A TREATISE OF The New Heavens and New Earth Proved to be Perpetual and Eternal in that Visible State of both in the Restitution after the destruction of the World by Fire Whereunto is added A true State of the Thousand years-time proving it to be before the second Coming of Christ As also the Succinct Order of things from Christs first Appearing in the Clouds unto the Eternal State after the Day of Judgment By T. M. a Lover of TRUTH Psal 119.162 I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth great spoil Prov. 25.25 As cold waters to a thirsty Soul so is good news from a far country Isa 33.17 Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty they shall behold the land that is very far off London Printed in the year 1680. A TREATISE OF THE New HEAVENS and EARTH THE main Subject of this Treatise is the Mystery of New Heavens and Earth as restored in the State of Eternal Glory As an Apology for the Impression I must say The Destruction of this Visible Heaven and Earth by Fire is a Truth I was bred up in from a Child from 2 Pet. 3. though I find divers question it Though it hath been pretended many others have wrote of this Subject I never yet saw one that Treated mainly or purposely or positively on it and but one that mentions it at all and that so by the by and as probable that he left it in doubt And moreover the same Book and Author is so erroneous in other points that I think it unsafe to commend any Reader to it Which Errors have been soundly answered by another with the harmonious assent of divers able Ministers Except about the Sonship of Christ wherein I humbly conceive they did not so understand him though the things they urged against him in it were also sound In a Word if this my Discovery of the New and Eternal State of the Earth as well as Heaven be a Truth 't is no light matter nor any Infirmities in me should make it to be despised But mend that in your own Search after it that you conceive desective in mine I shall be as glad of a further Revelation by another as I am of this Degree by my self As to the Second Subject of the Thousand Years I did not make it my Intention nor had I writ here of it Only I was forced to mention and make out the same as to the Time of it that I might distinguish it in the Scripture-Representations not to be confounded nor contemporary with the main subject Hereof For which cause also I was forced to present a Specimem of the Order of things from Christs First Appearing in the Clouds to the Eternal State which also leads to the Completion of my Design The New Heavens and Earth as to be Eternal Which may be comprized in this Position That after the Destruction of the Heavens and Earth that now are by fire and after the Day of Judgment there will be a glorious Renewed State of both which shall be the Inheritance of the Sons of God and the glorious Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever Arguments to evidence this I. We are taught to Pray Thy Kingdom come thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Mat. 6.10 This Prayer is to be performed in all Ages till the Kingdom come and the Will of God be done in Earth as it is now in Heaven And we must Petition nothing but according to the Will of God and therein he will hear us See 1 John 5.14 15. Now the Will of God shall be done in Earth as it is in Heaven in 2 Respects 1. In Heaven it is done infallibly Not the least failing Mat. 13.41 This proves that the Thousand years Reign doth not perfectly fulfil this for a seed of evil-Doers is left in the Kingdom then who after the 1000 years make head against the Camp of the Saints in the Attempt of Gog and Magog Rev. 20.8 9. Nor yet will the Saints be then perfectly free from Sin being before the bodies Resurrection as page 2. In Heaven the Will of God is done by all and only those that are perfect and glorified Psal 103.19 20 21. Hebr. 12.23 So shall it be also in the Resurrection and world to come Luke 20.35 36. John 1. last See Page 4. And consequently when the Will of God is thus done in Earth and the Doers of it thus glorified It follows that they shall remain upon the Earth That the Earth shall be made glorious as Heaven is And also abide for ever from the ensuing Arguments II. Argument Christ shall Reign on the Throne of his Father David for ever and for ever and ever Luke 1.32 33. Isa 9.7 Jer. 23.5 Hebr. 1.8 Rev. 11.15 To Explain this consider two things 1. His Reign now on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens Hebr. 8.1 is on his Fathers Throne Rev. 3.21 which Kingdom he is to deliver up at the end to God again 1 Cor. 15 24-28 2. His Kingdom now in the Churches is indeed the budding of the Horn of David Psal 132.17 The New Creature is a kind of first fruits of his Creatures according to purpose ordain'd for this