ΕΙΡΗÎΙΚΟΠOR A Peaceable consideration of CHRIST's Peaceful KINGDOM on EARTH to come Rev. 20.4 Rev. 5.10 To be added to the ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΣ or Fore-runner WHEREIN The Proof and Confirmation that such a Kingdom shal be is abundantly established upon a seven-fold foundation more particularly set down in the next ensuing leaf Whereunto is added an Appendix concerning the first Resurrection spoken of Rev. 20.4 5 6. compared with Rev. 11.18 manifesting it to be of the bodily Resurrection of the Just to begin not long after the glorious appearance of Christ and his said Kingdom Breifly and plainly set down for the benefit of all faithful Christians Ezek. 37.24 25. And David my servant shall be King over them and they shall all have one shepherd they shall also walk in my judgments and observe my statutes and do them And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto 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 Dan. 7.21 22. I beheld and the same horn made war with the Saints and prevailed against them Vntil the Ancient of days came and judgment was given to the Saints of the most High and time came that the Saints possessed the kingdom 2 Thess 2.8 And then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming Among the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or forms of Doctrine in the Council of Nice by Gelas Cyzicen History thereof this is recorded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is We expect according to the holy Scriptures the manifesting unto us the appearing and Kingdom of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ and then the Saints of the most High as Daniel saith shall take the Kingdom Answerably hereunto our Received Nicene Creed From thence he shall come at the end of the world to judge the quick and the dead as it is Rev. 11.18 and then follows Whose Kingdom shall have none end as before explained Hoc Omega suis MVNVS Alpha tulit Printed in the Year 1665. THE CONTENTS THe Proof and Confirmation That such a Kingdom of Christ shall be is established in the sequel of this Treatise upon the sevenfold foundation ensuing First From a frame of Christian Doctrine containing the general consideration of Christs three great Offices of Mediatorship as the great Prophet Priest and King of his Church in seventeen Theses with six inferences drawn from them page 3 to 8. Secondly By a visional representation of Old and New Testament Doctrine suitable thereunto from the fourth and fifth Chapters of the Book of Revelations setting forth God the Fathers glory as Creator and the Lambs as Redeemer whence are also other seven inferences deduced to confirm Christs Kingdom to come on earth p. 9 to 35. Thirdly By divers evidences and expressions in those four Apostles writings to whom Christ in a special manner manifested his Kingly glory viz. to Peter James and John at his tranfiguration and Revelation to John and to St. Paul at his conversion from whose writings six several senses of Christs comings are observable since his coming in the flesh p. 41 to 56 Fourthly From the eminent Chronologers of the holy Ghost who writ of Satans three Babels namely Moses of the Tower of Babel Daniel of the Monarchy of Babylon and St. John of the mystical Babylon all which come to their utter confusions at the said setting up of Christs Kingdom on earth p. 57 to 71 Fifthly From the other Prophets of all times with the Psalms in the Old Testament and all sorts of Gospellers in the New Chap. 6 7 8. Sixthly By other Arguments drawn from the Lords prayer and the three usual received Creeds or Articles of Confessions of Faith p. 90 to 95. Seventhly From the most ancient Orthodox Fathers of the most pure primitive times who owned this truth in its untainted purity p. 96. All which with many other useful particulars to be observed occasionally set down in reference to Christs personal reign with his raised Saints will more fully appear First by the contents of each Chapter premised and then by the Chapters themselves in order unto which for brevities sake I refer the Christian Reader In the Appendix the bodily resurrection of the Saints is first explained from the distinct consideration of those two parallel Texts of sacred Scripture Rev. 11.18 and 20.4 5 6. confirmed from sundry Texts of Old and New Testament and many weighty considerations tendered to manifest that first resurrection there spoken of to intend the bodily resurrection of the Saints at that very time whereunto that Revelation of Jesus Christ for his Churches benefit hath particular reference Further shewing that the Antient Doctors and Fathers of the primitive times of the Gospel were of that judgement A TABLE OF CHRONOLOGIE BEcause the help of some Chronologie is very needful to the understanding of mystical Prophesies in the holy Scriptures especially for such as this small treatise is intended for and to that end they may neither be troubled or discouraged with too large or too many or curious notions or varieties of mens opinions concerning the order of times I shall here labour to set down such a general soantling for the use of ordinary capacities that by the help hereof together with what is all along set down ofttimes in the following Treatise they may in some sort have pointed out to them the times the things they therein read of have particular reference unto And this we shall indeavour to set down First More generally until the beginning of the four Monarchies set forth Dan. 2. and Dan. 7. 1. By the great Image Chap. 2. 