Position Sect. 1 Of the Saints living that thousand yeers Sect. 2 Of their reigning that 1000 years Sect. 3 Or their reigning with Christ Sect. 4 Of the thousand yeers BOOK II. 1 Chap. The general Position taken asunder into two parts 1 How Christ shall be with his Saints 2 How the Saints shall reign under him 2 Chap. Ten several Scriptures out of the New-Testament in relation to the first part to prove the visible appearance of Christ personally to the Church on earth at the time of her Restauration alleadged and explained Sect. 1. Joh. 19.37 They shall look on him whom they have pierced collated with that in Zach. 12 10. c. whence it is quoted Sect. 2. Rev. 1.7 Behold he commeth with clouds and every eye shall see him c. Sect. 3. Matth. 24.30 And then shall appear the signe of the Son of man in heaven c. Sect. 4. The 2 Thess 2.1 c. Now I beseech you brethren by the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ c. Sect. 5. Mat. 26.29 I will not drinke henceforth of this fruit of the vine untill that day when I drinke it new with you in my Fathers Kingdome Sect. 6. The 2 Tim. 4.1 I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus c. Sect. 7. Act. 3.19 20 21. Repent yee therefore and be converted that c. Sect. 8. Mat. 23.38 Your house is left unto you desolate c. Sect. 9. Mat. 24. When shall these things be c. Sect. 10. Luke 19.11 to 28. He added and spake a Parable c. 3 Chap. Five Scriptures out of the Old Testament to prove the visible appearance of Christ to the Church on earth at the time of her restauration Sect. 1. Dan. 7.11 c. to the end of the Chapter I beheld then because c. Sect. 2. Jer. 25.5 Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will raise unto c. Sect. 3. Zach. 2.10 11 12. collated with Zach. 14.4 5 6 c. Sing and rejoyce O daughter of Jerusalem for lo I come and I will dwell in the midst of thee c. Sect. 4. Mich. 4. v. 1. to 8. In the last dayes it shall come to passe that the mountaine of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains and many Nations shall come c. Sect. 5. Zephan 3.14 c. Sing O daughter of Zion the Lord hath cast out c. 4 Chap. A briefe Discourse upon Christs visible appearance to the Elect on earth BOOK III. 1 Chap. The partition of the ensuing discourse shewing that two things are to be done in relation to the second branch of the Position afore How the saints shall reigne under Christ viz. 1 To prove in general That there is such a Kingdome yet to bee on earth as aforesaid in the general Position 2 What this Kingdome shall be in the particulars The first is managed by four means viz. 1 By Texts of Scripture 2 By Arguments 3 By The common consent of all sorts of men as if a law of nature 4 By Solution of objections 2 Chap. Containing many Scriptures proving that there shall be yet on earth before the last judgement such a Reigning of the Saints such a visible Kingdom of Christ and a glorious state of all things as is before propounded Sect. 1. Largâ—ly discussing the 20 and 21. Chapters of the Revelation Sect. 3. falsely so printed for Sect. 2. and sutably the rest to the end of the third Book the usefulnes of the Old Testament for the point in hand wherein many considerable things for proof are produced Sect. 4. Gods promise to Adam Gen. 1. 26 27 28. paralleld with Psal 8. and that with Heb. 2.5 largely opened Sect. 5. Gods promise to Abraham Gen. 12. Gen. 17. Gen. 18. Gen. 22. paralleld with other promises to his posterity Gen. 26. Gen. 48. And those with the Apostles explications and applications Rom. 4 Gal. 3. Heb. 11. largely opened Sect. 6. Balaams Prophesie Num. 24. explained Sect. 7 Deut. 3.1 to 10. Sect. 8 Deut. 32.15 c. Sect. 9 Nehem. 1.8 c. Sect. 10 The Booke of Psalmes in three heads Sect. 11 Isa 2.1 c. Sect. 12 Isa 9.6 c. Sect. 13 Isa 11. totum Sect. 14 Isa 14.1 c. Sect. 15 Isa 24 23. Sect. 16 Isa 25. totum Sect. 17 Isa 33.20 21. Sect. 18 Isa 34.1 c. Sect. 19 Isa 45.14 c. Sect. 20 Isa 49. totum Sect. 21 Isa 54.11 c. Sect. 22 Isa 59. Sect. 23 Isa 60. tot Sect. 24 Isa 63.1 c. Sect. 25 Isa 65.17 c. Sect. 26 Isa 66.5 c. Sect. 27 Jer. 16.14.15 collated with chap. 23. v. 3 c. Sect. 28 Jer. 30 31 chap Sect. 29 Jer. 32.37 c. Sect. 30 Jer. 50.17 c. Sect. 31 Ez. 28.24 25 26 Sect. 32 corruptly printed 33. Ez 34.11 c. Sect. 33 Ezek 36. totum Sect. 34 Ezek. 37. tot Sect. 35 Dan. 2.31 c. Sect. 36 Dan. 7. All the ch Sect. 37 Dan. 11. 