Gods and they but sojourners with him Vers 23. That they might observe how God blessed them when they in the seventh yeare labored not and that it was hee that gave the encrease when they did labour and so depend on his goodnesse to them It served also to bring them to the seventh seven and so come to the Jubilee the famous year of rest So they might rather conclude that the world should stand but this also would bee but a sandy foundation fortie nine thousand years and then have a great Jubilee and rest in which the last Trumpet should sound as in the Jubilee year the Jews Trumpets were wont to doe Obj. The ancient Jews understood Esa. 2.11 and 17. of the great day of judgement where it is said and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day The later Iews speak something to the same purpose and thence they say that the Lord shall be King over all the earth Answ. In Esay 2. is an excellent prophecie of the preaching of the Gospel and of the calling of the Gentiles by the Word going out from Sion and Ierusalem This was fulfilled when God set up Christ his King on mount Sion as I proved above Peruse the Chapter ballance each passage and particle thereof and try whether there bee any the least warrant for a day of judgment of a thousand years continuance It is true that when the Gospel began to bee taught Christ was by all true beleevers exalted alone and preferred above all the high looks and loftiness of men many idolatrous and superstitious persons then turned to Christ and cast away their silver and golden Idols as there it is foretold And if any unbeleevers saw not then Christs glory they were justly to bee blamed His glory was then such and hath so continued that the gates of hell could never prevaile against it It is true that many worldly Potentates then strove to exalt themselves above Christ and were highly exalted by others saying Who is like this our Lord who can war with him But Christ in due time did manifest that these brags were vain and foolish Because Christ by overthrowing them will shew his might to bee far above them and that all their forces are inconsiderable And at the day of judgment when all quick and dead shall stand before him all both small and great shall see and consesse him alone to bee exalted But neither in Esay 2. nor in the whole prophecie is there any ground for two resurrections and a day of judgment between them of a thousand years continuance Obj. The Rabbins think the title of Psal. 92. Lâ—jom â—assâ—abat for the day of the Sabbath to bee the argument of the Psalme and to be understood of the Sabbath of a thousand years Answ. Wee find the Rabbins often extravagant in their opinions therefore their bare affertion cannot bee a sufficient warrant unto us they say that Psal. 92 is for the day that shall bee all rest On Talm. Sanedr Ch. 11. and adde that a thousand years in Gods sight are but as yesterday from Psal. 90.4 Wee must attend more why they thus speak then that they thus speak and try what they say against their assertion thus I argue First if the title of the Psalm import that it was onely for the Sabbath of the thousand years that is then to bee used as the title Libnei Korch implies a Psalm to bee used and sung by the sons of Koreâ— how is it that some Rabbins say that it was sung by Adam in the evening before the Sabbath after the promise made to him and others say it was sung in the Sanctuary by the Levits Secondly If the title bee so expounded that Lejom Hassh meane concerning the Sabbath as the objection intimates by making this title the Argument of the Psalm this cannot bee For the Psalm intreats not of the thousand years of Christs reign making it such as some now doe Yea it speaks of Gods being the most high and the King exalted above all not for a thousand years but for evermore and touches matters usuall in the gracious course of Gods governing the world and his goodnesse to man in the same Thirdly What day is all rest none I think on this earth Here the Church is militant The dead that die in the Lord rest from their labours Revel. 14.13 The time of all rest is in heaven onely 4. The speech of a thousand years being but as yesterday in Psalm 90. hath no more reference to the title of this Psalm then Harp and Harrow have each to other Fiftly The 90 Psalm speaks of mans birth his flourishing his decay If hee live threescore and ten or eightie years as men did in Moses in Davids in our times his dayes seeme as soon past as a thought To it they are compared If man could live a thousand years as Adam almost did these in Gods sight are but as yesterday as a watch in the night that are past What are they to God that is eternall Sixtly what reason hath any one to refer the words of a thousand years being as yesterday more to the seventh thousand years then to the fourth sift or sixt thousand years of the world Obj. Wee desire the conversion of the Iews and is it not the easiest way to deale with them for the same end not to wrest plain Prophecies which pertain to the last and glorious comming of Christ to his first comming So that wee hold the main truth and prove to them that Iesus of Nazaret was the true Messias and that they ought not to expect any other Answ. Here Mr. Mede answers himself saying That a Christian must consent no further to the Jews then his profession rightly I suppose grounded on Gods truth will give him leave The rule is good Now let us try what things hee holds to belong to the second comming of Christ not to his first as others affirme First Instance in Mr. Mâ—de in Revel. 1.7 it is said That Jesus Christ who bath washed us from our sins by his blood comes in the clouds of heaven and every eye shall see him even they that have crucified him and all Tribes of the earth hall mourn before him These passages are verified onely at Christs last and glorious comming Answ. The mourning of all kinreds of the earth in regard of their sins for whose expiation Christ was crucified is foretold Matth. 24.30 and Luke 21.27 where it is also said that hee comes with power and great glory {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} with or upon the elouds of heaven that is say the Rabbins the Angels Coch-Nathon Sanedr pag. 370. answerable to Jude 14. Where God comes with thousands of his holy ones This was fulfilled before that generation passed Mat. 24.34 Luke 21.32 Some that heard Christ preach are told that they should not taste death untill they saw the kingdom of God come with power Matth.