2. By the four Beasts Chap. 7. Again secondly To consider particularly the times following them 1. Then more generally In the first place consider what Moses compendiously sets down before the general Deluge for the space of 1656. years of the old world as ordinarily it is computed 2. From Noahs flood to the promise made to Abraham about the year of the world Anno 2030. is 374. years Exod. 12.4 3. From the promise to Abraham to the Israelites departure out of Egypt 2460. is 430. years 4. The beginning of the Assyrian kingdom by Nimrod about 1788. which continued to the Chaldean Monarchy by Nebuchadnezzar about 1700. years 5. Take notice the Temple of Solomon was begun about the 3000. year of the world as learned Dr. Usher computes it from whence to the Captivity of Babylon he reckons likewise 395. years being in the year 3395. And may not the Antitype of Solomon and his Temble be glorious at the end of 3000. years more 6. I shall here adde a general computation of Bucholcherus for the apt concinnity thereof reaching first to the Captivity of Babylon and through all following times 1. Israel saith he
should not enter into that rest Yea Moses himself was so provoked by them that he spake unadvisedly with his lips and they so tempted Aaron the Saint of Lord as Psal 106.16 that neither of them came into the land of Canaan nor any other of the people save Josua and Caleb of all that generation above the age of 20. years that had been delivered out of the hands of Pharaoh yet in Gods own time he accomplished his promise in giving that people possession of that land Josh 23.14 When faithful and holy David was anointed to be the Captain of Gods people even he in fighting the Lords battels found the sheild of his faith so shattered that despondently once he said I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul and thereupon ran himself upon dangerous rocks of temptation amongst Gods enemies from which notwithstanding God graciously delivered him and at last brought him into full possession of the Kingdom over all the tribes of Israel and Judah When Judahs 70. years Captivity in Babylon was almost expired they despise the day of small things and say the time is not yet come to build the house of the Lord Haggai 2.2 by whom God yet foreshewed that the great Mountain of strong opposition that stood before Zerobabel should become a plain and so it came to pass Yea when Christ himself the long expected Messiah came at the time in the place manner condition and in every respect as had been foretold he should come in the flesh how few even in Jerusalem or in Judaea acknowledged or regarded his wonderful birth his holy and wise demeavour and heavenly manner of life after all those divine witnesses of Simeon Zachary Anna Elizabeth c. or the very Angels before and at his birth or any thing afterward that set him forth to be wonderful before the time came wherein he openly manifested himself in the world and after that how was his person despised his doctrine and miracles though such as never man taught or wrought in the world before not only not regarded but even blasphemed by the great ones of those times and by their means likewise not owned by inferiours lest they should be cast out of the Synagogue and though some of the Preists believed in him they durst not confess him If Nicodemus a Mr. in Israel acknowledge and own him it must be in the night when he may not be seen and all the strange wonders before and at his death and resurrection and afterwards for the most part neglected and buried in silence So strangely in the worlds view and even in good mens too many times Gods greatest predictions and promises use to take place And have not since Christ the six first Seals of the Primitive times when Michael and the Dragon fought hand to hand as 't were whose worship should be set up and some of the Trumpets after wards been mystically sulfilled and passed according to the series of their several times which Mr. Mede on the Revelations very appositly applies How have those many Synchronisms of Antichrists tyranny 42. months with the two witnesses prophesie in sackcloth 1260. days of years Rev. 11. The Beast out of the Sea having seven heads and ten horns according to his Politick capacity the other out of the Earth with two horns like a Lamb according to the Ecclesiastical capacity Rev. 13. lyen hidden from most mens eyes And hath not the woman the true Church though gloriously at first adorned Rev. 12. yet since as long been forced into the wilderness Rev. 14. where her place was prepared and all that while the Scarlet Whore the Antichristian or false Church sits as a Queen and not only bewitcheth the Christian World with her Sorceries but also with the Cup of her Spiritual Fornications makes drunk the Kings of the Earth till the will of God shall be fulfilled when they shall hate her and make her desolate and naked and eat her fiesh and burn her with fire Rev. 17.16 17. And how few take notice that the time of her recompence is near Rev. 18.6 7. How many of Gods Vials are already poured out upon her How far she hath done her utmost in killing Christs witnesses even few do seriously ponder And when the second Woe is past how soon may sound the Trumpet of the seventh Angel such who can delare And thence forth many other excellent contemporaries are reveased from Jesus Christ the faithful and true witness and set before us under and after the said Trumpet who as he is about wonderfully to glorifie himself in taking his Kingly power Rev. 19. When the Kingdomes of the world shall become the Kingdomes of our God and of his Christ Rev. 11.15 in a far different manner then they have been formerly