whole heaven shall be given to the Saints of the most high Our Lord Christ will be then the greatest monarch that ever was on earth 1. Tim. 6. 25. he will be the only potentate the king of kings and Lord of Lords he will be far advanced in power and dignitie beyond and above all principalities and powers and might and dominion and every name of power and dignitie by which the potentates of this world are named that is named in this world and that which is to come far above them all will the Lord Christ be then it will be happy for the Saints then for he is their head and they shall share with him therein they shall reign on earth when he reigneth he will deligate power to them they shall be invested with great authority and shall reign with him on earth He will give power to the faithfull improvers of their trust Luk. 19. 17. 19. to one to be ruler over ten Cityes and to another to be ruler over five Cityes And in like manner it is likely to others to be over nations and countryes according to that Psal 45. 16. thou shalt have children whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth Like to be fully fulfilled and made good then and as it followeth vers 17. I will make thy name to be remembred in all generations therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever the promise to the overcomers in the Church of Thyatira speaks forth much and comports with the psalmist before Rev. 2. 26. 27. he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations and he shall rule them with a rod of Iron c. even as I received of my father to wit power to do it Those alive and believing at the coming of the Lord Christ then changed in a moment will be such overcomers and keepers of his works to the end in an eminent wise and haply may have that power given to them then together with all other overcomers that had been dead before to that time then raised Holy Paul saith 2. Tim. 2. 12. if we suffer we shall also reign with him and saith it is a faithfull saying as it is a blessed word and comfortable Rom. 8. 17. if so be we suffer with him we may be also glorified together The world to come it will not be under the subjection and rule of Angels Heb. 2. 5. he hath not put in subjection unto the Angels the world to come of which we speak haply this present world is so under them but that to come shall not but it will be under the Lord Christ and the Saints they will be made unto God kings and priests and shall reign on the earth at that happy day in the new earth when our Lord is come they shall have full power and reign Jude speaketh of the Lord Christ his coming with ten thousand of his Saints to execute judgement on ungodly sinners whose day will be over then like unto rich Dives Lazarus day will take place then the righteous will have the day then and the preheminence Rev. 20. 4. the martyrs for Christs sake it is said of them by way of eminence as to rule and gevernment above the rest of the dead Saints then also raised and reigning They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years And again vers 6. it is said of all the raised Saints compared with other Scriptures including the changed at that time they shall be Priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years And we may believe it for these sayings are no fables or insignificant expressions Whither they be believed or no they will be found to be the true sayings of almighty God and shall with the rest of the Prophecyes and sayings concerning good things to come for the righteous be made good and fulfilled to the full whatever fulfilling in a degree they may have had before This also held forth is submitted to the consideration of the wise in heart A Post-script or an Appendix to the whole THere are many great Prophecyes and sayings in the holy Scriptures of the old and new testament that hold forth very great good things and a very blessed and happy time the righteous shall have and enjoy and be made partakers of hereafter when the Lord Christ shall come and his reward with him when the refreshing from the presence of the Lord and the restoration of all things shall take place which are recorded to encourage the servants of God to believe and hope and wait patiently for the appointed time There are very high attestations recorded in the holy Scriptures of the sureness and certainty of them which we shall a little enquire into and set down for encouragement to believe hope on and wait patiently for the great grace and blessed good things that shall be brought unto us and we shall enjoy at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1. Pet. 1. 13. I should tire the reader and as it were hold a candle to the sun to go about to set down what might be gathered out of the holy Scriptures this way two or three places we shall venture to propose and set down and leave the rest In Isa 51. likewise Isa 54. we may see how God himself asserts his faithfullness in his word and promises of good to his people as sure as the waters of Noah the floud that drowned the old world but shall no more do it so sure will he perform his promises of good things to his people As sure as he divided the sea and made it a way for the redeemed to passe over see the places In Jer. 31. 35. 36. 37. See how the Lord setteth forth himself by his greatness in the great works he hath done of old and upholding of them by his mighty power the ordinances of heaven and the foundations of the earth that cannot be measured or searched out so will he be in his word and promises to the seed of Israel his people see the place And consider what the prophet Micha sayth Mich. 7. 20. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the dayes of old The words of prophecy contained in the holy scriptures they are very sure very stable setled in heaven confirmed by the promise and oath of almighty God it is impossible for him to lye or fail our Lord Christ hath given a high testimony Math. 24. 35. Heaven and earth shall passe away but my words shall not passe away Hath he spoken and shall he not do it hath he promised and shall he not perform it he hath highly engaged himself therein he is faithful he is able he will make it good and perform it There is nothing hard for him he is mighty in power and wonderful in working What he hath declared by his servants the prophets there shall nothing fail thereof but
GOOD THINGS TO COME OR A Setting forth some of the Great Things that will Contemporize and take place when our Lord Christ shall come again mentioned in the holy Scriptures I. As the resurrection and raising of the dead to live again with the order of it II. The reign of our Lord Christ here on earth and for how long namely till he hath subjected all his enemies and put them under his feet III. The resigning and delivering up the kingdom by the Lord Christ unto the father of whom he received it IV. Of God the Father then becoming all in all in Dominion power and rule the great Omega V. Of the kingdome of the father Succeeding that surrender and giving up by the Lord Christ and something the holy Scriptures intimate concerning the same with sundry other things treated of by way of essay from 1 Cor. 15. The Second Part. Containing the proposing of that great Mystery shewed by holy Paul 1. Cor. 15. 53. That the Saints then alive shall not die but be changed with something concerning the Restoration and world to come and New Earth which at the coming again of our Lord will take place By P. G. B 1 Cor. 2. 9. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him Joh. 16. 22. But I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man taketh from you 1 Thess 5. 21. Prove all things hold fast that which is good LONDON Printed in the Year 1675. To the READER HEre is offered to thy view and consideration some of those great good things to come which will take place at the coming of the Lord Christ in power and great glory the certaintie of them is great the faithfulness of God is engaged to make them good and his power none can question for encouragement to hope and wait patiently until the appointed time come of their fulfilling they were collected together and set forth also and likewise that the further knowledge and understanding of them might take place and the vails removed that hinders the breaking forth of the light thereof The time hasteneth the day draweth nigh some further light would be very comfortable to the blessed expectances of his coming It is expected that the making of it publike will be differently resented some it may be will dislike it or something in it as fabulous some haply will decry it as holding forth something erroneous some that those things are not so necessary for these times others it is likely may be well pleased and glad of them and being such things as they have not thought of will consider soberly of them and it may be some fruit may follow for the further advancing the knowledge of the coming of the Lord Christ and his kingdom and all those great things spoken of in the scriptures of truth that shall come and take place at that happy day Though there seems much in the spirits of some against it yet notwithstanding the further knowledge of these things gets ground and is much on the spirits and hearts of many of the good servants of God and lovers of the Lord Jesus whom nothing pleaseth more and maketh their hearts glad and joyful then to hear of the coming of their dear saviour again and it is likely it will be so more and more as the day thereof draweth nigh something of the good spirits of God in the bride will cause this desire and cause it to grow higher and higher the spirit and the bride will say come oh come Lord Jesus come quickly this matter was much on the spirits of the blessed servants of God of old as the Apostle Peter tells us in 1. Pet. 1. 10. 11. who comprehensively speaking of the great salvation not only in the beginnings but also in the full and final compleating of it sayth Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently c. Searching what or what manner of time c. They searched what about the sufferings and glory and what manner of time 1st In regard of his coming in the state of humiliation to suffer And 2ly His coming in glory to reign the spirit of Christ in them did signifie declare and show aforehand the sufferings of the Lord Christ which they also declared afore hand and they came all to passe and the glory that should follow after which is yet to come and looked for by the servants of God and shall be made good as the others were when our Lord shall come in the glory of his father and of all the holy Angels And as the prophets of God in the old testament and the Apostle Peter since in the new as in the last mentioned scripture and in Acts 3. 18. to 21. 1 Pet. 4. 13. chap. 5. 4. 2. 13. 14. have spoken of and looked for his great salvation so the Apostle Paul and John have therein likewise told of the great things that will attend and take place at the time of that glorious coming of our Lord when he appeareth we also shall appear with him in glory Col. 3. 4. Be like him and see him as he is John 3. 2. shall not only behold his glory and admire him but be also glorifyed and admired in them 2 The. 1. 10. shall be ever with him 1 The. 4. 17. His tabernanacle with them and he dwelling amongst them they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God Rev. 21. 3. And being made kings and Preists unto God by Christ shall reign with him upon the earth Rev. 5. 10. Rev. 20. 4. 5. 6. The blessed Restoration or restitution of all things a new heaven and a new earth very heavenly and all things made new Acts. 3. 19. 20. 21. Rev. 21. 1. 5. True and faithful sayings in the general or for the matter of them foretold and confirmed by our Lord himself before his death as in several places in the four Evangelists and also more particularly and plainly since his resurrection and ascention as in this book of the Revelation which is his Rev. 1. 1. and given him by God the father to communicate to his servants for their joy and comfort likewise then and there that blessed potentate king of kings and Lord of Lords the Lord Jesus shall reign gloriously and the kingdom and dominion and greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall come into the hands of the saints of the most high God as Daniel hath foretold Dan. 7. 27. Dan. 2. 44. also Christ himself and John as is before mentioned In the world to come after the burning and destroying of this 2. Pet. 3. 7. to 13. will this it is very likely take place when the righteous will flourish indeed and be happy as now they may comfortably rejoyce in hope of the glory of God for then there will be no more curse neither in respect
