of Christs patience Rev. 3.10 But in nothing is patience more necessary then in watching for our Lords appearance and therefore with the work of Faith and labour of Love is joyned the patience of the Hope of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 1.3 i. e. the patient waiting for and expecting him from Heaven as it is explained v. 10. So 2 Thes 3.5 the Apostle prays that God would direct their hearts unto the Love of God patience of Christ where patience as also the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Patient expectation for what faith believes and prayer solicites that patience waits for Rom. 8 24 25 Of which saith the Apostle to the believing Hebrews ye have need Hab. 10.36 For because our Lord not delays in the sense we usually take delay 2 Pet. 3 9. but forbears his coming till the proper time of it which is not yet fully come because that all things that are to preceed it are not yet accomplished therefore we had need be armed with patience or else our hast and impatience may undo us As that wicked servant who relaxed his watch and fell to fleshly pleasures lost thereby all the benefit of his former vigilance so will it also fare with us unless by patient perseverance in well doing we seek for Glory Honour and Immortality Rom 2.8 like rubbish by Fire and a new Theatre or Throne of Glory erected for men of another Nature and spirit to converse in How greatly then should we rejoyce to drink of our Lords Cup and to taste of the same sufferings since for ought we know the Death and Martyrdom of a few more may compleat the number and bring our Lord from Heaven to avenge their quarrel and then our Tears will be rewarded by having them forever wiped away and each drop of blood that hath been shed in this illustrious cause will add a Glory and a Wreath unto our Crown Then shall we in the Prophets words cry out and say Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he have saved us This is the Lord we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his Salvation Isa 25.9 In which place this very Time and Reign is spoken of Lastly we should learn from hence to make a diligent inquiry into Use 3. our Saintsship for since when our Lord come none but his Saints shall come with him we ought to make a careful search whither we be indeed Saints or not least in that day of Tryal which will be revealed with fire we be found deceivers of our selves and so be put to shame by him at his Appearance 1 John 2 28 Many Professors like the foolish Virgins and those who boasted of their prophecying in the Name of Christ Mat. 7.21.23 will be found mistaken and instead of partaking of the Resurrection of the Righteous to whom alone the reward is promised Luke 14.14 will be raized up to shame and everlasting contempt Dan. 12.1 with Isa 66 24 beholding the glory of others who formerly were much inferiour to themsel es but see themselves excluded which will increase their misery Luke 13.28 29. and occasion that inward anguish which is expressed by Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth Ps 112.10 Thus the Psalmist speaking of the happiness of the righteous The wicked saith he shall see it and be grieved he shall gnash his Teeth and melt away The coming of Christ though it be a time of Refreshing as it is called Acts 3 19. to his distressed and persecuted Servant yet to others it will be very terrible which makes the Prophet inquire who can abide the day of his coming or who can stand when he apprars Mal. 3.4 For he will come as fire to chaff to burn the wicked out of the earth Mal. 4.1 And therefore we had need ask whether we can like Gold indure his refining and continue unscorched in the midst of such everlasting burning Isa 33.14 Christ comes from Heaven to take vengeance on his enemies 2 Pet. 3.7 Jude v. 14.15 as well as to be glorified in his Saints and admired in them that beleive 2 Thes 1.7.10 And therefore we have the Great and Rich men of the Earth calling out to the Rocks to fall upon them and to the Hills to cover them Rev. 6.16.17 because truth of Holiness and nothing else will be of any avail at that day which should make us very serious in examining our selves about it Among many other signs which may be given of our Saints-ship I shall content my self with mentioning only two because they do in an especial manner relate to the matter in hand Sign 1. First What love have we for the Appearance of Christ and how are we affected with the thoughts and hopes of his coming Abraham rejoyced in Hope to see that day and when he saw it by an eye of Faith he was glad John 8.56 The same disposition should be in all Believers who are the Children of Abraham and so much the rather because now Christ is to appear without sin i. e. in his full Beauty for lustre of Majesty without any Cloud of imputed sin to eclipse and to hide his Comeliness as formerly there was Is 53.2 and this he will do for salvation unto them who expect him Heb. 9.28 This the Apostle Paul makes a certain sign of the Corinthians conversion to the Faith that they did expect the Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1.7 for he cannot be a true Disciple of Christ a child of the Bride-chamber who doth not inwardly grieve and mourn for the absence of the Bridegroom Mat 9.15 which Mourning must necessarily be accompanied with earnest longing to see one of his dayes Luke 17.22 And therefore the Apostle speaking of the great work that was wrought by the spirit of God upon the Thessalonians he makes the summe and height of it to be this They were turned from Idols to serve the living and the true God and to wait for his Son from Heaven 1 Thes 1.10 And again in his Epistle to Timothy he saith The Crown of Righteousness was laid up not for himself alone Comp. Tit. 2.13 Jam. 1.12 but for all those that loved our Lords appearance 2 Tim. 4.8 So that to have a love for Christ and a longing earnestness that his Name may be glorified and his Kingdom set up in the Earth it is an undoubted sign of the truth of Faith and that the spirit of Christ hath taken possession of us For the Spirit and Bride say come and every one that heareth or readeth let him say Come Yea O come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev. 22.17 20. Secondly What care have we to walk worthy of Christ This is Sign 2. that which the Apostle very often earnestly presseth We testifie saith he that you walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory 1 Thes 2.12 and having said 2 Thes 2.14
