Kingdom of Christ is much spoken in the Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament And consequently we should not doubt whether or not he shall have such a Kingdom Fifthly I affirm That this Personal-Humane 5 Ground Kingdom of his in the World to come shall be of large extent For 1. It shall extend to all Nations that shall be in the World to come As it is written of Christ All Kings shall bow before him all Nations shall serve him Psal 72. 11. All Nations and Languages and People shall serve him Dan 7. 14. which shall never be fully accomplished in this world as we may well think because at his second Coming he shall find the Nations which are in the four quarters of the earth Gog and Magog gathered together to battel against him and against his Saints the number of whom shall be as the sand of the Sea Rev. 20. 8 9. Therefore it is in the World to Come that all Nations shall serve him 2. It shall extend to all Countries that shall be in the World to come as it is written His Domion shall be from Sea to Sea and from the River unto the ends of the Earth Psal 72. 8. 3. It shall extend to all other creatures beside men and Angels that shal be in the World to come Psa 8. 6 7 8. whereas in this world we know the Spiritual Kingdom of Christ doth extend to no such creatures but only unto the visible Church and some say only unto the Saints on this earth 4. It shall extend both to his friends and foes which shall be in the World to come For Christ shall raign and rule over his Friends the Saints in this Humane Kingdom of his and for this cause he is called the King of Saints Rev. 15. 3. And though the Saints shall raiâ—n with him in this Kingdom yet their raign shall be subordinate to his and they shall be his Subjects yet Kings over others And he shall also raign and rule over his Enemies in this Kingdom of his for which cause it is said Through the greatness of thy Power shall thine Enemies submit themselves unto thee Psal 66. 3. They that dwell in the Wilderness shall bow before him and his Enemies shall lick the dust Psal 72. 9. 5. Yea it shall extend unto the whole World to come seeing it shall be put in subjection to him Heb. 2. 5. And so this Kingdom of his shall be of large extent Sixthly I affirm That this Personal-Humane 6 Ground Kingdom of his shall be a flourishing Kingdom As 1. In respect of Prosperity because Christ shall raign prosperously in it without any disaster or ill success at all as it is written of him In thy Majesty ride prosperously because of Truth and Meekness and Righteousness Psal 45. 4. A King shall raign and prosper Jer. 23. 5. 2. In respect of Honour and Glory because he shall raign honorably it it without any the least open affront or dis-respect as it is written of him Gird thy Sword upon thy thigh O Most Mighty with thy Glory and thy Majesty Psal 45. 3. Honor and Majesty are before him Psal 96. 6. 3. In respect of Righteousness because he shall raign and judg righteously it it as it is said of him He shall execute Iudgment and Iustice Jer. 23. 5. He shall judg the People with Righteousness Psal 72. 2. A Scepter of Righteousness is the Scepter of thy Kingdom Heb. 1. 8. 4. In respect of Peace because he shall raign peaceably in it without any open resistance or opposition Yea in this Kingdom of his shall be abundance of peace and the mountains shall bring peace unto his people Psal 72. 3 7. 5. In respect of plenty because in this Kingdom of his both Christ and his Saints shall live in a plentiful condition without the want of any thing And he that overcometh shall inherit all things Revel 21. 7. And thus this Kingdom of his shall be a flourishing Kingdom Seventhly I affirm That this Personal-Humane 7 Ground Kingdom of his shall be an everlasting Kingdom For thus it is written of him and of this his Kingdom His name shall endure for ever Psa 72. 17. Of the increase of His Government there shall be no end Isai 9. 7. His Kingdom shall never be destroyed but shall stand for ever Dan. 2. 44. His Dominion is an everlasting Dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Dan. 7. 14. He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of His Kingdom there shall be no end Luk. 1. 33. David shall be their Prince for ever Ezek. 37. 25. Thy Throne O God is for ever ever Heb. 1. 8. Yea this Kingdom of his is called by Saint Peter the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. 11. Wherefore we should not vainly imagine with M. H. A. M G. H some Writers That this Personal-Humane-Divine Kingdom of Christ shall one day have an end or that it shall continue but onely for a long time because as they say some things are said in Scripture to continue for ever which were to continue but onely for a long time But we should understand that these phrases for ever for ever and ever are taken two ways in Scripture Sometimes Tropically and not properly and then indeed they are referred to such things as were to continue but only for a long time as may be seen Exod. 12. 14 24. 21. 6. Numb 15. 15. Sometimes also the same phrases are taken properly and not Tropically and then they are still referred to such things as have no end at all Yea thus these phrases for ever for ever and ever are taken in the former passages concerning the Personal Humane Kingdom of Christ and so the meaning of them is That this Kingdom of his shall have no end at all And it is plainly said in some of those passages once and again That this Kingdon of his shall have no end Isai 9. 