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
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
21.5 And appears further thus Christ is the second or new Adam hee maks new matters floods in deserts them that were not his people to bee his people be makes a new Covenant speaks to people by new tongues gives them new hearts and new spirits puts new wine into new bottles gives beleevers a new name written in a white stone clothes them with new garments puts a new song into their mouths makes a new heaven and a new earth and a new Jerusalem that is a Church of all beleevers both Jews and Gentiles These things began to bee performed in Christs life time and have been are and will bee continually in fulfilling unto the worlds end For all Christians from the first to the last have their portion herein Secondly the marriage of Christ with the Christian Church began with the preaching of the Gospel for then God made a marriage Feast and invited guests unto it Mat. 22.2 Joh. 3.29 Hee hath ever since now doth and will continue still inviting them thereunto so long as the world lasts Paul long since prepared the Corinthians a pure virgin for Christ their husband 2 Cor. 11.2 The other Apostles and Religious Teachers ever since have endeavoured the same for other people and Nations Thirdly the {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Tabernacle of God was among men at the Gospels beginning Then Christ {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} bad his Tabernacle among men Job 1.14 and became Immanuel God with us by assuming humane nature This Tabernacle Christ took up with him to heaven at his ascension Besides as God had his dwelling or Tabernacle among the Israelites in the wildernesse and in Canaan so Christ walks amidst the golden Candlesticks the Churches here on earth Rev. 1. and on his throne hee sits in the midst of the Rulers of his Church Rev 5.6 and all Christians did doe and shall acknowledge his glory honour dominion to the worlds end as they in that Chapter doe Fourthly the Covenant by which men of all Nations are Gods people and hee their God Rev 21. was made at the beginning of the Gospel and continues to bee made with all converts to the end of time For God dwelt among the Corinthians and by Paul said unto them I will bee your God and ye shall bee my people 2 Cor 6.16 and hee is the same to every person of any Nation that fears him Acts 10.35 This Covenant is made with all that bee taught of God and hear him Jer 31.33 34. Iohn 6.45 And fifthly from the Christian Churches beginning to the worlds end All tears are wiped from the eyes of all beleevers no death sorrow crying pain doth rest on them but passes away Apoc 21.4 So that if they weep as men in affliction cannot but sometimes doe they upon better consideration will bee as though they wept not 1 Cor 7,31 They suffer tribulation but they come out of it and by the Lamb of God are filled full of all joy and comfort Rev 17.14 There will bee wicked men who with their tongues will calumniate and with their weapons wound them but their malice shall not prosper in the end They themselves shall fall because Gods Covenant of mercy and peace shall never fail his people Esa 54.10 c Hence the Saints are bidden when perils are at hand not to fear Acts 27.24 not to fear the fear of the wicked 1 Pet 3.14 God being their helper they need not fear what man can doe unto them Heb 13.6 Yea tears shall bee so wiped away and pain so allayed that they shall count it exceeding joy that they fell into temptations and afflictions Jam 1.1 Their sorrow is in the issue turned into joy which no man can take from them Joh 16.20 This is of force sufficient to wipe off all tears For they shall have assurance by their faith in the Lamb and in his blood and by their testimony given unto Gods truth to overcome Mat 28.8 Rev 12.11 I might goe on and further instance in other particulars which subserve and are fitted unto these already spoken of In brief I will collect them and say no more but what may point at them in generall First seeing the old Jerusalem is ruined God builds a new one the mother of all faithfull Christians both Jews and Gentiles and this must needs bee a great and capacious City having glorious foundations and walls to bee strong for defence and have gates on each side of it for accesse thereunto from the foure coasts of heaven Secondly if the twelve Patriarchs of old had their names graven in pearls and jewels and born by Aaron a type of Christ the upholder of all the faithfull for the comfort of each godly person in the twelve Tribes much more may the names of the twelve Apostles bee set upon the twelve foundations of this glorious City for the comfort of all such as are begotten children to Christ by them and their