New Creation which as the Creature it self so also the Saints having the first fruits of the Spirit groan for Rom. 8.22 23. And even now this true Israel is their Davids Glory the riches of the Glory of his Inheritance Ephes 1.18 And as it begins in Regeneration so it grows up in the World in succeeding Ages till the Kingdomes become Christs Revel 11.15 Dan. 7.27 Revel 20.4 and to be over all the world for a Thousand years But after the end of this World by fire in the first Death and change upon all Creatures As his Kindom to wit on Davids Throne had been sown in this World so it springs up in the World to come in the New heaven and Earth wherein shall dwell-dwell-righteousness 2 Pet. 3.13 And in this World to come is the everlasting Kingdom 2 Pet. 1.11 and the everlasting life Luk. 18 30. Revel 21.1 5. the wicked being Judged and cast into the Lake Rev. 20. end Now whereas his Kingdom is said to be for ever and for ever and ever and everlasting â—â— though those terms in the Old Testament phrase are temporal and but for a set time yet in the New Testament it respects Eternity 2 John 2.1 Thess 4.17 Revel 1.6 Matth. 19.29 So Luke 1.32.33 2 Pet. 1.11 c. Now the present Dispensation of his Kingdom as now upon his Fathers Throne in heaven Revel 3.21 being at last to be delivered up again to God 1 Cor. 15.24 and the Son himself be subject in that respect And yet his Kingdom must be everlasting Therefore it follows That it shall be in the New heavens and Earth Eternally as unto which he was born typically and according to the flesh King of the Jews Matt. 2.2 of the Seed of
humane bodies though glorified more than an immaterial visional glory can be supposed to be VII Argument To prove the Earths duration Eternal as a place of Glory is these Scriptures that appear to assign the Sea's place to be the place of Hell hereafter Revel 21.1 Isai 66.24 compared with Mark 9.43.44 there was no more Sea but there was a new Earth Isai 66. They shall go forth and look upon the Carcases of the men c. for their Worm shall not dye c. Which Christ expounds of Hell fire Mark 9.44 c. Now the Argument is this If they shall go forth to look upon them then they do not come down from Heaven to do it But being upon the Earth going forth so to do is very proper Again Hell is called a Lake Revel 20.10 14 15. Chap. 21.8 So are some Seas now called Luke 5.1 8.22 And though there be many Seas now and many Islands yet great Transformations may pass upon the terrestrial globe by its Conflagration perhaps to the reducing the many Seas into one Tophet and the whole Earth into one intire Continent for the Redeemed to walk there 2 Pet. 3.10 13. So Revel 6 14. When this day of the Lord is presented to us 't is said The heavens departed as a Scroll and every Mountain and Island were moved out of their places Which is called a shaking Hebr. 12.26 27. melting dissolving burning up 2 Pet. 3.10 11. folding up and changing Hebr. 1.12 But none of these express an Annihilation but destroying the form and surface and the works of men on the Earth In order to its passing into a New State when he that sitteth upon the Throne saith behold I make all things new Revel 21.1 5. Object But if the Sea shall be Hell hereafter then there is no Hell now Answer Hell is called a Prison 1 Pet. 3.19 But being they are spirits only that as yet are therein It s a question whether any spacious place be needful thereunto Whether they reside now in the deep or in the air I leave it Only the Damn'd spirits are in Chains of Darkness Jude 6. VIII Argument To prove the Immortality and Eternity of this New State is to consider That nothing but sin brings Destruction And God will free this New State from both the Cause and Effects of Sin and also secure it from both for the future 1. Satan that was the Occasion of the first Sin in the World is before this judged to the Lake Rev. 20.10 14. 2. And there shall be no more Curse Revel 21.3 So that the first Wound by Mans fall is perfectly cured and the Effect thereof is no other than a perfect Restitution 3. Jesus Christ the Lord from Heaven that was to come down thence to help the sinking Earth when it sailed in its head Man in the manifold Wisdom of God did not only make peace for man by the blood of his Cross but also as Angels also had falnâ— from Heaven Reconciled all things in one in himself both things in heaven and things in catth Col. 1.20 Enes 1.10 as hereafter will be manifest Yea the Creature it self to wit the irrational shall be delivered into the glorious liberty of the Children of God Rom. 8.21 So that I say Man and the Creation of God have a Restorer Colos 1.20 but 't is onely thee Elect that shall come to this time the wicked being judged to hell before See the next IX Argument from Ephes 1.14 Vntil the Redemption of