actions as he was Mediator betweene God and man is all imputed unto them 1 Cor. 1.30 Rom. 5.19 Esay 9.6 Quest Then by imputation they are absolute holy and righteous Answ Yes verily they are so even absolute pure righteous and holy Numb 23.21 Quest Have they no other holinesse but this which is imputed unto them Answ Yes verily for as God doth impute holinesse unto them even the holinesse of Christ in whom alone they are accepted as righteous so also doth hee worke holinesse in them by his Spirit making them in some measure conformable to Christ renewing and sanctifying and making them holy and causing them also to work holinesse and righteousnesse which is one maine end of their election and of their Redemption by Jesus Christ Ephes 1.4 Luke 1.74 75. Quest Then it seemes that this holinesse is not attained by any power or vertue that is in them Answ No verily it is the free gift of God Ephes 28. Quest By all this that hath been said I gather that God did not elect any unto salvation upon the foresight of any workes or holinesse that was to be in them Answ It is very true he did not but it was his owne love and free grace that moved him for they are elected and chosen of God not for any foreseene holinesse but to be holy being his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good workes that they should walke in them Ephes 2.10 So that good workes are no cause of their Election but their Election is the cause of their good workes and good workes are an evidence both to themselves and to others also of their election but no cause thereof 1 Pet 1.2 Ephes 1.4 Quest Whereof doth that Church of Christ consist unto which all the speciall promises are made Answ It consisteth onely of such as are regenerate who are all Saints the members of Christ who are honoured with so many glorious Titles being called the Church and body of Christ his Spouse his habitation his Temple Sion Jerusalem and many such like 2 Cor. 6.16 Ephes 5.23 Cant. 4.8.9.10 Psal 87. 1 Cor. 3.16.17 Gal. 4.26 Ephes 5.30 1 Cor. 12.27 Quest What are those speciall promises that are made unto this Church Answ All promises of this life and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Quest What are those speciall promises that concerne this life Answ They are such as concerne every one of them in particular or all in generall assembling together Quest What are those promises that concerne every one of them in particular Answ All good things as protection providence peace joy comfort the assurance of his love and the hope of eternall good things to come which doth comfort them in the midest of all their tryalls that befall them in this life Esay 43.1 2 3. Esay 54.7 8 9 10. Ioh. 13 1. Titus 2.13 2 Cor. 4.17.18 Quest What are those promises that concerne them all in generall assembling together Answ They are such as pertaine to the ruling and governing teaching instructing and comforting of this Church being met together in the name of Christ and to the well ordering of the same for the benefit of the whole body of Jesus Christ Ephes 4.8 11 12 13. Quest But the members of this Church are dispersed and cannot meet together how can some few members of the same reape any benefit by any speciall promise made unto the Church in generall Answ Yes doubtlesse they may and the Saints doe assuredly reape great comfort and benefit thereby yea every Congregation and company of Saints meeting together in the name of Christ may expect and tooke for the performance of the promises made by Christ to the whole Church for that which is made to the whole Church is made also to every part thereof Quest What are those speciall promises that concerne the Saints being gathered and met together in the name of Christ Answ Unto them thus meeting together hath Christ promised his presence to be in the middest of them and hath given unto them the keyes of the kingdome of heaven to bind and loose promising them to confirme and ratifie in heaven what they agree upon in earth binding in heaven whom they bind on earth and loosing in heaven whom they loose on earth promising them also perseverance notwithstanding the great malice of their Adversaries the gates of hell shall never prevaile against it Math. 16.18 19. Math. 18.20 Math. 18.18.19 20. Quest Doth not this power of binding and loosing belong to any other but onely to the Saints Answ No certainly it belongs to none other but onely to them neither are any fit for such a worke but onely the Saints neither is the promise of binding in heaven and loosing in heaven them who are bound on earth and loosed on earth made to any other but only to the Saints the true members of Jesus Christ and therefore whosoever they be that lay claim or title to this power and are not Saints doe claime and challenge that unto which they have no right Math. 16.18 19. Math. 18.19.20 Quest But is it not given to the Pastors and Ministers of the Church