thing with God to recompense Tribulation unto them that trouble you but unto you that are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels He that serves Christ and follows the Lamb here shall hereafter be in the same place and partake of the same honour with him Joh. 12.26 And thus our Saviour prayed for them Father whom thou hast given me I will that where I am they also may be with me that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me Joh. 17 24 part of which glory is that the Father 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by an Eternal Decree hath set or as the Hebrew word signifies Anointed his Son upon his holy hill of Sion And when he returns from Heaven to take possession of that Soveraignty which the Father long since promised him his faithful followers shall enter into his Joy i. e. As our Saviour him self explains that Phrase Luk. 19.17 they shall have command and share the Dominion with him Therefore believers are said to be heirs of God and Co-heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 and Partners with Christ or Partakers of Christ Heb. 3.14 i. e. as Peter expresseth Partakers of the glory which shall be revealed 1 Pet. 5.1 which glory is as to the beginning of it that which I have already mentioned and our Saviour hath fully declared when he saith that In the regeneration they shall sit with him upon Thrones to rule and judge Mat. 19.28 The sum therefore of this second observation is briefly contained in these three propositions which are all evident and clear in Scripture 1. With Christ all the deceased Saints both Patriarch Prophets Apostles and Martyrs shall be raised up and be brought to the Earth to see and share in the Royalty of his Government Rev. 11.18 2. The Saints at that time living upon Earth both Jews and Gentiles but especially the Jews unto whom the first domion and chief Soveraignty is frequently promised as Isa 49.23 and 7 60.11.12 M ch 4.8 shall injoy all that time the greatest security peace and prosperity immaginable doing all the actions of a mortal life but without either sin or sorrow for they shall be all righteous Isa 60.21 And the Lord will then put his Spirit into them without ever withdrawing it any more Ezek. 39 29. and Sathan shall be chained up and hindred from deceiving during the whole Term of a 1000 years Zech. 13.2 Rev. 20 2 4 6. 3. After this state of things and the 1000 years is expired then follows the Insurrection of Gog and Magog and the final judgement as is expressed Rev. 20.7 And then shall the Saints that remain untill that time be changed and death for ever swallowed up in victory and the Reign of Christ and of his Saints hitherto managed upon earth be translated into and consumated in Heaven that God may be all in all 1 Cor. 15.28 If any ask as Nicodemus did our Saviour when he had discoursed to him concerning the great mistery of Regeneration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how can these things be I may reply in our Saviours words art thou a Master or Teacher in Israel and knowest not these things For as the Apostle speaks Heb. 5. handling partly this very Doctrine Whereas ws ought to be teachers for the time considering how long the Light of the Gospel hath shone among us we have still need of Milk sitting down satisfied with the lowest Elements and Beginnings of Christianity such are the Doctrines of Faith in Christ and repentance towards God which the Apostle calls the word of the beginning of Christ Heb. 6.1 But we cannot bear strong meat nor are careful to be carried unto Perfection i. e. unto the height and perfection of our Hope and Holy Profession to the full comprehension belief and avowed owning of which we ought to arrive and leave the solution of all doubts and scruples unto the power of God which is able to the full to effect whatever he hath promised when the Angel had told Mary that the same Person who was the Eternal Son of God should become Man and be conceived in her Womb she asked presently How shall this be But after he had farther revealed that the holy Spirit should come upon her Luke 1. and the power of the most High overshadow her by whose secret and inconceivable acting that great and stupendious mistery should be effected we do not find then that she questioned or doubted any more but in an humble resignation of her seif gave immediately thanks to God Behold saith she the Handmaid of the Lord let it be unto me according to thy word The same should every true believer do in this case for this Temporal glory of Christ and of his Saints is not only promised in every whit as express words but likewise mention is made of the same creating and Almighty power as ingaged to perform it and therefore God speaking of this very state commands his people not to remember former things Isa 43.18 19 Because he was doing a new thing in comparison of which all former acts of power and mercy exepted by God on the behalf of his people should be obscured and darkned as stars are by the brighter glory of the Sun so Isa 65.17 Behold saith God I am creating a new Heaven and a new Earth In which as Peter hath it 2 Pet 3.13 Righteousness is to dwell and which we expect according to his Promise and this is that time of our Saviours and of his Saints Visible Kingdom which will bring a Reformation upon the whole World and when it once doth take place former things shall no more be remembred nor come into mind In that place of Isay the word creating is very remarkable for when the Prophet Jeremy foretold the Birth of Christ he useth the same expressions Jer. 31.22 Behold the Lord createth a new thing a woman shall compass a Man i. e. In other words a Virgin shall conceive a Son Isa 7.14 which thing when it was done was so new that is so strange and extraordinary that the Prophet Isay who foretold it complains Who hath believed our report Isa 53.1 and yet the exact and punctual fulfilling of that which is far greater and less intelligible will not prevail with us to believe the other but when our Lord shall come he will scarcely as to this particular find Faith upon earth Luke 18.8 So little expectation will there be of his A pearance and of his Kingdom which as they are joined by the Apostle so they will be revealed together 2 Tim. 4.1 And all who deny this may receive this answer which our Saviour gave to the Sadduces who denyed the Resurrection They erre not knowing the Scriptures which have clearly promised such a state nor the power of God which is fully able to effect it Here I might end as having fully and as I think to all unprejudiced persons convincingly proved the Truth of