his right hand This is done by the Lord Christ he reigning on earth and being come the second time unto the earth and having taken to himself his great power and reign Rev. 11. 17. And he must reign till his enemies be made his footstool That 's but enemies in a general way of expression and may refer to and be meant only of some enemies but this here is of all enemies even the last even death it self That of the 110. Psalm seemeth to be an investing of the Lord Christ with power and a deligating to him soveraigntie or rule over all things in heaven and earth as it is said 1 Pet. 3. 22. Angels authorities and powers being made subject unto him But this of the Apostle here is of acting and exercising that power and putting it in execution putting down and under him all rule authoritie and power and his enemies under his feet actually Lastly That in the 110 Psalm so often mentioned in the holy scriptures is of a prophetical promisary nature and was made good unto our Lord Christ by God the father when he had performed his so low humiliation then and therefore God hath highly exalted him and given him a name above every name Phil. 2. 9 10 11. That at the name to wit the soveraigntie and power of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of God the father that so highly exalted Jesus our Lord. He is exalted far above all principallitie and power and might and dominion and every name that is named to wit of dignity honor and power he hath a name above all whether in this world or that which is to come and hath put all things under his feet c. Ephes. 1. 21. 22. God the father hath advanced our Lord Jesus above them all and put all things under his feet Our Lord Christ he is above above them all higher and greater and over them all And they all below and under his feet the Apostle Peter sayth he is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3. 22. So as upon the whole to say no more there is no need of our Lord his stay in heaven upon that account his enemies not being made his footstool and subjected under him that being done already he need not stay but to the appointed time As in the appointed time or the fullness of time Gal. 4. 4. he came before in the state of humiliation so he will in the appointed time come the second time in power and great glory then he will take unto him his great power and rule in the middest of his enemies when he taketh to him his great power and reign then all nations shall serve and obey him and all kings shall fall down before him Psalm 72. 11. And his kingdom and reign shall be outward and visible on earth as his converse and humiliation was in the days of his being here on earth when he shall come the second time in power and great glory The holy Apostle seemeth fully to speak unto that before declared Heb. 2. 8. Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet for in that he put all things under him he left nothing that is not put in subjection under him c. And this according to his soveraignty and greatness of power so he is highly advanced over all But according to his dominion kingdom and reign he hath not entred upon it yet he hath not yet taken unto him his great power he hath not yet subjected and put down all rule authority and power as the Apostle tells us and we may say as he said we see not yet all things put under him When he comes he must reign till he hath put them under his feet even death that great and last enemie to be destroyed as then when the Apostle did write he did not then see all things subdued under him so now we may say the great and opposite powers and rulers they remain in dignity and power The Ethnick and Infidell Monarchs and Potentates the Mahumetans the antichristians do yet keep up their authoritie with other enemies not a few And sin and the last enemy death all these remaining doth speak out this fully we see not yet all things put under him the Lord Christ Though we see the Lord Christ that was made low by the suffering of death highly advanced and crowned with honour and glory in which the promise Psalm 110. which is prophetical is fully made good by the father and as before was said is no lett of his coming the second time till his enemies be made his footstool first So as that untill Psalm 110. and the rest differ from this untill the one relating to the time of his taking upon him his great power and reign as a mighty monarch here on earth unto whom all shall stoop serve and obey and till then he must reign even till death it self the last enemy be conquered subdued and destroyed by him that mighty conquerer that shall cause death to be swallowed up in victory vers 54. that triumphing may be made O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory vers 55. and thanks given to God for the same vers 57. thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ that great and mighty conqueror Further there will be enemies in the time of Christ our Lord his reign on earth which he must subdue and put down all rule authority and power wherein there is enmity gog and magog with all their confederates and company whose numbers will be as the sand of the sea Rev. 20. 8. and these enemies must by him be all destroyed before the end of Christ our Lord his kingdom and reign for that death also that last enemy must likewise be destroyed as it is written Rev. 20. 14. and death and hell or the grave were cast into the lake of fire gog and magog and all other enemies must be first destroyed for that the last enemy that is to be destroyed is death Vers. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death of death being the last enemy somthing hath by occasion been often said it shall therefore be waved here but death as an enemy we shall minde a little Death it is an old and common enemie an enemie to all the sons of Adam an enemy to the Lord Christ himself an enemy to those that are Christs to the promised seed few have escaped him death as an enemy it seized on the Lord Christ and had power over him but could not keep it for it was not possible that he should be holden of it Acts. 2. 24. He tryumphed over it on the Cross and by death overcame him that had the power of death
Heb. 2. 14. Enemies there will be in the time of the reign of our Lord Christ to be put down and to be destroyed by him but the last enemie to be destroyed will be death Rev. 20. 14. it is said death hell or the grave were cast into the lake of fire and then presently followeth the end of Christ his kingdom and reign here on earth and a delivering up all to God the father Vers. 27. For he hath put all things under his feet he to wit God the father hath so put all things under the feet of our Lord Christ He hath highly advanced him over all far above all principalities and powers and mights and dominions and every name that is named to wit of power and dignities all God the father put under the feet of Christ as before is more largly held forth But here the Apostle comes in with a caution or reserve for God the father in putting all things under him namely the son he did not subject or put under himself there 's an exception in that there 's a but there so saith the Apostle in the words that follow but when he saith all things are put under him it is manifest he is excepted he is not meant or intended he is not comprehended in this all things but the contrary God that put all things under it is manifest he is excepted so the Apostle that did put all things under him the sum of all seemeth to be this that God the father in the high advance of the Lord Christ did not subject or make lower himself for saith the Apostle it is manifest he is excepted Vers. 28. He goeth on further saying and when all things shall be subdued unto him by the way the words subduing subjecting putting under putting under feet are all of like import and tendenoy when the Lord Christ in the time of his reign hath subdued and actually put down all authority and power when all enemies are put under his feet and the last enemy death destroyed for till then he must reign then shall the son himself be subject unto him namely the father that put all things under him that God may be all in all When the Lord Christ that great and mighty monarch king of kings and Lord of Lords shall have finished his reign and done what he had to do here on earth then shall he deliver up the kingdom to the father of whom he did receive it God the father that so highly advanced him and put all things under him shall have all surrendred and delivered up to him and be all in all An end a final end of that happy kingdom of our Lord Christ here on earth and of our living and reigning with him therein a 1000 years and all the time of the last Session of judgment following the same which is the last and most glorious administration of his kingdom and as worthy Mr. Archer apprehends will last neer a thousand years more which I leave to the day to declare all which is comprehended in Christ's and the Saints reigning together therein though not so particularly expressed and also a mentioning of one to succeed to wit the kingdom of the father Of which something after These being very high and great misteries CHAP. IV. Containing something of the beginning and end of Christ our Lord his kingdom and of such things as will be at the beginning and end of the same TO dilate a little concerning the beginning and end of the kingdom of our Lord Christ so often mentioned to be a thousand years the beginning and end have a medium or middle time to make up the whole so as to suppose if a hundred or if fifty years be reckoned to the beginning in a general way and a like number to the end then the middle or body of the time will be eight or nine hundred years the Apostle speaketh of the beginning at our Lord Christ his coming when will be also the resurrection of the just mentioned Luk. 14. 14. he mentions the end when the Lord hath reigned his time and done or finished his reign what he had to do therein and had received that honour he was to have done him on earth he saith then cometh the end but he speaks little expresly touching the middle time and what shall be done therein only inclusively he saith he must reign till the end untill he hath put down all rule authority and power till his enemies be made his footstool and death the last enemy destroyed But as to the Beginning and likewise as to the end he speaketh of very high and great things that will fall in with and be done in both the one and the other of which we shall dilate a little and first of the things that concur with the beginning First then will be the coming of the Lord Christ in the glory of his father and of all the holy Angells Math. 25. 31. then when he appeareth we shall appear with him in glory Col. 3. 4. When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory then will he fit on the throne of his glory and before him will both the good and the bad the saved and the unsaved nations that are then living be gathered the righteous will have the preheminence then they will be set on the right hand vers 33. then will be the resurrection of the just Luk. 14. 14. to live again and to reign with the Lord Christ a thousand years upon the earth Rev. 20. 4. Rev. 5. 10. no mention is made of the wicked dead rising at that time then will be the redemption of the body and an entertaining again of the soul or spirit Rom. 8. 23. A great thing a high misterie then will actually be made good that great misterie the holy Apostle hath told us of vers 5. We shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye and be caught up with the raised saints to meet the Lord Christ together 1 Thes. 14. 17. Then will be the time of our being unclothed and clothed upon when corruption shall put on incorruption and mortallitie put on immortalitie 2. Cor. 5. 4. 1 Cor. 15. 53. Then shall be the refreshing from the presence of the Lord and the restitution or restoration of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began Acts. 3. 19. 20 21. Then shall the new heavens and the new earth wherein righteousness will dwell take place according to the promise of God the father 2. Pet. 3. 13. Then will the new Jerusalem come down from heaven and the bride the lambs wife be richly adorned and exceeding glorious Then will be also the mariage supper of the lamb Rev. 21. 2. 10. Then shall all things be made new as at the beginning For these sayings are faithful and true Rev. 22. 6. then God shall wipe
