The Lord reignes for ever and ever Exod. 15.18 When hee smote the Philistins with Emeroids and kept them under in Samuels time no King leading forth the Israelites Armies 't is also said that God is their King 1 Sam. 8.7 and 12.12 When the fury of buls dogs lions Vnicorns prevailed not over Christ so that hee conquered all power opposit unto him David sung The Kingdom is the Lords Psal. 22.28 When David himself overcame the enemies of his kingdom which was a type of Christs 't is said The Lord reigneth 1 Chron. 16.31 When Satan is conquered by Michael then it is proclaimed That the Kingdom is the Lords Rev. 12.10 When Christ judges and plagues Rome hee is stiled King of Kings Rev. 19.16 When at the day of judgment all his enemies are wholly cast down under his feet and lie at his mercy and disposure to bee judged then 't is said That the kingdoms of this world are our Lords even Christs Rev. 11.15 Hee that was first stiled Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 then plainly at last appears so to bee what the wicked out of their pride would not before assent unto then they shall to their shame and confusion confesse and finde most true This I touched before and now have cleared fully and past denyall Object God hath promised to put on his armour Esa. 59.17 to make his sword drunk with the blood of the slain to make a great slaughter in Edom and Bozra Esa. 54.14 To powre out his indignation on the armies of the wicked to fat his sword with blood Esa. 34.2 To feed his enemies with their own flesh and to make them drink their own blood to contend with them that contend with his people Esa. 25.25 26. That wars moved against his Church shall not prosper Esa 54.17 That hee will wound Kings in his wrath and fill all with dead bodies and destroy the heads over divers Countries Psal. 110. and slay the wicked Esa 11.4 that is some eminent opposer of Christ That hee will make a City to bee an heap and a strong City a ruin Esa 25.1 And bring down them that dwell on high Esa 26.5 That when the Nations are ripe for the Harvest hee will fill the Winepresse of his wrath Joel 3.9 That hee will destroy all the Nations that come against Jerusalemâ— Zach. 14.11 These things are to bee fulfilled when God reigns in Sion and expresse the Churches happinesse and the wickeds misery not yet fulfilled Answ. From these Texts may bee inferred First that as the old Jerusalem was cruelly assaulted so shall the New â— for in it Christians suffer great tribulation Rev. 7.14 The Dragon wars with the Womans seed Rev 12.17 The ten-horned beast blasphemes Gods Tabernacle and the Saints in it wars with them overcomes them Rev 13.6.7 kils many of them Rev 6.11 And Secondly Though God suffer his Church by the enemies thereof somtimes to bee thus used yet hee being armed and riding on his white horse goes on conquering and to conquer at his good pleasure and sends the riders on the red pale and black horses to punish the great men of the earth and their retinue so that they hide themselves in caves and dens Rev 6. These things saith Mr. Mede were don within four hundred years after Christs birth After this Christ powres Vials of wrath on the Churches adversaries Rev 16. Hee makes Babel fall casts the beast and false Prophet into the lake of fire and slayes their remnant Rev 19. Hee slayes Gog and his Armies Rev. 20. Thus hee destroyss them that destroyed the earth Rev 11.18 The wicked may domineer for a time yet shall bee not onely in the four hundred years after Christ but oftentimes afterward foiled and in the end the victory shall be on the Saints party who are the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem They it they live are the Lords and if they die they change a pilgrims and militant state here into a glorious and perpetually setled estate hereafter Besides they leave on earth a faithfull â—uccession of Inhabitants of the new and spirituall Jerusalem against whom the Gates of hell cannot prevail whence it is that this Jerusalem cannot be destroyed and that all which maliciously oppose it shall bâ—e vanquished and subdued as all Nations were who fought against the old Jerusalem Thirdly that God not delighting in mens destruction le ts the wicked eat the wickeds flesh and drink each others blood Hee pulled down Aram and the neigbouring Nations by Babel Babel by Persia the Persians by Alexander King of Greece and his chief Captains the Greeks the posterity of Seleucus and Ptolomy by the Romans the chief Roman rulers {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} by mutuall conflicts among themselves and by the Goths and Vandals others and at the last day will utterly destroy and abolish that wicked State with the brightnesse of his comming 2 Thess. 2.8 What befell Babylon Tyre Damascus of Aram Kir and Ar of Moab Dumah of Edom Zoan of Aegypt will at length befall Rome For among the wicked there is an eminent and superlative wicked State called the wicked one whom God will destroy Esa 11.4 and this is as Jonathan Ben Vzziel saith Armylus the Roman power saith Mr. Broughton by originall from Romulus the word denotes him with no greater change then Armathia is put for Ramath Nor can the Roman Beast fall alone the heads of divers Countries the ten Kings fall with him Rev 16.14 and their posterity turn to Christs side verse 16. Thus Christ brings them low that carry their heads full high he quels their power and demolishes their cities Fourthly Christ who hath and still doth plague his enemies observes the time of their sins being ripe for the harvest Rev. 14.15 and come to the full height and then makes them drink full cups out of the winepresse of his wrath Thus to conclude it is manifest that the New Jerusalem shall subsist and prevail and that the City which in Saint Johns time ruled over the Kings of the Earth and which would then have no King but Caesar and now would have the Pope above all Kings persisting in one and the same fin of making lawfull Princes her vassals shall still boe decaying and at last bee utterly destroyed But hence can not be concluded that the Christian Church shall enjoy on Earth such and so long felicity as Mr. Archer and some others plead for and it is probable that such prosperity would bring more damage to the Church then could affection The Churches experience hath usually found it so to doe and on good ground hath contented it self with some small measure of outward comforts sweetned with plenty and abundance of spirituall refreshments Repl. You take the term Ierusalem in a mysticall sense and decline the corporall and outward felicity of the Church with diverting us to spirituall blessings If thus you fly to Allegorizing texts and turning plain evidences for corporall matters to
and Earth given him Mat. â—8 18 A Kingdome which lasteth for ever Luke 1.33 And this Kingdome he had at or neare his ascension at which time and a thousand and some hundreth yeares after the Roman Kingdome stood and as some affirme yet stands Therefore the Roman Kingdome is not the fourth Kingdom in Daniel Argum. 2. The fourth Kingdome in Daniel is to bee destroyed before Christs Kingdome to which all Nations and not the Jews onely are to submit Dan. 7.14 not before a Kingdome of a thousand yeares as some conceit yet to come begins But the Roman Kingdome was not destroyed before Christs Kingdom began to which all Nations were to submit for it began about the time when Christ sent to all Nations to obey what hee commanded Maâ— 28.20 At which time and thence to this present the Roman Kingdome continues Therefore the Roman Kingdome is not Daniels fourth Kingdome Argum. 3. If the fourth Beast Dan. 7. expresses the Roman Kingdom then the Beast Rev. 13.1 to the 11. sets forth the very same Kingdome and not one like thereunto For most Exposisitors hold and that aright that that Beast Rev. 13.1 sets forth the Roman Kingdom But the Beast Rev. 13.8 to the 11 verse expresses not the very same bnt a like Kingdome to the foure Kingdomes Dan. 7. Therefore the fourth Beast Dan. 7. expresses not the Roman Kingdom That the Beast Rev. 13.1 to 11. expresses not the very same but a like Kingdome to the foure Kingdomes Dan. 7. I thus prove The chiefe mysticall and figurative termes in the Revelation having reference to something in the Old Testament expresso some new matter like the Old and not the same with the Old But the Beast Rev. 13.1 hath in the figurative and mysticall termes thereof reference to the Old Testament namely to the foure Beasts Dan. 7. Therefore that Beast Rev. 13.1 expresses not the very same but a like Kingdome to those foure in Dan. 7. What â—asfirmed of the chiefe mysticall and figurative termes in the Revelation is evident For Egypt Babylon the New Jerusalem the Wildernesse Paradise Manna and other the like termes expresse new matters like the old and not the same And that there is a manifest reference of that Beast Rev. 13.1 to the foure beasts Dan. 7. is most manifest For In Dan. 7. The 1. Beast is a Lion 2. A Beare 3. A Leopard 4. A Beast with ten horns The Beast Rev. 13.1 Hath 1. A mouth like a Lion 2. Feet like a Beare 3. A body like a Leopard 4. It hath ten hornes And as the foure Beasts Dan. 7. have seven Heads The Lion one the Bear one the Leopard foure