7. Luk. 1. 33. By which latter phrase we must expound the two former that we may not consent to the blasphemy of those who say That the Personal Kingdom of Christ whether Divine or Humane shall continue but onely for a time Thus much of this Kingdom of Christ by way Vse of Doctrine in seven Grounds or Propositions I shal also speak something by way of Application according to my promise And First This Doctrine should admonish all to beware lest we entertain any erroneous Opinions in our mindes in reference to this Kingdom of his And far be it from us to think 1. That Christs personal Kingdom shall be onely a spiritual Kingdom 2. That Christ shall have a personal humane Kingdom in this world 3. That he shall have no personal humane Kingdom in the World to come 4. That his personal humane Kingdom shal have an end For all these Opinions are contrary to the former Grounds and to 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
us and to our children for to know them Deut. 29. 29. and we are commanded to search the Scriptures that we may understand what is revealed in them Joh. 5. 39. And he that shall still continue stubbornly ignorant of his masters revealed will shall be beaten with stripes that is he shall have his portion of torments in the world to come Now the world to come is revealed in the Word of God and much therein is revealed concerning it Therefore it cannot be safe for any to continue grosly or perversly ignorant thereof nor of what is meant thereby Thirdly They that understand not the world to come nor the nature of it cannot so ardently desire and affect the fruition of it as those that do because good things are most desired of such as know them best And as none do so earnestly desire the blessed enjoyment of God and of Christ as those that have most acquaintance with God in Christ so none do so strongly desire the world to come and the enjoyment of it as those that have most undersâ—â—â—â—ing concerning it Fourthly The doctrine of the wâ—rld to come is very useful and comfortable yea I know no doctrine in the whole Bible more proâ—â—â—able for instruction reproof and comfort then 〈◊〉 if rightly understood and applyed But how can it prove useful to such as understand it not Fifthly All Gods elect with Abraham their â—ather are heirâ— of the world to come Rom. 4. for which cause â—hey would be not only willing to understand and know whatsoever the Scripture teacheth concerning the same but also should take great delight to read hear and confer of such matters as concern the same As they that are heirs apparent to the Kingdoms of this present world are not only willing to understand the nature of them but also find great content to discourse of such things as concern them And so for these Reasons I infer that it cannot be safe for any to be grofly and perversly ignorant of the World to come Now if ignorance of the World to come be so dangerous Vse and the knowledg of it so needful as hatâ— been shewed then for my part I shall the less fear and the less regard any rash censures or aspersionâ— that shall be cast upon this poor endeavor of mine For I am perswaded in my Soul of the truth of sucâ— grounds as are here delivered I am convinced in mâ— Conscience of the necessity and usefulness of them I have found in my experience the comfort of them Why then should I regard such censures or aspersions Rather I shall still hope for Gods blessing upon these Meditations knowing that he can mak◠〈◊〉 as beneficial to others as they have been untâ— me 〈◊〉 if this discovery shall by his divine providence invite â—â— occasion but some one Divine of better parts then â—â— self to write a better Discoursâ— concerning the samâ— Subject how shall I rejoyce But to conclude this â—â—rst Section I profess that esteem the right knowledg of the World to come aâ— a choice piece of saving knâ—wledg and I esteeâ— them all happy that shall attain â—nto it Whereforâ— let us be bold in the fear of God to search and enquire farther what the Scripture meanâ— by the Worlâ— to come which for my part I intend if God shaâ— permit And in the following Sections I shall consider the World to come two ways first I shall consider it as a Country or Continent next I shall consider it in reference to the principal matters and things which shall be contained in it SECT II. Shewing That the World to come considered as a Continent is to be distinguished from the third Heaven I Acknowledg that there shall be some of the same things in the World to come which are now in the third Heaven As the humane nature of Christ the person of Enoch the person of Elijah which are now in the third Heaven and shall be in the World to come and as the two latter persons do now raign with Christ in the third Heaven so they shall raign with him in the World to come and as they now enjoy abundance of holiness righteousness love joy and peace c. so they shall enjoy as much if not much more in the World to come Yet I affirm That the World to come considered as a Continent is to be distinguished from the third Heaven For 1. Our Saviour Christ once came from the third Heaven into this world for to take our nature upon him but he came not then from the World to come into this world for to take our nature upon him 2. After his Resurrection he ascended into the third Heaven but he did not ascend into the World to come which had