12 ch Sect. 38 Hos 1.10 11. Sect. 39 Hos 3.4 5. Sect. 40 Joel 2.28 c. Sect. 41 Joel 3.1 c. Sect. 42 Amos 9.11 c col with Ob. v. 17. c Sect. 43 Mich. 4. All. Sect. 44 Zeph. 3.9 c. Sect. 45 Zach. 2.6 c. Sect. 46 Zach. 6.12 c. Sect. 47 Zach. 8.20 c. Sect. 48 Zach. 10 3. c. Sect. 49 Zach. 12. All. Sect. 50 Zach. 14.3 c. Sect. 51 Mal. 4. All. All which places of the O.T. from Sect. 6. to the end of Sect. 51. are paralleld with several places of the New Testament 3 Chap. The inconsiderablenesse and inconsideratenesse of some ancient Authors verbal glancings against some of the prooss afore alledged Sect. 1. A general survey of the Authority of mens words and writings Sect. 2. Jeroms jerkings at the precedent proofs discussed Sect. 3. The words of Gaius seconded by Dionysius Alexandrinus both falsely fathering our opinion upon Cerinthus and weakly credited by Eusebius examined and confuted and our opinion of the thousand yeers is vindicated from voluptuous Chiliasme 4 Chap. Places produced out of the New Testament to prove the general Thesis or Position Sect. 1. Mat. 24.13 Sect. 2 Luke 1.31 32. Sect. 3 Luke 21.24 Sect. 4 Luke 22.28 c. Sect. 5 Act. 1.6 Sect. 6 Rom. 11.25 c.. Sect. 7 The 1 Cor. 15 21 c. Sect 8 The 2 Cor. 3. 15. c. Sect 9 Phil. 2.9 10. c. Sect 10 Rev. 2.25 c. Sect 11 Rev. 3.21 c. Sect 12 Revel 18 19 Chap. 5 Chap. Containing five Arguments in five distinct Sections to provethe future glorious state on earth BOOK IV. 1 Chap. Containing a Preface to the subject of this Book which is to shew the judgement of all sorts of men in favour of our main Position touching the future glorious state on earth viz. in 2 Chap. Of Heathens 3 Chap. Of Mabumetans 4 Chap. Of Jewish Rabbins
hath been said upon this Text of 2 Thess 2. with obtruding a sense upon it and devolving it upon the ultimate day of judgement as if then were the just time of Christs destroying Antichrist by the brightnesse or appearance of his coming For first this were to overturne the whole tenor of Scripture that tells us distinctly Rev. 17.16 of the means of the overthrow of Antichrist viz. That the ten Hornes or ten powerfull Dominions Regalities or Imperialities shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh that is devoure or destroy by an Hebraisme imitating the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and her flesh and not only her spirituall or moral estate and burn her with fire And the manner and measure and effect Rev. 18. Rev. 19. 19 20 21. viz. A milstone cast into the sea the cessation of all musicke mils and trades the extinguishing of all candles are there used as types and signes of his destruction and the wailing of Kings and Merchants for his desolation are used to set forth the sequel thereof And then it is added expressely that the Beasts and the Kings of the earth and their Armies are gathered together to make war against him that sate on the horse and against his Army and the Beast was taken and with him the false Prophet and were cast into a lake of fire c. and the remnant were slaine with the sword c. and all the soules were filled with their flesh All which things shall finde neither time nor place to be acted at the ultimate day of judgement 2 There is a weighty consideration in this Text of 2 Thess 2. to evince that it cannot relate to the ultimate day of judgement For then is the destruction of all the wicked of the world Rev. 22.10 If any of Antichrist precisely understood as the brood of Turk and Pope be then extant they are swallowed up and drowned as to the enumeration among the crowd of Hypocrites who shall then be judged condemned and executed as hypocrites as oft the day of judgement is so described Matth. 7.22 Mat. 25.41 Mat. 24.51 But our Apostle in this 2 Thess 2.8 speaks precisely of the distinct destruction of Antichrist as Antichrist And therefore mentions him and his brood in a singular phrase as a single man In vers 3. he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The man of sin And in the same verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The sonne of perdition vers 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. That opposer vers 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That same lawlesse one For if I may have leave to speake my notion then in precise consideration wee may thus distinguish That as lapsed Adam with all wicked men consired in him Rom. 5. is called the one and onely first man 1 Cor. 15. And Christ the second Adam with all true Christians reckoned in him Rom. 6. is called the one and onely last man 1 Cor. 15. So Antichrist is one middle person partly a Man and partly a Beast as it is oft in the Revelation in whom all Antichristian men that are neither openly wicked without all shew of Religion nor yet sincerely Christians are to be reckoned as one with him as limbs and Trunck make but one body one Antichrist So that as Antichrist is a distinct thing in precise notion from the dirty open wicked so his destruction is distinct afore the ultimate day of judgement For Rev. 11. 