himself of his Native glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phil. 2. as to dye an accursed death this contains in it so many wonders that before it was done the Prophet complains very few did believe the report of it and yet not a syllable which concerned our Saviours Humiliation and inglorious estate Is 53.1 as Man but was by him fully accomplished for which exactness and care there is the reason given both by our Saviour and the Evangelist All these things were done that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled Mat. 29.54.56 And it is very observable that when our Saviour was nailed to the Cross being then even in the Agony and pangs of Death yet that nothing might be omitted which with the least possibility or plea could be urged as a part of his sufferings and calling then to mind that he had not yet drank the Vinegar and Gall which the Psalmist mentions Psal 69.21 He presently cryed out I thirst and having received that bitter potion from one of the soldiers he said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is finished i. All things which the Scriptures have foretold concerning not only my Death but all the manner and circumstances of my dying they are now to a Title accomplished and then in token of thankfulness that his Father had heard and strengthned him hitherto for this difficult and seeming less noble John 19.28.30 Heb. 5.7 part of his work He bowed his head and contentedly gave up the Ghost from which exactness it is easie to gather that the same truth and faithfulness which our Lord manifested in coming into and going out of the World he doth intend to show by hastening this return and in a litteral fulfilling of those promises which concern his Kingdome and Exaltation and for any to read them by a limited and restrained sense it is neither to deale faithfully with the Scripture of which every Jota and Title must be fulfilled nor honorably with our Lord Christ who certainly hath merited so much by the punctualness as well as the greatness of his sufferings that his inheritance of ruling all Nations should not be abridged or curtailed since he did not when he suffered mince the matter nor ease himself by a distinction but did Totum sesum exsipere Take the whole Chap without shedding a drop or abating the rigour of the smallest circumstance which did but seem to reflect upon him why should we then imagine but those many promises concerning his actual Reign and soveraignty over the world will be made good in the most clear and comprehensive Latitude of Scripture language especially since beside the truth and faithfulness of God which doth engage him to perform it this last doth in a more eminent and signal manner advance the honour of our Saviour then the former which the Father who loves the Son and hath given all th ngs into his hands will not at his request deny him Psal 2.8.9 2. Another Prophecy the fulfiling of which is an Argument that Christ will come and reign upon earth in the same visible manner as is prophecied of him is that concerning the rise and reign of Anti-Christ that Christian Religion which is so directly contrary to mens natural appetites and likewise met with such fierce opposiition from enraged and cruel men should notwithstanding all this prevaile over the world had in it Miracle and strangeness enough but after this Religion was planted and almost an universal obedience was paid unto it that a company of Impostors as they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 John v 7. should rise up and make use of this very Religion to destroy it's self and wrest it's Doctrine quite contrary to it's true intent and meaning that any should be so impiously daring as to perswade the world which Christ came to enlighten John 12.35.36 that to be Ignorant and Blind i. e. To be willing to be deceived and seduced was the next way to be Christs Disciples and that they were most likely to serve God and to obey his commands best who studyed his word least this is too prodigious and amazing an Impiety that one might have said of it in former ages what the Apostle speaks concerning the Revelation of the Gospel 1 Tim. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Thes 2. Rev. 13. It could never enter into the heart of man to conceive it but yet such gross delusions were exactly foretold 2 Thes 2.1.10 1. Tim. 4.1.2.3.4 2 Pet 2. Revel 13. And we have lived to see them in their most amazing and stupendious particulars literally accomplished since then that Doctrine is taught concerning the forbidding of Marriage and the abstaining from Meats which the Spirit of God hath already called the Doctrine of Divils since there is a lawless man who now actually sits in the Temple or Church of God challenging to himself Divine power and honour since that Beast who kills all that will not worship his Image and receive his mark i. e. Who will not testifie their Communion with him by some visible and outward Act of Conformity is not only Rasen long since but reigning in Rome Rev. 17. the Citty with seven Hills which is adorned with Gold and pretious stones and makes all the Nations of the World drunk with the wine of her Fornication i. e. Which hath a specious glittering and Pompous Religion whereby she doth bewitch the Credulous World and makes his poysonous pills of Idolatry and Will-worship securely swallowed In a word since Anti-Christ is come in his full proportion and according to those Lineaments wherein he was before deceived why then should we doubt but our Lord Christ will also come to Reign in the very same manner as is prophecied concerning him can we think that God will be more exact in fulfiling the Prophecies which concern the advancement of his Enemy then in accomplishing those which make for the Ezaltation and Honour of his Son shall the Kingdome of Anti-Christ for thus many hundred of Years be an universal extent that the Scriptures about him might be fulfiled and shall not the kingdome of Christ in order to the accomplishment of the same Scriptures be much more large and comprehensive I cannot see the least pretence of solid Reason why we should so much as once doubt of it for the same Spirit of Truth who said Anti-Christ should come hath foretold likewise that he should be destroyed whom Christ shall abolish by the brightness of his appearance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 John 7. i. e. by the setting up of his kingdome as they are joyned 2 Tim. 5.1 And in the ruine of that great Impostour erect unto himself upon Earth a durable Throne of Glory then will he put an end to all those Cheats and Divelish Delusions whereby the face of Christianity hath hitherto been disfi ured and according as Zechary here prophecies make the Name of the Lord i. e. his Worship one as the Lord himself is in his Nature