then no being 3. Saint Paul by his life time was caught up into the third Heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2 4. but we cannot say he was taken up or caught up into the World to come 4. The Souls of the faithful after their separation from the body as we conceive are in the third Heaven but we cannot say they are in the world to come 5. The third Heaven both is for the present and hath been of old but the world to come neither is for the present nor hath been of old but is altogether yet to come From all which premises I infer That the world to come considered as a Continent is to be distinguished from the third Heaven Yea that I may not dissemble my whole meaning is this point I must needs add this above all That I conceive as much difference betwixt the world to come and the third Heaven as betwixt a created and Ens creatum increatum an uncreated Substance And as I shall prove in its proper place That the world to come shall be created by God himself so in this place I dare affirm That the third Heaven was never created and if this shall appear to be so then there must needs be a vast difference betwixt the world to come and the third Heaven But some one it may be will say unto me I wonder Object you should say the third Heaven was never created surely this will seem as a paradox to many and unless you can substantially prove it there are few that will believe it What I have said I have said and I hope I shall clearly evidence this last passage viz. That the Answ third Heaven was never created by these ensuing Arguments First I take this for a ground That which was 1 Argument not made with hands was never created which proposition as I suppose none will deny For what is it to be created but to be made with hands and what is it to be uncreated but to be not made with hands And the Scripture acknowledgeth that all created things were made with hands and were the work of Gods hands as Psal 8. 3. I consider the Heavens the work of thy fingers the Moon and the Stars which thou hast ordained
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
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
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
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
with spirituall Light 13. They that in the VVorld to come shal have al comfortable knowledge not only of al the Faithful which have been and or shal be in this VVorld but also of al their former godly and familiar Friends as such shal abound with spirituall Light in that VVorld Now it is probable that Gods Elect in the VVorld to come shal have al comfortable knowledge not only of al the Faithful which have been are or shal be in this VVorld but also of al their former godly and familiar Friends as such And to strengthen this probability I refer the Reader to these three places of Scripture first it is said of Reprobates that they shall see Abraham and Isaac and Iacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of God Luke 13. 28. and shal they not see them so as to know them yes Secondly it is said in the Parable of Dives that he saw Abraham a Luk. 16. 23 far off and Lazarus in his bosome and did he not see them so as to know them yes and if Reprobates shal have such knowledge of the Saints in the next VVorld as shal yeeld them no comfort at al doubtlesse Gods Elect shal have such knowledge one of another as wil be ful of comfort Thirdly when Christ was transfigured upon the Mount in the presence of Peter Iames and Iohn it is said that there appeared unto them Moses and Elias and talked with him and they appeared in such a bodily shape that Peter knew them distinctly and thereupon said Master it is good for us to be here if thou wilt let us make here three Tabernacles one for thee one for Moses and one for Elias Mat. 17. 3 4. Which transfiguration of Christ with its occurrences I conceive to be a lively representation of what shal be in the VVorld to come And so its probable from hence also what mutual and comfortable knowledge the Saints shal have one of another in that VVorld and consequently that they shal abound with spirituall light in it 14. They that shal not want any Light of holiness and righteousness in the VVorld to come shal abound with spirituall light in that would seeing the Light of holiness is a spirituall kinde of light Now Gods Elect shal not want any Light of holinesse and righteousness in that VVorld because God shal bring forth their righteousness as the Light and their judgements as the Noon-day Psal 37. 6. Ergo 15. They that shal not want any Light of Gods countenance in the VVorld to come shal abound with spirituall light in that VVorld the Light of his countenance being a spirituall kinde of light Now Gods Elect shal not want any Light of his countenance in that VVorld for the Prophet saith Blessed is the People that knew the joyfull sound they shall walk O Lord in the light of thy countenance Psal 89. 