and the fourth Beast one So the Beast Rev. 13.1 Hath seven Heads Thus the reference is most evident Answ. To this Argument is answered Bee it granted that Christs providentiall Kingdome over all things and his spirituall Kingdome over his Church were administred by him when hee lived upon earth yea even from the beginning of the world and shall continue unto the worlds end Yet his Monarchicall Kingdome in which hee shall govern and raigne as earthly Monarchs have done universally over the world is not yet begun Mr. Archer Replicat Christ in his Kingdome above mentioned is the most absolute King and Monarch that ever was is or shall bee and you much debase and vilify him and his Kingdome in comparing it and counting it inferiour to earthly Monarchies and Kingdoms For they rose out of the Sea or Earth Dan. 7.3 17. Rev. 13.1 11. But Christs Kingdome is set up by the God of Heaven and is often called the Kingdome of Heaven in the Gospel Christ is the Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.43 and therefore is above all Joh. 3.31 The kingdoms of other States were destroyed Dan. 2.44 But Christs kingdome is everlasting and can never bee destroyed Dan. 7.27 Other great kingdomes of the world ruled over one hundred twenty seven Provinces or the like But Christ is to have all Nations to serve him Psal. 72.11 Even the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession Psalme 2.8 In all things Christ hath the preheminence And therefore Christ at the time mentioned was a more absolute Monarch then any King ever was is or shall bee and had a lawfull authority to give out his commission for all Nations to be taught to observe his commands Mat. 28.20 But to come close up to the Point Thus I argue Argum. 1. When Herod Pilaâ—e and the Jewish Rulers rose up against Jesus Christ God set him up to bee his King on Mount Sion his holy Mountaine and gave him so eminent a Kingdome that to it all Kings Judges and people must submit or else bee crusht with an iron Scepter Psal. 2. Act. 4.26 27. Pnt Herod Pilate and the Jews rulers rose up against Jesus Christ one thousand five hundred and moe yeares agon This is undeniable Therefore God set up Christ his King on Sion his holy mountaine and gave him a Knigdome so eminent as above one thousand five hundred and moe yeares agon What ever men conceive Wâ—e must to the Law and testimony to the sacred authority of Scripture and seeing wee have good ground thence so to doe wee may and doe averre that notwithstanding worldly potentates not subtle reasonings onely but mighty oppositions also aganst Christ God set him up King on mount Sion and laughed to scorn the vain and frustrate designes of his Adversaries agents for and friends of Rome the then most potent Kingdome on Earth So that it must bee granted that Christs Kingdom then set up was more powerfull then Romes which to this very day never could though assisted by the Gates of Hell either by might or policy prevaile against Christs Kingdome Argum. 2. Christ in St. Johns time was the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 had all things given him by his Father Luke 10.22 All power in Heaven and Earth Mat. 28.18 before his ascension so that hee was the head of the Church his body and in place farre above all principality power and Domination and every title and name that is named not in this world onely but in the world to come Ephes. 1.21 22. Therefore at Christs being here on earth or neere unto that time he had an absolute and boundlesse Soveraignty farre above all Monarchs and Kings that heretofore lived or ever shall hereafter For though many of them had very large Dominions and great prosperity both in Peace and Warre and subdued and vassalled many other Kings to their Scepters yet none of them had all power in heaven and earth committed into their hands by God They were not capable of such honour nor fit to be intrusted with so great a charge Chap. III. The Answer to many Objections of sever all Divines who would provetha Christs famous Kingdome is not yet begun T Is sufficiently above proved that Christs eminâ—nt Kingdome was long since begun yet against this truth as against
live godly must suffer persecution 1 Tim. 3.12 This is their portion in this life as usually Gods Word describes it The godly are trees planted by rivers Psal. 1.3 Esa. 14.8 and as trees endure many a sharp frost and bitter storm to make them take root the better They are Vines Psal. 80.9 but must bee pruned else they will bee luxuriant in boughes deficient in fruit What Son is there whom the Father chastiseth not Heb. 12.7 Christ himself hath told us how these things may bee competible and consistent In the world saith hee yee shall have trouble in mee yee shall have peace Joh. 16.33 So there may bee terrours within and fightings without but God is the comfort of his people 2 Cor. 7.5 6. The joy the quiet repose the happinesse of the faithfull is to have God for their God Rev. 21.3 And having him they can want nothing needfull things present and things to come all are theirs 1 Cor. 3.22 They shall not want any thing that will work for their good nor have any thing which may procure their harm Thirdly it is not alwayes conclusive God hath promised this or that therefore undoubtedly it shall bee fulfilled interminis according to the expresse words For first many of Gods promises bee conditionall free in the promiser and not deserved by us though by Gods work upon us wee obey him and hee fulfill his promise but many promises by mans neglect of the condition deserved to bee cut off from beeing fulfilled God promised that a man should not stand before Israel in battle Josh. 1.5 yet sometimes their sins so provoked God that the Canaanites foyled them God said that Elies house should walk before him for ever but now saith hee upon their offending him it shall not lee so They that honour me I will honour 1 Sam. 2.30 And secondly wee must ballance the promises of God made to his people with the threats against them God doth so Lev. 26. Deut. 28. Rom. 2 6. c. And makes both take effect as to him seems good These good things saith Zachary shall come to passe if yee obey the voyce of the Lord Zach. 6.15 and by the rule of contraries the evils shall come to passe if they disobey Fourthly many promises are made good to Gods people in heaven with greater advantage then they could bee on earth God promises length of dayes and prosperity to such as keep his Laws Prov. 3.1 2. yet Henoch lived not half so long as his fore-fathers and Josias had his years cut off in battle though both Religious God made them a recompence in Heaven Fifthly Temporall promises are often fulfilled in this life with much advantage in spirituall favours God promises that the wives of such as fear God shall bee as Vines on the house side their children as Olive plants about their Tables Psal. 128.3 That the meek shall inherit the Land Yet often good and faithfull men lose wives children brothers lands and the like but God then gives them spirituall graces in this life Which are a hundred fold better for them and in the life to come everlasting blessednesse Mark 10.30 Object Christ visibly and personally came first to bee incarnate secondly he so comes to receive his Kingdom and thirdly to judg all men at the worlds end Some confound the second and third comming of Christ and think there shall bee no comming of Christ to judgment but to the last and finall judgment His comming to receive his Kingdom hath been overlookt since the first hundreth years of Christ Arch. 15. p. Answ. Dr. Alstede who is most zealous in your way and ready to maintain your conclusion for the thousand years yet accords with many Expositers before him and approves but of the first and last visible and personall appearing of Christ If a middle comming of Christ could have been justifyed hee wanted neither will nor skill to have asserted it Here Mr. Archer who censures otherâ— for dim-sighted and over-looking what hee conceived hee saw will bee found not single cied but to have mistaken and made three commings of two as hee whose sight failing him said Geminis consurgit mensa lucernis that there were two candles where in truth was but one If the Texts hee brings for a second visible and personall comming of Christ at the beginning of the thousand years yet to come were in any least measure conclusive I would particularly examine them But that labour may well bee spared If hee demand Quest Is there no comming of Christ to judgment untill the last judgment I Answer There is no visible and personall comming of Christ to any other judgment Yet Christ judges and punishes the wicked of the world by bloodshed famine pestilence Rev. 6. and 18.8 and 19.2 Many remarkable wayes hee hath judged and plagued the Churches enemies on earth by his instruments as a King punishes his disobedient Subjects by his Judges and Justices yet Christ leavs not nor comes down from Heaven his Throne no more theâ— an earthly King from his palace Repl. But there is a partiall judgment at the beginning of Christs Kingdome For after this judgment the Temple is opened the Ark of the Covenant is seen there are lightnings thunders c. Rev. 11.18 This Text is manifest and proves a judgment