we reade again in the 14th chapter vers 1. And I looked and lo a lamb to wit the Lord Christ stood on the mount Sion whether the redeemer will come and with him an hundred fourty and four thousand having his fathers name written in their foreheads By the way we may take knowledge that sealing on the forehead and writing on the forehead and marking on the foreheads are one and the same Vers. 2. and I heard a voice from heaven for the company were on earth much joy and gladnes manifested by them for vers 3. They sang as it were a new song before the throne and before the four Beasts or living creatures and the elders in that great assembly of the one hundred fourty and four thousand so sealed and having the fathers name written in their foreheads Further which were redeemed from the earth being found alive at the coming of the Lord Christ according to the mistery shewed by holy Paul It is not sayd out of their graves but from the earth where the burning was as to that of coming forth of the grave see that of our Lord Joh. 5. 28. 29. All that are in the graves shall come forth The song that they sung none could learn but they and haply such as they were The cause or reason why they could not I shall forbear by way of assay to shew it is sayd none could learn that song haply not so as to expresse it not so as to understand it or sing it it being a peculiar like the white stone with the new name in it which none knows but they that have it it being a peculiar to himself that hath it Rev. 2. 17. In vers 4. There is a description of them they are such as were not defiled with women the corruption that came by Eve and all her daughters they were rid of and freed from having put off corruption They are said to be virgins in a pure virgin state And they are such as attend the lamb and follow him whithersoever he goeth As in his providences keeping faithful to him and his truths before so when he is come down among men on earth the second time in power and great glory Further it is said these were redeemed from among men As from the fear and favour of men before so hapily at the burning being marked or sealed for preservation taken one of two in the field at the mill women as well as men and in the bed as is said one shall be taken and the other left being it may be sealed or marked in the foreheads before a very great thing And they are said to be the first-fruits to God and to the lamb the first-fruits to God of his blessed designe of restoring some of Adams fallen posteritie to their former happy estate and condition then fully perfected and finished for his praise and glory that as his servants they should serve him They are the first-fruits to the lamb namely of the travel of his soul Isa 53. 11. In his great humiliation he took on him the first-fruits of his purchase and full redemption the first fruits of his conquest and saving to the uttermost Heb. 7. 25. So as that may be minded here as being then fully fulfilled Rev. 12. 10. Now is come salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ c. to wit full and perfect salvation of the spirit soul and body the whole man that of regeneration and the life of faith was a kind of first fruits and mens imbracing and believing the Gospel is so called also Rom. 16. 5. 1. Cor. 16. 15. Rom. 8. 23. But these of the changed sealed ones are the first fruits to God and the lamb in a more eminent wise the mistery of God and of Christ as to mans restoration and full redemption and salvation to the uttermost and blessednes being then fully finished and made good Rev. 10. 7. A new virgin-state then not hereby excluding what of that kinde may be before as the forerunner of it without defilement spot or stain fitted to attend and follow the lamb and to serve him Lastly vers 5. it is said in their mouth was found no guile no hypocrisie then and further it is said for they are without fault or blame before the throne of God All spots stains and corruption being off and done away the design and undertaking of our Lord Christ which cost him so dear a price as his own bloud being then fully accomplished Ephes. 5. 27. to present his Church to himself blamelesse without spot or wrinkle or any such thing but holy and without blemish or fault What hath been said concerning the sealed and changed ones hath not been intended in the least in an exclusive way to the prejudice of the children of the resurrection or raised ones from the dead for that they will be of the highest degree then in their attainers and enjoyments of the great blessedness of that happy day Abraham Isaack Jacob the holy Prophets and Apostles of the lamb with the blessed martyrs for the Lord Jesus they will have the greatest share chiefest intrest then with all others that sleep in Jesus till they are awakened by the great trumpet of God at that appearing of the Lord Christ they will be very eminent in the kingdom of God of Christ Math. 8. 11. Luk. 13. 28. 29. the faithfull followers of Christ and sufferers for him among them and such as were beheaded or executed for his sake shall be eminent in the rule and government and sit on throns of judgment Math. 18. 28. Luk. 22. 28. 29. 30. Rev. 20. 4. Rev. 3. 21. yea our Lord Christ saith of the whole raised they shall be as the Angels of God Math. 22. 30. It is not so said of the changed ones they are changed alive and restored into their former good estate with some additions of blessedness as before is said To conclude it is very probable that the world to come will be here below on earth That the promised land to Abraham and his seed will be the center of the new earth That the Israelites those sealed ones together with the gentile Saints then also changed will be the inhabitants of the new earth and world to come and the Israelites of whom chiefly so high things are spoken and in whom chiefly those high Prophecyes shall be fully made good shall have the prehemence above the gentile Sains The whole matter is submitted to the considerate readers to judge and to take or leave as they see cause CHAP. VIII Containing a further proposall of some Prophecies and sayings in the holy Scriptures not yet fulfilled in the utmost extent eyeing that happy day of the coming of our Lord Christ likely then to be fulfilled and made good to the utmost to the seed of Abraham the Israelites when they together with the gentile Saints shall in a moment in the twinkling of an eye be changed
should be swallowed up in victory we shall forbear to speak further to the first part of the mistery namely that we shall not all dye The second part is but we shall all be changed All the just or righteous then alive at the coming of the Lord Christ shall be so changed It medleth not with the unjust we shall be changed the consideration of the change it self and wherein it consists we shall refer to the Apostle his following description of it and shall make some enquiry what other Scriptures speak of it and witness to it first that in Paul 3. 21. who shall change to wit the Lord Christ shall at his coming from heaven make that change our vile body or corrupt and sinfull body that it may fashioned like unto his to wit pure spotless and incorrupt glorious body Col. 3. 4. when Christ shall appear then shall we appear with him in glory be like him and see him as he is as holy John saith 1. Joh. 3. 2. this change is wrought by a mighty hand of power and working whereby he namely the Lord Jesus is able to subdue all things unto himself put them under and subject them even sin and death and the grave and all principality and power he is over them all and he is able to do whatever he pleaseth make this change so as is after declared In the next place minde we that in 1. Thes 4. 15. 17. This we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we that are alive and remain So unto the coming of the Lord implying there will be such living then shall not prevent anticipate or get before them that are asleep to wit in their graves for as in vers 16. they shall be awakened with a shout with the voice of the Arch-Angel and with the trump of God and shall arise first These dead in Christ they will rise first that being their order Then comes these changed ones as it is said then shall we which are alive and remain be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the aire It is premised that they be first changed in a moment before this conjunction and going together to meet the Lord so mounting up like the Eagles with wings Isa 40. 41. these waiters on the Lord Christ shall be so renewed then as to do as is there said this Prophesy seemeth to relate to that very time and to have its fulfilling then We shall then both the raised and changed together meet the Lord so and be for ever with him Blessed and happy souls indeed Further the restoration of all things spoken by all the holy prophets Acts. 3. 21. it doth speak out fully and in a more general way this change and the time of it also man being the principal thing in that blessed restoration The heavens the earth and the Creatures they grone for it Rom. 8. 19. 21. 22. they shall all share in this change and shall be answered unto in their groning They shall all be changed as a vesture folded up and they being old shall be changed Psal 102. 26. and the new heaven and the new earth taking place 2 Pet. 3. 13. all things shall be changed and made new as the Angel said unto John Rev. 21. 5. behold I make all things new even as holy Paul said behold I shew you a mistery we shall not a dye but be changed The holy Apostle vers 52. doth very positiuely the second time assert it we shall all be changed as it is fully asserted by him so it is ncessary to be fully believed by us That which yet further we may minde about this change whither as a part of the mistery or as an appendix or a relate to it I shall not essay to determine That we may take notice of is how sudden and transcient it will be in a moment in the twinkling of an eye very-sudden and expeditious will this change be The coming of the son of man and this as an attendant thereof will be like the lightning that is very quick and transcient Math. 24. 27. sudden in the shining from the East to the West over in a moment of time as sudden as a thought and while they begin to think it will be over in a moment in the twinkling of an eye it will be over and done A very great work in a very little time done and brought to pass by a mighty and wonderful workman the Lord Christ that is able to do all things it is beyond our reason and thoughts but not our faith What our Lord Christ sayd to Thomas may here be said in this matter blessed are they that though their reason cannot reach it nor their thoughts comprehend it yet their faith believes it because it is written so in a moment in the twinkling of an eye in the least of time very transient will this changing be And we shall be changed Then lastly as relating to the time when said to be at the last trumpet for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised up incorruptible of which in order To the dead raised something hath been said before and at that very juncture of time shall the living be changed This saying of the Apostle at the last trump is considerable Whither it be the last of the seven trumpets it 's very likely or some other this rising and changing we are now treating of seems to contemporize in time with the time of our Lord Christ his coming Mat. 24. 31. when that scripture Rev. 11. 15. the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever will have it 's through fulfilling he then having fully taken to himself his great power and reign for which there will be so great thanks giving as in vers 17. we give thee thanks O Lord God almighty c. because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned CHAP. III. Containing the proposal of some things by way of essay from vers 53. and 54. concerning the Apostles further making out the matter wherein this mystery consists with the manner of the effecting of it THe holy Apostle vers 53. 54. further to shew the matter and contents of the mistery of not dying but being changed he likewise sheweth the way and manner of it saying this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortalitie wherein the matter and likewise the manner is held forth of which we shall dilate a little And first for the matter It is by being freed or rid of corruption defilement and all pollution and by being put into a state of perfect rectitude and uprightness and this beyond the highest degree of mortification that is to be attained unto here And on the other part an attayner of holines purity and clearness from sin an estate beyond the highest attainner of sanctification that the happy estate of