So likewise how long the earth shall be blessed with that happy Dominion he as clearly sets before his people Rev. 20.4 namely for the space of a thousand years even near or until the last judgement Vers 7 11 12. c. And after the Chronology of the time and after the time of the said seventh Trumpet in the 20. Chap. vers 7. where first having set down Vers 1 2. the contemporary binding of Satan and casting him into the bottomless pit and sealing him up there during that time having also subdued before the powers of the wicked world while he himself with his Saints vers 4.6 will wonderfully gloriously and graciously more then before manifest his Kingly power in the world the said thousand years wherein in the said following Chapters he evidently and strongly informes his people in the substance of many other contemporaries As first of the new Heavens and the new Earth for the thousand years chap. 21.1 and the New Jerusalem descending down from Heaven vers 10. and the Tabernacle of God being with men for the same time vers 3. again chap. 22. there is set forth the pure river of water of life proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb vers 1. and the tree of life bearing twelve manner of fruits the leaves whereof are for the healing of the Nations through the same period Vers 2. for in all the Book of Revelations where things are not said to succeed one another as the Seals Trumpets and Vials but one Table of Chronoligie is assigned to them all such distinct visions are contemporaries as all that concerned the true and false Church in Antichrists time have the same measure though diverslly computed by Moneths Days and a times time and an half So all these Visions under and after the seventh Trumpet have one Chronological Table to compute their time viz. a thousand years all which particulars being by Christs special order so strongly asserted by the Angel and the antient and latter Prophets as earnestly called in for evidence hereunto as we shall endeavour by Gods assistance to point out afterward yet so Providence hath over-ruled and ordered that though the substance of all these
shew me such a way to resolve those difficulties both by the several sences of Christs coming in the New Testament and to open to me a way of interpreting of what texts seemed contrary so as I had no president that I know of and yet so evident as I conceive cannot with good reason be denied and as for what is said of his intercession if Christ will perform that work thence forward by a presential intercession as formerly he did by a supernatural in his mosteminent improvement of his Preistly Office in heaven so may be his and the Fathers good pleasure and that is all that can be said since no Scripture gainsays it Or how the remaining part of his Preistly Office shall thenceforth be performed is known to himself as of the Prophetical till that Preistly begun so eminently to be manifest but divers texts as was said seem to limit his sitting at God the Fathers right hand in heaven to his next appearance or beginning of his coming to judgement However any that are not satisfied De modo may safely in the interim resolve of this that such a glorious Kingdom of Christ upon earth shall be and for that the Seripture is both clear plentiful and a truth with much joy and thank fulness to be embraced though some cannot happily so fully be resolved in what manner Christ will appear to set it up though to me the Scriptures spoken of in the and of the Fore-runner makes it evident that it will be personal andwithal seriously without prejudice consider also what is said of Mat. 28. and Mat. 13. concerning the sence of the end of the world with divers other things of weight to such purposes as you may find Chap. 4. pag. 41 42 43 44 45 46. c. and so I conclude with my prayer for the guidance of Gods holy Spirit for all such as humbly and faithfully seek according to the rule of his sacred Word to be rightly informed in this particular To whom I as to that in special commend all such who is the sole-worker of faith in every branch of it for which his Word hath laid any foundation to be received in the season of it as it was even with the very Apostles themselves concerning the receiving of the Gentiles to grace first by miracles afterwards by the Word and all other means usually ERRATA PAge 3. line 1. r. after likewise p. 5. l. 2. r. Chap. 20. p. 8. l. 1. r. is the p. 15. l. 22. r. Psal 145. p. 24. l. ult r. is set forts p. 27. l. 2. r. of the roul p. 35. l. 3. r. personal p. 42. l. 18. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 47. l. 13. r. after end p. 48. l. 33. r. Saviours p. 49. l. 1. adde and them that were with him and Ibid. l. 19. r. Censers Ibid. l. 24. r. and an eye p. 51. l. 3. adde of those three and of one p. 65. l. 25. r. to Saint Johns p. 73 74 75. falsly numbred at top p. 74. l. 27. r. their p. 75. l. 19. adde will p. 77. l. 1. r. for the spirit Ibid. l. 18. r. Testimonies Ibid. i. 24. r. others p. 81 spokan for spoken p. 94 l. 7. r. of truth CHAP. I. Of the Method and Order in handling the subject Which holds out a twofold consideration of Christs Kingdom on Earth First of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That it is Secondly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the things that belong to it Concerning the first seven things to be done I Confess by reason of the stream of Interpreters running contrary and the seeming disagreement with some articles of Christian faith I have been apt to decline any opinion of Christs raigning with his Saints the thousand years to come But since Gods divine