performed by Christ when his Kingdom to come begins and before the Temples opening c. Arch. p. 13. Answ. First The judgment spoken of Rev. 11.18 is the last judgment at the worlds end for there the dead are judged small and great and therefore all of them There Gods servants according to Christs promise are rewarded and his enemies destroyers of the earth destroyed Secondly I Answer that that which followes of the Temples opening the Ark seen of lightnings and thunders and the like is but a preparation and passage to the vision next in place And may much better begin the twelfth Chapter then end the eleventh Chapter This I prove because wee finde the like addresse to other visions in this book Namely Chap. 4.1 and 5. and Chap. 8.5 such a preparation was made at the giving of the Law Exod. 19.16 Object Christs Kingdom is said to bee at the seventh Trumpet Rev. 11.15 and then all kingdoms in the world are subject unto him Arch. p. 11. Likewise after the condemnation of the great Whore and the avenging of the Saints bloodshed by her Christ is said to bee Lord of Lords and King of Kings Therefore then towards the worlds end the eminent Kingdom of Christ begins Answ. Christs eminent Kingdom began as was shewed above and from his being upon earth hee hath had the kingdom power and glory for ever But as the Lord is evidently known by executing judgment Psal. 9.16 so hee is especially known and taken notice of by men to bee King when hee in evident manner shews his power in defending his servants and in plaguing his enemies Hence it is that when hee ruined Pharaoh and his Host Moses said
him and rode firth conquering and to conquer Rev. 6.2 This hee judges to bee in the beginning of the Apocalypticall times And that it was so I have above proved In the latter end of his Kingdom Christ makes an absolute conquest over the beast and â—alse Prophet and casts them into the fiery Lake and brings all men to judgment and then delivers up his Kingdom of governing and defending his Church in this world to his Father And they reign together eternally with the Saints in a setlâ—d and blessed estate Secondly I conceive the terms at his appearing and in or at his kingdom to bee in sense at his manifest appearing to bee the great King And that the form of speech is duobus pro uno positis by putting two expressions for one So Thunders and voices Rev. 8.5 are put for thundring or loud voices as both Mr. Mede and Mr. Brightman expound that place The reason why I thus understand it is because Christ ever truly the great King then appears manifestly to bee the great King indeed by an absolute conquest over the Churches enemies and by over-comming death and by bringing as the great and onâ—y King the whole world to judgement Object In Dan. 7.9 and Rev. 20.4 Thrones are said to bee set up and judgment given to the Saints who are said to judg the world 1 Cor. 6.2 and the Saints to obtain the Kingdom that is to live and reign with Christ Besides in Dan. 7.13 14. and Luk. 21.24 it is said That Christ shall appear in the clouds of heaven and have power glory and kingdom given him so that all people Nations and languages shall serve him and that these things shall come to passe when the times of the Gentiles shall come to an end That is when the little born Dan. 7.11 namely Antichrist is overthrown Therefore Christs glorious Kingdom and the Saints reign with him takes not place untill the Popedom bee ruined Answ. In Dan. 7.9 the Thrones that is those of the four beasts are said to bee so our new translation hath it cast down and the Antient of daies to sit on his Throne Hee gives judgement to the Saints that is on their party or inables them to maintain their party against the little horn that domineered over them before for a time times and half a time The Saints therefore in those daies after Antiochus his armies were defeated set up Gods worship again 1 Macc. 4. and maintained their cause against the body of the fourth Beâ—st which was then hornlesse Dan. 7.11 and 26 So that it began to decay and was consuming daily unto the end This the Jews Gods people did untill the Son of man came in the clouds of heaven and received the â—ternall kingdom Dan. 7.14 which began as was above proved one thousand five hundred years agon Secondly How Christs Kingdom so long agon begun the Saints judged and reigned I have likewise declared Thirdly Christs glorious comming to judgment is sometimes to bee understood of vengeance and punishment insâ—icted on the world for their sins So the Lord is said Judg. 14. To come with thousands of his holy ones to give judgment against all men and to rebuke the ungodly c. when hee drowned the old world So Christ comming with power and great glory in these Texts of Daniel and Luke may expresse his comming with vengeance against the Romans and Jews that kild him and opposed the Gospel For it is said Luk. 21 22 and 32. That that age and generation should not passe untill all those things were fulfilled Besides it is not said that Christ shall not so come untill the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled but untill Jerusalem bee trodden under foot by the Gentiles and the power of heaven Sun Moon and Stars that is the government of that people bee shaken This was don when Jerusalem was overthrown Repl The sense of Luke 21.32 may bee {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} this people Nation kindred of the Jews shall not passe or cease to be a Nation or people untill these things bee fulfilled The word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} so signifies Ans. The word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} expresses Dor generation in the old Testament a hundred times It is sometimes also put for Gnam Mispaâ—haâ—h Mâ—ledeth people nation progeny But then commonly it intends and denotes the Nation or family then living which is all one in meaning with Generation In this sense The People and Nation and race of men now living shall not passe or be extinct untill all these things be accomplished Repl If you deny the Texts Dan. 7.9 22. Rev 20.4 to expresse the great day of judgment Christs comming in the clouds with power and great glory and the Saints with him to judge the Earth and abolith Antichrist with the brightnesse of his comming in the thousand years yet to come you undermine the pillar of Evangelicall faith concerning the glorious comming of Christ Answ God is known by executing judgment Psalm 9.16 Not by the great and sinall judgment onely but by other particular judgments also on mankind Some Jews might mis-conceive of Gods dealing towards them and be perswaded that they should in or at Christs time get their necks from under the yoak of their oppressors But when they saw Jerusalem in that age ruined many Jews cruelly slain the rest grievously disperst how could they but think and you now conceit that God then sate gloriously in judgment against them who were grown as secure as they in the old world Mat. 24.37 Luke 17.26 As this judgment was conspicuous and shewed the great power and glory of Christ and verified Christs speech of some then standing by him who should not taste death untill they saw Christs kingdom come with power Mark 9.1 So I verily believe that Christ will come in the clouds or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} with clouds of witnesses Mark 14.62 and great power to judge and destroy Antichrist and all his Churches enemies Apoc. 20.9 Thus doe I endeavour to hold up the pillar of Evangelicall truth and in no wiâ—e undermine it Christ I say hath already by the brightnesse of his comming in the word preached given Antichrist such a blow that hee shall never lick himself whole and will in his good time bring him to utter confusion What was done in the thousand years I have above sufficiently unfolded Object Justin Martyr tels Trypho the Jew that himself and all Orthodox Christians knew the resurrection of the body and the thousand years in which Jerusalem should be re-edified adorned and inlarged according as Ezekiel and Esay had prophecied of a thousand years in which shall bee a new heaven and new earth So that Jerusalem is made to triumph and the dayes of Gods people to bee as the dayes of the tree of life In these words saith Justin we hold that the thousand years are implicitly pointed at He further
Dan. 11. Who battered one another untill they bad no more strength then the two leaâ— of the image part of iron part of clay Dan. 2.41 42. But so dull is man of understanding that in these Kingdomes earthly spleâ—dor and glory obvious to the eye is admired and Cyrus and Alexanders great prowesse highly extold but Gods indulging and advancing their Empires though very discernible by an attentive and heedfull minde is passed over and unregarded But in this very case God hath not left himself without witnesse but tels us both how Josuab was famous through the World for his victories Josh. 6.27 The Heathen people could mark that And tels how also it was God who sought for Israel Iosh. 10.42 This many could not so well observe Scripture also declares how Babel the glory of Kingdomes doth fall by the Medes Es. 13 17. and how also it was the hand of God that overthrew the might of that Kingdome Esa. 14.22 Suppose the world negligent to observe Gods power and goodnesse in these and the like passages can it possibly be so blind so regardlesse when the Sonne of God was incarnate come to undoe the works of the Devill shewed his power by many miracles and wrought mans salvation and divulged the same to all people VVee must needs see what is so often iterated that then the Kingdome of God was at band yea was come to the people then living and that whosoever submitted thereunto was a subject of that Kingdome 'T is true that Satan in those times brag'd that all the Kingdomer in the World were his owne and it is evident that hee had long domineered among the Heathen and usurped power over the Jews and vassalled them in great part to his pleasure Yet by Christs casting out Devils out of many persons possessed by his conquest over Satan at his death by his giving his Disciples power to tread on Serpents and Scorpions and power over the enemy it clearely appeares that the kingdome power and glory as the Church confesses Rev. 4. 5. is truly his and that hee is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev 19.16 The wise men were by God directed to esteem Christ a King though found in a manger Pilate adjudging to death the Lord of life yet resolutely gave him his due stile and Christ himselfe denyed not but witnessed the truth that hee was a King and born so to be Iob. 18.37 This Kingdome Christ began to expresse and make known while hee lived here on earth VVe can not but confesse it when wee consider that hee commanded windes waves diseases devils that hee conquered death and aseended to his Throne in heaven and yet hath his Throne of power in his Church Apoc. 5.6 and hath been is and will bee with the Apostles and their Successors alwayes even to the end of the world Mat. 28.20 Hee is said Apoc. 6. To bee crowned as a King and on a white horse to ride forth conquering and to conquer And therefore the great and famous Kingdome of Christ that mentioned in Dan. 2.44 Dan. 7.13 Psal. 2. hath already long since begun now is and ever will continue and is not as most Jews and some Christians too sarre herein consenting to that deceived Nation affirm hereafter to take its beginning much lesse is it to bee a Kingdome of a thousand years continuance and no more That Christs Kingdom is long since begun thus I punctually prove by these Arguments Argument 1. The destruction of Jerusalem and its Sanctuary was acted a thousand and some hundred yeares agon about the yeare of Christ 73. But Jesus Christ was to bee the Messias or annointed Prince before the desirâ—ction of Jerusalem and its Sanctuary Dan. 9.25 26. Therefore Jesus Christ was the Messias or annointed Prince a thousand and some hundreth yeares agon And is not now to begin that Kingdome Argum. 2. Princes upon or presently after their being declared to be annointed Princes begin their Kingdome Scripture and common experience confirm this But it was declared that Jesus Christ was the Messias the annointed Prince before the end of the seventy weeks Dan. 9.24 25 26. which no Expositor extends further then the destruction of Jerusalem and that was one thousand five hundred yeares agon Therefore Jesus Christ began his Kingdome before the end of the seventy weeks one thousand five hundred yeares agon and is not now to begin it Argum. 3. No good and lawfull King sends out his commands and requires them to bee obeyed before hee hath begun his Kingdome But Christ sent out his commands and required obedience to them at his being here upon Earth one thousand five hundred yeares agon Mat. 28.20 Therefore his Kingdome then began and is not hereafter to begin Chap. II. The chiefe and common Argument produced against my Tenent answered and confuted AGainst the Tenent above confirmed this Objection is commonly made Christ comes not to that his Kingdome in Daniel untill the fourth Kingdome in that propbesie bee destroyed Dan. 7.11 13.14 27. But the fourth Kingdome in Daniel is that of the Romans which is yet in being Therefore that Kingdome of Christ is not yet begun Answ. In speech of foure great Kingdomes without reference to Daniels propheâ—ie the Babylonian Kingdome is the first the Medes and Persians make the second the Grecians is the third and the Romans is rightly counted the fourth But if question bee about the foure great Kingdomes in Daniel Alexander the Great and his foure chiefe Captaines who after his death were made Kings of severall Nations and were more famous then the rest are the third Kingdome in Daniel Afterward Seleâ—cus Nicator King of Syriâ— and Ptolomie Lagides King of Egypt and their posterity became potent for a long time above all other Kings They being two and endeavouring by marriage to agree in one and by their frequent dissentions much molesting the Jews whose Country did lie between Syria and Egypt make the fourth Kingdome in Daniel expressed by the two legs of iron with feet part of iron part of clay and by the fourth beast Dan. 7. which was more savage and cruell to the Jews then the three former Kingdomes That the Kings of Syria and Egypt are the fourth Kingdome in Daniel is averred and suâ—hciently proved by these learned skilfull and most diligent searchers into the sacred Text Namely Fr. Junius Im. Tremelius H. Broughton Robert Rollocke Am. Polanus And. Willet Is Genius Joh. Borelius Joh. Scharpius Joh. Woolebius Mr. Diodate and some others That their judgement is sound and good and that the Romans bee not the fourth Kingdome in Daniel I thus prove Argument 1. The fourth Kingdome in Daniel was to be destroyed before God gave Christ the great and most eminent and everlasting Kingdome and Dominion Dan. 7.11 13 14 27. But the Romane Kingdome was not destroyed before God gave Christ the great most eminent and everlasting Kingdome and Dominion mentioned Dan. 7. For Christ had all power in Heaven
diverâ— others are many things objected But the Sun retaines its light how many clouds soever bee interposed Wee will punctually examine any thing that is worthy of Answen Object If Christ had about the time of his Ascensionâ— so absolute a Soveraignty at is affirmed how is it â—that many Nations in those times many afterwards many at this very day have not or doe not yet yeeld obedience to him Many Tyrans many Hereticks have risen up against his Dominion and Laws Answ. Those were no impeachment to Christs absolute Soverdigâ—ty The wickednesse of Sons takes not away the fatherhood and authority of Parents that is over them nor doth a debauched Servants ill carriage argue his exemption from the Mastership he is subject unto David was and continued King though 〈…〉 and Sauls house though Absalon his own Sonâ—e though Shebah a Benjamite and many of Israel rose up against and submiâ—ted 〈…〉 his Scepter So Christ sits an absolute King on his Throne bee the people of the world never so unquiet erroneous rebellious Hee rides on a crowned King conquering his enemies more then ever David did and still to conquer Rev. 6.2 And If any escape their due deserved punishment in this life they must appeare at the great day of accounts hereafter and shall then smart for all their miscarriages Object Judge wee of Christs Kingdome by what wee finde in sacred writ and otherwise concerning him When heâ—came into the world Hee was a man of sorrow hee was in the forme of a Servant rather a worm then a man had no beauty in him that bee should bee desired In all this what Royalty What sign of Majesty Glimps 11. Answ. VVee are not to judge of matters according to their outward appearance or mens estâ—em but according to their true worth and excellency Christ it his incarnation humility but whatsoever hee then appeared hee was indeed the fairest of ten thousand Cant. 5.10 Fairer then the Children of men Psal. 45.2 and was God and man and exalted by his Father above every name that is named Object Hee had a Reed put into his hand in stead of a Scepter was bowed to in scorue his Lordship and Dominion was much darkned and appeared not to the world his Crown and dignity were hid in a monnet bâ—e was little knowne by the Name of God Omnipotent â—or shewed himselfâ— to bee Lord of Lords and King of Kings Glimps p. 9. Answ. 1. If Christ was abused and scorned the greater was the peoples sinne and his patience the more eminent The more indignity hee suâ—ed the greater did his love appeare to wards us and his merit more prevaile for us Such an Objection as this might of old have been expected out of the mouth of a Pharisee or now from an unhappy Son of the Syâ—agogue A child of wisdome cannot but know that Christ by his by his 〈◊〉 curing â—ll disedses by bpening the eyes of the blind so born by giving hearing to the deas by raising the dead by rising himself from death notwithstanding Satans and wicked wretches malice against him shewed himselfe to bee the Sonne of God to bee God equilâ— and one with the Father and to have a power above all â—ings and Potentates that ever ruled My works saith he testifâ—e of mea Object Noâ— onely himselfe but his Disciples and Followers also were injured and muâ—thered by the bloody minded Jewish Rulers and Remâ—n Dopâ—ties yeaâ— his Subjects were but a company of poore distressed forlorne people wandring up and