Pauls Prophecie or propheticall promise is pregnant for it where he saith The creature it self also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God Rom. 8. 21. Where by the children of God I understand his elect children as Joh. 11. 52. who for the present are not all his adopted children but shall be in due time and by the liberty of these I understand a liberty from the wrath of God and from all the effects and fruits of it because it is such a liberty as the creature it selfe shall partake of and I know no liberty but this that the creature here mentioned shall partake of and it is called glorious liberty for to distinguish it from the liberty which the children of God injoy in this world which is not glorious liberty as that in the world to come shall be yea it may be called glorious liberty because it shall be perfect and compleat and perfect things shall be glorious as perfect peace shall be glorious peace perfect holinesse glorious holinesse so perfect liberty shall be glorious liberty And whereas it 's said that the creature it self shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into this liberty I understand by the creature it selfe this present fabrick of heaven and earth this present body or globe of heaven and earth which is a creature and may be distinguished from all mankind as here it is because it is a creature void of reason and though it be now in bondage to corruption by reason of mans sin yet it shall one day be delivered from this bondage by means of its dissolution and thereupon shall be new created Esa 65. 17. and so set at liberty from the wrath of God and from all the fruits and effects thereof as well as the children of God In this Text then this liberty of Gods Elect in the world to come from the wrath of God is so plainly asserted that we need not doubt thereof 2. They that shall never be afflicted in the world to come in soul body name or estate shall be at liberty from the wrath of God in that world Now Gods Elect shall never be afflicted in that world any manner of way in soul body name or estate as I gather from that Promise which saith God shall wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more paine Rev. 21. 4. Ergo. 3. They that shall never tast of Gods anger wrath or displeasure in the world to come shall be at liberty from his wrath in that world Now Gods Elect shall never taste of Gods anger and displeasure in the world to come as may appear by these promises I will not keep mine anger for ever Jer. 3. 12. I will not retain mine anger for ever Mic. 7. 18. He will not alwayes chide neither will he keep his anger for ever Psal 103. 9. which promises are to be understood only in reference to Gods Elect Ergo. 4. They that shall be perfectly justified in the world to come and declared so to be shall be at liberty from the wrath of God in that world Now Gods Elect shall be perfectly justified in the world to come from their sins as it is written Repent and be converted and your sins shall be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of God Acts 3. 19. Yea they shall be declared so to be Psal 37. 6. Mat. 13. 43. viz. to be just and righteous Ergo. 5. They that shall be perfectly sanctified in the world to come and shall be declared so to be shall be at liberty from the wrath of God in that world Now Gods Elect shall be perfectly sanctified in the world to come seeing the deliverer shall come out of Sion and shall turn away ungodlinesse from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. and shall subdue their iniquities altogether Mic. 7. 19. yea they shall be declared so to be in that they shall be presented before God blamelesse and undefiled without spot or blemish Ephes 5. 27. Ergo. 6. They that shall be found to be the children of God and manifested so to be in the world to come shall be at liberty from the wrath of God and from all the fruits and effects thereof in that world Now Gods Elect shall be found to be the Children of God and shall be manifested so to be for Christ shall say unto them Come ye blessed children of my Father Mat. 25. 34. and there shal be a manifestation of the sons of God Rom. 8. 19. Ergo 7. They that shall perfectly please God in the world to come in all their thoughts words and actions shall be at liberty from his wrath and from the fruits and effects thereof in that world Now Gods Elect shall perfectly please God in the world to come in all their thoughts words and actions for which cause it is said that they shall walk in the light of his countenance Psal 89. 15. and shall walk in the name of the Lord for ever Mic. 4. 5. and God shall make them perfect that they may do what shall be pleasing in his sight Heb. 13. 21. Ergo. 8. They that are vessells of mercy and shall have mercy kept for them for ever shall be at liberty from Gods wrath and from the fruits and effects of it in the world to come Now Gods Elect are vessels of mercy Rom. 9. 23. and shall have mercy kept for them for ever Psal 89. 2. 28. Ergo. 9. They that are delivered from the wrath to come in a meritorious way shall be at liberty from the wrath to come and from the fruits and effects thereof but Gods Elect are delivered from the wrath to come in a meritorious way 1 Thes 1. 10. Joh. 8. 36. Ergo. 16. They that shall injoy the everlasting kindnesse of God in the world to come shall be at liberty from his wrath and from the fruits and effects of it in that world but Gods Elect shall injoy the everlasting kindnesse of God in the world to come according to his promise In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee Esa 54. 8. Ergo. Which Proposition thus confirmed may be usefull thus First it makes for the confutation of such as promise themselves and others a state of perfect liberty in this world as some seducers in their Pamphlets have lately done