Answ Yes it is given chiefly unto them if they be Saints yet not only to them but also with them to the rest of the Saints their Brethren Quest But all the Saints are not fit to be imployed in this great worke Answ It is true that all the Saints may not be fit for this worke and therefore those are to be employed in the great affaires of the Church who have the greatest measure of Grace bestowed on them according to that saying of the Apostle 1 Pet. 4.10 as God hath distributed to every man so let him minister c. yet the least Saint is not to be despised or contemned who may be helpfull to the body whereof by Christ they are made members 1 Cor. 12.21 Quest Is it possible for the Saints in this life to know one another Answ Yes doubtlesse God doth declare and evidence them by his Spirit even to the consciences of his children that so they may rejoyce in the fellowship one of another and perform the duties required of them one to another to the performance of which the reward is promised which they cannot perform unlesse they know one another Math. 25. chap. 10.40 41 42. Quest But hipocrites may countterfeit true grace and make a show of holinesse and Satan can transforme himselfe into an Angell of light Answ All this is true you say but yet the Saints having the Spirit of Christ in them and knowing the nature of true grace are able to judge of and to discerne true grace from the counterfeit showes of hypocrites Quest But hipocrisie is hid in the heart and it is proper to God to know the heart and the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 2.11 That no man knoweth the things of a man but the spirit of man which is in him Answ It is true also but yet notwithstanding the hearts of others are
quite and all things be made new for nothing that came in with the curse can abide there where Christ hath his Kingdome and throne of glory Quest But the Apostle Peter saith 2 Pet. 3.10 that the Earth and the works there shall be burnt up and all things here below shall be dissolved Answ True it is that whatsoever came in with the Curse shall bee dissolved and burnt up and all taken away and nothing thereof shall remain but onely what was created before the curse and all things shall be made new as in the first crearion of them and far more excellent and durable as the same Apostle saith we look for net heavers and a new earth according to his promise wherein dwelleth righteousnes Quest Where is this promise made that the Apostle speaks of Answ In the 65. Chapter of Isaiah where the promise is made and set downe in plaine words Quest But shall not the happinesse of the Saints be for ever in heaven for the Apostle Peter saith that the inheritance of the Saints is reserved in heaven and Paul saith we have an house not made with hands but eternall in the heavens 1 Pet. 14. 2 Cor. 5.1 Answ True it is that the inheritance of the Saints is reserved in heaven and it is eternall but this that is reserved in heaven shall come down from heaven Christ himselfe will bring with him that new Ierusalem and cloath his saints with that house which is from heaven which was so desired by the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 5.2 the beauty and glory of that estate is set forth in the 21 chapter of the Revelation which shall be so great that the heart of man can desire no more for there shall be a fulnesse of all things Quest But what places of Scripture do prove that the Saints shall have their glory and happinesse upon this earth Answ There are many places of Scripture to this purpose and I will instance some of them and first I will begin with the promise of God made unto Abraham concerning the land of Canaan it was promised to him and to his seed for ever Gen. 13.15 Chap. 15.17 But Abraham never yet enjoyed the fulfilling of that promise therefore at that great day of the Lord it shall be made good unto him and his seed for ever for it was given unto him for an everlasting possession Gen. 7.18 Quest But Abraham seed after four hundred yeares did possesse that land was not then the promise fulfilled to Abraham Answ No assuredly there was a further extent in that promise then was performed unto his naturall seed and that was but a type of the great possession that should be given to him and his spirituall seed for ever Gen. 17.8 Quest What is the next Scripture that proves the Saints eternall happines to be on this earth An. The next is Matth. 