Obs 1. The first Observation is That the Lord Christ shall come in Person and take to himself the Monarchy or Soveraign Dominion over the whole Earth This coming of Christ which is His coming to Reign upon Earth however it is now decryed and spoken against by many yet as I shall anon prove it was the firm and constant belief of almost all the Primitive Church for above three hundred years together after our Saviours time and it is evidently prophecied of not only in this but in several other Scriptures As Isay 9.6.7 opened 1. Isay 9.6.7 The Son who is there said to be given to us i. e. to the Jews The Government likewise is said to be laid upon his Shoulder of which Government there is to be no end and the exercise thereof is to be in a visible way of Administration upon the Throne of David to order and to establish it Which is in effect to say that the Son there prophecied of shall become a King and rule his subjects in a visible manner as David did Unto which Prophecy the Angel in express words alludes Luke 1.32.33 And this was so understood as I have explained it by all those who acknowledg Christ to be the Son of David or The King of Israel as our Saviour is called John 1 49. And that confession of Nathaniel is owned by our Saviour to be an effect of his Faith v. 50. And when our Saviour went up to Jerusalem that solemn acclamation signified no less when the multitude cryed out Blessed is the Kingdom which cometh in the Name of the Lord the Kingdom of our Father David Mark 11.10 whereby they plainly intimate that they did then at that time expect and the Evangelist Luke doth in express words declare so much Luke 19.11 That the Kingdom of God 1. The Kingdom which God had promised to one of the Posterity of David should appear or be made manifest i. be then set up and visibly administred in its Glory which though as to the time it was not so suddenly to be established as they expected yet as to the thing it self they were not at all mistaken for our Saviour doth there intimate that he would come again in person and destroy his enemies Luke 19 27. Which is the first preparatory work to the setting up of his Kingdom and afterwards the Evangelist John doth in a vision see the actual completion of this when upon the sounding of the seventh Trumpet he heard loud voices in Heaven saying the Kingdoms of the World are become the Kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ and he shall Reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 which place comparing it with Rev. 10.7 showes that this was nothing else but a finishing of that Mistery of God which in all the Proceeding Ages he had declared by his Servants the Prophets Hence it is that after his victorious and final subduing of his Enemies John sees the Lord Christ attired with a Tryumphant Robe and upon it this Regal Inscription King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19.16 which is the name that was given to Nebuchadnezzar the Head of the First Monarchy Dan. 2.37 and is afterwards upon a much better Title given to Christ when he hath actually made himself the visible Head of the Fifth and last for which reason it is called a New Name Rev. 3.12 2. Another place wherein the Visible and Personal Reign of Christ Isay 11. is prophecied of is Isay 11. from v 1. to v. 10. Where Christ is called a Rod out of the stemm of Jesse and of him it is said that he should bear Rule over the Nations unto whom they should seek or submit themselves according to that in Gen. 49.10 Unto him shall the obedience of the Nations be The Graces wherewith he should be indued for Government are mentioned v. 2.3 together with his actual Ruling Judging and Governing according to them v. 4. where to smite the earth with the Sword of his Mouth is not as it is commonly understood barely to convince the World by Preaching but to conquer it by Power as it is particularly expressed Rev. 19 13 14 15. Which likewise is principally intended in that excellent Song Ps 45.3.4.5 The Riding Girding on the Sword conquering and subduing of enemies there spoken of being only the Preparatory work unto the setting up of the Kingdom of Christ whereupon it follows v 6. Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever the Scepter of thy Kingdom is a Right Scepter or a Scepter of Equity 1. Ruling in Righteousness which as it was spoken of Christ so it is by the Apostle applyed to him Heb. 1.8.9 Suitable to who it is that Prophecy Is 2.4 He shall judge among the Nations and shall rebuke many people 3. Another Prophecy concerning the reign of Christ is Isa 35 4. Isa 35.4 opened Behold your God shall come with vengeance God with a recompence i. e. Recompensing that mischief which the enemies did his people by returning the same upon them themselves as si threatned Joel 3.4 and he will save you by coming there that a visible Appearance of the Lord himself in Person is meant appears from v. 2. where it is said Carmel and Sharon i. e. All the places of Judea which of old were famous but at that time shall be enriched with an extraordinary fruitfulness as follows in this chapter of Zachary v. 10 11. compared with Is 51.3 and Ezek. 36.35.36 They shall see the Glory of the Lord i. the Lord Christ who is so stiled Is 40.5 and whom to see in his Beauty i. e. when he appears the second time in the