down destitute of all comforts Glimps p. 9. Answ. If Christ himself suffered a shamefull death surely hee had done all things well and deserved it not but hee came into the world to die for us and for our redemption hee died and overcame death and all adverse power If his Apostler their successours and muâ—titudes of Christians were injured and persecuted by the authority of Heathen Emperours and many of them put to death and savagely butchered yet dying for and in the Lord and in a good cause they were so saryâ— from being forâ—orne or miserable that they are proâ—onced blessed and happy Mat. 5. Rev. 14. Christ by dying for them 〈…〉 of death So that their deaths were comfortable to themselves and advantageous to the Gospel and Christs Kingdome thereby was more and more propagated They were of that number which overcame the Devill and his instruments by the bloud of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and that loved 〈◊〉 their lives unto the death Rev. 12.11 Object Christ hath not yet ruled as earthly Monarchs did universally over the known and esteemed World nor hath be had Soveraignty over all the Earth in a visible and worldly manner for splendor riches peace c. whatsoever is not sinfull Hee hath not subdued all the neighbouring Nations as David had done The faâ— on earth Psal. 22.29 that is great men for outward estate bowed not unto him Archer if the booke bee his p. 3.6 Answ. If Christ did not rule as the Earthly Monarchs for visible splendour glory c. the reason is easily given Solomon who excelled in abundance of all outward and royall accoutrements found all to bee but vanity of vanity and vexation of spirit If the wiseâ—t of all Kings esteemed them so upon his owne just triall and experience much more did Christ know their worthlesnesse and emptinesse His Kingdom served to furnish his Subjects with matters an hundred fold better in this life and in the world to come with endlesse happinesse VVhereas all that those earthly Monarchs possessed was but as the beauty of a lilly which soon fades and on the morrow is cast into the Oven Nor did Christ intend to conquer the world by force of Armes but in a more heavenly peaceable and glorious a manner Hee as a Learned man well saith sent forth his Apostles who though they were but a few mean men yet were they more victorious then the greatest Alexander and potent Caesars and conquered by the word of their testimony many opposite Kingdomes subdued many thousand spirits and consciences and that in a short time without shedding one drop of blood Secondly Though not many noble rich wise yet some of al these sorts were converted in the Primitive times as namely Joseph of Arâ—matâ—ea an honourable Counsellor some Saints in the tyrans Nero's house the Aethiopian Queens Chamberlaine such as came out of all Nations at Penteoost Acts 2. for mean men use not to be farre Travellers the generous Bereans and seing these became followers of Christ so doubtlesse did many others For Isaiah speakes often of Kings whose example draws a train of the best sort after them overcome by the brightnesse of the Gospel Besides the fat on earth men like the plants of God flourishing with the fatnesse of Gods grace Psal. 92.14 fed with the marrow and fatnesse of the Gospel Esa. 25.6 became members of Christs Kingdom Object At Christs possessing his Kingdome suppose it to bee about
his Ascension hee did not bring under all the earth and haughtinesse of people that is Kingly power that he alone might be exalted Esa. 2.11 17. Archer p. 22 c. Answ. Christ was the Stone Dan. 2.25 which did strike break and destroy the foure kingdomes there mentioned and was avenged of them for their pride and Idolatry which are the sinnes for which God threatens in Esay As God in his due time punished those foure Kingdomes so when Romes sins were come to ripenesse hee spared iâ— not For hee tooke peace from the earth and left the Roman forces to kill one another Rev. 6.4 And for being drunke with the blood of God people when her sinnes come in remembrance before God bee is fully to bee rewarded and at length to bee left desolate and burnt with fire Rev. 17. 18. How Christ at the comming to his Kingdome was and is exalted above all I have formerly declared how Christian Kings are his substitutes and nursing fathers of the Church See Esa. 49.23 60.3.11 c. Object Antichrist hath set up himself as Lord and God and prescribed Laws to the consciences of men so that Christ hath been cast out of his Throne and to this day hath raigned little outwardly The Devill himself in regard of multiplicity of Subjects is a greater King then hee For the greatest part of the world is beathen Antichristian or â—isked Glimps p. 9 10. Answ. Anitichrist hath indeed magnified himselfe as much as possibly hee could and attempted to throw Christ out of his Kingdome But Christs Throne abides firm for ever and ever Heb. 1.8 Antichrists Babel fals but of Christs Kingdome there shall bee no end Bâ—ke 1.33 And though the Devill hath many moe Subjects then Christ if you account the faithfull alone to bee Christs Subjects and the rest the Devils yet if you judg aright you shall finde that Christ hath moe subjects then the Devill and that Christs power over all is greater then the Devils For even the Devill himselfe and all his Subjects as you call them are at Christs command and if they doe any good 't is by their true â—orde exciting them and evill neither can they nor the Devill their Lord by usurpation doe except Christ permit them Besides every faithfull Servant of God and subject of Christ is as deare to God as the apple of his eye is as David Zach. 12.8 worth tenthousand of the Devils Vassals If the least in the kingdom of Heaven bee greater then John Baptist how much more pretious to God is any true Christian then millions of Reprobates Object Kings have their royall Thrones their Palaces their Attendants they appeare many wayes both in these and other matters what and how great they are Now what I pray you was there in Christ formerly answerable to the glory power and Majesty of some mean Kings in the world in these times Answ. If you will further urge to a comparison between Christ and Earthly Kings I doubt not but that you will easily discern your misprision For what Kings palace and Throne on Earth is comparable to Christs which is in Heaven 1 King 9.27 Psal. 11.40 VVhat Kings Attendants and messengers like in fidelity agility strength and observance to the Spirits holy Angels who are at Christs command Kings have their potent and puissant Hosts but infinitely inferiour to Christs Hosts that is all Creatures in Heaven and Earth far unlike to the thousand thousands that minister unto Christ and ten thousand thousands that stand before him Dan. 7.10 God gives to Kings great Majesty and glory Dan. 5.18 But Christs glory is above all Principalities and powers and all names of created excellency and into his hands God hath given all things Ephes. 1.21 Job 13.3 16.15 Kings send their Edicts to the utmost parts of their Dominions but Christ to all parts of Heaven and Earth Kings command their Officers and have them responsable for their services but Kings themselves are Christs Vicegerents and must bee countable to him for all Christs laws are most heavenly most perfect far surpassing all humane inventions The honours that any one receives from his King are but mean and momentary in regard of the honours which God â— gives Kings can punish the bodies of their Subjects with prison and death but God can cast both their soules and bodies into the lake of fire and brimston Kings stand in need and make use of their Subjects help and advise but Christ nor needs nor will use his subjects counsel and will use though hee needs not their services VVhat should I say more Christ in all things doth {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} not onely surpasse all that is in Kings but even all that can be spoken or conceived of them So great then is the glory and Majesty of Christ that the Moon may bee abashed and the Sun ashamed take the speech literally or else figuratively for Princes and such as they lend their light unto when Christ raigns on mount Sion and shews his power to bee above all created might whatsoever The Sun never saw any King doe such wonderfull workes as Christ here on Earth did effect If some subject bee ignorant of a Kings Majesty and eminency it is because his meannesse hath not accesse to the Court nor converse with such as can inform him but a good christian cannot but know Christs kingly glory and highnesse For though hee cannot approach that light and Majesty in which Christ now is yet may hee search the Scriptures which in excellent manner discover the same so far as it pleased the holy Spirit to describe them or is needfull for us to know Object But Christ himself saith My Kingdome is not of this World Therefore there was some power and royalty which was either denyed Christ or which hee would not take upon him Answ. A Kingdome may bee said to bee of this world in two respects First because the administration of it is by humane and worldly means and tends to worldly ends as namely to get a large extent of wordly Dominion a glorious name among men abundance of earthly matters and there is terminated In this sense not Christs but Alexanders and the Caesars kingdoms were of this world Secondly because it is so administred that Men conversing in this world may thereby take notice of Christ use the things of this world in an heavenly manner have on earth a conversation as it were in Heaven each man in his severall calling and place of worldly employment serve God and advance his kingdom of grace in this world and so submit themselves to Christs government here that they may bee heires of glory in a better world Such a kingdom Christ both had and hath in and over this world such a kingdom hee affirmed himself to bee born unto And as Christ governs this world and all things therein in ordine ad câ—lestia with reference to the world to come so Moses who