the Doctrine I undertook to deliver but because one Argument commonly urged against it is a supposal that this Doctrine hath little or no influence upon our present Practice but rather tends to unsettle the World which was the Outcry raised against it of old Luke 23 2 5. and Acts 17.6 7. Then to build up any in true Holiness I shall therefore briefly insist upon a few practical inferences wh ch follow hence and so conclude Use 1. First This Doctrine concerning the Kingdom of Christ upon earth serves to inform us what we should continually pray unto God for and make one of our most earnest and importunate Petitions namely this Thy Kingdom come That God in mercy to his People and in zeal for his own Glory would hasten the time of setting up this Kingdom that so the wickedness of the wicked Psal 7.9 and the sufferings of the righteous may come to a full end For when God reigns the wicked shall be destroyed out of â—â—s earth Psal 10.16 comp Ps 104.35 and thus as our Saviour himself speaks in the Parable The Son of Man shall send his Angels and they shall gather all the scandals and such as commit iniquity out of his Kingdom Mat. 13.41 But to bring this to pass it must be the work of Fervent prayer God the Father did not promise to give the Nations for the inheritance of his son but upon the condition of his asking it ask of me saith he and I will give the Nations for thine Inheritance Psal 2 7 8. So when God by the Prophet Ezekiel had promised the people of Israel that he would not only pardon their sins but put his Spirit into them and then give them a lasting and peaceable possession of their Land he adds yet for this I will be inquired of by the House of Israel to do it for them Ezek. 36 37. For Gods Promises though never so absolute in the letter and expression of them yet are so far from excluding Prayer that they are given as Motives to quicken us in it since in them God hath graciously afforded us so many Arguments by which our Faith may be supported and incouraged to plead with him Thus our Saviour having foretold the coming of his Kingdom for of that he speaks Luke 21.31 And given several signs that were to be the Tokens and Fore-runners of its approach he concludes Watch ye therefore and pray always v. 36. For the performance of which duty besides the command obliging to it we have this great incouragement That the more the Hearts of Gods people are drawn out in earnest expectation of-and vehement longing for the Kingdom of Christ they may be assured the nearer it is Thus the Psalmist praying that God would restore his people concludes confidently Psal 112 13 14. Thou wil arise thou wilt have mercy upon Zion for the time to favour her yea the set time of which God had spoken Isa 60.22 I the Lord will hasten it in its time is come Of which peremptory assertion he gives this Reason For thy people take pleasure in her stones and they favour the dust thereof As if he had said the desires of thy people are now more then ordinarily raised up and carried out in hope of a sudden restauration notwithstanding the present visible difficulties which may hinder such an expectation by seeing the Rubbish and Ruines of Sion and therefore I conclude that the time of her deliverance is nigh For this we must take for granted that a Spirit of Prayer which is the Spirit of God in Believers Rom. 8 14.26 27. is never given out but there is a willingness and propensity in the Heart of God at that time to grant the very thing which he is prayed to for Thus the Psalmist Psal 10.17 joyns together Gods preparing the Heart of his People and the inclining of his own ear to hear Thus it was in the Church of the Jews at our Saviours first coming there was then almost a general expectation raised of him Joseph of Arimathea is said to be one of those that waited for the Kingdom of God Mark 15 43. Simeon Anna and many others did look for the consolation and redemption of Israel as the coming of the Messiah is called Luke 2 25 28. And not only they but even the generality of the Jews were then expecting that Christ should come Luke 3.15 And as they expected and believed so it was indeed though the mean appearance which our Saviour then manifested himself in kept the greatest part of them from believing in him What the Church of God did at our Saviours first we should think it our duty to do in reference to his Second coming namely Be expecting and hastning it as Peters expression is 2 Pet. 3.12 i. e. By heads lifted up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be looking intently for it and by arms stretched out in Prayer be earnestly requesting it For if the Virgins slumber it is no wonder if the Bridegroom tarries And if his people do not desire him to hasten how can we expect but our Lord will delay his coming This therefore we should with all manner of religious importunity incessanly beg for and offer a kind of Holy violence to God giving him do rest as the expression is Isa 62.1 6 7 Till he doth establish his word and send us our Promised Lord and King from Heaven that we may be Kings and Priests with him and share in all his Royal Glories Use 2. Secondly we may learn from hence as to pray so to wait with patience for our Lords coming For he hath onely withdrawn his residence from earth for a time till all things be made fit for his return and then he will not delay when a few changes more are past he will come from Heaven and by bringing in everlasting righteousness the effect of which is stability and peace he will put a full end to all future Mutation We should therefore as our Saviour