dominion here shall be their slavery hereafter wherefore if we desire not to be slaves to Gods Elect in the world to come we must repent unfainedly while we live here as of other sinnes so of our tyranny over others and we must take heed how we lord it over Gods heritage here for it cannot be safe for us to lord it over such as shal be our Lords and Masters in the world to come Yet many in these daies are very ambitions of Lordship and dominion of others they cannot endure to be governed but would be Governours themselves they hate Lordship Kingship and Supremacy in others but they much desire the same in behalf of themselves and the grand contest now is upon whose shoulders the Government of Nations shall be laid whether on theirs who most desire it or on theirs who have most right unto it Indeed they that have right to this Government by the Law of God and Man may lawfully desire it but why should others desire it who have no such right at all unto it Surely these men are right of Absaloms spirit and every one of them saith in his heart as he sometimes said Oh! that I were made Judge in the Land that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me and I would do him justice 2 Sam. 15. 4. but Absaloms ambition was well rewarded when he was hanged as a Traitor in the Forrest and the ambition of these also will be well rewarded if ever they shal come to preach their late repentance at Tyburne or if ever they shall come to be hanged in chaines under darknesse or if ever they shall come to be slaves to Gods Elect which things may speedily befall them unlesse they repent In the meane while I had rather my soul should be subject to the powers that are ordained of God then that it should desire a temporall power over Nations I had rather be a Subject then a Soveraigne in this world knowing the burthen of subjection and the danger too to be far lesse then that of Soveraignty and if all that are called to be Subjects would study the point of subjection more and that of soveraignty lesse it would be better for them both in this world and in that which is to come and seeing God hath commanded loyall subjection for conscience sake to be yeelded to lawfull powers in this world we may well conceive that he will not suffer the same to go unrewarded either in this or that which is to come SECT XVII Touching the riches of Gods Elect and the poverty of reprobates in the world to come HEre followeth a seventh speciall difference which shall be betwixt the parties before-named in the world to come and it may be expressed thus in two Propositions Gods Elect shall have a rich estate in the world to come Rebrobates shall have a poor estate in the world to come The former Proposition is That Gods Elect 1 Proposition shall have a rich estate in the world to come for clearing whereof we must understand that the rich estate of Gods Elect in the world to come is described two waies in the Word of God viz. 1. By the name of an Inheritance for in Christ as the Apostle saith in the name of the Elect we have obtained an inheritance Ephes 1. 11. that is the right of inheritance and this inheritance is said to be incorruptible undefiled that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for them 1 Pet. 1. 4. It is said to be immortall because it cannot die away out of the name as a temporall inheritance may It is said to be undefiled because it cannot be defiled and polluted with sin in the getting keeping and disposing of it as a temporall inheritance may be neither can it fade away and be brought to nothing as a temporall inheritance may be neither is it reserved for the Elect in corrupt earth to be possessed and enjoyed by them in this world but it is reserved for them in heaven to be possessed and enjoyed by them in the world to come and we may conceive that this inheritance of theirs shall be of large extent because the Scripture speaks of divers things which they shall inherit in the world to come viz. They shall inherit the Kingdome prepared for them Mat. 25. 34. Luk. 12. 32. Luk. 22. 30. They shall inherit a Crowne called a Crovvn of righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4. 8. and a Crowne of Life Jam. 1. 12. They shall inherit glory Pro. 3. 35. the glory before described They shall inherit the blessing 1 Pet. 3. 9. They shall inherit the promises Heb. 6. 12. They shall inherit a reward for vvhat they have done and suffered in obedience to Gods vvill Col. 3. 24. They shall inherit all good things Rev. 21. 7. 2. Moreover their estate of inheritance is described by the name of riches and the riches of the vvorld to come are called Durable riches Prov. 8. 18. Because they shall be more durable then temporall riches are and shall endure for ever Precious riches Prov. 24. 4. Because they shall be farre more precious then any temporall riches can be Pleasant riches Prov. 24. 4. Because they shall be more pleasant to the injoyers then temporall riches can be True riches Luke 16. 11. because they shall afford more truth of content then any temporall riches can Vnsearchable riches Ephes 3. 8. Because the worth and value of them cannot in this life be searched out unto perfection as the value of temporall riches may for there is none so rich in this world in respect of his earthly substance but he may by himselfe or his friends search out the farthest end of his wealth and may know what his outward estate is worth to be bought or sold but the Riches of which I speake cannot be thus serrched out in this life seeing here we know but in part and prophecy in part and they are called the Riches of Christ Ephes 3. 8. Because they shall be none other but such as Christ hath purchased with his most precious bloud So from both these descriptions I may infer That the the rich estate of Gods Elect in the world to come shall be a rich inheritance And that they shall have such a rich inheritance in the vvorld to come may be thus proved 1. That they shall have unsearchable riches in the vvorld to come such as Christ hath purchased for them shall have a rich estate or inheritance in that vvorld But Gods Elect shall have unsearchable riches in the world to come such as Christ hath purchased for them Ergo they shall have a rich inheritance in that world 2. They that are or shall be rich in faith in this life shall have a rich estate in the world to come But Gods Elect are or shall be rich in faith in this life as may appear by that of the Apostle Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith Iam. 2. 5. Ergo. 3.