was in Gods place and his Deputy to direct Aaron and the Israelites and David who was Gods shepheard to govern and feed the Jews did {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} perform the best service they could for the bringing the people in those times of the world under them to a more blessed estate in another world Replicat But when the people would have made Christ a King hee did not assent thereunto but went from among them Joh. 9. Answ. The people there out of a sudden apprehension of Christs power who miraculously fed many thousands with five barly loaves and two fishes were not fit instruments nor had a calling to fit them for conferring on Christ so great a dignity Scinditur incertum studia in contrariavulgus is a true and cleare verdict upon them as the schism Joh. 10.19 plainly shews they which to-day would make Christ a King will to morrow depose him if not they some others in a like but contrary heat upon some sleight distaste will doe it Their Hosanna one day their Crucifige soon after shew the mutability of their fancy Secondly had Christ accepted of the kingdom at these few Jews instance this might have been an occasion of a grievous combustion in that seditious and discontented people because the chief Rulers of the Jews consented not thereunto and had much people blindly led by them If the chiefe builders refused the head corner stone and said Wee will not have this man rule over us and further conspired saying Come this is the heire let us kill him Christ who well knew Gods law for the government of that people would not bee made King unlesse hee was orderly called thereunto by the chief Elders and Rulers of their Tribes Thirdly Christ did not deny or publikely gainsay his being made a King but perceiving their intention to take him and make him a king hee withdrew himself and thereby both avoided civill dissention to which that people were too too prone and continued also his humble course of life that as a Lamb hee might come to the slaughter and die for us Hee well knew the time appointed for his humiliation and waited his Fathers good pleasure for his exaltation Fourthly when hee was set as a king upon the holy hill of Sion his purpose was to propagate his kingdom by other courses then suited with these peoples plots and devises Their thoughts and wayes were not Christs thoughts and wayes For his mind was to demonstrate his glorious might and Sovereignty and his Infinite and all-seeing wisdome by means in the worlds eye and humane esteem most unlikely This in his good time he accordingly peformed Object The Saints are said Apoc. 20 to raign with Christ a thouand yeeres this is not yet fulfilled Therefore there shall be hereafter a thousand yeeres of Christs raign in which the Saints shall raign with him on earth For their raign with him in Heaven is everlasting Answ. Obsrve well that 't is no where said that Christs raign on kingdom is of a thousand yeares continuance His kingdom foretold Dan. 7.14 begun long since and continues for ever hee neyer reversed his command of teaching all Nations Ever since that edict people of all Nations and languages have been called to Christianity shewed their faith by their practise and sealed their Testimony such as have been called thereunto by their deaths Secondly for the space of a thousand years after Christs time many were called in severall Nrtions and in every part of that thousand yeeres many lived and raigned with Christ and the true doctrine of the Gospel was held in some good measure untill neare the end of the thousand yeeres at which time there was a declining Mr. Fox Mart. Pres. pag. 5. Then matters grew worse and worse Fox p. 215 vol. 1. Sylvester a Sorcerer about that time held the Popes Chair And Hildebrand soon after appeared to rule not by Gods but by Satans spirit Id. pag. 237. So that soon after these wicked beginnings error and superstition spread very much in the Churches proceedings Quest When then did the thousand years of the Saints raigning with Christ end Tell us the time punctually Answ. As wee cannot design the very year and day of the beginning of Christs famous kingdom Gods setting him up King upon the hill of Sion nor doe wee hold it necessary but onely in generall aver with Scripture that it was begun in Christs life time on Earth So for the end of the thousand yeares of the Saints raigning with Christ wee will not point out the very yeare and day â— but wee say that about a thousand yeers after Christs time Satan being loosed did with the full height of his malice infuse into the Pope and his instruments Pride error and other impieties insomuch that by the Popes power and craft conjoyned the Nations in al the kingdoms of this western part of the world in great measure yeelded to the Popes supreme authority over all Kings to his pretended infallible determinations to many superstitious observances and were led blind fold into a multitude of false and currunt doctrines In this grand Apostasie Christ had faith full servants who saw Romes declining from truth and growth to an height of wickednesse These as the rest of the Saints formerly continued to inhabit the holy City the new Jerusalem though they were assaulted with bloudy and most violent persecution and were extremely oppressed and tyrannized over untill Luthers time Object The Saints are said to reign with Christ the thousand yeares in which Satan is bound Rev. 20. Their reigning with Christ imports more then when it is said that Christ reigns in or with them This their reigning with Christ hath never yet been performed For Christ hath never yet visibly and personally come again to the Earth that they might reign with him as the words import And therefore hereafter he must so come and they reign with him Archer Answ. 1. There is nothing spoken Apoc. 20. which may assure us or indeed give us any the least warrant of Christs personall and visible comming again to reign here on earth If such a matter had been it might much better have been concluded from this Lo I am with you always to the worlds end Matâ—ult Or from Christs walking amidst the golden Candlesticks Rev. 1. that is the Churches of God That hee then did perform and in the same manner which is there meant he will ever do it to the last day These speeches and the like put together would soonerafford which indeed they do not a personall presence of Christ still on earth then any speech Apoc. 20. And 2. where t is said The Saints reign with Christ on earth how can that be more emphaticall and imply more then this Wee shall suffer with Christ Rom 8.19 No man ever hence inferred that Christ must again come down from Heaven that wee may suffer with him In both speeches of reigning with and suffering with Christ
and authority thereby to bind or to loose to acquit or condemn in his name Mat. 16.19 By this means they had a greater power then Earthly Judges who passe judgment onely upon mens bodies liberty and goods But Christ gave the Apostles power to remit and retain sins Joh. 20.23 and tels them that what they hind or loose on earth is bound and loosed in Heaven Mat. 18.18 The Apostles and their successors were good and faithfull Judges and indued with wisdom directing them to kisse the Son Psal. 2. and were not like Pilate and Herod and other Judges who opposed him Thirdly the Apostles for I will not deny them any their just titles were {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} rulers under Christ Acts 15.22 For Christ is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the Ruler Mat. 2.6 and hath his rule and authority as hee is the great Governour above all feeding his people Israel expressed by this title Hence I suppose the Apostles to bee called Princes in all lands or all the Earth Psal. 45.16 for Christ sent them to all Nations They had their attendants who ministred unto and were directed by them These seeing and imitating the courses taken by the Apostles 1 Cor. 4.17 did work the work of God as the Apostles had done 1 Cor. 16.10 What is said of Paul and Barnabas and others Acts. 15.12 was true also of Peter James Matthias Silas Apollos and the rest they all had rule and authority given them by Christ according to their places And what authority Timothy and Titus had wee read in the Epistles wriâ— unto them The witnesses of Jesus Christ and of his Word who did not worship the Beast nor his image neither took his mark in their foreheads nor in their hands they lived and reigned with Christ and sat on the Thrones spoken of Rev. 20.4 and ordered matters in the Christian Church acccording to the direction of Christ the great ruler of the Church Object Before the famous thousand years and the great and terrible day of Christs conquering his enemies and setting up his kingdom Elias must come Mal. 4.5 and restore all things Mat. 17.11 Now Elias is not yet come nor are all things restored nor could the time of Christs incarnation and preaching bee termed a terrible day for it was a most joyfull day Alsted 54. Therefore Christs kingdom is not yet begun Answ. First Christ who had no guile found in his mouth tels the Disciples plainly That Elias was come before him Mat. 17.12 that is John Baptist in the spirit of Elias The Disciples conceived aright that Christ affirmed the Baptist to bee Elias Why then should any doubt of this truth Dr. Alsted might well have seen a figurative speech here as elswhere hee doth when a new State of the old Babels and Edoms spirit is termed Babel and Edom page 44. 