5.5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth and Psal 37.11 But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace Which promises must needs be understood of the life to come and not of this life for they are promises for the time to come and not of the time present for we know by experience that the meek do not now in this life inherit the earth but this promise shall be performed unto them at that great day of the restauration of all things Quest What is the next Scripture to prove this Answ The next is Revelation the 5. and the 10. ver the sweet song of thanksgiving of the 24 Elders the latter part whereof is their acknowledgement in these words and hast made unto us our God Kings and priests and we shall raign on the earth which is spoken of the time to come and not of the time present for now is not their time of reigning but of suffering Quest What other Scripture is there to prove this point Answ Out of the 11 chap. of the Revelation ver the 15. where after the sounding of the seventh trumpet there were great voyces heard in heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever as also Dan. 7.14.27 So that then Christ shall reigne as King upon this earth and all powers shall serve and obey him for evermore Quest But if the Saints glory and happines shall be upon this earth it will be conceived that it cannot be so great glorious and excellent as is expected to be and as the Scripture sets it forth to be and for the most part of our preachers they do tell us that it shall be in the highest heavens Answ For the happinesse and felicity of the Saints which they enjoy it shall be so great so glorious so excellent although upon this earth as possible may be no heart can desire more nor no tongue can expresse it for that place must be very full of joy comfort blessednesse and happinesse where Christ dwells and is their King what can be wanting unto them there is fulnesse of joy at his right hand and pleasures for evermore O what sweetnesse of comfort shall they find in his presence yea unspeakable the Scriptures are plentifull in expressing these things for the comfort of the faithfull even whilest they live here in this naturall life who do live by faith expecting those good things to come and whatsoever our Preachers do tell us of the happines of the saints to be for ever in the highest heavens if they did well consider the Scriptures they would speake according therereunto Quest But what is the reason they conceive so that the glory and happinesse of the Saints shall be in the highest heavens Answ I know no Scripture that tends there unto besides those I have already answered or some such it may be like them but their error and misunderstanding of the Scripture lies in this that they take and expound those places of Scripture that intend and set forth the happinesse of the Saints for ever to be intended and meant of a great conversion of the naturall Jewes to be brought into the land of Canaan againe before the coming of Christ to Judgement which opinion turnes them from the truth and hereby the Saints are deprived of many sweet promises that are made unto them for their comfort here in this life in the expectation of that glory and happinesse therein set forth and promised unto them then which a greater wrong cannot be done to the people of God Quest You said the Scriptures are plentifull in expressing the happines of the Saints for ever upon this earth I pray you give me those places of Scriptures and set down the severall texts that we may examine them and rejoyce in the expectation of them and so I shall conclude for this time and cease from demanding any more questions of you Answ I shall willingly do it according to my abi ity but yet it is not possible for
from evill as they never yet enjoyed are we not now therefore to expect it in these latter dayes Answ Whatsoever the Prophets have prophesied to be fulfilled and is not yet performed we are to expect But wee are to know that those speciall promises are made only to the Elect and to all the Elect when they shall all be gathered together and delivered from all their Captivities and sorrowes which Restauration of Israel is not to be expected of us to be performed untill the comming of the Lord unto Judgement as appeareth Acts 3.21 Quest But the Prophets doe speake of bringing them into their owne Land againe even the promised land therefore it must needs be in this life Answ That doth not follow for they shall be brought into their owne Land and enjoy it for ever and ever even that Land which was promised to Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all their spirituall seed and they shall possesse it for ever not as it is now earthly and the curse remaining upon it but after it shall be purged and the curse taken away and made a heavenly habitation fit for Abraham himselfe to whom it was first promised and never yet performed unto him but shall bee then made good unto him and for all his spirituall seed to dwell in for evermore Quest But where this restoration is promised there is mention made of Building of houses and planting of Vineyards eating and drinking c. which cannot be after this life Esay 65. Answ We know not what is intended by such like things nor what shall be at that day nor what these things may adde to our happinesse And therefore being ignorant of these things let not us wrest