13 15 18. Antichrist is destroyed WHILES Christ hath a Kingdome distinct from the Fathers ultimate Kingdome And WHEN the Nations were angry at Antichrists beginning to fall And Rev. ch 18. and c. 19. he falls afore New Jerusalem is set up in Rev. 21. And in c. 20. it is set forth as the cause of both that Christ reignes at least in and by his Saints on earth a thousand yeers So that the appearance of Christ destroying Antichrist is at the beginning of the thousand yeers For Christ appeares as well at the beginning as the ending of the thousand yeeres At the beginning for two maine ends the one for the conversion of the Jewes Zech. 12. Rev. 1.7 the other for the destruction of Antichrist as we have it in this 2 Thess 2.8 which though it doth not hold forth the last and ultimate generall judgement yet it holds forth a day of judgement yea the beginning and preparation to that day of judgement setting his sheep as Matth. 25. on his right hand first speaking comfortably to them for a thousand yeeres to make them triumph on earth where they have been trampled on and after at the end of that thousand yeeres sets the goats on his left hand condemning them at that time of the ultimate day of judgement SECT V. Of the fifth Scripture for Christs personall appearance at the great Restauration of the Church Matth. 26.29 But I say unto you I will not drinke henceforth of this fruit of the vine untill that day when I drinke it new with you in my Fathers Kingdome § 1 THis Scripture is alleadged by Mr. Burroughs for one place to prove the appearance of Christ personally at the thousand yeeres It is true saith he this place is usually interpreted in a mysticall sense But there is no reason why wee may not take it in a literall And a little afore hee said It is a good rule that all Scriptures are to be understood literally unlesse it make against the coherence of the Text or against some other Scriptures § 2 It may be some may thinke that commonly this place is understood of Christs conversing with the Disciples after his Resurrection But not so commonly for the most renowned Calvin Marlorat Grotius c. are against that § 3 Besides it is not said Luke 24.42 43. that he did drinke with the Disciples after his resurrection eate he did with them to shew the verity of his Humanity now risen but it is not said he dranke as if he needed it either for concoction or to allay some corporall passion of heat § 4 It is true that it is said by Peter Act. 10.41 touching himselfe and the rest of the Apostles We did eate and drinke with him after he rose from the dead which may signifie their more familiar society with him as Luk. 13.26 We have eaten and dranke in thy presence but doth not assert Christs drinking It is said expresly We did eate and drinke not that he did drinke Paul tells us 1 Cor. 15. the body is raised a spirituall body And Christ is the first fruites of them that sleep which signifies that after the resurrection of the body there is no need of drinke though Christ did then eate to shew himselfe to be true man and therefore it is generally conceived that this cup Matth. 26.29 was his * Sumpto poculo renunciat Corporali potioni Theophyl En◠rat in Matth. 26.29 last parting cup that hee dranke in this present world as never more
to communicate with them in any sort of drinking till he dranke new with them in the Kingdome of his Father †Quare non videtur loc intelligendum de vino quod unâ cum discipulis biberit Dominus pâ—st resurrectionem suum Nam etsi per dies illos quadraginta sese illis subinde ostendit atque etiam cum iis eâ—it nulla tamen potus sit mentio Nec moris erat apud Judaeos bibere vinum in prandiis ac caenis quotidianis sed tantum in solenniotibus convivâ—is Pisc Schol. in Matth. 26.29 See Piscator on Matth. 26. § 5 And if any will needs presume that he did drinke after his resurrection some sort of drinke or other Let them stay their stomacks with this that it is spoken in this twenty sixth of Matthew with a double emphasis upon both Phrases that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will by no meanes drinke from hence-forward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of this this same fruit or kinde of the vine untill c. so that beyond all dispute its evident that Christ will no more drinke of THIS KIND untill that day when he shall drinke it new with them in his Fathers kingdome which Emphasis at THAT day with the distinction of his Fathers kingdome cannot relate to three dayes after Christ then still being in execution of his maine Mediatorship rising againe Rome 4.25 for our justification as he was delivered to death for our offences § 6 All which is pinned faster by the phrase in the Adjective not in the Adverb For he saith not I will drinke it newly but I will drinke it new which could not be within three dayes after and in the winter time when there was need in Judea of a fire in the High-Priests Hall Luk. 24.55 at which time and in so short a space there could not be made either new wine or any meere naturall creature new But at the thousand yeares all things are made new 2 Pet. chap. 3.13 Isa 65.17 Revel 21.1.4 5. The learned Grotius saith * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Simile est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Apocalypsi Grot. in Annot. in Matth. 