the purchased Possession Here it may be Qâ—aeried How Heaven if that were the Possession spoken of can or â—eed be redeemed then It was never under the Curse tho the Earth is and the Creatures subjected in hope to the bondage of Corruption until their deliverance at the manifestation of the Sins of God ver 19 20 21. And therefore the Redemption of the Possession appears to be by way of Deliverance and Restoration as the Resurrection of the Saints Bodies from the dust of Death is called ver 23. the Adoption the Redemption of their Body Christ purchased the Eternal Inheritance and he is the Heir of all things Hebr. 1.2 and the Saints joint heirs with him Rom. 8.17 18 c. And what Inheritance see Rom. 4.13 and page 3. X. Argument That as neither the Soul nor Body of man hath lost any Essential part by the Fall but only depravity and misery in both so no essential powers of Heaven or Earth are lost by the Fall Still the Course of Nature is Lord in the Universe in the Vegetation of Plants Courses of the Luminaries procreation of Animals bounds of the Seas Tides c. Only evil qualities a curse instead of a Blessing And now the promise There shall be no more curse Revel 22.3 will turn the thorn and brier into pleasant plants as the tenour of these Promises in Isai 55.13 Chap. 41.18 19. See page 7. Though they have also a spiritual fulfilling in the New Creature even now yet when the Creation it self as a general good shall be brought forth that will be the absolute and ultimate fulfilling Or else what is the meaning of the Restitution of all things before spoken to p. 3 4. XI Argument To prove the literal and eterral fulfilling the New Heavens and Earth is that utter inconsistency of any other sense to be put upon the words in 2 Pet. 3.13 Rev. 21.1 For 2. Pet. 3.13 Nevertheless we according to his promise look for New Heavens and a New Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness this evidently referrs to that Destruction of this present World by Fire that he was treating of ver 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the night in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great neise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Now if this be a literal visible Destruction and the Apostle comforts himself with a New state upon the loss of the Old as ver 13. Then what more apparent than that the New shall both be after the Old and as visible as the Old had been in the same way and sense And if it be a Visible material New State then it shall not be only fulfilled in a Mystical way in Church and State in this Life Besides after the Old World is destroyed there will be no Church or State in being to receive such a fulfilling And then for Revel 21.1 it also evidently referrs to Revel 20.11 where the visible Earth nd Heaven fled away at Christs Appearing to Judgment and Chap. 11.1 Asserts a new Creation of both in the room thereof And therefore why not taken as visibly as the former OBJECTIONS against the Literal and Eternal fulfilling of the New Heavens and Earth Answered 1st Object 'T is expressly sard of this State Isai 65.17 c. they shall live long and build Houses plant Vineyards c. which plainly belongs to this
5.1 Answ 1. 'T is true that Glory is preparing now in Heaven Joh. 14.2 3. 2. Yet will come down from Heaven at the last Rev. 21.2 11 And to be brought to the Saints from thence 1. Pet. 1.13 Rom. 8.21 both they and the whole Creation groan for the time when they shall receive the Adoption that is the Redemption of their Body from the Grave and the bondage of Corruption c. ver 21 22 23. 3. Yet it is true That Christ and his Saints will be no Forreigners to Heaven also For Christ was the Lord from Heaven at first and since made way into the holiest by his own Blood wherewith he sprinkled the Mercy Seat and that power whereby his Elect shall be caught up into the Air to meet him at his coming can also take them higher into the third Heavens But these things Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard c. But in 2. Pet. 3.13 'T is the New Heavens as well as the New Earth that is there proposed as the Object of Faith and Hope wherein shall dwell Righteousness An APPENDIX touching the Resurrection of the Just and Unjust Acts 24.15 and the Judgment of both In Answer to this Question How it is said the Saints must all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ Rom. 14.10 and give an account every one of himself to God ver 12 and receive according to their Deeds 2 Cor. 5.10 Coloss 3.24.25 and yet it is said That they themselves shall sit upon Thrones judging the World c Mat. 19.28 2 cor 6.2 3. Answer Consider the sixth and seventh Particulars following but Take a Series of particulars according to measure of things to be from Christs appearing unto the Eternal state 1. The Appearing of Christ in the Clouds of Heaven Matth. 