the Scripture out of the way to frame a meaning which the Lord neuer intended because we imagine that these things cannot be after this life And wee are also to consider that in many places where this Restoration of Israel is promised there are also such things spoken of as cannot be expected in this life as namely that there shall be no sorrow no mourning nor death nor that any uncleane thing shall enter amongst them Quest You said before that the Church of God after the destruction of the great Antichrist should enjoy much prosperity and peace shall they then have no enemies Answ Yes assuredly the true Church of God shall never want enemies to try them and to exercise their patience but they shall be freed for a time from those great and violent persecutions which they did suffer during the long and tedious Raigne of the great Antichrist of Roma who sought by all meanes to root out all the seed and generation of the Church Quest Shall this their peace and prosperity long continue Answ No verily for the devill shall stirre up other enemies Gog and Magog the Kings of the East even the Turke and his adherents and they shall envy the prosperity of the Church and shall come down upon the Christian Nations and compasse about the Tents of the Saints and the beloved City and to seeke to root out her name from off the earth Ezek. 38.10.11.12 Revel 20.8.9 Quest What will bee the effect of this his malice Amsw He shall cause through his cruelty many to fall away from the profession of the truth of Christ to Mahometisme or heathenisme so that the Sunne shall be darkened even Christ himself and his truth shall be obscured and his glory darkned And the Moon that is the States and princes of the world shall not give their light of help and comfort and protection of the church by their powers they being beaten down by the power of these great adversaries And the stars c. that is the Ministers and preachers of Christ shall sall from heaven that is from the Church even to Mahometisme or heathenisme all which hath been foretold us by the Lordhimself in Matthew 24. verse 29 Quest What shall follow thereupon Answ God himselfe will tight for his people wonderfully and will consume and destroy all those enemies by fire from heaven and deliver his Church from all her enemies Revel 20.19 Quest What are we further to expect to follow therepon Answ The speedy coming of the Lord to judgement Quest After what manner will be come Answ He shall come in the cloud 's with majesty power and great glory even with ten thousands of Angel and Saints to the rejoycing and comfort of the godâ—… and the confounding of the wicked Iude ver 14. Quest What is the end of his coming Answ For the manifestation of his own glory in his Saints and to deliver his Church and people from all their miseries and captivities and to regain his own Kingdome and to crown his Saints with eternall glory and to execute his wrath and vengeance upon all those that have not known him nor obeyed his Gospel Jude 15. ver and this he will perform upon the generall resurrection of all and â—er the n iting of their soules and bodies together again Quest How will he effect this Answ He will cause his Angels to gather his elect together before him on his right hand to whom he will pronounce that comfortable sentence saving come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world c. Psal 50. Matt. 2.31 Matth. 15. Quest What shall become of the wicked and ungodly Ans They standing on his left hand he will pronounce unto them a heavy sentence even the sentence of condemnation saying unto them Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels Matth. 25.41 Quest Shall the Reprobate blaspheme God after this life for the pains they shall endure Answ No assuredly they shall not and far be it from us to have such a conceit in our minds for althouh they have done it here in this life too abundantly yet then there shall be no man that shall open his mouth against the Lord but shall acknowledge the judgement passed against him to be just and righteous and so all shall be forced by paine to glorifie the Lord God of heaven and earth for evermore for all povers shall be brought into subjection to the Lord Christ and none to resist him any more 27. Psal 8.46 Psal 66.4 and 72.11 and 86.9 Dan. 7.27 2 Esd 9.12.13.14 Heb. 2.8 Quest When Christ hash passed the sentence of judgement both to the Saints and to the ungodly will he return again into heaven Answ We never read in all the Scriptures of his return for he comes thither to possesse his own Kiugdom and to fit upon the throne of David for evermore raigning over his people in all majesty and glory in his own throne Re. 3.21 Quest Shall then the happinesse and glory of the Saints be upon this earth Answ Yes certainly but not as it is now corrupt but When all things that came in by reason of the curse for mans sinne shall be removed and taken away