15. Ergo. Which Proposition thus proved may be useful Vse as first it makes for the confutation of such as in these dayes are wont to boast much of new lights received and give out that the latter times shal generaly abound with spirituall light more then the former that the ordinary sort of Saints shal shortly have as much spirituall light as the Apostles themselves have if not more and so shal have no need of publik Pastors and Teachers to instruct them yea that fulness of spirituall light which is promised in the VVorld they apply unto the Latter Times Now in al this they do but delude themselves and the VVorld as may be seen in these particulars 1. Whereas they boast of new lights received in this they doe but juggle and put Light for darkness for it is wel known that their darkest errors are shrouded under this Notion of new lights and though they varnish them what they can with a semblance of Light yet that Light which seemes to to be in them is but spirituall darknesse and if so how great is that darkness 2. Whereas they say that the Latter Times shal generaly abound with spirituall light more then the former in this there can be no truth because the new Testament shews that the Latter Times shal generaly abound with Atheisme Error and Iniquity more then the former Now Atheisme Error and Iniquity are so many branches of spirituall darkness and if the Latter Times shal generaly abound with spirituall darknesse more then the former how can they generaly abound with spirituall light more then the former Indeed I conceive that some particular truths relating to the VVorld to come shal be more plainely discovered towards the end of this VVorld by ordinary Teachers then formerly they have been by such Teachers and in this sense knowledge may be increased about the time of the end as the Prophet Daniel speaks Dan. 12. 4. yet we may not infer from hence that the Latter Times shal generaly abound with spirituall light more then the former 3. Whereas they say that the ordinary sort of Saints shal shortly have as much spirituall light as the Apostles themselves had if not more there can be no truth in this neither because the Apostles were taught of God immediately in an extraordinary way whereas the ordinary sort of Saints are now taught of him but mediately in an ordinary way and it is against reason to think that this latter way of teaching should produce more spiritual light theâ— the former or as much But the truth is that in the Apostles Writings are many things so hard to be understood that many ordinary Saints at this day with all their spiritual light cannot attain to the right understanding of them 4. Whereas they say That the Saints of latter times shall have no need of Pastors and Teachers for to instruct them This is point blank against our Saviors doctrine and practise for he hath not only ordained that publike Pastors and Teachers shall be continued in the Church to the end of the world Ephes 4. 13. but also hath promised to be with them unto the end of the world Mat. 28. 20. 5. Whereas they say That the fulness of spiritual light promised in the Word is to be exhibited in the latter times this is a meer delusion too for it may appear by that which hath been formerly said That the fulness of spiritual light promised appertains to the World to come and not to this present world Wherefore we should not hearken to such as speak and boast so much of new Lights Again It may inform us That the World to come is much to be desired of all good Christians as in other respects so in respect of that spiritual light which shall abound in it This world we know is much desired of some in respect of that natural and bodily light which may be enjoyed in it for truly the light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the yes to behold the Sun Eccles 11. 7. And it is much desired of others in respect of that spiritual light which
may be enjoyed in it Now Gods Elect shal enâ—oy much more spiritual light in the World to come â—hen may be expected in this life for whiles they â—ive here they are defective in their spiritual light of saving knowledg in their spiritual light of holiness â—n their spiritual light of experience but in that world they shall know no such defect whiles they live here the best of them know but in part and prophecy in part and see as through a glass darkly but in the World to come they shall know as they are known and shall see face to face 1 Cor. 13. 12. Wherefore that world is much to be desired in this respect And if any desire it in this respect there are three Things especially expected from them 1. That they be soundly regenerated and converted that so they may be translated into a state of spiritual light 2. That after this they be thankful for the spiritual light which they have received Psalm 16. 7. 3. That they be careful to improve their spiritual light so as to walk in it or according to it 1 Thes 5. The other Proposition is That Reprobates shall be 2 Proposit punished with spiritual darkness in the World to come Some perhaps may think that Reprobates shall be punished with bodily darkness in the next world as the Egyptians were in Moses time for then God brought a thick palpable darknes over al the land of Egypt so that the Egyptians could not see one another nor rise any one off his place for three days Exod. 10. 