doctrine Thirdly if Gods Law was esteemed by David walking therein above gold above the finest gold and thousands of it then doubtlesse the streets of the New Jerusalem in which all good Christians walk may very well bee compared to gold as pure and clear as glasse Fourthly the Tabernacle and Temple of old glittered with golden surniture and the choicest gems the Christian Church comes not short of either of them but is as every man must needs grant far more glorious in all respects hath more excellent and spirituall priviledges and clear and comfortable doctrine far beyond all former times As the Tents for Gods people are inlarged and their curtains further spread then of old Esa. 54.2 So are Gods favours more extended to the Christian Church then formerly to the Jewish Fifthly If David was the light of Israel and by his high esteem of Gods word the light to mens paths made his people to walk safely in that light much more now is Christ the David or beloved of God and the light of the world and directs Christians to come out of darknesse unto the saving Truth These and other matters most glorious spoken of the Churches estate in Rev. 21. 22. are belonging to the Church of God in this life Nor need any man to admire that the high and heavenly expressions in these two Chapters used concern the estate of the Christian Church in this life For first the faithfull in their life time have {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} an exhibition or subsistence of things hoped for of the happinesse promised them for life to come They have {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a summary inventory of things not yet seen Heb. 11.1 that is of the inheritance immortall and undefiled and that fades not away but is reserved for them in Heaven 1 Pet. 1.4 The eye of faith is quicksighted and beholds things afar off as present Hereby Abraham in his dayes saw and enjoyed Christ and redemption by him and Moses which is much
more saw him that is invisible Thus a Christian may in this life by faith see take comfort in and rejoyce most heartily in the glorious estate of the life to come and as wee use to say have an heaven upon earth whence it is that the Church on earth is called Heaven Of which hereafter I shall speak Secondly the comforts joyes blessings of Gods people in this life are exceeding abundant his gifts {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} unutterable 2 Cor. 9.15 their rejoycing for the same is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} unexpressible 1 Pet. 1.8 They have peace {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that passes all understanding Phil. 4.7 If they lose wife children brothers lands or the like they receive in this life {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} things an hundred fold better Mat. 19.29 And if Paul count all things dung in comparison of Jesus Christ and the enjoying of him the old Jerusalems richly beautified Temple the resplendent Jewels in the new Jerusalems walls and gates composure the gold transparent as glasse with which the streets are paved the Cry stall rivers the fruitfull trees with which the City is furnished and adorned cannot fully and to the life set forth the wonderfull glory of Gods Church in this life Let what can bee said of the Kings daughter Christs Spouse of the Churches excellency from outward matters Psal. 45. in the Song of songs and elswhere this addition Sâ— is all glorious within surpasses all So there is an ward beauty a spirituall glory superadded to the outward excellency of the Church that goes beyond the highest strains that can by words bee uttered Let but the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ the enjoyment of his favour the comforts of the holy Ghost which in this life must bee gotten by them that hope to enjoy his presence in the other world bee put into the ballance against all worldly matters to whose lustre allusion is so often made in these two Chapters they are of more weight and greater worth then all such outward things Wherefore the lofty and stately expressions in these Chapters cannot be denyed to belong to the Christian Church of which Christ is the light from his being here on earth untill he give up his government of the same at the last day and take up with him his servants to those heavenly mansions which he hath prepared for them Chap. VIII whether the binding of Satan for a thousand yeers bee already past The Question stated THE Angels which in the beginning of the world fell from their happy condition were east down into Tartarus and were there reserved in everlasting chains under darknesse to the judgment of the great day Jude 6. Therefore they are at all times so bound that they cannot work any mischief to man