24.30 Revel 1.7 2. The Consternation of the wicked great and small at the seeing of h n. Rev 6.14 15 16 17. Matth. 24.30 3. The Voice of Christ Raising the Saints out of their Graves John 5.28 1 Cor. 15.23 this is the first Resurrection the Resurrection of the Just Luke 14.14 the Living Saints to be changed 1 Thess 4.17 4. Christ sending his Angels to Gather them being raised as Matth. 24.31 1 Thess 4.16 17. and the living Saints being changed they are all together caught up to meet the Lord in the air ver 17. 5. The burning up of the World and its works and destroying the ungodly then found alive 2 Pet. 3.10 ver 7. The Righteous being Caught up before as Noah and Lot were taken out of the places to be destroyed Luke 17.27 29. 6. Then the Lord Jesus will Sit upon the Throne of Judgment to judge his people as Psal 50. 1 2 3 4 5 6. that were raised to the Resurrection of Life Act 24.15 Jo. 5.29 all the unjust continuing in their Graves till thâ—s Judgment is over for they shall not stand in this Judgment nor sinners in the Congregation of the righteous Psalm 1.5 But here Christ will take an Account of his Servants And at this time it is the saints shall all stand before his Judgment seat and give their account and receive according But whatever blame may be laid on any in this Judgment their sins will all be blotted out then Acts 3.19 Rom. 8.1 Mal. 3.1 2 3 5 17. Mercy will here rejoyce against judgment Jude 21. 2 Tim. 1.16 18. as in the judgment of the unjust following there shall be judgment without mercy Jam. 2.13 In this Judgment of the just gracious souls will shine wondrously 1 Pet. 1.7 Rom. 2.7 1 Thes 2.19 20. 1 Cor. 4.5 But where fault is found with any of their works c. there will be no Purgatory by being punished for a time from the Lords presence For they must thenceforth be for ever with the Lord 1 Thess 4.18 Tho some may suffer loss 1 Cor. 3.15 trouble 2 Pet. 3.14 shame 1 John 2.28 grief Hebr. 13.17 yet as in this time much more then the saints judging themselves shall not be judged of the Lord as 1 Cor. 11.31 to condemnation Rom. 8.1 After the saints are thus Judged by the Lord Jesus and therein Refined c. Mal. 3.2 3 4 5. 1 Cor. 3.15 then as Malac. 3.5 he will be a swift Witness to judg the wicked c. and in order thereunto 7. He will raise the unjust and all that are Raised now not having part in the first Resurrection of the just will fall under the second Death This being the Resurrection of Damnation Joh. 5.29 And now in this Judgment it is that the saints are to sit on thrones and judge the world and Angels having given their own accounts before upon their first Resurrection and Judgment It appears Matth. 19.28 the Twelve Appostles shall judge the 12 Tribes and also that the saints in all ages judge their respective Persecutors 1 Cor. 6.2 3. See Rev. 2.26 27. Then will be fulfilled that Prophecy of Balaam Num. 24 17.18 I shall behold him but not night there shall come a Star out of Jacob c. and shall smite the Corners of Moab destroy the World and the Wicked by fire and destroy or unwall as Mr. Iessey rendred it from the Hebr. all the children of Seth who was the godly Progenitor in Abels room so that his Children comprize all the saints and refers to the first bodily Resurrection and change that shall pass upon them Ver. 18. And Edom shall be a Possession c. and Israel shall dovaliantly While they are judging their Enemies and Talents unimproved took from the Condemned and given to their Noble Judges that did improve their own 8. After the end of this part of the Judgment also then the saints leaving their Judgment-seats as Christ himself will soon after Deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father then it appears to be he will set the Saints the Sheep on his right hand and the Goats on the left and pronounce the final Sentences severally upon them as Math. 25.31 32 33 c. 9. And now all being subdued unto him he will Deliver up the Kingdom to God that put all things under him That God may be all in all 1 Cor. 15.24.28 10. Finally Rev. 21.5 He that sate upon the Thrones said Behold I make all things new to wit a new Heaven and a new Earth for the first were passed away vers 1. And as it was said of the Earth of old he Created it not in vain he formed it to be inhabited Isa 45.18 so being now thus New Created it is not to be destroyed but made a glorious City of Habitation and the place of that Kingdom which is not of this World That is as to his Personal presence in that absolute Glory of Perfection that will be worthy his Divine Majesty Who now dwells in that Light that is unapproachable 1 Tim. 6.16 One OBJECTION from these 2 last particulars viz. If God will be all in all upon Christs delivering up the Kingdom Then Christ hath no