advised his Apostles Luk. 21.19 In patience possess our souls that is as James speaks Let patience have its perfect work in us Jam. 1.4 that we may be perfect and intire wanting nothing or in nothing a little patience and for a little time will not serve our turn for Christian patience hath no bound to it but is to be terminated only in the coming of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore the exhortation runs Be ye patient Brethren unto the com ng of our Lord Jam. 5.7 8. This grace is requisite in all the actions which we do as Christians in Heaâ—ing to retain the Seed and to br ng forth answerable Fruit which is brought forth with patience Luke 8.15 In Praying that we be not dicouraged and for want of a present answer be tempted to give it over Luke 18 1. In sufferings that we faint not but resolutely hold out our Race Heb. 12.1 And therefore the Gospel which so much enjoyns and requires it is called the Word
One which happiness in this degenerate and forlorn posture of things we cannot hope for untill that kingdome come which we for the most part ignorantly but daily pray for and our Lord from Heaven be put in full possession upon Earth of his promised and dearely purchased Inheritance Heb. 12.2.3 in contemplation and foresight of which he couragiously bore the contradiction of sinners against himself induring the Cross despiseing the shame and is now sate down at the right hand of the throne of God Heb. 10.13 and as the same Authour saith in another place exspect or watch till the time cometh that his Enemies be made the footstool of his feet Thirdly Our Saviour himself never denyed Reason third that he both was and would be a King in that glorious and visible manner which is prophecied of for though while he was upon Earth the Lord Christ acted in a way suitable to that form of a servant which he then took upon him and therefore his kingdome and patience are joyned together Rev. 1.9 Yet when he was urged by the Pharisees he told them that he was the Son of God and that they should see him sitting on the right hand of power Mat. 26.64 And before Pilate he confessed he was a King which he calls a witnessing to the Truth John 18.37 and the Apostle Paul stiles it a good confession 1 Tim. 6.13.14 and though our Saviour then said to Pilate that his kingdome was not of this world so as to be advanced by worldly acts and to be set up by the fighting of his followers v 36. Yet he did not deny that he was to have a visible kingdome in the world but on the contrary doth clearly intiemate it both there and in several other places As 1. When Peter in the name of the rest of the Disciples doth ask our Saviour what reward they should have for leaving all and following him our Saviour replyes Mat. 19 28. opened that besides an hundred fold recompence in this life given as an earnest of somthing better they should be fully recompenced in the regeneration i. e. As the Syriacke translates it in the new world or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the world to come as it is called Heb. 2.5 This is the new Heaven and new Earth which Isay prophecies of Isa 65.17 and which saith the Apostle Peter we exspect according to his promise 2 Pet. 3.13 and is the same time with that of the sounding of the seventh Trumpet Rev. 11 for then the kingdomes of this world are to become the kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ v. 15. and then he will give a reward unto his servants the Prophets and to his Saints and to them that fear him both small and great v. 18. this is called Acts. 3. The times of refreshing v 19. and the time of restitution of all things v. 21. i. That time wherein the state of the World shall be renewed and altered and that perfection and beauty put upon it wherewith it was endued at the first Creation as is evidently prophecied Isa 11.6.7.8.9 and 51.3 add 65.25 with Ezeck 36.34.35 And this is the time in which our Saviour promiseth that all his followers shall have a rich and ample requital for all their temporal hardship and losses which time is not the final judgement for none of the forementioned places do speak of that but the time of our Saviours Reign in which he saith that his Disciples shall share with him both there and again Luke 22.29 30. and not only they unto whom that answer was made but all the faithful 2 Tim 2.11.12 and all who overcome i. e. who have the words of Christ and hold them fast unto the end even they have a promise of the same royalty which the Lord Christ hath received from his Father and that is To have power over the Nations and to rule them with a rod of Iron Rev. 2.26.27 Which is celebrated in that Tryumphant Song of the Church thou hast made us unto our God Kings and Pri sts and we shall reign upon earth Rev. 5.10 2. Our Saviour compares himself upon his withdrawing from earth Luk. 19.12 opened unto such a Prince who goes a far Journey to receive a Kingdom and then returns in person to mannage it Luke 19 12. Which comparison is very observable because is was used and spoken by our Sav our at such a time when his hearers thought that the Kingdom of God which from the Prophets they had received such clear discoveries of was just then upon the point of Appearing v. 11. And though by mentioning the delay that would be interposed our Saviour doth check the impatience and eager hast of their desires yet doth he sufficiently manifest that at the time appointed he would come and in person destroy all his Enemies v 27 as we find he actually is seen to do Rev. 19.11.21 Which is the direct purport of all those Prophecies that I have mentioned 3. When the Apostles Act. 1 6. opened who were now in a great measure enlightned for by our Saviours breathing upon them they had received the Holy Ghost Joh. 20.22 and their mind was opened to understand the Scriptures Luke 24.45 Yet then they asked our Saviour whether he would at that time resto e the Kingdom unto Israel Acts 1.6 where by Kingdom is meant that Dominion and Soveraignty promised to the Israelites in Deut. 33.29 Isa 60 10 11 12. Micah 4 6 7 8. At which time the Lord Christ himself shall be at the Head of his Returning Israelites Isa 52.12 c. 35.8 according to the Hebrews