without especiall commission from God who gives them liberty and looses their chain so far onely as to him seems good This sometimes God doth and that either for triall of the godly as in Jobs case or for to humble them as when Paul was buffeted by Satans Messenger 2 Cor. 12.7 Or for punishment of the wicked as when Ahab bent to believe false Prophets was deceived by a lying Spirit 1 Kings 22. or upon some other the like cases Of this restraint and loosing of Satan the question is not Scripture informs us further First of an eminent and notable binding up of Satan for a thousand years after Christs time in the Abysse or bottomlesse pit wherein hee is so fast sealed up that hee cannot deceive the Nations Secondly of an eminent and manifest loosing him after the thousand yeers are ended After which time hee works much mischief against Gods people and draws the Nations in all coasts of the world into combustions of war The controversie here is whether this notable binding up of Satan bee already past or yet to come This I am now to discusse Chap. IX The famous and notable binding up of Satan is already past and is not yet to come THis position I thus prove Arg. 1. The famous kingdom of Christ and Christians and this notable binding up of Satan for a thousand years begin both together Dr. J. Alstede Mr. J. Mede Mr. Archer The Glimpse joyntly hold this undeniable But the famous Kingdome of Christ and Christians began moe years then one thousand five hundred agon as I have above proved Therefore the notable binding up of Satan began one thousand five hundred years agon and therefore is past long before our time Arg. 2. Hee that did in eminent manner by the Spirit and finger of God cast out devils and did {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} annul and undo the works of the devill and spoyled him of his power did first eminently bind Satan Matth. 12.29 Luk 11.20 c. But Christ at his being on earth above one thousand five hundred years agon did in eminent manner by the Spirit and finger of God cast out devils and annull and undo the works of Satan and spoyle him of his power Therefore Christ then bound Satan as above in an eminent manner Of Christs casting out of devils is often mention made in the Gospels as Luk 11.10 and elsewhere and this hee did in such manner that all man were astonied thereat Matth. 9.33 Mark 1.27 and never saw it in the like manner That Christ did annull and undoe the works of the devill and take from him his power is manifest The devill was the Prince of darknesse Christ was the light of the world Joh. 1.9 The devill blinded the minds of unbeleevers Christ commanded light to shine out of darknesse and gave the Nations knowledg of himself and the Gospel 2 Cor. 4.4 The devill caught men in his snares Christ by bringing men to repentance and faith freed them from those snares 2 Tim. 2.26 Zacheus of a Publican and sinner and lost man was by Christ made a son of Abraham Luk 19. So were other the like converts The Ephesians were children of wrath as other Gentiles and walked according to the Prince that rules in the ayre or darknesse but Christ inlightned the eyes of their understanding quickned them by grace saved them through faith Ephes. 1.2 The devill drew men at first into sin and thereby brought as other calamities so death on mankind but Christ by his death destroyed him that had the power of death that is the devill Heb. 2.14 and tooke away the sting of death 1 Cor. 15.55 So that Satan did but bruise Christs heele Christ crushed Satans head Thus Christ did overpower and conquer Satan in those primitive times as the Texts cited shew Arg. 3. Christ hath already become the head of all principalitie and power and spoyled them and made a shew openly and triumphed over them Coloss. 2.10 and 15. and being raised from death sate on Gods right hand and was above all principalities and powers and dominions and had all things subject to him and under
his feet Ephes. 1.20 21. Therefore Satan was then also conquered and triumphed over by Christ for hee was the grand Boutifeu and chiefe enemie of Christ and was by Christ imprisoned and laid fast up in chaines as conquerors deale with the ringleaders of such as with hostilitie oppose them Arg. 4. The 70. Disciples sent forth by Christ subdued devils by Christs name and Christ thereupon tels them that hee saw Satan fall from heaver as lightning and then did Christ give to his disciples power to tread on Serpents and Scorpions and all power of the enemy so that nothing could hurt them Luk 10.18 c. To which purpose also wee read 1 Joh. 5.18 that the evill one cannot touch them that are born of God Therefore in the primitive times one thousand five hundred years agon the devill was bound and in eminent manner restrained by Christ Chap. X. Objections answered whereby it further will appeare that Satans eminent binding for a thousand yeers is already past HOwever the arguments in the former Chapter sufficiently confirme the truth some there are who will not be satisfied therewith I will therefore answer what they produce to assert the contrary Object How was Satan bound say they when all the Apostles were persecuted Christs subjects distressed and destitute of all comforts and most of them cruelly put to death Gl. pag. 9. had not Satan a manifest hand and plot herein and indevored hereby to hinder if not to extirpate the Gospel Answ. Satan was long agon cast down by Michael or Christ and subdued as is above proved and seeing then hee could not doe the mischiefe hee desired to Gods Saints and hinder the advancing of the Gospel hee Rev. 13. gave his power and throne and great authority to the ten horned beast the Roman Tyrants who by their agents and friends then murthered the Apostles and Saints of God Secondly though the servants of God were persecuted and put to violent deaths yet Christ having conquered death its sting was taken away so that it was but a passage for them to a better life and to endlesse blisse Thirdly Christ when it so pleased him did often deliver his servants from dangerous persecutions and from death it self As namely Peter strictly watcht in prison Act. 12.7 and Paul when fattie persons had sworn not to eat or drink untill they had kild him Act 23.12 and then onely did God permit them to bee slain when they had finished their course and might best glorifie God by their deaths which they underwent willingly couragiously comfortably So that as formerly their lives so now their deaths made the Gospel greatly to bee taken notice of and to bee glorified Object Satan is cold the Prince of the ayre who works in the children of disobedience Ephes. 2.2 Hee is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a ruler of the world in darknesse here beneath Ephes. 6.12 The comming of the man of sin is by the works of Satan with signes and lying wonders 2 Thess. 2.9 Therefore Satan was not in the primitive times bound chain'd and sealed up the bottomlesse pit Answ. That which in Rev. 20. is termed the bottomlesse pit is in other notions cald Earth and Sea Rev. 12.12 and aire or darknesse Ephes. 2.2 The aire saith Philo Jud. is black and dark of its own nature and is cald {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} darknesse Hence the devill is stiled the Prince of the ayre and of darknesse The Sea and Earth also have no light of themselves but from above When therefore it is said the devill hath power in the ayre earth or sea by these are meant men of dark earthly and unquiet minds In which sense it is said Rev. 12.12 Woe bee to the inhabitants of the earth and Sea for Satan being by Christ cast out of the heaven of the Church hee came amongst the inhabitants of the Ayre Sea and Earth that is men who were not heavenly minded The affinitie of these terms appears first because the Beast which Apoc. 13.1 is said to rise out of the Sea is spoken of Apoc. 9.7 as ascending out of the bottomlesse pit And secondly there is a Tehom an Abysse or bottomlesse pit Psal. 71.20 ascribed to the Earth as elswhere to the Sea Now when Satan was cast down from domineering in the Church and had his speciall abode among wicked men hee set up first the ten horned Beast Revel. 13.1 to blaspheme the name of God to war with to overcome and kill Gods people And secondly hee set up the Beast with two horns Vers 11. who did the works of the first Beast and did also deceive the world with signes and lying wonders Vers 13,14 for this second Beast expresses fully the man of sin who 2 Thess. 2.9 is described by his false and commerfeit wonders What mischief Satan bound by Christ could not then work by himself hee endeavoured to act by these two his wicked instruments Quest Suppose it bee denied that heaven in Scripture at any time signifies the Church and that Earth Sea and Aire denote wicked blind and unquiet worldlings how can the contrary bee proved Answ. It is thus proved First The disciples are called the lights of the world Matth. 5.14 The godly Philippians must shine in the world as lights Phil. 2.15 When the teachers of sacred doctrine in the Church were puld down the Stars are said to fall from heaven Dan. 8.10 Rev. 9.1 The Angels or chiefe teachers of the Church are cald Stars Revel. 