26.29 The fruit of the Vine is said to be new as it is said New Jerusalem in the Apocalyps Now we know that Jerusalem is new in St. Johns sense in the time of the thousand yeares as appeares by collating Revel 21.1 with Revel 20.1 c. †Ev 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nempe in regno lo Caelesti glorioso seu in convivio illo Nuptiali ac regio in quo accumbent Abraham Isaac Iacob unâ cum illit omnes electi ut docet Dominus supra 8.11 Piscat in Mat. 26.29 Schol. And Piscator saith That the Kingdome of his Father signifieth that Royall Nuptiall whereat Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Elect shall sit downe together with Christ And it is said Revel 20.4 the Saints lived and reigned with Christ a thousand yeares And Mat. 19 28. That they that have followed Christ shall so is the right pomting and sense I say shall in the regeneration when the Sonne of Man shall sit on his throne sit also upon twelve thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel * So Theophyl points it and saith Per regeâ—nerationem autâ—m resurrectionem intellige which resurrection of all the Elect defunct is at the beginning of the the mand yeares where we have the fruit of the vine new explained by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Another Genesis or creation of the world as Genesis is the name of the Booke containing the Story of the first Creation which other Genesis is whiles Christ sits on his throne saith this text afore he resigne his kingdome to his Father 1 Cor. 15. And saith the Apostle Rom. 8.21 this second Creation is such as wherein the Creature it selfe the whole Creation as well as the election of Beleevers shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God c. as it followes vers 22. 23. That is the Creatures shall be delivered from the blasting curse by Adams fall namely both from the vexation wrong and abuse of them by mans sinfull use of them as also from the vanity weaknesse and emptinesse that is in them for fallen mans sake Now this Nuptiall royall Banquet must be at that Wedding Revel 21. ver 2. ver 9. which in order falls into the thousand yeares mentioned afore Revel 20. even as it is expresse Revel 19.7.9 that it followes the ruine of Babilon mentioned Revel 18. throughout the whole Chapter The great * Et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Inquit Theophylactus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est non vulgari neque communi sed novo singulari modo loach Cametar Commentar in Matth. Joach Camerarius upon that twenty sixth of Matthew vers 29 approves of Theophylacts sence upon this new and thus recites it New that is saith Theophylact after a new manner that is not in a vulgar or common but in a new and singular way To which let me adde what further Theophylact there adds †Vel etiam inquit Theophylactus sic intelligas Novum poculum revelatio sacramentorum Dei hoc est in secundo adventu revelabuntur quae verè sunt nova qualia non audivimus uspiam Theophyl Enarrat in Com. Or else saith he by New understand a new Cup and the revelations of the mysteries of God that is in his second comming shall be revealed what things are truly new such as we have not any when or where heard § 7 But it may be some will object that it is said in the foresaid text he would drinke it new in his Fathers Kingdome and therefore that place is not so cleare for Christs Kingdome To which we answer two wayes 1. That this Kingdome of Christ in this text may be called also his Fathers Kingdome because the Father gave it him Psal 2. v. 8. And therefore is Christ called there in v. 6. HIS King And the Apostles pray to the Father in the words of this Psalme to maintaine his Sonne in his Kingdome Act. 4.24 c. whereof the glorious state of the Church in Constantine the Great his time and other short shinings forth of the splendor of the Church in succeeding ages were but types or prefaces So Psal 8.4 5. What is man that thou art mindfull of hem or the SONNE of man the common stile of Christ that thou visitest him for THOU hast made HIM a little time * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a little waile For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies say the Criticks a little space of time And so is the Greek Heb. 2.7 See the margine 〈◊〉 here lower then the Angels AND that is to say after that hast CROWNED him with glory and honour THOU hast made him to have dominion over the workes of thy hands THOU hast put all things under his feet All