David and as heir apparent to sit upon his Throne Luke 1.32.33 And as he is Seed of David in point of Kingly Right so also the Seed of Abraham to whom in a special manner the Promises of Inheritance were made Which induces the III. Argument Abraham and his Seed are to be heirs of the World Rom. 4.13 Whereas it is said These all died in Faith not having received the Promises c. Hebr. 11.13 Acts 7.5 Inever read that Heaven without the Earth is called the World Only they are not to Inherit the world that now is that is reserved unto fire 2 Pet. 3.7 but the world to come Luke 20.35 36. in the renewed State Hebr. 2.5 Wherein they shall reign upon the Earth Rev 5.10 For before the Resurrection and day of Judgment there is no time imaginable wherein they could be heirs of the world for they are with the Lord in Glory till then And After the Resurrection of the Just follows the burning up of this World and the Works thereof 2 Pet. 3.10 So that No other World remains to the blessed Seed for an Inheritance but that of New heavens and earth after the end of all things in this world Rev. 21.1 2 Pet. 3.13 IV. Argument We read Hebr. 2 5 of a World to come wherein Christ is to have all in subjection under him ver 8. Ephes 1.20.21 As to which observe 1. That That World is alotted to the time at and after the Resurrection Luke 20.35 36. in a State of perfect Glory called that World 2. Hebr. 2. Speaks of the Dominion in the World to come as accrewing to Jesus Christ by reason of his humane Nature as recovering what was lost in the first Adam being head over all things to the Church both in heaven above and earth beneath Phil. 2.10 both in this World and that to come Ephes 1.21 22. 3. Hebr. 2. Speaks of Mans possession by Creation Which is the Earth and visible Heaven Onely upon occasion of Mans fall the Lord from Heaven acquaints us with That Glory also Yet notwithstanding the heavenly Glory of Christ he descends to a state lower than the Angels put himself into the Case and Place of Gods Elect took the seed of Abraham on him Hebr. 2.16 and so became heir as before and purchased the possession that had been sold under the Curse Ephes 1.18 Revel 21.3 4. Hebr. 2.8 'T is said We see not yet all things put under him But in Heaven he has all in perfect Subjection from the very first Therefore it must be on Earth V. Argument Acts 3.21 The Restitution of all things Which must respect the Visible things of the Creation Spoken of Rom 8.19 20 21 22. which the Apostle calls the Glory that was to be reavealed in the Saints then alive and therefore not to be till the Resurrection of their bodies according to vers 23. waiting for the Adoption to wit the Redemption of our bodies Phil. 3.21 This Restitution will be such as was made under the Law to wit A Fifth part added to the principal Exod. 22.3 4. Levit. 6.4 5. So in this No Sun Moon or Stars in their Courses for there is no night there Rev. 21.23 25. and no Temple ver 22. But an infinite Glory supplies the place of both And here I conceive will be the ultimate fulfilling that saying Cant. 2.17 c. till the shadows flee away c. Whereas now the Lights of this World being finite and remote from us do necessarily cast a Shadow by the Substantial form they shine upon So is it Light on the one side but dark on the other And so in the Absence of the sun the shadows of the Evening draw upon the Earth But when the Light shall be omnipresent there shall be no Shadows any more No night there Revel 21.25 Again though the Thousand years Reign admits of a good Degree of this glory of the Restitution yet the time of the Restitution of all things is expressly reserved to the Revelation of Jesus Christ from heaven Acts 3.21 and then to be fulfilled which if he comes not to restore he comes to Destroy 2 Pet. 3.10 But he will Restore after he hath Destroyed vers 13. Revel 21.1 VI. Argument From John 1. last Verily verily I say unto you hereafter ye shall see heaven open and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man Observe that the word is open and notes a state of Continuance and nor opened as it was opened to Stephen for a moment Acts 7.56 And to Peter in a Trance Chap. 10.11 The words allude to Jacobs Dream Gen. 28. and imports a transcendant union to be between Heaven and Earth through the riches of the Grace of Christ and by the Recourses of Angels By the Manhood of Christ fallen man is dignified to a fellowship and equallity with Angels Luke 20.35 36. and shall be also Restored to his created possession the Earth The Angels of God ascending and descending c. This cannot be before but in the new Heaven and Earth after ther day of Judgment For first Christ appears then the Tribes mourn at the sight of him then the dead are raised then the living Saints are Changed then all of them caught up to the Lord in the air then the Earth to be burnt up c. then begins the Judgment Now in any time before the Judgment what Ascending or Descending of the Angels as in a fixed state for the Dead Saints are raised by a Word quickly John 5 28. and the living Saints changed in the â—â—inkling of an Eye 1 Corâ— 5.52 And in the Judgment it self the Angels seem otherwise disposed as being present Auâ—iâ—oâ—s of Christs owning and disowning persons Mark 8.38 Revel 3.5 and at last bundling the Tures and casting them to the fire Matth. 