is asked where Lord and he tells them in a dark borrowed way of speaking saying wheresoever the body or carcase Math. 24. 28. is thither will the Eagles be gathered together As if he had said where I am thither shall mine to wit the raised and changed saints be gathered together Consider the demand where Lord not where those so taken and left shall be then when they are so taken and left that our Lord declared plainly in the feild and in the bed but where those that are taken away should be when they were so taken from their companions in the feild and in the bed they should be taken and brought to the Lord Christ to meet him in the aire This that in Math. 24. 31. comp with vers 27. 28. seemeth very fully to hold forth When the Lord Christ shall come in the clouds of heaven in power and great glory vers 31. He shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet at which sound those dead shall awake and arise and those living shall be changed in a moment The trumpet shall sound and the dead raised and we shall be changed 1. Cor. 15. 52. the place we are treating of So. 1. Thes. 4. 16. with the trumpet of God And as it followeth he shall send his Angels and they shall gather his elect to wit those so raised and changed from the four windes from one end of heaven to the other A great thing a wonderful gathering this will be at his coming very sudden and transperent as the lightning shining from the east to the west let this be considered with the answer of our Lord in Luke and then we may perceive what those words both there and here do mean and what was the intent of our Lord in them namely where the carcase or body is thither will the Eagles be gathered together The raised and changed shall then as Eagles mount up together to meet the Lord in the Aire 1 Thes. 4. 17. then shall that prophecy of holy Isaiah be fully made good and fulfilled which it is very likely eyeth that day Isa 40. 31. they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as Eagles c. as Eagles mount up so shall these changed and changed do then according to the very letter there needs no allegory in the matter The servants of God shall be very agile aierie and spriteful and as the Eagles shall mount up so to meet the Lord Christ Then will be the difference between the righteous and the wicked of which the prophet Malachy speaketh Mal. 3. 18. be greatly made manifest and clear to be known Between the righteous and the wicked when the one shall be taken and the other left when one shall be changed and the other left in their corrupt and mortal state and condition There are many great things that will be attendants of this change As the change will be very great and misterious so will be the things that will concur and go along with it such as we mentioned when we treated of the resurrection as the attendants of that the same in like manner will be at this change we shall forbear to mention them here having done it then This change it will be accompanyed with another even the change of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began Acts. 3. 21. they will be restored into their former good condition renewed refined and made new A new heaven new earth as it is said Psal 102. 26. as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed All shall be changed and made new as at the first making Rev. 21. 5. behold I make all things new A blessed state like that of paradise if not higher this world shall end and cease and with the change the world to come shall begin and take place of which we shall treat a little CHAP. V. Containing something proposed to consideration touching the world to come as being much the same with the New heaven and the New earth spoken of in the Holy Scriptures and that it will contemporsze in time with that and other great things that will take place at the Coming of our Lord Christ The holy scriptures declare Heb. 1. 2. that God by Jesus Christ made the worlds and by faith we understand and believe so Heb. 11. 3. By saith we understand the worlds were framed c. the scriptures make mention of three worlds the old world which began with the creation and continued to the floud and then perished and ended so Peter tells us 2. Pet. 3. 6. This present world so called in scripture and may be so called still it took place with the ceasing of the floud and was peopled by Noah and his sons and it continued and doth yet continue is grown old and is reserved being grown old unto fire and the great burning to come vers 10. at the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men The day of the Lord will come vers 12. and then will be the dissolution and end of this present world The Apostle expresseth it by the heaven and the earth that are now vers 7. As the same thing to wit this world this present evill world There is in the third place the world to come which will begin with the end or ceasing of this present world of which the holy scripture speaks very often so frequent as I shall forbear quotations When that end cometh which will be with the burning spoken of then will begin the world to come of which we are now treating and shall mention a few places Math. 12. 32. Mark 10. 30. Luk. 18. 30. Ephes. 1. 21. Heb. 2. 5. of which we may take notice hereafter the time when and how this will contemporize with other great things that will take place likewise then to wit at the coming of the Lord Christ in power and great glory to them that look for him the second time he will then appear Heb. 9. 28. This third world this world to come it will then begin In the which the Lord Christ will fully take unto himself his great power and will reign very gloriously the dominion power and sovereignty will rest in him and he will then appear on earth as king of kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6. 15. Then in the world to come he will delegate power as he pleaseth to one to be ruler over five cities and to another to be ruler over ten cities they shall rule under him yea then will they rule with him and that be made good in Rev. 5. 10. And hast made us kings and Priests unto our God and we shall reign on the earth it is not said in heaven For the world to come it will be here below on earth and not in heaven above This world to come it will not be subjected under the power of the Angels the scripture expresly
have given unto Jacob my servant wherein your fathers have dwelt to wit the land of Canaan and they sball dwell therein even they and their children and their childrens children for ever and my servant David shall be their prince for ever We may take knowledge of the great thing in vers 26. and to the end of the chapter as first a covenant of peace God will make with them then for a thousand years only no it shall be everlasting comporting with Psa 72. 7. In his days shall the righteous flourish and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth God will set his sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore And as verse 17. He will have his Tabernacle amongst them as sometime he had of old wherein the glory of God was and a cloud covering of it and as it shall be when the new heavens and the new earth take place which holy John in Rev. 21. 3. holds forth with a behold as a great thing behold the Tabernacle of God is with men relating to the same time a great thing for God to dwell with men on earth as once he did and will do again then and further God be their God and they his people in a very eminent manner which crowns the whole And then as in vers 28. The heathens the unsaved of the nations shall know Gods favour and goodness to Israel and that it is he that doth sanctifie them when his sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore In chap. 36. 11. God sayth he will do better for them then at their beginning when they enjoyed so great things by vertue of his presence with them so as this prophecy clearly relates to the Israelites and by any thing yet appearing it hath never been made good and performed since Ezekiells time There was never such gathering and bringing out of their graves never such uniting as one nation nor have they had since his time one king over them so united David to wit Christ Gods servant hath never been king or prince over them never did they enjoy such an happy and blessed estate never did they and their children and their childrens children dwell in the promised land for ever neither was Gods sanctuary and Tabernacle planted in the midst of them since Ezekiels time to this day All must be fulfilled and made good so declared by Ezekiel without the least fayler And although much of this may be fulfilled before and more especially when the Jewes are returned to their own land and converted yet there is no time so likely for it to have its full and utmost fulfilling as at the coming of the redeemer When all Israel shall be saved at that happy time of the restoration of all things which God hath spoken c. In the time of the new earth the dwelling of the righteous and saved people in the world to come wherein there will be incorruption and immortalitie and everlasting life And if any shall think it may have its fulfilling sooner even in this day and in this world and especially before the time comes of the Jewes return and conversion and shall think to make it out by allegorising and a spiritual meaning and saying that all or most of this is come and done already within them so drawing a vale over this great prophecy it will signifie little for that no happy attainer sooner will any wayes hinder the full and final fulfilling then all other fulfillings falling short of that time in comparison will be imperfect and one jot or title must not fail thereof That in Rev. 7. seemeth very much the same and to comport with what we have been treating of before concerning the changed in a moment and these so sealed as likely to be one and the same and concurring also in the time in order to the things attending the coming of the Lord Christ and in holding forth the first-ship or preheminence of the Israelites the seed of Abraham It is declared that an Angel having the seal of the living God the Apostle Paul tells us what that seal is 2. Tim. 2. 19. this Angel vers 2. he cryeth to the Four Angels appointed to hurt the earth to forbear the doing of it till he had sealed the servants of God in their forheads so as being sealed or marked in their foreheads they thus might be known at least to the Angels that were to hurt the earth The words are hurt not the earth neither the sea nor the trees the words are short but very comprehensive till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads This hurting the earth in my apprehension is likely to relate to that great burning spoken of at the end of the world and the judgements that should attend it before and after it being like the proceed Ezek. 9. 4. of marking the mourners before the going forth of the Angel to destroy And being compared with that in Rev. 22. 4. It will inform us where and when this sealing and marking will be In the earth at the great burning of the then world at the coming of the Lord Christ and the restoration and new earth as before Holy John Vers. 4. Having heard the number declares it to be One hundred and fourty and four thousand in the whole sum of them so sealed or marked to be as before And that number was made up of all the tribes of Israel twelve thousand of every tribe wherein there is much of union one nation then and there is much of equalitle it seemeth to eye that of Ezekiel about the dividing the inheritance by Lot in the holy land to all the tribes as set forth in Ezek. 48. very considerable but dark as yet and also it speaks forth that preheminence will be to Israel Gods nation they as Noah and his family were of the old world and were reserved to be the first inhabitants of this present world so those then sealed and not dying but living are those that shall be the inhabitants of and have preheminence above the gentile believers then living and changed and also partakers thereof in the world to come and so be alive in both as Noah and his family were Not hereby excluding the raised saints from their great interest and share therein then it being sayd vers 9. After this I beheld and to a great multitude which no man could number hapily the gentle believers then changed and all that have slept in Christ since the creation and fall of all nations and kinreds and people and tongues stood before the throne and before the lamb clothed with white Robes they had changed and put off the old robes of corruption and put on new of incorruption and purity and had Palms in their hands Much felicity and abundance of peace Psal 72. 7. and as followeth vers 10. They cryed with a loud voice saying salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the lamb Of the sealed ones