indure for ever Psal 136. v. 4. v. 13 14 15 in bringing them to the land of promise Lastly The Lords Supper doth not onely in the elements typifie our spiritual nourishment and cherishment by Christ but in the posture of sitting signifies our reigning and judging with Christ the whole earth as ruling and judging is oft expressed in Scripture by sitting Mat. 19.28 Rev. 4.4 Rev. 20.4 even as in Luke 22.29 30. Eating and drinking at a table with Christ is put as a signe of a Kingdome and sitting on seats or thrones a signe of judicature § 6 The summe of this Section is that there shall come so many out of the loynes of Abraham both of Jewes and Gentiles to whom God will be their God and blesse them over the face of the whole earth in the seed of Abraham making them partakers of the righteousnesse of faith c. as is afore more largely enumerated that the generality of the whole world shall become beleevers and be the governou of the entire universe All which must be fulfilled as sure as God cannot lie § 7 But these things in all those promises aforesaid have never yet been fulfilled The ten Tribes carried away by Salmanazar remaine still scattered among the Heathen not having received if ever they heard of the word of faith the Gospel of Christ And the two Tribes of Juda and Benjamin do not to this day acknowledge the New Testament The Turkes Arabians Hagarens Tartarians Persians Indians c. have no acquaintance with Christ and salvation We see not yet all Nations under the Stars numerous as the sands of the sea blessed in the seed of Abraham viz. in Christ converted to the faith Some inhabitants of a few spots of ground are called Christians but the most and mightiest Imperialties or dominions know not Christ Wee see not yet Ephraims posterity according to Gen. 48.19 afore quoted to become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fulnesse of the Gentiles or to come in as the fulnesse of the Gentiles which phrase the Apostle exactly keeping Rom. 11.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 untill the fulnesse of the Gentiles come in and so all Israel to be saved interprets it of the conversion of the world of Iewes and Gentiles to faith in Christ But alas for the posterity of Ephraim they are not delivered from their captivity temporall or spiritual to this day Nor is one Kingdome of ten over the whole world converted unto the faith Nor is Iosephs posterity blessed according to Gen. 49.26 to the utmost bounds of the everlasting Hils that is saith learned Ainsworth over the face of the whole earth Nor have the Hebrews since the Apostle wrote to them that Epistle so named attained any Country or City that is heavenly or built by God being not converted to this day as fit for any better condition on earth or in heaven And they must be in a better spiritual condition on Earth according to the tenour of all the Scriptures afore they can be received into Heaven Of which more after especially when we come to discusse the 4. Chap. of this Epistle to the Hebrews § 8 Nor can these things be fulfilled at the last general judgement being every way inconsistent with that time being no time then of conversion or dominion of men but of confusion of the wicked and the subjection of all the good yea of Christ himselfe as Christ to God who then is to be all in all as we have oft minded out of 1. Cor. 15.28 SECT VI. Wherein the Prophesie in Numb 24.16 to 25 is discussed as proof of the generall Position Numb 24. v. 16. He hath said or he assuredly saith which heard the words or oracles of God and knew the knowledge of the most High which saw the vision of the Almighty falling into a trance but having his eyes open Verse 17. I shall see him but not now I shall behold him but not nigh There shall come a STAR out of lacob and a Scepter shall arise out of Israel and shall smite or smite thorow the corners or Princes of Moab and shall destroy Heb. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall unwall all the children of Sheth Verse 18. And Edom shall be a possession Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies and Israel shall doe valiantly Verse 19. Out of Iacob shal come he that shall have dominion and shall destroy him that remaineth of the City Verse 20. And when he looked on Amalek he took up his parable and said Amalek was the first of the Nations †That is the first of the Nation warred against Israel Exod. 17. but his latter end shall be that hee perish for ever Verse 21. And he looked on the Kenites and tooke up his parable and said Strong is thy dwelling place and thou puttest thy nest in a rock Verse 22. Neverthelesse the Kenite Heb. Kain * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall be wasted untill Ashur shall carry thee away captive Verse 23. And he took up his parable and said Alas who shall live when God doth this ** The Geneva Notes say Some read Oh who shall not perish when the encâ—â—y that is ANTICHRIST shall set himself up as God Verse 24. And ships shall come from the coasts of Chitim and shal afflict Ashur and shall afflict Eber and he shall perish for ever § 1 IT will be a faire