Hos 1.11 Mic. 2.12 13. And our Saviour in his Answer doth not rebuke them for expecting such a Kingd m for the Scriptures which foretell it are clear and must be fulfilled but only he proves the curiosity in that they required after Gods Arcana and desired to know those Times and Seasons i. the particular time of setting up that promised Kingdom which as yet were not revealed but reserved by the Father in his own Power It is for the same Reason that the two Sons of Zebedee Mat. 20.22 are checked who did believe that Christ was to be a King nor are they blamed for that but they discovered a preposterous ambition in desiring to be advanced above their Brethren and utterly mistook both the time and manner of setting up that Kingdom and therefore our Saviour to take them off from their thought which then possessed them of present greatness mentions his sufferings as the way whereby he and consequently all his Followers were to enter into Glory So Luke 24 20 21. When the two Dssciples were disconsolate for the death of Christ bemoaning themselves as if now all their hopes were lost for we say they trusted that it had been he who should have redeemed Israel 1. Who should have asserted our Nation into that liberty and freedom which the Prophets speak of as the effect of
their writings and agreeably to what they say in express words was the beleif of almost almost all the Primitive Christians for above three hundred years after our Saviour Thus papias whom Eusebius in one part of of his History calls a learned and eloquent man and who saith of himself that he was an hearer of John the Evangelist writes positively that After the first resurrection the kingdome of Christ shall endure upon earth a thousand years so Justin Martyr in that excellent and by reason of the writings of our learned and judicious Mr. Meed well known dialogue with Trypho the Jew as many saith he as an Orthadox so far was the Church then from judging it an Heresy do expect a Resurrection of the hody which is called the first resurrection and that the Saints thus raised shall live a thousand years in Jerusalem then repaired and beautified to the same purpose Irenaeus who wrote about fifty pears after Justin Martyr and Lactantius asserts positively that at the end of the 6000th year of the world righteousness shall reign a 1000 years then shall Christ obtaine the government of the whole earth and there shall be ha◠which the heathen Poets only dreamed of a golden age Tertullian doth not only assert but thus argues the case in his discourse against Marcion did also confess there is a kingdom promised to us upon canth but before heaven but in another state namely after the resurrection for a 1000 years in Jerusalem a city of divine workmanship let down from heaven which also the Apostle calls our mother that is above which also the Appostle calls our Mother that is above and when he affirms that our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Burgess-ship is in Heaven he doth undoubtedly make it have relation to some Heavenly City This also Ezekiel knew and the Apostle Iohn saw and it was verified lately in the Eastern expedition for it is evident that Heathens also being witnesses that in Judea for 40 days together every Morning a City did hang down from Heaven which as the day grew bright did vanish away with its whole structure this we say is provided to receive the Saints at the Resurrection and to cherish them with plenty of all spiritual good things for a recompence of what in this World we have either despised or lost For it is just and worthy of God that his Servants should reign there where they have been afflicted for his Name This is the account of the Heavenly Kingdom after a thousand years of which within which time is included the resurrection of the Saints according to the merits of those who are to rise some sooner and some later then shall be the destruction of the World and when the judgement of burning is finished we shall be changed in a moment into an Angelical substance and shalt be translated into an Heavenly Kingdom Thus far Tertulliun with whose words as containing the sum of what all the Antients have said I shall conclude my Reasons for proof of the first observation Before I proceed to the second Observation I will a little inquire what might be the Reason that a Doctrine so plain and evident in Scripture and so fully assented to and believed on in the eldest and purest times of the Church came afterwards to be so much spoken against and decryed in satisfaction and answer to which Query though much might be said yet I shall content my self with these few things 1. One Reason might be from that care which in the primitive times many good men had to avoid any partaking with the error of Cerinthus and other gross and sensual Hereticks who taught that the thousand years Reign of the Saints on earth should be spent in all manner of sensual delight and carnal pleasures Which opinion being so monstrous in it srlf so contrary to the purity of the Gospvl and to the very end of our Saviours coming which was to bring in true Righteousness and Holiness Luke 1.75 Many zealous and well meaning men thought they could never sufficiently show their Abhorrence of such an impious conceit and therefore as it is usual in the heat of opposition they rather chose to deny even the truth it self then to imbrace it as it was clogged and sullyed with such impure and vitious mixtures For Dyonisius the most learned of all those who in elder days did oppose this Doctrine proceeded in his heat and earnestness as positively to deny that the Revelation of John was written by the Evangelist although the Author himself doth expresly affirm it Rev. 1.1.2 and others after him did deny the whole Book to be Canonical and inspired Scripture whereby they endeavoured to rob the Church of as divine and holy a writing and of as much tendency to support the Saints under their sufferings that both Heathenist and Antichristian men were to bring upon them as any in the whole Book of God whatever Unto such desperate and fearful shifts were they heretofore driven who denyed the Visible Kingdom of Christ upon Earth and therein wholy eluded