13.30 40 41 42. And therefore it must be after the Judgment that the Angels will so ascend and descend And this the Lord Jesus proposeth to them as the consummation of the Mystery of Divine Counsel at the end of time and that the Design of God in particular lay upon this to restore the Earth as being indeed great things John 1.50.51 We ought not as not too carnally to think hereof so neither to think the things themselves are carnal Christ himself put a greater Marvel upon the Resurrection of bodies John 5 28 than that of Regeneration by Faith ver 25. And so John 1. the two last verses Again The Gospel that brings life and immortality to Light exhibits the Eternal Glory in the nature of man in Jesus Christ as the Saviour and Object of Worship Whereas the invisible God in the Old Testament was adored but we do not blame Thomat for saying to Christ my Lord and my God Neither think it carnal because the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily in him So the Lord glorifying the Earth as the place of his fect Isai 60.13 it appears to me that it will be accommodate and adapt to
Life Luke 20.35 36. Andse Revel 21.24 26. and Chap. 22.2 Expressions that must be fulfilled while the Regenerate converse with the Vnregenerate that is before the day of Judgment Answ 1. It is usual in the Old Testament to set out Spiritual Glories by carnal things and it may be question'd whether such Expressions in Isai 65.17 c. may not be so taken 2. But admit they be taken litterally then indeed it is granted that they do belong to the Life that now is 3. I do assert that the same Scripture prophecys may possibly nay commonly have diverse times and ways of Fulfilling and yet one ultimate fulfilling in a most eminent manner As those before Isa 41.19 Isa 55.13 And I will plant in the wilderness the Cedar c. In stead of the Thorn shall come up the Firr-tree c. Which are blessed Prornises of Gospel Grace now in the midst of Babylons Captivity And so those of the Amity among the wild Beasts Isa 11.6 c. Isa 65.25 which in Gospel times may hold forth blessed Grace given to brutish feirce men that when the Saints find favour in the Eyes of the Lord are made sweetly to live in peace together and yet all short of the litteral and principal fulfilling as the gleanings are of the Harvest when the poor-Earth shall spring up in the Glory of blessing and the Beasts iustead of terror to be not only peaceable but to become Rays of their Creators Glory and Majesty in the Restitution of all things as before So in a word I take the New Heavens and Earth in Isa 65. c. to be in a civil and Ecclesiastical Sense and to be fulfilled in a figurative sense in this â—ife But the New Heavens and Earth in 2. Pet. 3.13 and Rev. 21.1 to be also properly and litterally fulfilled and that after the Old Heavens and Earth is destroyed by Fire as before when there will be no place left for any other fulfilling So Christs last Appearing will Metaphorically be fulfilled before the 7th Seal Rev. 6.14 And to this that Prophecies have diverse and succinct fulfillings let me add that I understand that of the first Resurrection Rev. 20.5.6 which though a reality in it self yet there to be in expression figurative and in allusion to the Resurrecton of the just before that if the unjust Acts 24.15 For the Resurrection to the 1000 years is not the bodily Resurrection because the 1000 years is before Christs coming to raise the Saints But as at the Resurreation of the just at the last day the Saints and none but they shall be raised first So in Revel 20.4 None but the faithful then living shall be spiritually Reviv'd to reign with Christ spiritually a Thousand years and the rest of the Dead lived not again till afterwards v. 5. And this first Resurrection was so discriminating that â—n such the second death had no Power ver 6. And so I take the Reign it self in the 1000 years tho its said Christ reigned with them yet not in person but in spiritual Glory and I conceive in a way of Prediction of that absolute Persection of his Dominion that would soon succeed after the 1000 years upon the Destruction and Judgment of this World And because the Opening this matter of the 1000 Years will be a Portal to all that shall succeed and clear up the Demonstration thereof I shall briefly lay down some Demonstrations that do Evince this for a Truth that the 1000 years Reign of the Saints with Christ will be before and so without his personal presence on the Earth 1. Demonstration The Thousand years is set forth in Scripture and so generally understood to be a time of Peace plenty liberty and rejoycing of the whole Earth But when Christ comes in Person it produces a universal Destruction and Astonishment to the World Revel 6.15 every bondman and every freeman crying to the Rocks c. so Rev. 1.7 Matth. 