Preface to what we are to infer from these words to our purpose if in the first place wee give you the exposition of the Verses above quoted in the words of the Hebrews Targum Talmud and Rabbins and of the Greek Septuagint The man that spake this was Balaam but set downe by Moses as a most sure Prophesie and therefore shews us what a full manifestation he had from God of this Prophesie verse 16. It is not unusuall with God sometimes for extraordinary ends to reveale some particular Prophesies to some men at some certaine juncture of time for a present occasion whiles such men are unregenerate So to Caiphas Joh. 11.49 50 51. So to the Sibyls of whom afore in the first Book in the large quotations of Lactantius I say not that God gives them the spirit of Prophesie but that God dictated to them some particular Prophesies as of this Balaam it is said the Lord met him and gave him a charge what he should say and so he was enforced by the power of divine providence to blesse instead of cursing And of this Prophesie we have some touches and phrases repeated in the New Testament 2 Pet. 1.19 Until the day-star arise Rev. 22.16 I Jesus c. am the root of David c. and the bright and morning star yea and some of this Prophesie is punctually fulfilled in the Old Testament so long since as Davids time as wee shall see after § 2 The matter of the Prophesie is very considerable to our businesse if we understand it aright wherein the Hebrews admirably assist for of them
Merchants and Travellours finde them into all Countries and Nations therefore the deliverance of the Jewes which is to follow this scattering intimated in the word untill is not yet fulfilled and till then the glorious state of the Church on earth to be made up of Jewes and Gentiles cannot exist as we have often heard afore out of the Prophets Observe next that the Jewes must continue thus scattered into all Nations UNTILL the opportunities or seasons of the Gentiles be filled up or compleatly made up which was not done in Pauls time Rom. 11.25 26. for as it is there added when the fulnesse of the Gentiles shall come in ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED by a Deliverer that shall come out of Sion turning away ungodlinesse from Jacob according to covenant which as it is no opportune businesse for the ultimate Judgement so it hath not had its opportunity hitherto to be fulfilled upon earth as it is apparent before our eyes in the Non-conversion of the Jewes and the non-preaching of the Gospell to all Nations of the Gentiles before discussed * See before in this third Book chap 4. Sect. 1. Observe lastly that this trampling of Jerusalem by the Gentiles is computed by the Holy Ghost Rev. 11.2 to continue forty two Moneths that is vers 3. one thousand two hundred and sixty dayes that is yeares to commence from the time that Antichrist should have that same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as some Copies read it i. e. power or authority to doe or act as Antichrist as Antichrist growne up to act Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as other Copies read that is power or authority to make warre Now if we take the eldest account viz. from his power to act or doe this cannot wel commence higher then from the removing of HIM THAT WITH-HELD and LETTED the revealing of Antichrist 2 Thes 2.6 7 8. That is the laying low of the Roman Emperour Anno Dom. 410. by Alaricus King of the Goths taking and spoyling Rome and exposing her by this weakening to future depredations by the Vandals c. And therefore the most learned Elias Reusnerus boldly takes the beginning of the compute of the 42. Moneths from that same time which if granted infers that these 42. moneths or 1260. dayes of yeares that is 1260. yeares then taking their beginning are not expired till the yeare 1670. Reusner gives us both the briefe of the History and the exact account in his Isagoge Historica at the yeare 410. of the Infancy of Antichrist * Roma Victrix inquit Domina orbis ab Alarico Gothorum Rege capta direpta Scâ—â—at lib. 7. â— 10 a quo tempore auctoritate ejus plurimùm imminutâ— ipsa exposita est pari deinceps praedae atque diâ—eptioni Vandâ—lis Herulis Longobardis aliisque Germaniae Gentibus quae in Italiâ Galliâ Hispaniâ— Britanniâ exâ—tarunâ— diversa regna Ab hâc imperii Romani inclinatione sublato è medio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Paulus Apostolus 2 Thes 2. Ordiendum esse innuit tempus Filâ—i PERDITIONIS quâ—m Dominus confecturus fit spiritu oris sui Rectè ergè hic initium figitur XLII MENSIUM ANGELICORUM regni bestiae septicipitis Apoc. 13. decicornis potestatem magnam ab infernali Dracone mutuantis horribiles contra Deum blasphemias eructantis hoc est Papatus Romani per septem occidentis regna Italiam Hispaniam Britanniam Galliam Germaniam Hungariam Poloniam diffusi a quo tandem posteriora capita quinque per Agnum Dei Apocal. 