lustre of his Majesty without sin i. without the imputation of sin which before did cloud and eclipse his Beauty to see him then it is reckoned as the sum and perfect on of that happiness which is promised unto those who walk uprightly Isay 33.17 Whereupon Sion is earnestly called upon to behold her God Isa 40 9.10 11. For as the Lord Christ according as is there prophecied came once to save his people by caring and laying down his life for them as a shepherd so shall he hereafter come again and that in the same nature to rule them as a Prince and to deliver them from their enemies And then in the Prophets words how beautiful shall be the Feet of those that can bring such tidings to Sion as to say unto her Thy God Reigneth Then shall the Watchmen lift up the voice and sing for joy of so glorious a spectacle for this shall not be an obscure and hidden thing but eye shall see to eye when God brings back Sion Isay 52.7 8. That Phrase of seeing Eye to Eye is very remarkable it being used but once before and that in Numb 14 14 concerning Gods manifesting of his glory to the Israelites in a cloud and fire that rested upon the Tabernacle and the beholding of this is called a seeing of God Eye to Eye 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so it should be rendred and not Face to Face i. plainly without any thing interposed to hinder the Vision But these beamings forth of Divine glory shall be much more conspicuous and discernible hereafter in the humane Nature of Christ and equally exposed to the view of beholders For the very same person whom in the days of his Humilation and Abasement in bearing the sins of Mankind Men did abhorr him hereafter Kings shall see and arise in token of reverence and worship Isa 49.7 And as many formerly were astonied at his Visage so then in sign of their Awe and submission They shall shut their Mouths at him Isay 52.13 14 15. Of which reverence and submission to be paid by all unto the Soveraignty of Christ when he comes to Reign the Psalmist likewise prophecies Ps 72.15.17 4. This is gathered also from Isay 62 11. Isay 62.11 opened Where God calleth upon his Ministers from the vtmost ends of the Earth to proclaim unto Sion Behold thy salvation or rather thy Saviour or thy Jesus cometh behold his reward is with him which last words are used by our Saviour himself when he foretells the suddenness of his second coming Rev. 22.12 Which though it be indeed to destroy his Enemies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet the principal end is to save and to deliver his people by reigning with and among them Of which time Obadiah speaks v. 21. Saviours i. the supream and most excellent Saviour who is also called Wisdoms Prov. 9.1 as being most wise shall come upon Mount Sion to judge the Mount of Esau i. e. To punish all the enemies of his People who with reference to the enmity of Esau against Jacob are frequently called Edomites as Isa 34 5 6 8 and 63.1 4 c. and i. after that Judgement executed upon those Enemies the Kingdom i. the supream Dominion and Soveraignty of which Obadiah here prophecies shall be the Lords Lastly All those places wherein mention is made of Gods raising up David in the latter days to be King among and over his people cannot be meant of any else then of the Lord Christ who according to the Flesh was of the posterity and race of David and who in order to the fulfilling of all those Scriptures and for the solace of his faithful subjects as well as terror of his Enemies must hereafter Reign in as Visible and apparent a manner as ever David did Thus God by Ezekiel speaks expresly I will save my flock and I will set up one Shepherd over them and he shall seed them even my Servant David he shall feed them and he shall be their Shepherd and I the Lord will be their God and my servant David a prince among them Ezek. 34.23 24. so cap. 37.24.25 David my Servant shall be King over them and they shall all have one Shepherd and they shall dwell in the Land that I have given unto Jacob and my Servant David shall be their Prince for ever Of him and his personal Reign upon Earth it is that God speaks by Jeremy I will raise up unto David a righ eous Branch and a King shall reign i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He as a King shall reign and shall prosper or shall deal wisely as the Word is Translated in a Prophecy of the same Person and to the same purpose Isay 52.13 And shall execute Judgement and righteousness in the Earth in his days Judah shall he saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his Name whereby they shall call him Jehovah our righteousness Jer. 23.4.5 6. And then as he speaks in another place they shall serve the Lord their God and David their King Jer. 30 9. Of which time also the Prophet Hosea speaks in that excellent and clear Prophecy Hos 3.4 5 All which places are so full and plain for the Personal Residence and Reign of our Lord Christ upon Earth that without great violence and wrestling they cannot possibly be otherwise understood That all these Prophecies of Scripture with many more of the same Nature and Tendency must be literally interpreted as really and plainly meaning the things they speak of besides the evidence of the words themselves which have nothing in them of Darkness or Ambiquity there are these reasons which may serve farther to evince it Reason 1. First Because God is very exact and careful in the fulfilling of his Promises for this end they were written that they might be everlasting records of Gods goodness which his people might always plead in Prayer with him and wait in Hope for their full accomplishment Jer. 30 2 3. And for this end we are commanded to read them because none of those things shall sail of being effectually performed which are prophecied of Isa 34.16 And our Saviour hath given such a Testimony to this purpose as nothing can be more express Heaven and Earth saith he shall pass away before one jot or title of the Law i Of the writings of Moses and the Prophets whether we consider their precepts or their Predictions shall fail till all things be done i. Till every thing be exactly fulfilled