53. Secondly the word Nora in Mal. 4. signifies not a day terrible to affright but a day with all diligent and reverend care to bee looked unto Such a day was it when Christ appeared in the flesh and published the Gospel Acts 2.20 a day of much comfort and joy and therefore Joel 2.31 it is called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a glorious day and Nora elswhere is rendred by {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} glorious Deut. 20,21 The Lord did for Israel great and glorious things for such they were to Israel at their comming out of Egypt And hence it is that Joreh Elohim is rendred one that fears God Job 1.1 and that Joseph using the same word saith I fear God Gen. 42.18 not that God was terrible to him but that hee had a filiall and religious fear of the divine Majesty And thirdly if you would know how Iohn Baptist restored all things First tell us how all men beleeved that John Baptist was a Prophet in very deed Mark 11. and how all men honâ—â—red Christ Luke 4.15 And if you answer not your selves wee will assay to find you an answer It must needs bee that all in these and the like places admits some restriction and concerning Iohns performance wee find that all things which he spake of Christ were true Joh. 10.41 That hee told the Publicans and Souldiers and other people their duties Luke 3.12 That the Pharisees and Sadduces and all Ierusalem and the Region round about Iordan were baptized by him Mat. 3.5 His doctrine was repentance for remission of sins and hee prepared the way for Christ by whom all flesh should see the salvation of God Luke 3.3 4 5. and many other matters he preached Now I am assured that no man will conceive that all things absolutely were to bee restored by himâ— for then what need would there bee of one greater then hee to come after him It is enough that hee taught such doctrine as set all matters in order according to Gods will for the approach of Christ the Saviour of mankind But 't is replied Saint Augustine and others say That Elias indeed shall come and restore all things that is confirm the Saints vexed with antichrists persecutions So that Malachies prophecy being once fulfilled in Iohn Baptist yet may a second time hereafter bee fulfilled in some worthy instrument of God Alsted p. 54. Answ I acknowledge Saint Augustine to bee in his time an excellent and bright shining light in Gods Church so other Fathers But I beleeve Christs exposition of Malachi to bee undoubtedly true namely that Iohn Baptist was that Elias spoken of by the last Prophet in the Old Testament and to have appeared in the very porch of the New Testament and that Malachies prophecy was by him perfectly fulfilled Yet because Gods dealings are often alike I say that God who sent Enoch to the Church of old declining Noah to the old World Elias to Israel Iohn Baptist to the Iews become wicked may also send some eminent person or persons to the world neare the end there of who shall give warning of Gods comming to his own people and servants in mercy to his enemies in judgment before the last day Object It is promised That all the ends of the Earth shall bee saved and every knee bow to Christ Esa. 45.22 23. and every tongue confesse unto him Rom 14.11 Phil 2.10 That all Israel shall bee saved Rom 11.26 Mic 2.12 But this hath not yet been performed there was never yet an universall conversion of all Nations nor of all Israel therefore Christs kingdom in which this is to bee fulfilled is not yet come or begun Alsted 89. Arch 11. 28. Glimps 28. Answ The word all in many places of Scripture cannot as was above said bee extended to every particular but must be warily limited It is said that Christ healed every disease Mat 4.23 that hee is a light to every man that is born Job 1.9 That Saint Lukes Gospel was written of all things which Christ had done Acts 1.1 whereas so short a book could not
spirituall you may easily put off any Scripture produced against your opinion There is no sufficient reason why thus you should doe Answ. There are in Scripture {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} speeches Allegoricall Gal. 4. Christ often spake by parables and parabolically and spiritually expounded divers passages of the Old Testament in the New as Rahels weeping for her Children the Sheep scattered when the Shepheard was smitten and the like And more punctually to the matter in hand in expressing of this very allegory it is said Gal. 4. That the old Jerusalem is in bondage with her children the unbeleeving Jews and that the new Jerusalem and all the faithfull her children are free from bondage and thereupon are called the children of God Let such as have gone too far in allegories answer for it This Allegory hath sufficient warrant Secondly Dr. Alstede himself confesses and that aright that by Moab sometimes the Churches enemies are meant page 44. by Edom false brethren page 44. by Bozra and Babel Rome page 44. by Sion the Church of Christ page 42. And in the Apocalyps neither is Manna nor Paradise nor the tree of life nor the leafs therof literally but figuratively to be understood So are diverse other terms in that book as the most and best Expositors grant Object Christ being risen from death spake many things to the Diseiples concerning the Kingdom of God Acts 1.3 and thereupon the Apostles jointly ask Christ Lord wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel verse 6. Now the Apostles having both lately and formerly heard Christ often preach were men of understanding and could not possibly in asking Christ concerning the restoring the Kingdom to Israel such a Kingdom as once Israel had and as other Monarchs had on earth bee deceived and erre in a matter of so great concernment to the whole Nation See Archer page 10. An. First all that hold that the Iews shal again have an earthly kingdom such as other Monarchs have had that the Disciples inquired of that Kingdom and that the Kingdom which God promised Christ is not begun one thousand six hundred years since that question must necessarily hold that the Disciples both could and did erre about the time of that Kingdom and therby make them not so understanding as they desire to doe Secondly I conceive that the Apostles did not erre about the time John Baptist and Christ had taught them often that the kingdom of Heaven that Dan. 7.14.18 was at hand and religious people among the Jews even in that corrupt time waited for and expected that the consolation of Israel and the kingdom of God should appeare Luke 1.25 Mark 15.43 And even about the time of that question in regard of Christ the head of that Kingdom the kingdom was come for to him are ascribed Kingdom Power and Glory for ever and ever Mat. 6.13 Rev. 5. But in regard of the Jews and others who should bee members and subjects of that Kingdom seeing it was to bee a Kingdom within them Luke 17.21 it could not come {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} so observably that any one could say this is the very time of mens becomming subjects of this kingdom for some did partake of this kingdom sooner some later some with a weaker others with a stronger faith all even the best might increase in faith and in this regard all must pray Thy kingdom come let it more and more daily rule in our hearts Thirdly if the kingdom of God Acts 1.3 and the kingdom of Israel be all one as indeed they are the Apostles erred not much about the benefit of this kingdom which should redound to the Saints Dan. 7.22 and to the Israel of God Gal. 6.16 that is to a remnant of the Jews Rom 9.27 and elswhere often and to the Gentiles as Peter was taught Acts 10.35 to a multitude of them Rev 7.9 For neither doth the speech In thee shall all the Gentiles bee blessed Gal 3.8 Nor the speech All Israel shall bee saved Rom 11.26 comprehend any more of each party obtaining peace and mercy then such as walk according to Christs rule Gal 6.16 which is whosoever beleeves in Christ shall have life eternall Job 3.16 In this the Apostles remembring what Christ had so often inculcated erred not as I conceive yet might they erre in some circumstances of this Kingdom especially in such as concerned