17 divelluntur quae in decem regna specialia resurgunt nempe Germaniam Bohemiam Hungariam Poloniam Sueciam â—aniam Norvegiam Scotiam Angliam Franciam in quibus hodiè contabescit regnum Pontificis Romani HORUM MENSIUM FINIS INCIDET in Anno Christi 1670. Sic Elias Reusnerus Isag Hist De Infantia Antichristi ad annum Christi 410. If we take the younger or latter account viz. from the power of Antichrist to make warre and fix the beginning thereof with the greatest probability as to that among the learned upon Pope Hildebrand alias Gregory the seventh who was the first saith Helvicus That excommunicated the Emperour and arrogated to himselfe the power of appointing and setting up the Emperour enfolding as Reusner carries on the story the Roman Empire in all manner of seditions and civill Wars excommunicating Henry the fourth Caesar making him attend bare-foot at his Palace gate in sharp winter arming the Nobility of Germany against him absolving them from their allegeance I say if we fixe the beginning of Antichrists power to make warre upon this Hildebrand then it will be far longer ere the 1260. yeares wil be run out the said Hildebrand so ruffling in his power not till about the yeare of Christ 1070. to which if we adde 1260. we make up a far larger reckoning then the former and so much farther from fulfilling whereas this our context affirmes ver 28. that when that time of trampling shall be fulfilled the Jewes redemption draweth nigh Which must be fulfilled afore the ultimate Judgement the time of that Judgement being inconsistent with these things or else it cannot be fulfilled at all Therefore as sure as God cannot lye this is yet to bee fulfilled SECT IV. The fourth place is in Luke 22.28 29 30. Ver. 28. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations Ver. 29. And I appoint unto you a kingdome as my father hath appointed unto me Ver. 30. That yee may eate and drink at my Table in MY Kingdom and sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of ISRAEL § 1 IN the first place let us not forget that ancient true rule Non est a literâ seu propria scripturae significatione recedendum nisi evidens aliqua necessitas cogat scripturae veritas in ipsâ literâ periclitari videatur i.e. We are not to depart from the Letter or proper sence of the Scripture unlesse some evident necessity compel and the truth of the Scripture seem to be endangered Now there is no such necessity lies upon this Text to recede from the litterall sence thereof For by a litterall and Proper interpretation of this Text neither is the truth of this nor of any other place of Scripture nor of any of the Articles of our faith in the least indangered as wee shall see more abundantly when we come to answer objections against our Thesis Mean while take notice that there are many grave godly learned men not onely in our Nation but in other Countries who while they doe not yet take up this opinion as their own do yet notwithstanding ingeniously confesse that it is a very harmelesse opinion § 2 Note in the second place that there is a great importunity if not necessity incumbent on this Scripture to understand it at least in the general according to the letter For ¶ 1. Therein is promised as a peculiar reward to them that had indured temptations with
and for Christ that he hath appointed to them a kingdome yea HIS kingdom ver 29 30 with which let the studious reader diligently compare Revel 11.18 Rev. 20.4 which tribulations or temptations all Converts that live on earth to any maturity of age to professe their godlinesse in life and conversation doe more or lesse undergoe on earth Act. 14.22 And therefore it is here promised that they shall be rewarded on earth as we have and shall abundantly demonstrate But if there be no such estate to be fulfilled upon earth but only a state of glory in the supreamest Heaven then all the Elect dying in their infancy to whom also the Kingdom of Heaven belongs Mark 10.14 who never indured any temptations c. shall have as much priviledge viz. the fulnesse of ultimate glory as those that have indured most and longest in temptations which seems contrary to the Text which holds forth a peculiar eminent prerogative to them that indure temptation with and for Christ compare Rev. 20.4 ¶ 2. Christ appoints unto them a kingdome as his father appointed unto him a kingdome But the father appointed unto Christ no kingdome in ultimate glory in the supreamest heavens which as on all hands t is agreed followes the ultimate judgement for then and there Christ layes downe all his Kingdomship Kingship or reigning 1 Cor. 15.24 28. And it is most improper to say the Saints the Members reigne when and where the head Christ himselfe a◠Christ doth not reigne Besides reigning in and over a Kingdome implies by an inference from relations that some are subjects to them in