1.20 Therefore the Church is the heaven in which they move and shine and from which their light and influence proceeds to take men off from their worldly estate Secondly Saint Augustine saith expresly Sancti justi coelum vocantur holy and just men are called Heaven De civ Deilib 2. c. 21. and expounds that in Mal. 4. lest I come and destroy the earth of the wicked upon the Earth qui terrena sapiunt who mind earthly things Ib. c. 29. His judgment herein is sound because wee finde the members of Christs Church called heaven Rev 12.11 where the heavens and they that dwell therein that is such as overcome by the blood of the Lamb are bid to rejoyce And on the contrary the inhabitants of the earth are expounded to bee such as have not their names written in the book of life Rev. 12.9 Thus what was denyed I conceive is sufficiently proved Many learned Expositers give their assent hereunto Repl. The casting down of Satan to the earth and excluding him from heaven Apoc. 12. and Satans binding shutting and sealing up in the bottomlesse pit Rev. 20. are so far from expressing one and the same thing in different notions which some Expositers think they doe that there is no one word the same in both 1 The Angel binding Satan Apoc. 20 came from heaven but Michael in Chap. 12 fights with the Dragon in Heaven 2 Concerning Satan be is 1 taken 2 bound 3 shut up 4 sealed up
Chap 20. In Chap 12. there is no mention of these matters at all M Mede Clavis Apoc. part 2. Synch 4. Answ. First in generall I answer the same thing is often in the Revelation expressed in a different manner As namely first Christ Rev 1. appeares to St. John in Patmos after a glorious manner amidst the seven golden Candlesticks In Chap 5. hee appears on a Throne in the midst of twenty four Elders as a Lamb that had been slain And Chap 6.2 hee is seen on a white Horse armed and crowned and riding with conquest Secondly usually when divers visions run upon one matter in the Revelation what is omitted or not so clearly expressed in one is more fully and plainly opened in another that so the whole matter intended may result from the severall visions compared together Hence Rev 1.7 the godly comming to the knowledg of Christ crucified for their sins lament and waile But Chap 12.12 upon Christs conquest over Satan they rejoyce And Chapter 15.2 3. they harp and sing as Moses and Israel having passed safe thorow the red Sea in which the Egyptians were drowned M. Mede himself grants that divers visions in the Apoc. do relegere run over again and expresse one and the same thing in a different manner Clavis Apoc part 2. Proem So Mr. Brightman on Apoc 11.1 Many Expositors unanimously agree herein Secondly in particular I answer Christ is the Angell of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 That came down from heaven Joh. 6.38 Apoc. 20.1 Hee being on Earth and the chief Ruler of the Heaven on earth that is his Church This exposition I have above confirmed hee I say I fought with Satan 2 conquered him 3 excluded him from heaven 4 cast him into the earth and Sea This Christ doth under the name of Michael Chap. 12. His fighting with and conquest over Satan intimates that the Dragon was taken and as a captive of most malice bound fast shut up and chained The casting of the Dragon into the Earth and Sea and his exclusion from heaven fully expresse his binding and confining to the bottomlesse pit How Earth and Sea are answerable to the Abysse or bottomlesse pit I have formerly shewed Evident it is that these bee forms of speech which humanitus loquendo after the manner of men set forth one and the same thing namely Gods restraining Satan And hence it appears how the twelve and twenty Chapters in divers manner and somewhat different notions expresse the same restraint of Satan and how each Chapter helps to the more clear understanding of the other Many good Expositors judge them so to do Object Satan was not bound in the time of the six former Seals and six former Trumpets For in the time of the six former Seals hee was in Bâ—â—tail with Michael and when Michael had overcome him then only arose the ten horned Beast out of the Sea and bad Satans power and Throne given him which hee exercised against the Church Then also Satan cast a floud of water out of his mouth to overwhelm the woman and prepared to war with the rest of the womans children Therefore Satan was not bound in the time of the six former Seals and in the beginning of the Trumpets time And in Trumpet five is not Satan loose It the Angel of the bottomlesse pit called Abaddon and Apollyon any other but Satan who was cast down from heaven by Christ For none other in all the Apocalyps fell down from heaven to the Earth nor can the title there used well sit any other However Satan was not then bound not the pit shut and sealed but open for out of it a smoak issued c. Chap. 9.2 And out of the mouth of the Dragon the Beast and false Prophet came unclean Spirits of Devils Apo. 16.13 How then is Satan bound in all this time Mr. Mede Clav. Apoc. part 2. Synch 4. Answ. Vnder seal one which Mr. Mede makes rightly to bee at or near the beginning of the Apocalypticall times Christ appears a Conquerer and goes on more and more to conquer And whom here did hee conquer but his grand adversary the Devil For Christ risen from death sat on Gods right hand was about all principalities and powers and had all things under his feet Ephes. 