which they have written for Gods Truth and Faithfulness which he magnifies above all his Name as the most glorious of his attributes Psal 138 2. doth engage him to the performance of the least and most minate circumstance which can from his word be rightly gathered as a discovery of his future intentions but if all their places with many more that may be quoted concerning the Personal Reign of Christ upon earth before the last and Universal Judgement may be eluded by Mistical Interpretations a very great and considerate portion of Scripture Prophecy will be utterly lost and made useless nay seem to be written to no other purpose but to beget in true Believers vain hopes which far be it from any so much as to imagine since God as he doth not Tempt James 1.14.15 so neither will he Deceive any but rather ruine this admirble frame of the Universe then not employ his whole power to effect and that to the uttermost what ever any of his servants in his Name and by his Spirit have foretold Secondly Another Reason may be taken from the litteral fulfiling Reason 2. already of other Prophecies which were much difficult in the accomplishing and some of them not tending so visibly to illustrate the glory of God and of his Christ as this I am now insisting upon among these I shall mention only two which in their several kinds are truly admirable 1. Concerning the Birth and sufferings of Christ 2. Concerning the Rise and Reign of Anti-Christ 1. The first remarkable Prophecy which hath been literally fulfilled is that concerning the Birth and sufferings of Christ that the eternal So of God should become a mortal Man that He who made the World should subject himself to the penury and want of a Calamitous life and after that so far empty
reign of Christ the duration and term of which though it is not their expressed yet in that vision which John afterwards saw we find it is to last a Thousand Years all which time the Saints shall reign on earth with Christ as is particularly and expresly affirmed and the matter Twice repeated to make it more sure Rev. 20 4.6 With that place to the Corinthians agrees what the same Apostle writes to the Thessalonians 1 Thes 4.14 1 Thes 4.14 explained If we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so them also which steep in Jesus will he bring with him and v. 16. The dead in Christ shall rise first Then i. e. after the resurrection and reign shall be what follows concerning the final Judgement for the change of Believers that remain alive till the coming of Christ which is mentioned both there and 1 Cor. 15.51 shall not be done at this first Appearance of our Saviour which we are now discoursing of for then the Saints at that time on Earth shall live and reign too as is plain Deu. 7.18.22 27. But after this Reign is fully finished and the last Judgement begins to be celebrated then shall those Saints that then alive be caught up in the Air and bo for ever with the Lord. The want of distinguishing these two Times which yet is plainly implyed in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then or afterward which doth not always signifie what shall immediately follow no more then the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 presently or immediately Mat. 24.29 But only notes the order and success on in the several event though at great distance of times neglect of observing this hath been none of the least Reasons why this place of the Apostle hath been so much urged against the reign of the Saints before the last Judgement though indeed rightly understood it doth necessarily imply it as containing the very same sense with that other passage in the Epistle to the Corinthians which is not capable of any other interpretation To clear up this a little farther I desire that place may be considered in Isa 24.23 The Sun shall be ashamed and the Moon confounded i. either their light and splendour shall be nothing in comparison of that greater Glory as Isa 60.19 or else it seems to note that general shaking and overthrow of all things which shall immediately preceed as Mat 24.29.30 When the Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Sion and in Jerusalem before his anâ—ients or Elder in Glory Where by Antients in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. elders I cannot understand any other then those Elders mentioned Rev. 5.9.10 Who in their Song of Praise to the Lamb thou wast slain say they and hast redeemed us unto God by thy Blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and Nation and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests ann we shall reign upon earth Which being spoken by the whole Church under the name of Elders and Living Creatures consisting of Officers and Members it evidently shows that such a time will be according to our Saviours promise Rev. 2.26.27 And then all who have now a right of Title by their Faith in Christ to be Kings and Priests as is expressed Rev. 1.5.6 1 Pet. 2.5 9. shall then have reality of possession and behold their King in his beauty Isa 33.17 not at a distance but as a people nigh unto him and sitting with him upon his Throne i. e. Visibly sharing in his Dominion and Glory which state is fully spoke to in Rev. 7. compared with Isa 25. and Rev. 21. compared with Isa 60. and 61. The Reasons why Christ at his coming will bring all his Deceased Saints to live and Reign with him are Reas 1. First Because of that near Relation that is between Christ and his Saints He is their Head their Husband And therefore he thinks not his own Glory compleat without them As in the Body natural every Member shares in the dignities or indignities done to the Head 1 Cor. 12.26.27 So it is in the body Mistical of Christ the Church which is his Body is said to be his fulness or complement Eph. 1.22.23 i. e. That which makes him to be a compleat Head which without his Church his Body he could not be Hence is that Solicitous and compassionate care which our Lord shews towards his suffering Saints while they live upon Earth In all their affliction he is afflicted Isa 63 9. which made him as one that is sensibly wounded cryes out for ease to call