23. yet I cannot think so for if they shall be punished with bodily darkness how then can it be that they shall see him whom they have pierced how then can it be that they shall see Abraham Isaac and Iacob in the Kingdom of God which things they shall certainly see with their bodily eyes in that world rather then I think that their bodily eyes shall be clear enough but their spiritual eyes shall be darkened and they covered with spiritual darkness in that world Which spiritual darkness of theirs as I conceive shall be a total and perpetual privation of that spiritual light which belongs to Gods Elect in that world that is to say they shall have no light of saving knowledg no light of holiness no light of comfortable experience in that world but the darkness of ignorance the darkness of an unholy life the darkness of discomfort being so many branches of spiritual darkness shall still remain upon them And this darkness of theirs is called in Scripture the midst of darkness it may be because they shall not know how to come forth of it It s called the blackness of darkness it may be because they shall have no comfort in it It is called outer darkness it may be because it shall be proper to an outer sort of people such as shall be found to be out of Christ and out of Gods favour in that world Now that Reprobates shall be punished with spiritual darkness in the World to come may thus be proved 1. It is said That the light of the wicked shall be put out Job 18. 5. where as I suppose the Text speaks not of bodily light for in this sence it may be as truly said The light of the godly shall be put out as the light of the wicked shall be put out but it speaks of that spiritual light which wicked hypocrites may seem to have in this life and so the meaning is That that spiritual light which wicked hypocrites may seem to have in this life if they shall still remain such and be found Reprobates at the last shall be one day altogether extinguished and put out from whence I may argue thus They that shall have their seeming spiritual light altogether extinguished and put out shall be punished with spiritual darkness in the World to come But Reprobates shall have their seeming spiritual light altogether extinguished and put out Ergo. 2. They that have no spiritual light sown for them shall be punished with spiritual darkness in the World to come Now Reprobates have no spiritual light sown for them as may be gathered from Psal 97. 11. Ergo. 3. They that will still be the children of Satans Kingdom in this world shall be punished with spiritual darkness in that which is to come as it is written The children of the Kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness Mat. 8. 12. Now Reprobates will still be the children of Satans Kingdom in this world Ergo. 4. They that will still be without the wedding garment of saving faith and repentance whiles they live in this world shall be punished with spiritual darkness in that which is to come as may appear by our Saviours sentence upon the man that had not on a wedding garment Bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darkness Mat. 22. 13. Now Reprobates will still be without the wedding garment of saving faith and repentance whiles they live in this world Ergo. 5. They that will still be unprofitable servants in this life shall be punished with spiritual darkness in the World to come according to the saying of Christ Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness Mat. 25. 30. But Reprobates will still be unprofitable servants in this life Ergo. 6. They that will still remain in a state of spiritual darkness whiles they live in this world shall be punished with spiritual darkness in that which is to come Now Reprobates will still remain in a state of spiritual darkness whiles they live in this world and so long it will be truly said of them That they are in darkness and walk in darkness and know not whither they go because darkness hath blinded their eyes 1 Joh. 2. 11. Ergo. 7. They that will still love spiritual darkness rather then spiritual light shall be punished with spiritual darkness in the World to come But Reprobates will still love spiritual darkness rather then spiritual light Ioh. 3. 19. Ergo. 8. They that will still mistake light for darkness and darkness for light in a spiritual sence shall be punished with spiritual darkness in the World to come But Reprobates will still mistake light for darkness and darkness for light as both are taken in a spiritual sence Isai 5. 20. Ergo. 9. They that will still be deceivers of themselves and others whiles they live in this world shall be punished with spiritual darkness in that which is to come 2 Pet. 2. 17. Iude 13. But Reprobates will still be seducers of themselves and others whiles they live in this world Ergo. 10. They that will still be wicked in this world shall be punished with spiritual darkness in that which is to come according to that in Hannah's song The wicked shall be silent in darkness 1 Sam. 2. 9. Now Reprobates will still remain wicked in this woâ—ld Ergo. And this latter Proposition may inform us That Vse it cannot be
eye shall see Christ in his Humane Nature sitting upon the Throne of his Glory Rev. 1. 7. Mat. 25. 31. And some shall say unto the Mountains and Rocks Fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth upon the Throne Rev. 6. 16. And where shall this be but in the World to come Wherefore from these premises I infer That the Personal-Humane Kingdom of Christ shall be very visible and apparent unto men in the World to come And this Ground should be firmly held against such as think that Christ shall have no Personal-Humane Kingdom in the World to come because it 's said That at or upon the end of this world he shall deliver up the Kingdom to God even the Father 1 Cor. 15. 