so they in their day hereafter will have a kinde of immortalitie and eternity in the world to come The holy scriptures imply of the everlasting life of the wicked Math. 25. 41. Then shall the king say Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire c. vers 46. And these shall go into everlasting punishment 2 Thes 1. 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and glory of his power their worm never dyeth and their fire it never goeth out implying their continual being and existence in order to wo and a sad condition then it may be said of them as sometime our Lord said of Judas good had it been for that man if he had never been born so good were it for the wicked if there were no resurrection nor life after this but that they remained for ever in the grave in oblivion and were anihilated and extinct for ever But alass it is otherwise they must live again and that in woe and torment for ever But the eternal life of the just their life everlasting will be a blessed and a happy life accompanied with all the blessed attendants and enjoyments of happyness and blessedness and freedom from all woe and misery for ever this happy enjoyment of life eternal or everlasting often spoken of by our Lord and the Apostles recorded in the new testament it is only enjoyable here in the first fruits and in the way of the beginning of it believers have those blessed fruits of the spirit faith and hope faith assures them and helps them to reckon those things that are not as if they were Rom. 4. 17. And hope it fixeth a soul in the full expectation there of it for that hope is of things not seen or enjoyed for sayth the Apostle how can a man hope for that he seeth Rom. 8. 24. written to Titus chap. 1. 2. chap. 3. 7. he speaks of the hope of eternal life and he sayth also it is the hope of eternal life which God hath promised before the world began Holy Iohn also 1 Ioh. 2. 25. saith This is the promise that he hath promised us even eternal life We have it in the beginning we have it in the earnest the spirit We have it in faith and hope those blessed fruits of the spirit of God We have it in the sure word and promise which is yea and Amen we have it as the servants of God have redemption and salvation so we have immortalitie and eternal life and it shall be brought and given unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ then they shall be endowed with it they shall then put on immortalitie and inherit everlasting life Hope as an anchor of the soul sure and stable hath pitched within the vail Hob. 6. 19. 20. Whither the forerunner to wit the Lord Jesus is for us entred and gone before in order to our enjoying of all those great good things before mentioned together with everlasting life One of those great things that shall take place and be made good at the coming of the Lord Christ is that mistery shewed by holy Paul 1. Cor. 15. 53. That the believers that shall be found alive at the coming of the Lord Christ shall not die but be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye of the which we have treated before a very great thing concurring in time with those other great things before held forth I shall therefore forbear to treat of it here I shall only offer this as very likely that the holy Apostle had it by revelation or otherwise he learned it of our Lord Christ who in communication with Martha at Lazarus his death held forth the very same thing Ioh. 11. 20. Our Lord cometh where Lazarus was then dead she to wit Martha goeth to meet him vers 21. she sayth Lord if thou hadst been here my brother had not dyed Vers. 22. her faith being strong she sayth to our Lord I know that whatever thou wilt ask of God he will give it thee Vers. 23. Our Lord sayth to her thy brother shall rise again vers 24. She well informed in the doctrine of the resurrection she sayth I know that he sball rise again at the resurrection at the last day Jesus saith to her vers 25. I am the resurrection and the life to wit he is the author in whose power and ordering both are at his dispose he is the raiser of the dead the giver of eternal life And our Lord tells her further that he that believeth in him though he were dead as Lazarus then was yet he sbould live As Lazarus presently after did then vers 26. He tells her that whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall never dye he asked her whether she believed that alass she its likely was at a losse in the understanding of it as are many of the servants of God now and therefore she answereth not our Lord Christ intended not believers of that time such as Martha and the Apostles that were there present nor any others believing in him of that time but only such as believing should be alive at his appearing as holy Paul hath fully informed us as for Martha and all the Apostles and believers in Jesus in that age and in the ages since they have all dyed and so they will die till that day take place and then shall that be fulfilled and made good sayd then by our Lord Christ that he that liveth and believeth in him shall never dye for such shall only be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye as Adam was changed for the worse and lived so shall they be changed for the better and continue living still putting on immortalitie and eternal life Minde we one place more Rev. 21. 1. 2. The new heaven and the new earth that Iohn saw in a visional way and the new Ierusalem coming down from heaven which he saw also very rich and glorious Vers. 3. He hath declared that which he heard also as well as saw a great voice from heaven what doth it declare behold the tabernacle of God is with men It is uttered with a behold a great thing a great blessing but greater followeth and he to wit the Lord God will dwell with them in the new earth holy Iohn saw where men to wit the servants of God will dwell then God will then and there dwell with them a very great and wonderfull thing which Solomon admired as well he might 1. Kings 8. 27. will God indeed dwell with men on the earth behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee c. And yet further grace and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God happy souls indeed for happy are the people whose God is the Lord who have him with them in whose presence and favour is life Psal 144. 15. Psal 30. 5. this enjoying of God and Christ is the great adjunct of
life everlasting to be for ever with the Lord in whose presence is fulness of joy and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore Psal 16. 11. Vers. 4. of Rev. 21. and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain And as Chap. 22. there shall be no more curse c. for the former things are passed away It is not hard to conceive and determine to what time this relateth This world will not afford such full freedom and utter exemption from those bitter things forementioned as it will not afford those high attayners and enjoyments mentioned by holy John it will be in the world to come then will all things be made new as at the beginning sutable to the new heavens and the new earth and the happy restoration of all things of which we shall treat in the following discourse take we knowledge of what he that sat on the throne said further to John Write saith he for these words are true and faithfull and will be made good in their time Alass for those that believe not all is submitted to the wise in heart CHAP. X. Containing the proposal to consideration the great restoration of all things spoken of by the Prophets and the happy change that shall then attend man and the earth and the creatures therein when Jesus Christ shall be sent the second time and the world to come take place With sundry great and high Prophecies set forth that seem to hold forth the same THe blessed restoration of all things Which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began Acts. 3. 20. 21. The first creation and making of all things Gen. 1. may be minded as the Image and figure according to which the restitution or restoration will be a returning again into the same mode and figure state and condition they were in at their first making and framing by God himself liked and testified to be very good which Adam by sin and transgression greatly marred and disfigured sin and the curse following and all manner of woe and misery following as the effect followeth its cause What holy Moses hath writ concerning the creation of man and of the earth and of the creatures therein together with the gathering together of the waters What is said and testified by the Lord almighty the maker of them all concerning the goodness of them and his liking of them the testimony given is very high vers 31. and God saw all that he had made and behold it was very good The weighing and consideratien whereof will be a good coppy to write by a good pattern or sample for us to set before us in order to our better taking knowledge of it Gen. 1. We have a description of the making the world day by day and the making of man as the most principal piece of the earthly creation vers 26. and God said let us make man in our own Image vers 27. so God created man in his own Image in the Image of God created he him male and female created he them And vers 26. God blessed them so made in that marvelous condition and said be fruitfull and multiplie and replenish the earth and subdue it having the grant of power given before vers 26. a very large grant a great charter of power given of God to man in his innocent state before his fall and transgression and the losse he and his posteritie and the whole earthly creation received thereby upon the whole it is said vers 31. and God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good The restoration it will be proportionable and also very good Adam so made was a very choice piece in the Image of God and in the likenes of God of great rectitude marvellous complete and happy by his transgression and disobedience he suffered great losse and damage as did his posterity and the whole earthly creatures and great enmitie attended them and much thraldom and miserie But at the happy time of our Lord Christ being sent from heaven again then there will be a blessed restitution and restoration of all things Then shall many be rechanged in a moment for the better as he was before for the worse then shall that mistery holy Paul hath shewed take place Then this vile body sinfull and corrupt shall be rechanged and made like his glorious body according to that full and clear testimony of holy Paul Phil. 3. 20. 21. from heaven we look for the saviour the Lord Jesus who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body pure serene and glorious without spot or wrinkle or any such thing as he will make his Church then also and this by changing in a moment by putting off and putting on putting off corruption and sin and putting on purity incorruption and holiness as it is written 1. Cor. 15. 53. 54. holy Paul tells us further 1. Thes 4. 16. of the Lord Christ himself in his own person he shall descend from heaven he did ascend as an Angel Acts. 1. 11. told the beholders and lookers after him when he so ascended and said this Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven Even the same Jesus Christ as testifieth the Apostle Ephes. 4. 9. he shall again descend when God shall send him again at the time of the restitution of all things and then shall those believers found alive be changed in a moment into their former happy state with some happy additions of blessednes The old man so called which the servants of God are bidden to put off Eph. 4. 22. Which in this day of regeneration believers have been subduing and crucifying by the exercise of mortification and sanctification of the spirit and yet carry it to the grave with them they shall then be wholy rid of it in a moment in the twinking of an eye and shall then put on the new man indeed and be clothed very glorious by being so changed all new then relating to the servants of God as he from the throne said Rev. 21. 5. Behold I make all things new a new heaven a new earth a new Jerusalem come down from heaven a new covenant new bodyes new hearts and spirits new creatures all things new Adams upright and perfect condition as a man and the goodness of the earth and the creatures therein liked by God himself when he viewed them after he had made them is it is likely the standard and pattern according to which the restoration will be as it was at first before mans fall and the entring the curse so it is very like to be in the restoration In regard of man as man the change in a moment will effect it In that happy time when man will not only be as