the perspicuity and evidence of that admirable and soul refreshing Prophecy 2. Another cause of the opposition made against this Doctrine might be the reputation which the learned Hierome gained who being a man very expert or indeed rather excellent in his Interpretation of Scripture did by reason of that prepossession and prejudice which the errors of some had occasioned set himself with a great deal of vehemence to censure this opinion and his authority did easily prevail upon the carelessness and credulity of others who were content to take his word without ever making any farther enquiry into the truth themselves Yet even that learned Author himself in his comment upon the 37th of Ezekiel is forced to acknowledge that that prophecy was not yet fulfilled and he confesseth that not only rhe Jews but likewise many Christian writers as Victorinus Severus Tertullian Lactantius who wrote in Latine and Iraeneus Apollinaris Justin Martyr who wrote in Greek together with many others even in his time did all expect that that prophecy was to be fulfilled in the thousand years Reign of which upon that Chapter Hierome speaks very favourably and says it was an opinion not to be reproved Yet he continuing to write against it and the Ages following having the countenance of so learned a man embraced hastily those mistical expositions he gave without any further examining them 3. Another Reason why the Scriptures concerning the Kingdom of Christ were so litle understood in the former ages of the Church might be the usurpation and setting up the Visible Kingdom and temporall Monarchy of Antichrist who as soon as ever he was advanced into and secured in his Throne did presently apply to himself and to his Church all those Prophecies which any way concerned the temporal Dominion and Glory of Christ and his people When Constantine the first Christian Emperour had absolutely defeated all the force and power of the
Heathen Magistrates and made a publick Edict to destroy the worshiy of all False Gods and their Temples then as many understand it was fulfilled that joyful acclamation now is the Salvation Rev. 12.10 and the Power and the Kingdome of our God and the Authority of his Christ and in part it might truly be said to have been so for wherever the true Religon is set up and the professors of it encouraged there indeed God reigns as he did in Judea in the time of David and Eusebius making mention of the glorious Churches that were then founded the great revenues that were setled the singular honour that was given to the Bishops and Ministers of the Gospel by Constantine we did saith he in this see an Embleme of the Reign of Christ but this peace and security purchased by Constantine degenerated presently into a love of ease aand worldly prosperity which made the Christians generally careless of looking after a better state to be injoyed in the first resurrection which sloath and remisneis of theirs gave advantage to the Bishop of Rome to wrest the Dominion out of the Emperours hands and by degrees to challenge unto himself the exercise of their Royalty he boasting himself to be the Vicar of Christ and the person appointed to bear rule in his stead the greatness of whose Dominion all records bear witness to that it did fully answer the extent of that Prophecy wherein it is said that the World wondered after the Beast Rev. 13.3.4 and all the Inhabitants of the earth except a few whose names were written in the book of life did worship him during whose Universal Reign and Tyranny for I am content to allow such an Universality to the Beast of Rome it is no wonder if the true kingdome of Christ was not so much as thought of as when Theives have taken possession and by force keep the house it is no wonder if the Friends and Neighbors forbear to put in any claim for the right Heir Lastly When the Anti-christian yoke was by the gracious working of the power and mercy of God in very weak and contemptible instruments thrown off in many Countries and scripture light which before was forcibly deteined and imprisoned in darkness began to recover its luster then amongst the Primitive truths this doctrine of the kingdome of Christ did in many places revive and was by several learned men at the very first reformation asserted but by the seditious attempts of some mistaken men and the horrid practises of those in Munster this opinion became generally Nauseous to the most sober and learned of our antient Protestant writers and particularly to the judicious and truly worthy Mr. Calvin whose deserved esteem in the Church of Christ hath prevailed to keep this great Scripture truth from being so much as inquired into but with due submission and reverence to the memory of so many famous men I do conceive that in this particular they were swayed too much by their prejudices and notwithstanding their authority we ought to make for our selves a more severe and impartial enquiry for every truth is of a divine original and ought no more to be denyed then the Scriptures from whence it is taken suppressed because unlearned and unstable men do wrest it both to their own and to others destruction It was indeed a great Error to say no more of those mistaken though I hope as to many of them well meaning men who thought themselves cal ed to fight up Christ into his Throne for his Kingdome is yet in Patience Rev 1.9 and will not be fully over all the world in power till he himself doth come from Heaven to establish it for he is then to abolish every Authority and Dominion besides his own 1 Cor. 15.24 That stone which Nebuchadnezer saw in his Vision to become a Mountain and to dash in peices all former powers is the Lord Christ himself and not his Saints as some suppose for it is he who was cut out without hands Dan. 2.44.45 and in the Prophets is often stiled a stone because of those saving and ruining effects which follow upon those who receive or refuse him compare Is 28.12 with Is 8.13.14 Zach. 3.9 As at the building of the Temple it was not by might or power that so difficult a work was effected but by the spirit of the Lord so will it be when our Lord erects his kingdome he alone shall be exalted in that day the sighes and groans