aloud from Heaven and to rebuke Paul for persecuting him Act. 9 4 5. This care our Saviour will be so far from putting off that rather it will be more fully manifested when he comes in his Glory which is the time not only of our Lord Christs but of all his Saints and Followers Revelation as their Reign on Earth is stiled Rom. 8.19 For saith the Apostle when Christ who is our life shall appear 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then shall we also appear or be made manifest with him in Glory Col. 3.4 And to this purpose may be applyed that excellent consolatory promise Isa 26.19 Thy dead men shall live my dead Carkass for so the Hebrew word should be rendred they shall arise awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust for thy Dew is the Dew of Herbs and the Land of the Gyants i. e. of all the great and Mighty in the Earth thou shalt overthrow 1. Thou shalt utterly subdue all thy enemies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how great and mighty soever According to that of the Psalmist The righteous shall have dominion over them in the Morning or in that Morning namely that of the first Resurrection For then they shall tread down the wicked and they shall be as Ashes under the soles of their Feet Mal. 4.3 Psal 49.14 And that because of their near Relation unto Christ who hath loved them and conveyed this power to them Rev. 2.26.27 Secondly Another reason why Christ will bring his deceased R. 2. Saints to Reign with him may be taken from that proportion which God observes in the distribution of rewards unto his people For though the reward it self in general is of grace yet God is pleased to observe this order and method in the dispensing it that it should be some way answerable unto his peoples sufferings and actings for him Thus the Apostle 2 Tim 2.11.12 This is a faithful saying If we suffer with Christ we shall also reign with him And as I have already urged the words of Tertullian so doth the Apostle argue in his second Epistle to the Thessalonians 2 Thes 1.4.7 after he had said that the persecutions and tribulations which the Christians then indured were permitted to be laid upon them by God that they might be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which they suffered He gives this as a Reason Because it is a righteous
the Doctrine I undertook to deliver but because one Argument commonly urged against it is a supposal that this Doctrine hath little or no influence upon our present Practice but rather tends to unsettle the World which was the Outcry raised against it of old Luke 23 2 5. and Acts 17.6 7. Then to build up any in true Holiness I shall therefore briefly insist upon a few practical inferences wh ch follow hence and so conclude Use 1. First This Doctrine concerning the Kingdom of Christ upon earth serves to inform us what we should continually pray unto God for and make one of our most earnest and importunate Petitions namely this Thy Kingdom come That God in mercy to his People and in zeal for his own Glory would hasten the time of setting up this Kingdom that so the wickedness of the wicked Psal 7.9 and the sufferings of the righteous may come to a full end For when God reigns the wicked shall be destroyed out of â—â—s earth Psal 10.16 comp Ps 104.35 and thus as our Saviour himself speaks in the Parable The Son of Man shall send his Angels and they shall gather all the scandals and such as commit iniquity out of his Kingdom Mat. 13.41 But to bring this to pass it must be the work of Fervent prayer God the Father did not promise to give the Nations for the inheritance of his son but upon the condition of his asking it ask of me saith he and I will give the Nations for thine Inheritance Psal 2 7 8. So when God by the Prophet Ezekiel had promised the people of Israel that he would not only pardon their sins but put his Spirit into them and then give them a lasting and peaceable possession of their Land he adds yet for this I will be inquired of by the House of Israel to do it for them Ezek. 36 37. For Gods Promises though never so absolute in the letter and expression of them yet are so far from excluding Prayer that they are given as Motives to quicken us in it since in them God hath graciously afforded us so many Arguments by which our Faith may be supported and incouraged to plead with him Thus our Saviour having foretold the coming of his Kingdom for of that he speaks Luke 21.31 And given several signs that were to be the Tokens and Fore-runners of its approach he concludes Watch ye therefore and pray always v. 36. For the performance of which duty besides the command obliging to it we have this great incouragement That the more the Hearts of Gods people are drawn out in earnest expectation of-and vehement longing for the Kingdom of Christ they may be assured the nearer it is Thus the Psalmist praying that God would restore his people concludes confidently Psal 112 13 14. Thou wil arise thou wilt have mercy upon Zion for the time to favour her yea the set time of which God had spoken Isa 60.22 I the Lord will hasten it in its time is come Of which peremptory assertion he gives this Reason For thy people take pleasure in her stones and they favour the dust thereof As if he had said the desires of thy people are now more then ordinarily raised up and carried out in hope of a sudden restauration notwithstanding the present visible difficulties which may hinder such an expectation by seeing the Rubbish and Ruines of Sion and therefore I conclude that the time of her deliverance is nigh For this we must take for granted that a Spirit of Prayer which is the Spirit of God in Believers Rom. 8 14.26 27. is never given out but there is a willingness and propensity in the Heart of God at that time to grant the very thing which he is prayed to for Thus the Psalmist Psal 10.17 joyns together Gods preparing the Heart of his People and the inclining of his own ear to hear Thus it was in the Church of the Jews at our Saviours first coming there was then almost a general expectation raised of him Joseph of Arimathea is said to be one of those that waited for the Kingdom of God