providence by his word and spirit hath guided me into a more intense and serious consideration of the great emergencies thereof towards his Church in these latter times by whose especial grace upon search into those mystical Prophesies of Daniel the Revelation with other sacred Scriptures which doubtless hold out many things in reference thereunto I have found much satisfaction in such of Gods proceedings and by the series of times decyphered in the Revelation I see there is a necessity of finding some way of reconciling or removing such appearing difficulties or differences amongst good men For though some by interpreting the day of the Lord to be taken for the whole time of Christs raign upon earth from his first appearing to the end complexively in the sence St. Peter seems to speak of One day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day all which time they personally conceive him to be with his Church upon earth in his humane nature against which I shall by Gods assistance offer some reasons to be weighed in due place This then seemed to me to be a likely way to salve the difficulty I then upprehended c. For I conceive Christs raign these thousand years to be understood mystically for some wonderful manifestation of his Kingly power and dominion in his Church by the operation of his spirit although he remain in his humane nature at the right hand of God to make intercession for his people till the end of the world which may in regard of his infinite power and glory be manifest any other way he shall be pleased to magnifie himself gloriously in the world as before and since his incarnation some time he hath done But that he will in those times to come manifest himself in his Kingly glory and Majesty the Scriptures are so evident as it seems not to be questioned I shall therefore by his assisting grace and by the evidence and direction of his holy Spirit and truth endeavour to manifest the same to be hereafter in the thousand years of the flourishing state of his Church when Satan shall be bound under or about the seventh Trumpet in the considering of which we shall proceed in the order following by these ensuing steps First to consider the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that such a reign and Kingdom shall be Secondly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what belong to the said Kingdom and that first Spiritually secondly Temporally Concerning the first seven things are to be done 1. I shall lay down such Theses or Positions agreeing to holy Scripture and the Analogy of Faith as may much make way for Doctrines of this nature 2. I shall offer some reasons against the understanding of a personal reign of Christ in a bodily presence with his Saints on Earth 3. To endeavour to open the sence of the mystical and glorious reign of Christ which we understand according to Scripture sense and give some illustrations of it 4. To Parallel some mysteries in Daniel and Ezekiel with such things as are set forth in the book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ the King of Saints 5. To point
likewise his Deputy King in Jesurun and so all along in the Wilderness Moses was King and Prophet and Aaron and his Sons Priests So after that when they were to pass over Jordan to enter into the promised Land Joshua is then made Captain to fight Christs Battels under that great King that appeared to him Joshua 5. the Priests carrying the Ark dry-shod through the then overflowing waters of Jordan and Joshua again as a Prophet reveals the pleasure of God unto them not onely in civil affairs as to dividing the iâ—â—eritances but also in spiritual admonitions and instructions upon many occasions c. Again many times in the Judges days when Moses and Joshua's counsels were forgot and their predictions concerning that peoples revoltings were fulfilled yet even then Christ who was from the beginning the powerful great King of his Church ruled many times amongst them and their enemies too apparently as the Scriptures witness even then likewise he raised up his Deputies called Judges as Gedeon Jeptha Deborah Barack Sampson and others again to restore his instituted worship and Priesthood and be deliverers to his revolted and oppressed people as occasion did require instructing them by his prophetical spirit therein But from the beginning of Davids time as we noted these three great Offices were more remarkably and eminently set forth especially while things continued in any tolerable order in the good Kings raigns that followed wherein the glory of Christ the Mediator in his three said Offices as Prophet Priest and King was still set forth in their following times to shew that therein consisted the glory of Christs Mediatorship as much more might be observed in this kind Rev. Chap. 5. The further illustration of the former Doctrine from Rev. 5. chapter where after the summary consideration of that Chapter is briefly hinted the Doctrine of the New Testament therein comprized which first was set down largely before the giving of the Revelation in the writings of the Evangelists and Apostles But secondly there more especially is Christs the Lambs Revelation and execution of the affairs of that book but so as to erect his Kingdom in the issue for which they so exuit vers 10. and we shall reign upon earth wherein the representative Church doth so eminently rejoyce v. 11. and the four living Wights add their fiduciall Amen after the praise of all creatures and the twenty four Elders fall down and worship v. 14. PRoceed we now to the fifth Chapter the Scene and the Chorus being so excellently set in