of his oppressed people shall call him down from Heaven and in compassion not of his persecuting and smiting but of his persecuted and suffering servants he will come and save them and destroy their Enemies for them Is 35.4 They which teach otherwise do erre not knowing the Seriptures whose mistakes howevever ought not to have been looked upon to be of so dangerous and infectious a Nature as that for them the truth it self should be rejected which is not at all guilty of those consequences which rash men do unwarily strive to draw from it and so much for the first Observation The second Observation was this When the Lord Christ shall come Ob. 2. from Heaven to set up his kingdom upon earth all his Saints shall come with him whereby Saints may be meant either Angels as Mat. 16.27 and 24 30 31. who are called the Angels of his strength 2 Thes 1.7 and the mighty ones who are to descend with him as the executioners of his vengeance against all ungodly men according to Exoch s prophecy Jude v. 14.15 but I doe not take the Angels to be principally meant in this place for hereafter their office will be rather to Minister as they are described standing like an out Guard about the Elders and the living Creatures Rev. 5.11 and 7.11 Whereas the Prophet Zachary speaks of those Saints that were to Reign with Christ and to share with him in his Soveraignty And therefore by Saints here I understand Holy Men who lived before this t me and died in the Faith of Christ of whom the Apostle Paul is to be understood 1 Thes 3.13 and 2. Thes 1.10 and describing of the order of the Resurrection Choist saith he shall rise the first fruits then they that are Christs at his coming where by coming 1 Cor. 15.22.25 explained that the Apostle means his coming to reign which he calls his appearance and Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 is plain from that which follows then is the end when he shall deliver up the Kingdom unto the Father when he shall have abolished all Dominion and all authorety and power For he must reign till all his Enemies be put under his Feet 1 Cor. 15.23.25 From which words it appears clearly 1. That when Christ comes those that are his i. e. Saints or Believers shall come with him 2. That between this coming of Christ and the end i. e. the final destruction of the World and consumation of all things there shall be interposed the
thing with God to recompense Tribulation unto them that trouble you but unto you that are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels He that serves Christ and follows the Lamb here shall hereafter be in the same place and partake of the same honour with him Joh. 12.26 And thus our Saviour prayed for them Father whom thou hast given me I will that where I am they also may be with me that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me Joh. 17 24 part of which glory is that the Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by an Eternal Decree hath set or as the Hebrew word signifies Anointed his Son upon his holy hill of Sion And when he returns from Heaven to take possession of that Soveraignty which the Father long since promised him his faithful followers shall enter into his Joy i. e. As our Saviour him self explains that Phrase Luk. 19.17 they shall have command and share the Dominion with him Therefore believers are said to be heirs of God and Co-heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 and Partners with Christ or Partakers of Christ Heb. 3.14 i. e. as Peter expresseth Partakers of the glory which shall be revealed 1 Pet. 5.1 which glory is as to the beginning of it that which I have already mentioned and our Saviour hath fully declared when he saith that In the regeneration they shall sit with him upon Thrones to rule and judge Mat. 19.28 The sum therefore of this second observation is briefly contained in these three propositions which are all evident and clear in Scripture 1. With Christ all the deceased Saints both Patriarch Prophets Apostles and Martyrs shall be raised up and be brought to the Earth to see and share in the Royalty of his Government Rev. 11.18 2. The Saints at that time living upon Earth both Jews and Gentiles but especially the Jews unto whom the first domion and chief Soveraignty is frequently promised as Isa 49.23 and 7 60.11.12 M ch 4.8 shall injoy all that time the greatest security peace and prosperity immaginable doing all the actions of a mortal life but without either sin or sorrow for they shall be all righteous Isa 60.21 And the Lord will then put his Spirit into them without ever withdrawing it any more Ezek. 39 29. and Sathan shall be chained up and hindred from deceiving during the whole Term of a 1000 years Zech. 13.2 Rev. 20 2 4 6. 3. After this state of things and the 1000 years is expired then follows the Insurrection of Gog and Magog and the final judgement as is expressed Rev. 20.7 And then shall the Saints that remain untill that time be changed and death for ever swallowed up in victory and the Reign of Christ and of his Saints hitherto managed upon earth be translated into and consumated in Heaven that God may be all in all 1 Cor. 15.28 If any ask as Nicodemus did our Saviour when he had discoursed to him concerning the great mistery of Regeneration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how can these things be I may reply in our Saviours words art thou a Master or Teacher in Israel and knowest not these things For as the Apostle speaks Heb. 5. handling partly this very Doctrine Whereas ws ought to be teachers for the time considering how long the Light of the Gospel hath shone among us we have still need of Milk sitting down satisfied with the lowest Elements and Beginnings of Christianity such are the Doctrines of Faith in Christ and repentance towards God which the Apostle calls the word of the beginning of Christ Heb. 6.1 But we cannot bear strong meat nor are careful to be carried unto Perfection i. e. unto the height and perfection of our Hope and Holy Profession to the full comprehension belief and avowed owning of which we ought to arrive and leave the solution of all doubts and scruples unto the power of God which is able to the full to