their ministery about the same Christ therefore who had given them commission to teach all Nations to doe what bee as a King else what authority had he to send out his Edicts commanded tels them in effect that hee indeed should have a kingdom over Israel and that themselves should in due time which the Father reserved in his own power receive power from the holy Ghost to bear witnesse of and to propagate this kingdom of hiâ— their Master in all parts of the world Christ at the time of his ansâ—er to the Apostles had many things to say to them and they then for so his speech intimaâ—â—s could not as in Joh. 16.13 hee likewise sayes beare them And therefore hee refers them to the holy Ghost who being sent down to them at Pentecost should lead them into all truth among which truths wee finde this to bee one That Christ was by God set up a King on mount Sion above all Principalities and Powers albeit the Jews and Heathen â—oâ—entates raged against him His power was such that hee bound some of them in the blessed chains of the Gospel Psalm 149.8 These bands of Christ were such as they could not break such cords as they could not cast from them Psalm 2. Wise Christian Kings serving the Lord in fear were blessed the Jews and Heathenish Princes rebelling against him were broken in pieces like a Potters vessel Thus have I answered Texts produced against my Tenet So that the considerate Reader will discern hereby how to blunt Arguments grounded on some other the like Scriptures And if any one surmise that he can put a better edge on any Argument here discussed or bring stronger proofs against me may he please moderately and punctually to propound the same and I shall by Gods assistance so answer him that it shall appeare how I will not willingly boulster out any errour nor shamefully desert any truth Chap. IV. Mr. Tho. Brightmans judgment of the times in Daniel and the Apocalyps examined and disproved DIverse learned men have imployed their time and pains about the times spoken of in Daniel and the Apocalyps and in regard both of the excellency of their parts and of their diligent perusall of what hath formerly been written thereof may bee thought in all probability to have found out the truth yet may perhaps have missed thereof I will therefore briefly set down their opinions and examine whether they on good ground dissent from my Tenet and have happily attained the truth Mr. Tho. Brightman on Apoâ— 20. holds First that Satan that
began in the year four hundred and six T is true that about this time Constantine left Rome and made Constantinople his royall Seat but the Bishop and Church of Rome did not then so apostate and degenerate from what they had been that grosse popery and Antichristianism may bee laid to their charg Constantine who erected Churches placed new Bishops in them countenanced other good Bishops already placed so held his Imperiall autority and Vicegerency under Christ that the Bishop of Rome never in his time exalted himself above the royall Scepter or challenged an universall autority over all Churches There were faultâ— in Churches and errours in Bishops and teachers before Constantines time and in it But wee see by Christs judgment upon the seven Churches in Asia Rev. 2. and 3. that some faults and errours do not presently unchurch a people as rank Popery and Antichristianism doe Eleventhly If the ten Kings received their kingdom Apoc. 17.12 and imployed their power in oppressing the Church together with the beast namely the persecuting Emperours then they received that their power from the Câ—sars long before the year four hundred and six And if it bee meant of receiving their power from the Popes it is manifest that they submitted not their necks nor took their Scepters from the Popes untill many years after four hundred and six namely untill about the year of Christ one thousand and odde Herein therefore Mr. Archers ground-work fails him Twelfthly How can the year one thousand two hundred and sixty bee attributed to the Pope alone Suppose so many years given to the warring Beast Rev. 13.4 5. that is the Emperours which make the sixth head and theâ— ruled in Saint Johns time I finde nor the like time ascribed to the beast with two horns or to any particular type whereby the Popes alone are expressed Mr. Brightman holds the beast Rev. 13.1 not to bee the Emperours or civill State of Rome but the Popes because the Imperiall State was risen before St. Johns time and Christ shewed to Saint John matters onely which were to bee don after the giving of those visions Rev. 4.1 To this I Answer Christ did shew St. John matters which for the most part were to bee don after the Vision Rev. 4. But hee shewed him also first some things absolutely don and past as namely five of the heads of the Beast seen by John were faln and gon Rev. 17.11 Christ appeared to him as a Lamb that had been stain Rev. 5.6 This was don long before that vision And secondly some things shewed to John were formerly in part fulfilled and were yet more and more to bee fufillled in and after his time As these God doubtlesse before sat gloriously upon his Throne as hee is said to sit Rev. 4.2 The Elders namely John himself and the other Apostles and the whole Church of God before Johns Visions ascribed praise honour glory c. to the Lamb as they doe Rev. 4. 5. The New Jerusalem spoken of Rev. 21.10 was before Mother of the beleeving Galatians and other Christians Gal. 4.26 Heb. 12.22 I might instance in diverse other the like passages Observe this well or els Mr. Brightman will by a false fire mislead you in diverse other matters Thirteenthly Mr. Archer and some others though they decline the grosse millenary opinion of one thonsand years victory pleasure Joviality yet in ascribing to their refined thousand years plenty of all things without sin and making the Martyrs raised from death partakers thereof c. palpably as I conceive mistake For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink nor which is consequent other matters lesse necessary And to what end should the bodies of the Martyrs and Saints raised up immortall and glorified such they are described to bee 1 Cor. 15. live again on earth to make use of such poor accommodations and not rather enjoy glory and immortality in heaven for which the resurrection fits them as it did Christ risen from the dead and ascending into heaven Fourteenthly See how they jar and differ in their judgment Mr. Brightman to the summe three hundred and sixty in Julians time addes the one thousand two hundred and ninty in Dan. 12.11 and the forty five years more there in verse 12. and saies that the Turks power will bee extinct in the yeare one thousand six hundred ninty five to which summs those numbers doe amount Mr. Aâ—cher from three hundred sixty six and the other summes saies that in the year one thousand seven hundred the thousand years begin Dr. Alstede to the year ninty six in which saith hee Jerusalem fell addes the same one thousand two hundred and ninty and one thousand three hundred thirty five and affirms that the thousand years Apoc. 20 end in the year two thousand six hundred ninty four which Mr. Brightman ends about the year one thousand three hundred Mr. Archer to the year four hundred and six when saith hee the Papacy began addes the one thousand two hundred and sixty Apoc. 11.3 and 12.6 And tels us that the Papacy falls in the year one thousand six hundred sixty six Mr. Brightman from the same summes and an addition of years for the heads cure which Apoo. 13 was wounded which cure some others that think themselves Surgeons not inferior to him little thought of makes the Pope-doms fall to bee in the year one thousand six hundred eighty six See his Comment on Apoc. 13.5 Hereby it appears what liberty is taken to dispose of these Propheticall accounts of time rather according to humane fancy then clear evidence of Scripture whence their opinions become different and leave us more uncertain and unresolved then when wee consulted them except wee will confide and relie more on mens persons then on their proofs and arguments In opinions thus disagreeing it necessarily follows that some of them bee faulty and t is not improbable their grounds beeing so sandy and weak that all of them may bee false What Reasons I have here alledged to disprove them I humbly submit to the censure of such as are judicious in these matters Chap. VI The Arguments and autorities from the Rabbins brought by Mr. Mede on Rev. 20. answered MR. John Mede on Rev. 20. produceth diverse reasons for his opinion about the thousand years And thus first hee argues Gorists kingdom is joyned with his appearance to judge the quick and the dead 2 Tim. 4.1 But at Christs last appearing to judg the quick and the dead he is so sarre from beginnâ—ing a new kingdom that bee delivers up the kingdom to his Father That kingdom therefore which neither shall bee before the appearance of the Lord nor after the last resurrection is necessarily between them And this kingdom is said to bee for one thousand years Rev. 20. Answ. Saint Paul sayes not that Christs Kingdom was not before his appearing to judg the quick and the dead and Mr. Mede himself grants That Christ long before had a crown given