that Kingdome being brought under subjection to them but in the highest heaven there is nothing made subject to them If the Angels ministration be not at an end when the Church is perfected in glory yet they are said only to be servants for the Church but not subject under the Church at their command being subject under Christ alone Heb. 1.6.13 14. But if Christ according to that fore-quoted place 1 Cor. 15.24.28 doth then lay downe all his power and authority we cannot understand how the service of Angels should be thence-forward continued but in the glorious estate on earth the Saints have all the Creatures and men that truly beleeve not subject to them according to the many Prophesies afore alleadged and opened As for the Spirituall Kingdome of Christ beleevers were in that in all ages by past and therefore that could not be the meaning of this Promise and Prophesie given forth by our Saviour in this text Besides the Spirituall kingdome of Christ is the kingdome of patience as Saint John often intimates where the Saints indure those temptations Christ mentions and so cannot signifie the kingdome of reward which Christ promiseth to that induring ¶ 3. Eating and drinking are unsuitable expressions to signifie supernall eternall ultimate glory but very suitable to expresse Christs glorious Kingdome ou earth yet to come as we have before opened * Book 2. ch 2. sect 5. p. 91. ¶ 4. By the order of the words the Saints must first be in the Kingdome and then sit on Thrones and judge the Tribes of Israel But in the Spirituall kingdome of Christ they had not so done nor doth Christs speech relate to past but future and in the supreamest ultimate glory there is nothing to be judged neither persons nor things ¶ 5. Christ promising emphatically that the Saints should sit on Thrones in HIS Kingdome cannot be applied to the supreamest ultimate glory in which Christ hath no Kingdome but layes downe all 1 Cor. 15.24 25. Therefore this Kingdome here meant is yet to come before the ultimate Judgement and the state of glory is to succeed that SECT V. The fifth place in the New Testament is Acts 1.6 7. When they were come together they asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore againe the Kingdome to Israel And he said unto them it is not for you to know or as it is in the Greek it is not of you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his owne power § 1 WHat formerly hath been spoken on this text by others see before in Page 33. § 3. where they assert that the Kingdome here enquired after signifies a Kingdome to be on earth after Christs resurrection afore the ultimate Judgement § 2 And see it plainly in the text that though Christs Spirituall kingdome in the height of it by John and Christs ministry in a New Testament exaltation had been now in being these four yeares past before the putting of the question in the text and the Apostles were fully informed of the state of ultimate glory by the tenor of all the Scriptures yet they expect another kingdome viz. one to be restored to ISRAEL yea to the TWELVE Tribes of Israel for as much as at present only the two Tribes were at and about Jerusalem and they under the power of the Romans the other ten being in captivity in forreigne Nations § 3 Note further that Christ doth not deny the thing but only the manifesting of it and at this time even as he speakes in the present tence IS not not it SHALL not § 4 And therefore the Apostles then present were not by this beaten off from expecting it but rather went on preaching it Acts 3.21 largely opened afore pag. 96. Sect. 7. pag. 165. ¶ 3. and 2 Pet. 3. discussed Book 3. chap. 2. sect 51. § 2. § 5 Yea in processe of time after Christs ascension Christ did fully reveale to John the Apostle in severall Visions the thing and the time thereof Revel 1.1 the particulars whereof wee have abundantly discussed upon several Chapters of that revelation * See before on Revel 20. in 1 Booke 3 chap. Sect. 1 2 3. 4th on Rev. 1. p. 80 c. on Rev. 5. p. 73 c on Rev. 7. p. 204. on Rev. 9. p. 49. 87. on Rev. 10. p. 67. 96. on chap. 11. p. 58. 72 91. on chap. 12. p. 94. on chap. 13. p. 87. on chap. 14. p. 67 73 74. on chap. 16. p. 309. on chap. 17. p. 88 c. on chap. 18. See Book 3. c. 2. S. 45. S. 3. P. 4. on chap. 19. See p. 62. 74. 89. 56. 58. on chap. 20. See again p. 116 c. p. 55 56. 66 c. 226. on chap. 21. See p. 116. on chap. 22. see p. 94. and see after in this third Book Chap. 4. Sect. 12. and shal more hereafter ** Lastly if Christ had here meant either his Spirituall kingdome or the kingdome of ultimate glory he would not have been shye to declare those unto them having been alwayes free to preach and manifest them from time to time to all his Disciples See John 14. c. to the end of the seventeenth Chapter and often elsewhere SECT VI. The sixth place in the New Testament is Rom. 11.25 26 27. vers