effect whatever he hath promised when the Angel had told Mary that the same Person who was the Eternal Son of God should become Man and be conceived in her Womb she asked presently How shall this be But after he had farther revealed that the holy Spirit should come upon her Luke 1. and the power of the most High overshadow her by whose secret and inconceivable acting that great and stupendious mistery should be effected we do not find then that she questioned or doubted any more but in an humble resignation of her seif gave immediately thanks to God Behold saith she the Handmaid of the Lord let it be unto me according to thy word The same should every true believer do in this case for this Temporal glory of Christ and of his Saints is not only promised in every whit as express words but likewise mention is made of the same creating and Almighty power as ingaged to perform it and therefore God speaking of this very state commands his people not to remember former things Isa 43.18 19 Because he was doing a new thing in comparison of which all former acts of power and mercy exepted by God on the behalf of his people should be obscured and darkned as stars are by the brighter glory of the Sun so Isa 65.17 Behold saith God I am creating a new Heaven and a new Earth In which as Peter hath it 2 Pet 3.13 Righteousness is to dwell and which we expect according to his Promise and this is that time of our Saviours and of his Saints Visible Kingdom which will bring a Reformation upon the whole World and when it once doth take place former things shall no more be remembred nor come into mind In that place of Isay the word creating is very remarkable for when the Prophet Jeremy foretold the Birth of Christ he useth the same expressions Jer. 31.22 Behold the Lord createth a new thing a woman shall compass a Man i. e. In other words a Virgin shall conceive a Son Isa 7.14 which thing when it was done was so new that is so strange and extraordinary that the Prophet Isay who foretold it complains Who hath believed our report Isa 53.1 and yet the exact and punctual fulfilling of that which is far greater and less intelligible will not prevail with us to believe the other but when our Lord shall come he will scarcely as to this particular find Faith upon earth Luke 18.8 So little expectation will there be of his A pearance and of his Kingdom which as they are joined by the Apostle so they will be revealed together 2 Tim. 4.1 And all who deny this may receive this answer which our Saviour gave to the Sadduces who denyed the Resurrection They erre not knowing the Scriptures which have clearly promised such a state nor the power of God which is fully able to effect it Here I might end as having fully and as I think to all unprejudiced persons convincingly proved the Truth of
That they were called to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ he adds therefore stand fast Ver. 15. We are not onely to be holy as the Lord is holy as Peter exhorts 1 Pet. 1.15.16 but we are to have this end in it that when Christ appears we may have confidence 1 Joh. 2.28 So also the Apostle Peter Expecting saith he these things i. e. New Heaven and a new Earth wherein Righteousness and the Practicers of it is to dwell give diligence to be found spotless and blameless by him 2 Pet. 3.13 which likewise upon the same grounds is the exhortation of the Apostle Paul 1 Thes 5.23 There are Four things which these Expectants should have an especial care to purifie and to separate themselves from 1. Fleshly Lusts 2. Worldly Cares 3. False Worships 4. Servile Fears 1. First from Fleshly Lusts What they are I need not mention For as the Apostle observes The works of the Flesh are manifest Gal. 5.19.20 which whoever do indulge and allow themselves in they cannot inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God V. 21. Eph. 5.5 The New Jerusalem which comes down fram Heaven and is nothing else but the Kingdom of Christ and of his Saints upon Earth is a place of so great Purity that no unclean thing shall enter into it Rev 21.27 Dogs and Swine all Voluptuous and hurtfull Beasts like them they are without the Gates of that City Rev. 22.15 A Christian is said to be already raised with Christ Col. 2.12 and as to the Truth of our Graces we are to look upon our selves as Citizens and Inhabitants not of Earth but of Heaven Phil. 3 20. and so to live like those that are acted by an Heavenly Spirit which daily prompts us to look after a better hope then any thing this present Flesh affords To sow unto i. e. to gratifie which is onely to take a great deal of pains that we may Reap Corruption Gal. 6.8 the same Spirit which hereafter shall Raise and Glorifie our Mortal Bodies must now Sanctifie them Romt 8.11 or else we shall die v. 13. i. e. we shall Rise only to have our Portion in the Lake of Fire which is the second Death where all the Abominable and Unbelievers are Rev. 21.8 Secondly From Worldly Cares we are commanded in an especial manner to beware that our hearts be not burdned with the cares of this life Rev. 21.34 For by such the day of the Lords coming can neither be Foreseen nor desired both their Heart and Eyes being already filled and possessed with another Object When we cry out as Peter did It is good for us to be here we shall never care to come down from the Mount which we here reared up and fancied to our selves As in the time of publick Judgements it is our Duty not to seek after great things for our selves Jer. 45.5 so when we are assured that Christ at his Appearance and Kingdom will destroy this present frame of things and cause all the beauty of it to perish for any ambitiously to affect and pursue a present fading Greatness and Glory it argues plainly that their Faith is but small and that they have little or no expectation of something better Who rightly apprehend and frequently reflect upon the inevitable shakings and Convulsions which the Kingdoms and Glory of this World are subject to will never rest satisfied till they have secured unto themselves a place in that Kingdom which cannot be shaken Heb 12.28 Believers with Abraham David and the Patriarchs of old are but Pilgrims and Strangers here 1 Pet. 2.11 and