at his first creating but enjoy some blessed additions to his happy estate namely stability therein immortalitie and life everlasting the high enjoyment of the presence of God and the Lord Christ high interest in the new covenant and more of the spirit and grace of the saviour then Adam ever had and that for evermore But there is something further considerable man was made male and female in the image of God they were created so And was made with seed in him whereby to propagate posteritie he had a wise given him of God for that it was not good for him to be alone A woman or female suitable unto him was formed out of him in a wonderful wise and they were bidden to multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it and God made nothing in vain He had no question in his innocent estate if he had continued in it and not fell from it generated and replenished the earth as he did after in his fallen condition being bidden to do so before in order to what will be at the restoration and change in that moment at our Lord his coming the scripture seemeth silent in it and so I shall be likewise till time discover further or that day it self declare I shall only intimate to prevent prejudice that I do not in the least intend the including of the raised ones or children of the resurrection in the case before spoken of their condition seeming much to differ from that of the changed alive then it is said by our Lord Math. 22. 30. That in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God in heaven but the changed alive will be men and women as Adam and Eve were in their first estate such by whom that happy world to come will be begun and peopled as that first world would have been if Adam had not fell The old world was so after Adams fall and how the new world to come will be some way or how it will be it is likely I shall say no more Further it is intimated that the seperate condition of man is not in the least medled with but man intire as he will be at his being changed at the restoration of all things Having made this digression I premise one or two things more namely that the restoration and changing in a moment it will be here below on earth it will be from this old corrupt earth under the curse to that new which God will create wherein will dwell blessing which we according to the promise look for at that happy day And that by the world to come spoken of in the holy scriptures in which this restoration will take place is not meant of heaven above but a state here below on earth and that to take it for heaven properly or understand it so is to offer losse to the holy scriptures and that which in effect renders insignificant and makes void what is said in them concerning the restoration of all things the change in a moment the new earth with all things made new by him sitting on the throne with very many other things that might be mentioned And lastly I premise that the Israelites the seed of Abraham Isaack and Jacob will be the people highly concerned and cheif in this restoration and change the twelve thousand of every tribe of Israel and that their land the land of promise will share in a principal wise in that happy restoration and change and in a likely way be the center of the new earth We shall now return to the matter we had under consideration before namely man considered according to propagation and off-spring How acceptable to some the proposing of it will be I know not but it will be some way necessary in order to the better minding and taking knowledge of sundrie high prophecies that seem to look that way and to relate to that day First that Isa 59. 20. 21. the coming of the redeemer to Sion of which we treated before it relateth as to the full fulfilling of it to that happy day of the changing in a moment and the blessed restoration of all things then See what followeth vers 21. as for me this is my covenant with them saith the Lord to wit with the Israelites the seed of Abraham my spirit that is upon thee it is not said in thee but upon thee a very glorious unnoynting then like that Zech. 4. 14. such a kind of annoynting it is likely will be then on the changed people it followeth and the words I have put in thy mouth Whether Gods law in their hearts or the joyfull tone of the Gospel and tidings of great joy or the new Song of praise and thanksgiving to the lamb for the great grace and blessedness enjoyed Psal 40. 3. it may be considered the latter very likely Rev. 5. 12. 13. it followeth nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed from henceforth As I conceive from the time of the redeemers coming the second time and from henceforth as to the fulness of is and for ever Of great duration when once begun Whither this be the same Covenant with that Ier. 31. 31. may be considered Or whether it will be another that will take place with that happy day and so forward for ever I will make no assay to declare but that it relateth as to the utmost fulfilling of it to that blessed time of the restoration and that it implieth seed and generation then and seeds seed for ever seemeth very likely and that it may probably relate to the changed people of whom we have spoken and the rather if we minde that that followeth in Isa 60. being the very same prophecy carried on where Israel is bidden to arise and shine when Gods spirit or annoynting is upon them they will then shine gloriously as Moses shined when he had been in the mount with God Then their light will be fully come and the glory of the Lord will be risen upon them and the gentiles will see it c. For great will be their glory see the whole chapter and that in the close where it is said a little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation hapily by generation for then will be no conversion to increase so further Chap. 61. 8. 9. The Lord sayeth I will make an everlasting Covenant with them and their seed shall be known among the people all that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed that the Lord hath blessed What time this eyeth as to its full fulfilling consult the 2d and 3d. verses minde the whole and in particular the two last verses it eyeing that time when the Lord Christ shall appear and his shall appear with him in glory Col. 3. 4. Chap. 65. Where the New Heaven and the new earth are foretold and promised vers 17. for behold I create a new heaven and a new earth the old shall passe
away and be changed as a vesture Psal 102. 26. They shall also be forgotten and not remembred amongst the many things there held forth vers 23. It is sayd they shall not labour in vain nor bring forth to wit children for trouble for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord and their off-spring with them There are other things in the chapter as to the full fulfilling of them relating to that time of the restoration when our Lord shall again come from heaven which may be mentioned after Take we further knowledge of that Isai 11. 6. That very high prophecy in order to the restoration of all things speaking in the former part of the Lord Christ and the happiness then vers 6. He sayeth the woolf shall dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kidd and the calfe and the young lion and the fatling together and a little child shall lead them vers 7. And the cow and the bear shall feed their young ones shall lie down together and the lion shall eat straw like the Oxe Vers. 8. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the Asp and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice Den. And as it is sayd vers 9. none shall hurt or destroy then no not these devouring creatures at that happy time of the restoration of all things the prophecy is very high that we have mentioned And that which followeth speaks forth a wonderful change in the creature and that their hurtfulnes and devouring nature will then be taken away by the restoration and they made harmlesse as at their first making so as that will then be that followeth vers 9. They shall not hurt nor destroy not these in the new earth in all my holy mountain But as to that of seed and offspring then here is a little child and a sucking child here is a weaned childe very likely to be such then at that happy time of the restoration and change when the groaning creatures under their present bondage shall be freed and be delivered into the glorious liberty of the sons of God Rom. 8. 21. which as they are capable they shall enjoy and be made partakers of That of Ezekiel is very considerable Ezek. 36. 37. Ezek. 37. 25. Speaking concerning their dwelling in their own land the land of promise to Abraham he sayth thus And ye shall dwell in the land I have given to Jacob my servant wherein your fathers have dwelt and they shall dwell therein even they and their children and their childrens children for ever And my servant David shall be their prince for ever Veri 27. I will make a covenant of peace with them and multiply them and set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore Was there ever such a thing such an attayner by Israelites since Ezekiels time or is there like to be short of that day any such full fulfilling as may answer what he hath said the Jewish monarchy or kingdom of stone which some are strong in their thoughts for as having much of scripture for it as they judge which I shall not meddle with here it is reckoned short but for forty or five and forty years will that amount to make good to the full what he hath said they shall dwell in it and their children and their childrens children for ever And hath David Gods servant to wit Christ been or is he in his person like to be a prince or ruler in this old world for ever is it not more like to be in the world to come in the day of the restoration let the wise in heart consider Having held forth something concerning the restoration and change of man and the creatures according to what is held forth in the holy scriptures and the prophecyes therein conteyned it may be necessary to take a little notice and see what is spoken concerning the place where they will have their aboad and being then at the restoration The prophet Isaiah chap. 65. 17. He tells us of a new earth for behold I create a new heaven and a new earth for which the servants of God in the verse following are bidden to be glad and rejoyce Holy Peter likewise tells us 2. Pet. 3. 13. That we according to his promise look for a new heaven and a new earth wherein shall dwell righteousnes to wit righteous men and things Holy John he tells us Rev 21. 1. Of a new heaven and a new earth which he saw This newnes it will be by a restoration and change Psal 102. 27. speaking of the old he sayth they shall perish and wax old as a garment as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed and as before made new for the servants of God the seed of Abraham to inhabit and dwell in for they shall be changed and continue and dwell there see vers 28. It seemeth to be prophetical and speaks out much the children of thy servants shall continue and their seed shall be established before thee Even in the new earth for till then they shall continue to make good the prophecy then shall that be made good in the new earth Isa 60. 21. Thy people shall be all righteous they shall inherit the land for ever This planting it will be of God himself for his own glory the changed in a moment will be such righteous ones a blessed plantation indeed where no polluter or polluted shall enter or be found Rev. 21. 27. There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth the meek they shall inherit the earth Math. 5. 5. The restoration will effect great things for the better as Adam his sin and transgression did for the worse which will be removed and done away it was said by the Lord Gen. 3. 17. 18. 19. Cursed is the earth or ground for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eat thereof all the dayes of thy life thorns and thistles shall it bring forth in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the ground c. A very sore curse and punishment a change greatly for the worse it not being so before as it will not be then when the restoration takes place and the change for the better so greatly all things made new and restored as at first The curse taken off no curse there then Rev. 22. 3. as now none of the bitter fruits of transgression and the curse that attended man and the creatures as sorrow and pain sickness and want hard labour and toyl for bread barrenness of the earth and thorns and thistles and want of all good things all removed and taken away with the curse at this happy restoration of all things wherein the land of promise To Abraham and his seed to Jacob and his called Israelites Gen. 35. 12. The land I gave Abraham and Isaack to thee will I give it and to thy seed after thee will I give the land This