Mark 15 43. Simeon Anna and many others did look for the consolation and redemption of Israel as the coming of the Messiah is called Luke 2 25 28. And not only they but even the generality of the Jews were then expecting that Christ should come Luke 3.15 And as they expected and believed so it was indeed though the mean appearance which our Saviour then manifested himself in kept the greatest part of them from believing in him What the Church of God did at our Saviours first we should think it our duty to do in reference to his Second coming namely Be expecting and hastning it as Peters expression is 2 Pet. 3.12 i. e. By heads lifted up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be looking intently for it and by arms stretched out in Prayer be earnestly requesting it For if the Virgins slumber it is no wonder if the Bridegroom tarries And if his people do not desire him to hasten how can we expect but our Lord will delay his coming This therefore we should with all manner of religious importunity incessanly beg for and offer a kind of Holy violence to God giving him do rest as the expression is Isa 62.1 6 7 Till he doth establish his word and send us our Promised Lord and King from Heaven that we may be Kings and Priests with him and share in all his Royal Glories Use 2. Secondly we may learn from hence as to pray so to wait with patience for our Lords coming For he hath onely withdrawn his residence from earth for a time till all things be made fit for his return and then he will not delay when a few changes more are past he will come from Heaven and by bringing in everlasting righteousness the effect of which is stability and peace he will put a full end to all future Mutation We should therefore as our Saviour advised his Apostles Luk. 21.19 In patience possess our souls that is as James speaks Let patience have its perfect work in us Jam. 1.4 that we may be perfect and intire wanting nothing or in nothing a little patience and for a little time will not serve our turn for Christian patience hath no bound to it but is to be terminated only in the coming of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore the exhortation runs Be ye patient Brethren unto the com ng of our Lord Jam. 5.7 8. This grace is requisite in all the actions which we do as Christians in Heaâ—ing to retain the Seed and to br ng forth answerable Fruit which is brought forth with patience Luke 8.15 In Praying that we be not dicouraged and for want of a present answer be tempted to give it over Luke 18 1. In sufferings that we faint not but resolutely hold out our Race Heb. 12.1 And therefore the Gospel which so much enjoyns and requires it is called the Word
That they were called to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ he adds therefore stand fast Ver. 15. We are not onely to be holy as the Lord is holy as Peter exhorts 1 Pet. 1.15.16 but we are to have this end in it that when Christ appears we may have confidence 1 Joh. 2.28 So also the Apostle Peter Expecting saith he these things i. e. New Heaven and a new Earth wherein Righteousness and the Practicers of it is to dwell give diligence to be found spotless and blameless by him 2 Pet. 3.13 which likewise upon the same grounds is the exhortation of the Apostle Paul 1 Thes 5.23 There are Four things which these Expectants should have an especial care to purifie and to separate themselves from 1. Fleshly Lusts 2. Worldly Cares 3. False Worships 4. Servile Fears 1. First from Fleshly Lusts What they are I need not mention For as the Apostle observes The works of the Flesh are manifest Gal. 5.19.20 which whoever do indulge and allow themselves in they cannot inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God V. 21. Eph. 5.5 The New Jerusalem which comes down fram Heaven and is nothing else but the Kingdom of Christ and of his Saints upon Earth is a place of so great Purity that no unclean thing shall enter into it Rev 21.27 Dogs and Swine all Voluptuous and hurtfull Beasts like them they are without the Gates of that City Rev. 22.15 A Christian is said to be already raised with Christ Col. 2.12 and as to the Truth of our Graces we are to look upon our selves as Citizens and Inhabitants not of Earth but of Heaven Phil. 3 20. and so to live like those that are acted by an Heavenly Spirit which daily prompts us to look after a better hope then any thing this present Flesh affords To sow unto i. e. to gratifie which is onely to take a great deal of pains that we may Reap Corruption Gal. 6.8 the same Spirit which hereafter shall Raise and Glorifie our Mortal Bodies must now Sanctifie them Romt 8.11 or else we shall die v. 13. i. e. we shall Rise only to have our Portion in the Lake of Fire which is the second Death where all the Abominable and Unbelievers are Rev. 21.8 Secondly From Worldly Cares we are commanded in an especial manner to beware that our hearts be not burdned with the cares of this life Rev. 21.34 For by such the day of the Lords coming can neither be Foreseen nor desired both their Heart and Eyes being already filled and possessed with another Object When we cry out as Peter did It is good for us to be here we shall never care to come down from the Mount which we here reared up and fancied to our selves As in the time of publick Judgements it is our Duty not to seek after great things for our selves Jer. 45.5 so when we are assured that Christ at his Appearance and Kingdom will destroy this present frame of things and cause all the beauty of it to perish for any ambitiously to affect and pursue a present fading Greatness and Glory it argues plainly that their Faith is but small and that they have little or no expectation of something better Who rightly apprehend and frequently reflect upon the inevitable shakings and Convulsions which the Kingdoms and Glory of this World are subject to will never rest satisfied till they have secured unto themselves a place in that Kingdom which cannot be shaken Heb 12.28 Believers with Abraham David and the Patriarchs of old are but Pilgrims and Strangers here 1 Pet. 2.11 and therefore they are daily to be looking for and up to