24.30 2. Demonstration When Christ comes all the dead Saiuts are raised and the living saints changed and all together caught up to meet the Lord in the Air and so to be for ever with the Lord 1 Thess 4.17 18. So that from that time they could no more converse with the unconverted of this World as the Thousand years requires See Luke 20 35 36. 3. ' Demonstration When Christ comes he comes in flaming fire taking Vengeance on them that know not God c. 2 Thess 1.7 8. Jude 14 15. And then also the world and the works that are therein shall be burnt up 2 Pet. 3.10 Now all these persons and things being destroyed at that day if this were at the beginning of the Thousand years where were the reign for a 1000 years after of the Saints over the World in converse with the unregenerate Therefore Christs Coming is after the 1000 years 4. Demonstration Upon Christs coming and raising the Saints c. then follows the Day of Judgment 2 Tim. 4.1 Which is clearly set down in the order of things to follow the thousand years Revel 20.11 to the end See pag. 9 10. So that Christs coming to Judgment cannot be but after the 1000 years 5. Demonstration Ps 110.1 Act. 3.21 Christ is to remain at Gods right hand till his Enemys be made his footstool But after the thousand years Gog and Magog assault the Saints Revel 20.8.9 therefore he came not a thousand years before while that Enemy was unsubdued 6. Demonstration Neither is God his last Enemy but Death is so called 1. Cor. 15 26. Therefore Christs coming is not till he comes to swallow up Death in Victory ver 54. in the Resurrection of the Saints See above 4. Answer to the Objection that Rev. 21.24 26. and Ch. 22.2 relate to a Temporal fulfilling in this World 'T is granted but yet conceived that the ultimate import of the Vision of New Jerusalem is finally reduceable to the Eternal State and that on Earth but as was asserted before Prophecies have diverse fulfillings so to that mistical sense of New Heavens and Earth in the purity c. of Church and State must those Verses in the Objection be reterted as inteâ—â—exed â—n general as to a glorious state of the Saints but properly belonging to the time of the Thousand years For the Saints Interest is called the beloved City then Chap. 20.9 And in this Eternal state called the great Citty Cap. 21.10 c. But still upon Earth to which she came down from Heaven ver 2. and we read not of her ever going up again Thus in these deep Mysteryes it pleases the Revealer of them to lay them down in words and methods hard to be understood 2. Pet. 3.16 And no wonder if the Prophets them selves were to seek what and what manner of times the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify 1. Pet. 1.10 11. 1. Cor. 13.9 II. Object The Eternal Inheritance is said to be in Heaven c. Colos 1.5 Luke 12.33 2. Cor
more a Kingdom forever Answ This is a mistake of 1 Cor. 15.24.28 which must be understood of the Kingdom as now it is with respect to the present Dispensation and to confirm this Let me Declare a Mystery Which is this upon Mans Fall the Enemies of God increasing Christ as Mediator who was with Moses and the Church of old Heb. 11.26 1 Cor. 10.4 was set up and ruled invisibly over all the World but when he was by his Resurrection declared to be the Son of God with Power and all Power then given him Math. 28.18 When he Ascended and God set him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places Ephes 1.20 It was upon this Account till he makes his Enemies his Footstool So that its clear the whole Reign of Christ now upon his Fathers Throne Rev. 3.21 from his first being sat down thereon till he comes from Heaven is a Subduing Kingdom Only a 1000 years Triumph and then the Enemies break forth again And that by God himself in Honour of his Son Which Honour doubtless is not to be less when all is actually and compleatly subdued to him for that were to lose the end of God in making his Foes his Footstool Only as he owned here on Earth My Father is greater than I John 14.28 So all being subdued to him and he being Man as well as God must still continue under that consideration his inferiority to the Father who is the head of Christ 1 Cor. 11.3 by becoming Subject that God may