24. But as I have intimated before upon an other occasion so now I say more fully That Christ shal never deliver up his own Kingdom to God even the Father either his own Essential Kingdom or his own Personal Kingdom For if he should deliver and resign his own Essential Kingdom then he should cease to be an Essential King which would be absurd to acknowledg And if he shall resign his Personal Divine or Humane Kingdom to God even the Father then he shall cease to be a Personal King or else the Personal Kingdom of Christ shall become the Personal Kingdom of the Father both which would be also absurd to affirm Therefore the true meaning of this place is That when Christ shall come again from the third Heaven his Fathers Personal Kingdom in his Humane Nature he shall then resign and deliver up this Kingdom viz. his Fathers Personal Kingdom not his own Personal Kingdom to God even the Father that his Father may be all in all in it as he was before Christ came thither in his Humane Nature And so this place rightly understood makes nothing at all against this third Ground Fourthly I affirm That this Personal-Humane 4 Ground Kingdom of his belonging to the World to come is much spoken of in the Scriptures both in the Old and New Testaments It is much spoken of in the Old Testament for therein the Father hath said unto Christ I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy possession Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in peeces like a Potters vessel Psal 2. 8 9. And where shall this promise be fully made good unto him not in this world but in the World to come and in his Humane Kingdom Therein it is said concerning Christ That he shall raign over the Nations and shall judg the Earth 1 Chron. 16. 31 33. And where shall this promise be fully made good unto him not in this world but in the World to come and in his Humane Kingdom 2 Tim. 4. 1. Therein it is said concerning him That he shall have Dominion over the works of Gods hands and all things shall be put under his feet all Sheep and Oxen yea and the beasts of the field the fowl of the ayr and the fish of the sea and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas Psal 8. 6 7 8. And where shall we see all this fully performed unto him not in this world Heb. 2. 8. but in the World to come and in his Humane Kingdom Therein we find him described as a Humane King Psal 45. throughout Psal 72. and in many other places But where shall he appear as a humane King not in this world but in the World to come where he shall have such a Kingdom Therein it is said concerning him That of the increase of his Government there shall be no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and to establish it with Judgment and Iustice Isai 9. 7. And where shall this promise be fully made good unto him not in this world but in the World to come and in his Humane Kingdom Therein it is said concerning him That a King shall raign and prosper and shall execute Iudgment and Iustice in the Earth In whose days Iudah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely Ier. 23. â— 6. And where shall this be fully made good unto him not in this world but in the World to come Therein it is said concerning him David my Servant shall be King over them and they shall all have one Shepherd they shall also walk in my Iudgments and observe my Statutes and do them And David shall be their Prince for ever Ezek. 37. 24 25. And where shall this be fully made good unto him not in this world but in the World to come and in his Humane Kingdom Lastly Therein it is said concerning him That there was given him Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him Dan. 7. 14. And where shall this be fully made good unto him not in this world but in the World to come and in his Humane Kingdom It is also much spoken of in the New Testament For herein we find That the Lord God shall give unto Christ the Throne of his Father David Luk. 1. 32. And where shall he fully receive this gift not in this world but in the World to come for the Throne of David was not a Type of Christs Spiritual Kingdom but of his Humane Kingdom in the World to come Herein also we find That some shall sit at his right hand and some at his left in his Kingdom Mat. 20. 21. 23. And where shall this be fully verified of him not in this world but in the World to come and in his Humane Kingdom And when the penitent thief said Lord remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom Luk. 23. 42. I do not think that he speak of Christs coming into his Spiritual Kingdom which was both then and before in Being but that he spake of his coming into his Humane Kingdom of Glory And the better to assure him that his request was granted our Saviour replyed To day shall thou be with me in Paradise Luk. 23. 43. viz. in respect of thy Soul And doubtless all that are or shall be with him in Paradise in respect of their Souls shall be remembred of him when he shall come into his Personal-Humane Kingdom And lustly Whereas upon the sounding of the seventh Trumpet this saying shall be ecchoed forth The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ c Rev. 11. 15. I do not think that this saying shall ever be fulfilled at the utmost in this world but in the World to come And doubless after the Kingdoms of this world shall be dissolved and broken in peeces as they shall be with the dissolution of this present world then immediately shall they be resolved into the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and shall be brought wholy in subjection to him and not before Wherefore I infer That the Personal-Humane