the former Chapter as respecting God the Creatour worshipped on the seventh day Sabbath especially to glorifie him for his great and good work of Creation who as three in persons one in essence Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty so worshipped in the Old Testament untill the coming of Christ the Redeemer who having finished the work of Redemption as the Lord of the Sabbath changed it from the seventh to the first day of the week who in this fifth chapter is said to be a Lamb that was as it were slain who is therefore praised by men Angels and all creatures with him on the Throne for that most glorious work of Redemption and acknowledged in the great benefits that redounded to his Church thereby Where again consider First The Vision with the effect of it Secondly The Doctrine and Use of both 1. By Men. 2. By Angels 3. By all creatures The Vision for the greatest part is the same in substance the decyphering of the Father the Holy Spirit and the Church the same but God the Son who is represented as a Lamb that had been as it were slain whose glorious work of Redemption and Grace towards his true Church is the substance and drift of the Vision wherefore he is accordingly praised First Consider the Vision v. 1. to 8. and the effect on the four beasts v. 8. In Verse 1. A book was in the hand of him on the Throne In Ver. 2 3. A proclamation by a strong Angel for one to open the book Verse 3. None was found worthy in heaven or earth Verse 4. Is the great discouragement of St. John thereupon he wept much as without hope c. In Verse 5. One of the Elders comforts St. John that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah the root of David had prevailed to do it In Verse 9. The former description of the true Church but with the Lamb in the midst of it Who is set forth first by his suffering he was slain Secondly By his victory 〈…〉 killed death and was thence but as it were slain and consequently by his dominion over all things in heaven and earth therefore set forth by seven horns denoting his perfect power Secondly by seven eyes denoting his perfect wisdom and providence in all the earth where by his holy Spirit he worketh as he pleaseth In Verse 7. The Lamb as was told St. John vers 5. takes the book out of the hand of him that sate upon the Throne whereupon follow the effects of the Vision in the Church First Worship by the Beast and Elders v. 8. Secondly Praise by a song Where I. The nature of it A new song for new Testament mercies II. The matter of it Thou art worthy v. 9 10. In the matter of the new song consider 1. An acknowledgement that the Lamb and onely he was worthy to take the book and open the seals thereof 2. The reason of the acknowledgement First from the greatness and extremity of his suffering thou wast slain Secondly By the efficacy and prevalency of his suffering Thou hast redeemed us unto God Where 1. The price by thy blood 2. The extent Out of every Nation Kindred and Language And thirdly the benefit redounding to the Church by such redemption vers 10. Thou hast made us to our God c. and we shall reign Where 1. Here is what all the faithful in the true Church spiritually here obtain They are made Kings and Priests unto God now in this life 2. For advantage and advancement which they shall have in that place where they have served Christ or suffered for his name there they shall reign with him We shall reign upon earth In Verse 11. A Vision of innumerable company of Angels about the Throne the Church In Verse 12. Their song of praise where first the Object i.e. the Lamb whose worthiness they likewise acknowledge for being slain Secondly The right and due belonging to him thereupon viz. That he receive power and riches and wisdom and strength In Verse 13. is the general concurrence of all creatures 1. In Heaven 2. In earth 3. Under the earth In the like acknowledgement and praise to be 1. To him that sits upon the Throne 2. To the Lamb for ever and ever In Verse 14. First The fiducial Amen of the four living Wights Secondly The assent and consent of the twenty four elders manifested 1. By their falling down 2. By worshipping him that lives for ever
pure Primitive times Now among the Prophets look first into that Evangelical Prophet Isaiah who is abundant to the purpose where we shall only take some few at present to prove that such a Kingdom of Christ is to come and refer the great things foretold by him and others concerning that Kingdom to be considered in another place First In the second of his Prophesie verse 2 3 4. It shall come to pass in the last days the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and the nations shall flow unto it And many people shall say Come ye and â—st us go unto the mountain of the Lord unto the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths for out of Sion shall go the law and the word of God from Jerusalem And he shall judge among the Nations and shall rebuke many people c. So Isa 9.7 Of the encrease of his Grvernment and peace there shall be no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgement and with justice from hence forth even for ever Again Isa 11.10 In that day there shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand as an ensign of the people to it shall the Gentiles seek and his rest shall be glorious as Heb. 4. And verse 11. It shall come to pasâ— that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left from Assyria and from Egypt and from Paâ—hros and from Cush and from Elam and from Shinar and from Hamath and from the Islands of the Sea and verse 12. He shall set up an ensign of the Nations and shall assemble the out-casts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth with much more to that purpose in that place before and after these words c. And very remarkable is that Prophesie Isa 24.23 Then the Moon shall be confounded and the Sun ashamed when the Lord of Hosts shall reign in mount Sion and in Jerusalem before his ancients gloriously So again Isa 59.20 And the redeemer shall come to Sion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob and very much to this purpose Cap. 60. but for this Kingdom more especially vers 14. The Sons also 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 they shall call thee The City of the Lord The Zion of the holy one of Israel Verse 15. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated so that no man went through thee I will make thee an eternal joy of many generations Vers 16. They shall also suck the milk of the Gentiles and shalt suck the breasts of Kings and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer the mighty one of Jacob and so forward to the end of the chapter where many glorious things are spoken of this City of God as likewise very leargely in the following chapter and likewise in many others both before and after wards which may be considered in there place The next is the Prophet Jeremiah who in chap. 3.17 tells us At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord and all the Nations shall be gathered to it to the name of the Lord to Jerusalem neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart Another clear and vigorous Prophesie is set down Jer. 23.5 6. Behold the days saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall rise and prosper and execute judgement and justice in the earth Verse 6. In his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby he shall be called The Lord our Righteousness And to the like purpose again Jer. 33.15 16. In those days and at that time will I cause the branch of Righteousness to grow up unto David and he shall execute judgement and righteousness in the land Verse 16. In those days shall Judah be saved and Jerusalem shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby he shall be called The Lord our righteousness and verse 17. Thus saith the Lord David shall never want a man to sit upon the Throne of the House of Israel and verse 21. If ye can break my Covenant of the day and my Covenant of the night and that there shall not be day and night in their season then may also my Covenant be broken with David my servant that he shall not have a Son to reign on his Throne and the like again repeated in the 25 and 26. verses The places are so clear and full I spare to speak any thing to apply them because they cannot justly and rationally be applied otherways and such as understand them onely spiritually say something but not all nor that which they principally drive at namely that special period of Christs reign upon earth whither the current of Such Scriptures lead and after all our Saviour himself abundantly in the Revelation instructs his people and all such as will not willfully shut their eyes against the light The Prophet Ezek. likewise speaks very clearly Chap. 24.23 24. And I set up one Shepherd over them and he shall feed them even my servant David he shall feed them and he shall be their Shepherd and vers 24. I the Lord will be their God and my servant David a Prince among them I the Lord have spoken it Again As evidently doth he speak of Christs reign Chap. 37. After that he had spoken of the joyning of the stick of Judah and Ephraim into one he saith vers 22. And I will make them one Nation in the land upon the Mountain of Israel and one King shall be the King to them all and they shall be no more two Nations neither shall they be divided into two Kingdoms any more at all and vers 24. David my servant shall be King over them and they shall have one Shepherd and they shall also walk in my judgements and observe my statutes and do them and vers 25. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant wherein your Fathers have dwelt and they shall dwell therein they and their Children and their Childrens Children for ever and my servant David shall be their Prince for ever And in those nine last Chapters of Ezekiel which learned and judicious men conceive to be the Revelation of the Old Testament where the holy Prophet had high mysteries of the New Jerusalem imparted to him and amongst the rest there are observeable many things set forth concerning the Prince and what order of state belonged to him and in conclusion he saith The City shall be called at that day viz.
the time of Christs raign Jehovah Shamma the Load is there The Prophet Hosea in Chap. 1. Vers 11. Then shall the Children of Israel and the Children of Judah be gathered together and shall appoint themselves one head and shall come up out of the land for great shall be the day of Jezreel which never yet was fulfilled but shall be in its time So again Chap. 3.5 Afterward shall the Children of Israel return and seek the Lord their God and David their King and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days which can have no adequate accomplishment but in Christs Kingdom To the like purpose the Prophet Joel Chap. 2. ult having in vers 31. shewed what a terrible destruction shall be when Christ shall make his foes his foot-stool and set up his Kingdom vers 32. he saith It shall come to pass that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call and Chap. 3.2 last Verses And Judah shall dwell for ever and Jerusalem from generation to generation for I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed for the Lord dwelleth in Zion The Prophet Amos also fully witnesseth to this Kingdom of Christ Chap. 9.11 12. In that day will I raise up the Tabernacle of David which was fallen and close up the breaches thereof and I will raise up the ruines and will build it as in the days of old and vers 12. That they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the Heathen that are called by my name saith the Lord that doth this and vers 14. I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel and they shall build the waste Cities and inhabit them and they shall plant Vineyards and drink the wine thereof they shall also make gardens and eat the fruit of them and I will plant them upon their Land and they shall no more be pulled up out of their Land which I have given to them saith the Lord God Even Obadiah in his short Prophefie hath high expressions of the deliverance on Mount Sion vers 17. And there shall be holiness and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions But more direct to our present purpose verse ult And Saviours shall come up to Mount Zion to judge the Mount of Esau and the Kingdom shall be the Lords Herein is likewise the Prophesie of Micab very evident Chap. 4.1 In the last days it shall come to pass which words the last days we may observe frequently to be used to this purpose and the like that the Mountain of the House of the Lord shall be established in the top of the Mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and the people shall flow unto it and verse 2. Many Nations shall come and say let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord to the House of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths for the law shall go forth of Sion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem and verse 3. He shall judge among many people and rebuke strong Nations afar off c. and Chap. 5. when he had spoken of smiting the Judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek vers 2. he then shews that out of Beth-leem Ephratah shall go he that was to be ruler in Israel whose going forth have been from of old from everlasting and vers 4. He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord and in the Majesty of the name of the Lord his God and they shall abide for now shall be be great unto the ends of the earth Again when the Prophet Zephaniah Chap. 3. had foretold how Christ will destroy his enemies as seems probable at the Armageddon battel mentioned Rev. 16. and 19 〈…〉 former verse he then adds vers 9. For the will 〈…〉 the people of a pure language that they may all 〈…〉 the name of the Lord and serve him with one consent 〈…〉 vers 14. Sing O Daughter of Zion shout O Israel 〈…〉 Lord hath taken away thy judgement he hath cast 〈…〉 enemy the King of Israel even the Lord in the 〈…〉 thee thou shalt not see evil any more vers 17. The 〈…〉 God in the middest of thee is mighty he will save thee he will rejoyce over thee with joy we will rest in his love he will jâ—y over thee with singing c. and so forward to the end of the Chap. to the purpose which like expressions are much above all succeeding times save these our Saviour hath revealed in the time of the new Jerusalem c. In the next place amongst the Testimonies of the Prophets in the Old Testament proceed we to the Prophet Zechariah who is as clear herein as any of the former and being after the Captivity of Babylon can least be interpreted of that which was past Zach. 6.12 Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts Behold the man whose name is the Branch and he shall grow up out of his place and he shall build the Temple of the Lord and he shall bear the glory and shall sit and rule on the Throne So that Zerubbabel to whom this was spoken was but a dim shade to this mighty Prince and he shall he a Priest upon the Throne and the counsel of peace shall be between them both So Chap. 8.8 I will bring them and they shall be in the middest of Jerusalem and they shall be my people and I will be their God in truth and righteousness Again Chap. 9.16 And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people for they shall be as the stones of a Crown lifted up as an ensign upon his land Vers 17. How great is his goodness how great is his beauty c. And Zach. 12.7 The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah First that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnifie themselves against Judah Verse 8. in that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem and he that is feeble among them at that time shall be as David and the House of David shall he as God as the Angel of the Lord before them Lastly Consider the Testimony of the Prophet Malachi Chap. 3.2 3. But who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth for he is like a refiners fire and fullers sope c. Upon which Text let the words of that judicious Gillespy be observed in his Sermon to the Lords Aug. 27. 1645. which happily hath not been taken notice of by many Pag. 3. After diverse things spoken to our purpose before he adds How ever the Scriptures teach us that the Lord Jesus will be revealed mightily and will make bare his holy arm as well in the confusion