1.20 and therefore the Dovils also among the rest Nor is it possible that any created power can so long as Miâ—Medâ— holds maintain a combate with Christ When he pleases do â—ake all Dominion into his hand and make all powers subject to himself It hath been proved above that Satan at or near Christs Resurrection and Ascension was bound by Christ Then Satan being shut up gave his power to the Beast with ten horns Rev. 13.1 2. that is to the Roman secular power which began its tyranny in the primitive times and continued it against the Christians many years And therefore this Beast began not his devilish persecution many hundreth years after St. Johns time upon the end of the sixth Seal as Mr. Mede holds And whereas it is said that Satâ—mâ—ast a flood of water after the woman the speech is metaphoricall as is that of the Abysse or Sea into which Satan was cast and intimates that Satan going to prison himself raised what waves of trouble hee could against the woman And whereas He formerly stood before the woman to devour her child Apoc. 12.4 his mischief was prevented and himself was cast into the Earth and Sea or Abysse and thither {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} hee went Verse 17. yet by the ten horned Beast Rev 13. Vicarius ejus his Deputy Mr. Mede Clav. Apâ—part 2. Synch 4. invested with his great power He made war with them that dwell in Heaven or the Church Rev 13.6 7. which had the Festimony of Jesus Christ Rev. 12.17 What was done by the authority of the Devill may bee said to bee done by himself So what was done in Baptism by Christs autority is said to bee done by Christ whereas not Christ but the Apostles did Baptize Joh 4.1 So Solomon is rightly said to build the Temple which his Subjects built by his autority direction and charge To the second part of the objection I answer 'T is not materiall whether Satan bee at the fifth Trumpet loosed or no His Deputy hath seope enough to doe mischief though hee bee imprisoned Stars are the Angels of the Churches Rev. 1. and a star faln from Heaven here denotes the Bishops of Rome who before were bright and shining stars in the Church but at length by the height of their pride and their declining to herefie fell to the earth This hath the assent of many learned Expositors To the Bishops of Rome thus fallen was permitted by God and given by Satan {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} imports both as if need bee shall bee proved the key of the bottomlesse pit They having Satans power and depths of crast for lying signes and wonders as the ten horned Beast
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
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
16.28 Mark 9.1 and many of them might live untill what was shewed to St. John Rev. 6 by the horses and riders upon them was in some sort fulfilled The high Priest and his assistants might live to see the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God and come in or with the clouds of heaven Matth. 26.24 to punish the Jews and ruine Jerusalem as Henoch bid the old word behold God comming with thousands of his holy ones or Angels to destroy the old world Jud. 14. In the same manner the Son of man is set forth with a Crown on his head and a Sickle in his hand when bee comes to fill up the Wine-presse of his wrath Revel. 14.18 The mourning here spoken of was in part fulfilled Act. 2.37 in the Jews who seeing that is pondering in their minds how they had kild the Lord of glory as Peter there told them Were with griefe pricked at their hearts repented and beleeved in Christ Now what was done by them was and is in like manner done by all converts of all Nations whatsoever from Christs time to the worlds end Thus it appears that the passages above instanced in may bee said to bee done at the Gospels first progresse and yet must continually be done by all who become Christians in after times Instance of Mr. Mede The royall Kingdome of Christ who feeds the innumerable multitude that have palms in their hands Revel. 7.17 and Christs victory over the ten Kings vassals of the Beast Rev. 17.4 are better referred to Christs last glorious coming then to his first comming Answ The multitude with palms in their hands are converts of all nations kinreds tongues and people who praise God for their salvation Rev. 7.10.11 The like is done Revel. 