that heavenly City which is the New Jerusalem let down from Heaven whose Maker and Builder is God Heb. 11.16 Thirdly From False Worships who follow the Lamb must have his and his Fathers name upon their Foreheads and keep themselves undefiled with VVomen Rev. 14.1 4 5 i. e. They must openly own the true Worship of God and carefully avoid all Idolatrous Mixtures shunning all manner of Communion with false and Adulterous Churches from which who so keep themselves they are the Virgins mentioned in the Revelation And this is to be their State during the whole time of the Reign of Antichrist in opposion to whom because they hold the Commands of God and the Testimony of Jesus they are called Witnesses Rev. 11. Since we are Redeemed by Christ we must take heed in every respect but especially in this wherein his Fathers honour is so much concerned how we be found the Servants of Men 1 Cor. 7.23 When the sixth Vial is poured out which I take to be the time when the Jews who are called the Kings from the East shall have their way prepared for them over Euphrates to return into their own Land at which time Christ himself shall appear at the Head of them Mic. 2.12.13 Then is there this voice as it were from heaven Behold I come as a Thief blessed is he that watcheth and who keepeth his Garments that he doth not walk naked Rev. 16.17 By Garments there is meant the righteousness of Christ for justification and that way of holiness for sanctification which Christ hath revealed he will be served and obeyed in Which whosoever shall not at that time be found walking in but worships God according to his own or other mens devices his works as the Prophet threatned the hypocritical and ceremonial Jews shall not prove a covering to him but both they and all the lies which are found out to support them shall be swept a way the fire wherein that day shall be revealed will burn up all the Dross and stubble wherewith vain men think they adorn but indeed only disfigure or rather defile Gods worship Whatever Paint may be put upon Men Inventions it will upon an impartial search be found almost as little a sin not to serve God at all as to serve him in any other way then be himself hath commanded For the one indeed is bare faced impiety but the other is thus far like unto it in that it presumes to teach God wisdom and so Judas like betrays Gods honour while it pretends to kiss him Lastly from Servile Fears there is nothing more unworthy of a Christian then to be afraid of men since this tends to the dishonor of Christ as if he were not a great King and able to save all his subjects This charge he laid upon his Disciples when he sent them to preach be not afraid of them which can only kill the body Mat. 10 28. and afterwards when he encouraged the Church of Smyrna fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer the Divil shall cast some of you in prison that you may be tempted be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 This promise we do evidently disbelieve if we give way so far to our Fear as to be kept from open confessing and therefore the fearful and unbelieving are joyned together as those that are to have their part in the same lake of fire Rev. 21.8 When the Apostle presseth Timothy to be earnest in stirring up that gift which God had bestowed upon him 2 Tim. 1.6 he useth this Argument For God hath not given us the Spirit of Fear but of Power v. 7. And thence he proceeds to exhort him be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord v. 8. but suffer affliction with the Gospel according to the power of God all those distinctions and evasions which men have devised to shift off the Cross will be found at last to be only the hiding places that fear hath provided to shelter it self in and what the Apostle affirmed concerning the ceremonie pressed and contended for in his time may be asserted concerning all that those who compelled others to them did it only that they might not be persecuted by the cross of Christ Gal. 6.12 But since the Cross doth prepare the way for the Crown let us not fear but rather pray as the Apostles did when they were silenced by their Rulers Now Lord behold their threats and give unto thy servants with all boldness to speak thy word Acts 14.29 Courage becomes a Christian so much that without it he cannot be one but will upon every tryal expose his Lords Honour and Power to contempt and censure The Reader is intreated to correct these following ERRATAS PAge 1. Line 25. is read it is P. 2. L. 31. acknowledge r. acknowledged P. 5. L. 19. Ocadiah r. Obadiah P. 6. L. 6 Wrestling r. wresting ib. L. 28. minute r. minute ib. L. 30. their r. these ib. L. 33. considerate r. considerable P. 7. L. 2. much difficult r. much more difficult ib. L. 18. the reason r. this reason ib. L. 23. or plea r. of p ea ib. L. 31. seeming r. seemingly ib. L. 37. r. his return ib. L. 39 r in a limited P. 8. L. 4. Sesum r. Telum ib. Chap. r. Cup. ib. L. 30. too r. so P. 9. L. 3. rasen r. risen ib. L. 7. his r. her ib. L 10. deceived r. described ib. L. 16. an Universal r. of such an Universal ib. L. 37. exspect or watch r. expects or waits P. 10. L. 10. Acts r. Arts ib. L. 20 r. intimate P. 11. L. 26. hebrews r. hebrew text ib. l. 29 proves the curiosity r. reproved their curiosity 1. L. required r. inquired P. 12. L. 23. it duration r. it 's duration P. 13. l. 30. merrily contemned r meerly to be contemned ib. L. 32. Mistery r. Majesty ib. L. 33. ond r. and ib. l. 39 the canse r. the curse P. 14. L. 30. an Orthodox r are Orthodox ib. L. 34. r. fifty years ib. L. 37. r. there shall be that ib. L. 39. r. We do also ib. L. 40. r. upon Earth P. 15. L. 2. dele which also the Apostle calls our Mother that is above 16. L. 7. that heathens r. the heathen P. 16. L. 12. proceeded r. proceeded so far P. 17. L. 24. Beast or Church P. 39. L. 49 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 23. L. 33. exepted r. exerted P. 27. L. 27. like Rubbish by fire r. When Gods Jewels are made up and that Summe sealed then shall this perishing frame of things which now have the holy seed for its hidden support be consumed like Rubbish by fire FINIS