therefore they are daily to be looking for and up to that heavenly City which is the New Jerusalem let down from Heaven whose Maker and Builder is God Heb. 11.16 Thirdly From False Worships who follow the Lamb must have his and his Fathers name upon their Foreheads and keep themselves undefiled with VVomen Rev. 14.1 4 5 i. e. They must openly own the true Worship of God and carefully avoid all Idolatrous Mixtures shunning all manner of Communion with false and Adulterous Churches from which who so keep themselves they are the Virgins mentioned in the Revelation And this is to be their State during the whole time of the Reign of Antichrist in opposion to whom because they hold the Commands of God and the Testimony of Jesus they are called Witnesses Rev. 11. Since we are Redeemed by Christ we must take heed in every respect but especially in this wherein his Fathers honour is so much concerned how we be found the Servants of Men 1 Cor. 7.23 When the sixth Vial is poured out which I take to be the time when the Jews who are called the Kings from the East shall have their way prepared for them over Euphrates to return into their own Land at which time Christ himself shall appear at the Head of them Mic. 2.12.13 Then is there this voice as it were from heaven Behold I come as a Thief blessed is he that watcheth and who keepeth his Garments that he doth not walk naked Rev. 16.17 By Garments there is meant the righteousness of Christ for justification and that way of holiness for sanctification which Christ hath revealed he will be served and obeyed in Which whosoever shall not at that time be found walking in but worships God according to his own or other mens devices his works as the Prophet threatned the hypocritical and ceremonial Jews shall not prove a covering to him but both they and all the lies which are found out to support them shall be swept a way the fire wherein that day shall be revealed will burn up all the Dross and stubble wherewith vain men think they adorn but indeed only disfigure or rather defile Gods worship Whatever Paint may be put upon Men Inventions it will upon an impartial search be found almost as little a sin not to serve God at all as to serve him in any other way then be himself hath commanded For the one indeed is bare faced impiety but the other is thus far like unto it in that it presumes to teach God wisdom and so Judas like betrays Gods honour while it pretends to kiss him Lastly from Servile Fears there is nothing more unworthy of a Christian then to be afraid of men since this tends to the dishonor of Christ as if he were not a great King and able to save all his subjects This charge he laid upon his Disciples when he sent them to preach be not afraid of them which can only kill the body Mat. 10 28. and afterwards when he encouraged the Church of Smyrna fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer the Divil shall cast some of you in prison that you may be tempted be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 This promise we do evidently disbelieve if we give way so far to our Fear as to be kept from open confessing and therefore the fearful and unbelieving are joyned together as those that are to have their part in the same lake of fire Rev. 21.8 When the Apostle presseth Timothy to be earnest in stirring up that gift which God had bestowed upon him 2 Tim. 1.6 he useth this Argument For God hath not given us the Spirit of Fear but of Power v. 7. And thence he proceeds to exhort him be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord v. 8. but suffer affliction with the Gospel according to the power of God all those distinctions and evasions which men have devised to shift off the Cross will be found at last to be only the hiding places that fear hath provided to shelter it self in and what the Apostle affirmed concerning the ceremonie pressed and contended for in his time may be asserted concerning all that those who compelled others to them did it only that they might not be persecuted by the cross of Christ Gal. 6.12 But since the Cross doth prepare the way for the Crown let us not fear but rather pray as the Apostles did when they were silenced by their Rulers Now Lord behold their threats and give unto thy servants with all boldness to speak thy word Acts 14.29 Courage becomes a Christian so much that without it he cannot be one but will upon every tryal expose his Lords Honour and Power to contempt and censure The Reader is intreated to correct these following ERRATAS PAge 1. Line 25. is read it is P. 2. L. 31. acknowledge r. acknowledged P. 5. L. 19. Ocadiah r. Obadiah P. 6. L. 6 Wrestling r. wresting ib. L. 28. minute r. minute ib. L. 30. their r. these ib. L. 33. considerate r. considerable P. 7. L. 2. much difficult r. much more difficult ib. L. 18. the reason r. this reason ib. L. 23. or plea r. of p ea ib. L. 31. seeming r. seemingly ib. L. 37. r. his return ib. L. 39 r in a limited P. 8. L. 4. Sesum r. Telum ib. Chap. r. Cup. ib. L. 30. too r. so P. 9. L. 3. rasen r. risen ib. L. 7. his r. her ib. L 10. deceived r. described ib. L. 16. an Universal r. of such an Universal ib. L. 37. exspect or watch r. expects or waits P. 10. L. 10. Acts r. Arts ib. L. 20 r. intimate P. 11. L. 26. hebrews r. hebrew text ib. l. 29 proves the curiosity r. reproved their curiosity 1. L. required r. inquired P. 12. L. 23. it duration r. it 's duration P. 13. l. 30. merrily contemned r meerly to be contemned ib. L. 32. Mistery r. Majesty ib. L. 33. ond r. and ib. l. 39 the canse r. the curse P. 14. L. 30. an Orthodox r are Orthodox ib. L. 34. r. fifty years ib. L. 37. r. there shall be that ib. L. 39. r. We do also ib. L. 40. r. upon Earth P. 15. L. 2. dele which also the Apostle calls our Mother that is above 16. L. 7. that heathens r. the heathen P. 16. L. 12. proceeded r. proceeded so far P. 17. L. 24. Beast or Church P. 39. L. 49 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 23. L. 33. exepted r. exerted P. 27. L. 27. like Rubbish by fire r. When Gods Jewels are made up and that Summe sealed then shall this perishing frame of things which now have the holy seed for its hidden support be consumed like Rubbish by fire FINIS