be all in all Which is very confistent with his retaining the Glory of his Everlasting Kingdom among the Sanctified Sons of Men. Enemies being subdued there needs no further subbduing power or the subduing Kingdom Thus God brings Good out of Evil Israel sinned in dâ—siring a King but David and other Kings were Biessings to them and Types of this Eternal King For the Restitution as pag. 3. will be augmentative by the Experience of fallen man restored and by the Glory of the Lord from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.44.47.48 And so the Eternal Glory is expressly called a Kingdom What did man in innocency know what Kingdom meant c. But all things according to the purpose of God before time Ephes 1.11 The Conclusion 1. THat no unsanctified Spirits may trouble themselves herewith Psal 50.16 unless they truly resolve to turn God 2. And that none that do belong to God would be discouraged if after refreshing hereby they should find Deadness and Darkness in these things which is no strange thing nor the Truth ever the worse the Author is not quite ignorant of his Devices 2 Car 2.11 and lest such should faint under such Trials let them consider Colos 3.3.4 1 Joh. 3.2 3. If the World so renewed shall be the Saints Let them take the Council of Joseph to Jacob Gen. 46.20 Also regard not your Stuff for the good of all the Land of Egypt is yours Be content in the Faith of this with Food and Rayment 1 Tim. 6.8 Tho like Abraham you have not yet one Foot of Inheritance in the Land of Promise Act. 7.5 Tho Strangers now yet we should look upon the Earth with comfort as our proper Possession hereafter to be Redeemed Eph. 1.14 Rom. 8.20 4. Lay up a good Foundation against this time to come 1 Tim 6.19 i. e. by doing good to others See Math. 25.34.35 Luk. 14.14 Ephes 6.8 The Reward tho not for the good Deed yet will be proportionable to the works of Vertue and Charity see 2 Cor. 9.6 Ten Talents improved redounds to Ten Cities Five Talents to five Cities Luk. 19.17.19 Except what great grace in any will multiply their little as Mark 12.42 43. God is a free Agent and also Just I say there will be Dominion in the World to come Ease what means the Crowns promised 2 Tim. 4.8 1 Cor. 9.25 and a Kingdom Luk. 22.29 And if every Saint shall Reign in Glory much more the King of Saints notwithstanding his delivering up the Kingdom to God and becoming Subject c. which therefore must be understood of his delivering up his Commission to him that had put all things under him That the Humane Nature of Christ as becometh the Creature all the great Works of the Mediator being finishee may acquiess in acknowledging the Superiority of the Divine being Yet shining Gloricusly through God in the Glory of the Mediatorship accomplished in the Love and Glory of the Saints and in all peace and absolute perfection in the Glory of being King in and amongst them and they in him 5. I would have none Oppose themselves in this Doctrine of the New World to think that Heaven is excluded see pag. 9. Heaven will be more appropriate to Man by Christ than it could have been by the first Man Adam 1 Cor. 15.47.50 But as Heaven is superadded so the Earth shall be Restored and therefore the New Heavens and New Earth are very consistent A Confirmation of the Earths Eternal Duration in the State of Eternal Glory 1. THE Body of Man is made of the Dust of the Ground yet made Immortal by putting on Immortality 1 Cor. 15.54 So may the Earth be Eternized by Christ for the Glory and Good of Man 2. He that will restore it from under the Curse can perpetuate that restored State Rev. 22.3 3. God that made it of nothing can much more uphold it forever being made 4. Though the Earth be a material gross body yet the Foundations of it are unsearchable and Divine Job 38.6 yea it hangs upon nothing chap. 26.7 the principle of Nature is confounded here by that adequate poize of this Terrene Globe so that by Divine Artifice it is said to be so laid on the Foundations as not to be removed forever Psal 104.5 And I refer it to consideration whether these be not the Foundations in Heb. 11.10 at least by way of Allusion When all Humane works will turn over to the Foundations in the day of the Lord 2 Pet. 3.10 But the World to come after that is for the Children of the Resurrection Luke 20.35 36. 5. And whereas some say the Earth will be turned into its first Chaos and be a place of Torment yet how would that suit the Notion of a Lake as Hell is called pag. 5. Besides this very Tenet grants the thing For if it be a place of Torment forever then it shall abide forever and that same Divine power that might uphold it as a place of Fire and â—oâ—â—ent can much more preserve it in its Verdure and Glory as a place of Divine Presence Happiness and Glory to the Heirs of Glory FINIS