lastingness no comparison for that shall abide as long as the moon endureth When the Lord Christ reigneth there shall be great honour and subjection given to him by the great ones and it will fare well with the poor vers 12. 13. 14. also vers 2 4 6. of this 72. Psalm then shall that be fulfilled and made good Psal 67. 3. 4. 6. 7. Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee O let the nations be glad and sing for joy for thou shalt judge the people righteously and govern the nations upon earth Let the people praise thee As they will do then they will sing Hallelujans and prayse to the lamb what followeth then then shall the earth yeeld her encrease very fruitful times then and God even our own God shall blesse us and all the ends of the earth shall fear him It will be so eminently then In the next place take we knowledge of that very eminent place Isa 65. It is the prophecy where the new heaven and the new earth are spoken of and promised see what is said in vers 13. Therefore thus sayeth the Lord behold my servants shall eat but ye shall be hungry to wit the wicked and unsaved nations and people behold my servants shall drink but ye shall be thirsty behold all with a behold very observable my servants shall rejoyce but ye shall be ashamed vers 14. Behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart and howl for vexation of spirit vers 15. And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen for the Lord God shall slay thee and call his servants by another a new name a great difference then like that of Dives and Lazarus we see here is eating and drinking then for so did Adam and Eve and so did our Lord Christ in the day of his being here both before his death and after his resurrection Luk. 24. 42. 43. And so very likely will those changed alive then do for they will be men and women It followeth as a reason and that with a behold also vers 17. For behold I create a new heaven and a new earth The old will be done away and forgotten vers 18. They are bidden to rejoyce for the great blessednes and glory Jerusalem will be in God will create them so a rejoycing a praise Vers. 19. The voice of weeping shall no more be heard in her nor the voice of crying It is easy to see to what time and state that belongs this world affords no such exemption from weeping and crying only it will as to the full fulfilling be in the blessed world to come Vers. 21. They shall build houses and inhabit them they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them Vers. 22. They shall not build and another inhabit they shall not plant and another eat it fares so in this world many times but it will not then for as the dayes of a tree which are many so shall be the dayes of Gods people It followeth and mine elect shall long injoy the work of their hands their building and planting c. vers 23. They shall not labour in vain as many do in this world nor bring forth for trouble of which we made mention before For they are the blessed of the Lord and their off-spring with them Vers. 25. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together The same with that in Isa 11. of which before It is not hard to conceive what time this relateth unto it relateth to and is a prophecy of the new earth that God will create when there shall be the restoration of all things When it shall all come to passe and be so as is declared whether we believe it or no. The prophet Jeremiah declareth something to the like effect Ier. 33. 6. 7. 8. 9. I will bring them health I will cause their captivitie to return I will cleanse them from all their iniquitie and it shall be to me a name of joy and praise before all the people of the earth For the great prosperitie God will procure unto it And vers 11. The voice of joy and the voice of gladness the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride c. For he will cause their captivitie to return And so he goeth on in a promisary way of good things to the end of the 16th verse See the prophecy at large I spare to set it down for fear or being over-large And consider to what time it relateth for its full fulfilling at the time of the branch of righteousness growing up to David in the land it will be We may also minde that Ier. 50. 19. 20. When Israels captivitie shall be returned c. and the iniquity of Israel and Judah sought for and not be found for there shall be none we spake of it before Hosea the prophet mentioned by holy Paul Rom. 9. Eyeing the time of their great return and Gods gracious return to them Hos 2. 18. In that day to wit of the restoration I will make a covenant with them and with the beasts of the feild and with the fowls of heaven and with the creeping things of the ground and I will break the bow and the sword and the battel out of the earth I will make them lie down safely It may easily be minded what day this relateth unto it being the same with Isa 11. mentioned before when the hurtful nature of the creature will cease and mans enmitye also and wars cease to the ends of the earth and the restoration of all things and the peaceable kingdom of the Lord Christ takes place then it will be so and it is not like to be before Vers. 19. I will betroth thee to me for ever The marriage of the lamb will be nigh then yea I will betroth thee to me in righteousness c. vers 21. And it shall come to passe in that day I will hear the heavens and they shall hear the earth and the earth shall hear the corn and the wine and the oyl and they shall hear Iezreel and I will sow her to me in the earth to wit the new earth as to the fulfilling of it it is not sayd in heaven but in the earth Further see what the prophet Ioel sayth chap. 3. 18. And it shall come to passe when Ierusalem shall be holy and no stranger passe through her any more as they shall in no wise then Rev. 21. 27. at that day then at that day the mountains shall drop down new wiue and the hills shall flow with milk and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord and shall water the valley of Chittim It will go ill with Egypt then vers 20. But Judah shall dwell for ever and Jerusalem from generation to generation for God will then cleanse so as never before I conceive by changing of
them in a moment for the Lord dwelleth in Sion and his tabernacle will then be with men Rev. 21. 3. And he will dwell with men In the next place see what the prophet Micha sayth also in the matter Mich. 4. 1. It shall come to passe in the last dayes not yet made good that the mountain of the Lords house shall be exalted and established c see the place vers 3. And he to wit the Lord Christ when he cometh especially shall rebuke strong nations and judge many people And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks nation shall not lift up a sword against nation neither learn war any more a blessed peaceable time then Vers. 4. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his figtree and none shall make them afraid though they have no defensive arms for there will be no need of them sure enough to be made true and good for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Then at that day will be the peaceable kingdom of the Lord Christ and he as vers 7. The Lord shall reign over them in mount Sion from henceforth and for ever See what the prophet Zechariah sayth also Zech. 3. 9. 10. And I will remove the iniquity of that land to wit the land of Canaan chiefly in one day namely the day of the restoration and when it shall be so then they shall call every one his neighbor under the vine and under the figtree The prophet Malachy speaketh of the blessedness of that day even upon the same account Mal. 3. 12. And ye shall be a delightfull land sayth the Lord God There are other high prophecyes in Isaiah as that Isa 49. from vers 5. to vers 13. and from thence to vers 24. See what great things of like importance are said which I shall forbear to dilate on So Isa 52. Isa 54. Isa 55. 11. 12. There are prophecyes in the holy scriptures that speak of inheritances and possessions of Lot and sharing by Lot that seem as to their full fulfilling to relate to that happy day of the restoration and the new earth promised taking place As some time of old the land of Canaan was by promise given Israel for an inheritance by the Lord was after a long time divided to them by Lot and accordingly possessed by them in a way of particular propriety for they had not only a general light in the whole land as so given them of God but they had a particular interest in a part of it as it fell unto them by Lot where the Lord himself was the determiner as Solomon sayth Prov. 16. 33. The Lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord whither that land so promised and after a long time possessed and divided by Lot was not a type of the new earth promised and expected and of some higher division and sharing at the restoration of all things may be considered and the rather because of what Ezekiel hath declared which will have its fulfilling and making good though as yet we understand it not it is very probable it is not yet fulfilled but will sure enough which the day will declare fully though to us it is dark and we understand little Every tribe as well as the whole people will have their share and Lot and the strangers will share with them where his dwelling is with them then Ezek. 47. 22. 23. very considerable The twelve tribes they are to have every one their share or Lot and the prince his and he must not take any of the peoples share from them to drive them out of their possession see Ezek. 46. 18. The twelve tribes will have interest in the city and every one a gate called by their name and the name of the city from that day very probable to be the day of the restoration will be the Lord is there He will be so in the new earth Rev. 21. 3. The prophet Obadiah hath something to the same effect vers 17. But in mount Sion there shall be deliverance and there shall be holyness and the house of Jacob shall possesse their possessions Vers. 19. And they of the south shall possesse the mount of Esau and they of the plain the philistins and they shall possesse the feilds of Ephraim and the feilds of Samaria and Benjamin shall possesse Gilead vers 20. And the captivitie of the host of Israel shall possesse that of the Canaanites even unto Zarephath and the captivity of Jerusalem which is in Sepharad shall possesse the cities of the south Vers. 21. And saviours or judges and disposers shall come upon the mount Sion to judge the mount of Esau And this it will be when the kingdom shall be the Lords for as yet it hath not been nor is it likely so fully to be till that happy time takes place The rather is that considerable because of what the new testament holds forth this way Eph. 1. 10. In the fulnes of times in the Lord Christ he should gather together in one the things in heaven and the things in the earth even in him restore them make them new all good and holy as at first Vers. 11. In whom we have obtained an inheritance or Lot Vers. 13. 14. The spirit of promise is sayd to be the earnest of our inheritance to wit of our interest and right unto it and that we shall in time possesse it we have for the present the earnest we shall have in the appointed time the full purchase it will be redeemed and settled on those it is redeemed and purchased for to the praise of the glory of him that hath done it for his Ephes. 5. 5. It is spoken of by the Apostle as a known thing that no wicked unclean person hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ or of God to wit in that kingdom to come Col. 1. 12. the Apostle speaketh of giving thanks unto the father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light The saints will then have inheritance given unto them at that time when Jerusalems light is come and the glory of the Lord riseth upon her Isa 60. 1. when she will sine gloriously holy Peter in like manner 1. Pet. 1. 4. blesseth God for the lively hope the servants of God are begotten again unto by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance the description of it suiteth with the restoration and change it is incorruptible and undefiled it will be so when it falls in with that time when the iniquity of that land is removed and the curse taken from the earth and it made new in the inheritance then and there then will be no corruption or defilement for there shall in no wise enter any that defileth Rev. 21. 27. it is said further that it fadeth not away as many times in this world mens inheritances do but it will