5. where the redeemed out of all Nations acknowledge all power riches wisdom strength honour glory and praise to belong to Christ who sits crowned upon his throne This vision in Chap. 5. Mr. Mede himselfe holds to bee fulfilled in the beginning of the Apocalypticall times The Palm bearing multitude bee they in what time they shall continue the same course of ascribing all praise honour power c. to Christ sitting on his throne And Christ Revel. 17.14 conquering the ten Kings shews himself to bee Lord of Lords and King of Kings Now before the visions here mentioned Christ was exalted far above all principalities powers and dominations and every title and name that is named not in this world onely but in the world to come Ephes. 1.21.22 and in the very entrance of the Revelation in stiled the Prince of the Kings of the earth Revel. 1.5 Therefore the royall Kingdom and all power and honour c. begins to bee due to Christ at his first comming and must in all times afterward even to his second comming at the worlds end be ascribed unto him Instance The mariage of the Lamb Revel. 19.7 The New Jerusalem Revel. 21.9 The Lamb the light of the new Jerusalem Vers 23. are better applied to the last and glorious comming of Christ then wrested to his first comming Answ. To these Instances I purpose to answer in their due place where now I come to speak of divers passages in the two last Chapters of the Revelation Chap. VII Objections out of Revel. 21. 22. answered AMong learned expositers many controversies and doubts are moved about the two last Chapters of the Revelation I will briefly handle that which especially concerns the matter here to bee discussed Obj. Many most excellent and admirable promises are made unto Christians Apoc. 21. and 22. which must bee made good at one time or other Many of them have not yet been fulfilled therefore they are to bee fulfilled hereafter and that must bee either in the thousand years of the Churches prosperitie in which the Church and Saints of God shall reign with Christ before the end of the world or else in the world to come in heaven The promises are these of new heavens and new earth of a new Jerusalem of its being prepared and trimmed for Christ the bus band thereof of freedom from tears death sorrow pain of all things made new and many other the like Read the Chapters Answ. I grant that the promises in these two Chapters are for this life And thus by severall arguments I prove it First the new Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven and is on earth if it were to bee in heaven then it should ascend from earth to heaven which it is not said to doe And this ascending to God befals not Gods servants both in body and soulâ— untill the last judgment bee past whereas in this life the Ephesians and other converts become fellow Citizens with the Saints Ephes. 2.19 And secondly there can bee no tears in heaven which need to bee wiped away from the Saints eyes Thirdly T is on earth that the Saints thirst Revel. 21.6 and there Christ refreshes them with the water of life Joh. 4.14 In heaven they thirst not but are fully satisfied with all joy and pleasures for evermore Psal. 16. Then fourthly the Nations that are saved Revel. 1.24 walk a phrase usuall for conversing in this life in the light of Christ who is the light of the world and glory of his people Israel Luk. 2.32 And t is on earth that Kings doe their service to God and bring their people to the New Jerusalem or the true Church On earth are civill distinctions of Kings and people of master and servant but in heaven a Lazarus is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in an Angelicall condition no lesse then a great Monarch all there rest from their labours Fiftly Christ who is the wisdom of the Father is the Tree of life Prov. 31.18 and 22. Rev. 22.2 and is the life of men in this world 1 Ioh. 5.20 As hee is the spirituall Manna so hee is the fruit of this tree every moneth fed upon by beleevers Sixtly The leaves of this tree serve to heale the Nations Rev. 22.2 Now in heaven there is no account kept by moneths nor are there any sores of the Saints to bee healed or that need cure The soules of all faithfull are purified by faith in this life Act. 15.9 And their bodies lie down and leave what was sinfull and corrupt in them in the dust of the grave and rising glorious and immortall ascend to heaven Thus by these Arguments it appears that the condition of Gods people in this life is in these two Chapters declared Secondly I will shew that many passages in these Chapters which seem to belong to the Saints state in heaven expresse their happy condition not onely in the thousand years from Christs time but in all the dayes of the Gospel to the worlds end and thus I prove it First Every one that is in Christ is a new creature and not onely so but all things are become new 2 Cor. 5.17 This is answerable to Apoc.