be given to the saints for they shall reign with him Rev. 20. 4. 6. of which more after But to proceed in a gradual way and take knowledge of what the holy scripture holds forth as relating to and eyeing that happy time before mentioned we may take knowledge of father Jacobs blessing of Judah his son Gen. 49. 8. His hand should be on the neck of his enemies his fathers children should bow before him Vers. 10. The scepter shall not depart from Judah c. We may also take notice of Balaams prophecy Numb 24. 7. 8. see the place the height and fulness is like to be then see like wise vers 17. 18. 19. All held forth which I forbear to set down relateth to a time afarr off and not nigh Vers. 17. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have the dominion a wonderfull time it relateth unto for as vers 23. Who shall live when God doth this he will he will do it Then in the dayes of the dominion and reign of the Lord Christ shall that be fulfilled Psal 15. acknowledged and stiled a Psalm of Christs kingdom vers 14. In stead of thy fathers thou shalt have or there shall be children whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth to wit fully so in the new earth I will make thy name to be remembred in all generations therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever Psal 49. 14. Eyeing the resurrection when death feedeth on the wicked in the grave the righteous shall arise and have the day the dominion in that very morning likewise will that be made good then Psal 149. 9. To have power to execute the vengeance that is written it is sayd this honour have all the saints to share with the Lord Christ their blessed saviour and redeemer their king and governor sure enough to be true and made good then In the next place take we knowledge of what holy Isaiah sayth Isa 60. 12. The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee to wit Isrnel shall perish yea those nations shall be utterly wasted vers 14. The sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet and shall call thee the city of the Lord. That this relateth to the time of Christ and his kingdom few deny We shall proceed to that eminent place Dan. 7. It is after the fourth kingdom or monarchy see what is sayd vers 18. But the saints of the most high to wit the Israelites especially shall take and possesse the kingdom for ever even for ever and ever very great durations not yet begun it is likely but will fully be fulfilled at the restoration when our Lord Christ shall be sent the second time then the saints shall fully take and possesse the kingdom Vers. 22. And the ancient of days came and judgement was given to the saints of the most high And the time came that the Paints possessed the kingdom Some build the fifth Monarchy or kingdom of the stone on this and other the like scriptures apprehending it will be in this world before the restoration and change we have treated of which I leave to the day to declare whether it will be so or no but what holy Daniel hath foretold will surely be made good even that vers 27. And the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the most high whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey him that is their governour There can be nothing more full and plain only the time is to be waited for and very like it will be fully fulfilled when our Lord Christ fully takes to him his power and reigns at the happy restoration of all things I shall mention no more out of the old testament Our Lord Christ in the new hath told us that his kingdom is not of this world Joh. 18. 36. neither as I apprehend is or to be in this world save in a spiritual consideration as the gospel and gospel dispensations as the spirit and word and the fruits of the spirit righteousness peace and joy with faith and love c. though some apprehend from those words in the latter part of that verse but now is my kingdom not from hence or then to be set up in this world the emphasis of the words as they conceive lying in the word but now that his kingdom will begin to be set up in this world before his personal coming but I leave it as not being the subject matter of this discourse but that is clear another thing that we are treating of from his kingdom in a spiritual consideration only It is dominion kingdom and power outward and visible which our treaty is of this our Lord hath not taken to him as yet he hath not taken to him his great power and kingdom he is gone to fetch it when he comes he will bring it with him Luk. 19. 12. 15. 2. Tim. 4. 7. And then he will fully set it up and reign gloriously in the midst of his enemies It is much in my apprehension that any should think the saints of the most high should reign and have kingdom and power and dominion before the Lord Christ that would answer the prophecyes in the holy Scriptures and be a fulfilling of them but I conceive though some so think and say yet most of them that judge Christs kingdom will begin to be set up in this world before his personal coming do not apprehend that the prophecyes on that account will have their full fulfilling therein nor will be so fulfilled till he so comes Our Lord Christ tels his followers that continued with him in his temptations Luk. 22. 28 29. 30. And I appoint unto you a kingdom as my father hath appointed unto me that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom when it comes and he reigns in it and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel Minde we that in Math. 25. 24. come ye blessed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you c. When will this be when he shall come in his glory and all the holy Angels with him and shall fit on the throne of his glory it will be then that the Saints of the most high God will be so advanced and dignified so impowered to judge know ye not saith the Apostle 1. Cor. 6. 2. that the Saints shall judge the world yea and Angels also vers 3. the world have judged and wrongfully many times condemned them and they have been for Christs sake killed all the day long Rom. 8. 36. it will be otherwise then they shall judge them that injuriously condemned them then the Saints shall have the day and what Daniell hath told shall come to passe that the dominion and greatness of the kingdom under the
and the coming of his kingdom and reign and all those great things that shall contemporize fall in and take place then of which we have spoken before and are too many to be here set down they shall all have their fulfilling and making good then these of the holy psalmists of Isaiah Ieremiah and Ezekiel of Daniel and the rest of the prophets relating to that time shall then in like manner be fulfilled as they are written We shall particularize a few out of the new testament and draw to a close First that of our Lord Math. 25. 31. With all that followeth to the end of the chapter as it is setdown when the son of man shall come in his glory and all his holy Angels with him then will he sit on the throne of his glory likewise the gathering the nations the setting them on the right hand and on the left the saying as is their spoken and judging and sentencing of them will be fulfilled according as it is written in all the particulars of it As also that Luk. 21. 27. and then shall ye see the son of man come in the clouds with power and great glory Every eye shall see him Rev. 1. 7. As sure as the wise men saw his star and afterwards himself lying in the manger or as they in the time of his humiliation saw him ride on an asse and on a colt the foal of an asse as it was written Zech. 9. 9. Math. 21. 4. 5. Tell ye the daughter of Sion behold thy king cometh unto thee meek and sitting on an asse c. So as sure then when he comes again he shall come in the clouds of heaven in great power and glory and every eye shall see him That Acts. 1. 10. 11. Which the two men in white apparrel to wit Angels told the disciples looking after our Lord being ascended this Jesus whom ye have seen go up into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven it shall then be fulfilled As likewise that Heb. 9. 28. To them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation Then will be fulfilled that which holy Peter and others have told concerning the burning of this world and the taking place of the new a new heaven and a new earth according to the promise of God with tho raising of the dead in Christ out of their graves and the changing of those saints then alive in a moment The restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy Prophets will be fulfilled as sure as those things spoken by them were formerly when he came before Then will that be fulfilled written by holy Paul Rom. 8. concerning the waited for adoption the redemption of the body and the creatures also delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God Then shall Daniel as was told by the Angel stand up in his lot And Abraham and Isaack and Jacob and all the Prophets sit together in the kingdom of God as it is written That which holy Isaiah chap. 60. hath foretold and holy John hath shewed Rev. 21. Rev. 22. concerning Jerusalems glory coming down from heaven and shining gloriously with the pure river of water of life and the trees bearing fruit every moneth which he hath attested to be the true sayings of Almighty God And also that concerning the righteous then that they shall hunger no more nor thirst any more nor suffer pain or death any more for ever nor no more curse the sayings being true and faithfull and will be fulfilled then the righteous shall see the vengence that is written fully made good against their wicked oppressors their wrongs righted their faith and patience rewarded the righteous proceedings of God manifested in punishing them with everlasting destruction from his presence such as sorely afflicted them when they shall have rest together it will be all fulfilled as it is written Great terror and fear will attend the wicked then and they will according as it is written be found saying to the mountains fall on us and to the hills cover us from the presence of him that sitteth on the throne And Gog and Magog the beast and false Prophet the captains and mighty men and all their great numbers be destroyed And the devill that deceived them and death also and the grave or Hell be cast into the lake of sire for ever with very many things of the like kinde which in a prophetical way by way of threatning against the wicked are written it shall then be fulfilled and made good from the faithfulness of the Lord Iehovah that is engaged in it Why should any that believe the the power and faihfulness of God doubt of it why should any think that the things spoken of in the holy Scriptures relating to the Lord Christ his second coming in power and great glory declared by the prophets and holy penmen of the Scriptures that those should not as well be fulfilled and made good as those were fulfilled at his first coming in the state of humiliation and suffering why should any go about to advance unbelief and weak reason into the room and place of faith and conclude that those things of Christs coming and kingdom are divised fables or things impossible ever to come to passe Holy Peter strong in faith and lively in hope saith 2. Pet. 3. 12. seeing so great things are to be done as burning and dissolving this old heaven and earth with the works therein in order to the coming in of the new in the room thereof we should be looking for and hastning to the day of their performance Vers. 13. we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dweleth righteousnes And again vers 14. seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace c. unto those that look for him the second time he will appear Heb. 9. 28. Great good things will attend the righteous hereafter a great change for the better will come when they shall enjoy a flourishing condition and abundance of peace and felicity The blessed morning will come when they will come to have the preheminence The day hasteneth when they as Lazarus had will have the good things and be comforted when the wicked will sadly suffer the righteous being in the height of their enjoyments of blessedness enjoying the presence of God and being for ever with the Lord Christ and having fellowship with just men throughly made perfect and shall live and reign with Christ a thousand years as it is written and will be fulfilled It is impossible that any thing thereof should fail or come short I shall forbear to enlarge The reason and scope of the whole is to infor from what is written as fulfilled of the prophecyes at Christ our Lord his first coming to shew what we may look for and expect at his second coming in like manner remembring holy Peter hath told us we have a more sure word of Prophecy unto which we do well to taken ed Hope we stedfastly therefore for the great grace and blessedness that shall be brought unto us at the revelation of Iesus Christ O come Lord Iesus come quickly Errata PAge line 7. for on reade gone p. 32. l. 2. for on r. in p. 33. l. 27. for had no r. had not l. 22. r. Lord Jesus p. 43. l. 30. for Psalm r. Esa p. 44. for psal r. phil l. 33. for his r. this p. 52. l. 15. for preceher r. preached p. 55. l. 17. for changed r. raised p. 57. l. 36. for world r. word l. 30. r. is come dole which is to come p. 59. l. 22. for many r. man p. 78. l. 13. r. that will attend p. 83. l. 16. for as our Christ r. as our Lord Christ l. 11. r. the regeneration p. 87. l. 12. for must r. might l. 31. for as so great r. is so great p. 91. l. 12. for thee r. him p. 102. dele for a time p. 105. l. 23. for light r. right p. 107. for be r he p. 109. l. 17. for must r. may l. 24. dele save In p. 13. at the close of the 3. chap. some thing intended to have been left out was casually left in concerning a long time after a 1000. years said to be Mr. Archors judgement also p. 16. towards the end these words and as some apprehend will be a 1000 years more Which not being the judgement of the Authour is here intimated FINIS