person as Seven lamps of fire which are the seven spirits of God as cap. 1.4 In Verse 3 6 7 8. seems to be decyphered the superiour and inferiour members of the Church 1. The Inferiour by the twenty four Elders first set down vers 4. for whose use the Superiour were sent and given Ephes 4.11 2. The Superiour vers 6 7 8. described much after the manner of those Ezek. 1. and Isa 6. called by Ezekiel Living creatures by Isaiah Cherubims here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 living Wights translated beasts noting here Gods Messengers Ambassadours Officers standing before his Throne betwixt him and his people as Moses Aaron the Priests and Levites to minister c Heb. 1. 1 2. for them A Sea of glass to shew they have need to be washed before they come to worship alluding to the legal washing in the Temple Secondly In respect of the Doctrine three Persons Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty which is and was and is to come vers 8. The Use of which first the four living wights discover and set before the Elders the glory of him that fits upon the Throne though last spoken of are yet first in and leaders of Gods Worship and Service Vers 9. After them the twenty four Elders worship humbly casting down their crowns as acknowledging all their excellency or worth received from him Vers 10. 2. Giving him his glory due As. 1. Creatour of all things for himself So 2. Their Creatour in special in whom his end is promoted they give him praise and glory accordingly Vers ult So the true invisible Church of God here set forth by her constant representatives the four living wights and twenty four Elders is a Throne of God upon Earth where his glorious excellencie is discovered as Creatour three in Persons one in Essence according to the Ministration of the Old Testament in which the Rain-bow minding men of the Son the second person shews Gods justice in destroying the Old World in their height of sin and mercy to those in his Ark the Church at present clean or unclean creatures and so for preservation or reservation at least of those ever since in the New-World The four living wights were in the midst and round about the Throne as in the midst of each square of the Throne and had each eyes before and behind to look to God to have the knowledge of himself and his will in every quarter and to look to the people on every part how they might answerably inform them and guide them in all the will and ways of God They rest not day nor night saying Holy Holy Holy c. They as Gods watchmen attend upon that to discern for and discover unto his people the Will of God For the Lord would do nothing but he revealed it unto his Servants the Prophets Amos 3.5 They shew unto the people of God the twenty four Elders when the Thundrings and Lightnings of judgements against their enemies come from the Throne and when voyces of joy c. whence matter of praise and glory to be rendered to him that sits upon the throne And doubtless if we look upon this Chapter in both respects of the visional representations and Doctrine and Use thereof we may discern an excellent abridgement of the old Testament discoveries set forth to us not that the Old Testament differs in substance from the New but only in clearness and the accomplishment of the main thing therein expected viz. The coming of the Messiah in the flesh for the finishing of the work which his father had given him for to do there is the Doctrine of the Sacred Trinity both decyphered and taught as was noted before God is explicitely praysed there as Creatour That man had fallen is signified by the Rainbow signifying his mercy and judgement Judgement to the Old world after his long Patience exercised towards them and abused by them mercytowards Noah in the Ark and those with him there with security of preservation or reservation at least to the New world from drowning any more by a general deluge That sin was then grown to an height it must needs be conceived when God in such wrath drowned a world of men and creatures with them and that sin and disorders were long in the world before they came to that height and yet it was not destroyed until about 1656. years after God had created it which likewise shews God the Father Son and Holy Ghost who created it had a way of redemption for such as Noah else in justice it must have immediately perished as well as long exercised patience towards them in the old World and preservation for those of the New world from alike flood And this redemption and salvation was almost as soon published by God himself as sin had entered into the world to deface and disorder Gods good work of creation which Salvation was to come by the blessed seed of the woman then discovered which should break the Serpents head And no sooner were all the offenders convented at the fall before their great Judge in Paradise and arraigned and tryed and sentenced but this light of divine grace according to the decree of the holy and blessed Trinity which had before in a joynt concurrence created the world breaketh forth again to enlighten the world newly darkened by sin and death and God himself so shews himself in his way of grace that he hid the shame and covers the sin of his now new made and newly lost creatures that he maketh garments of skins of Beasts to cover them and even of such creatures as thereby might shew to our first parents that they had deserved death as those Beasts did whose skins did cover them but likewise the death of such beasts as usually should be for sacrifice might signifie unto them that they had such a Saviour to dye for them and by dying should deliver them from the jaws of the second death by a more perfect sacrifice which those beasts did but typifie and sacramentally set before them by whose most precious robes of righteousness put upon them by God himself they should be clothed both to hide their nakedness and shame and beautifully to adorn them in his sight as he then cloathed them with the skins of those innocent beasts viz. with the righteousness of the Messiah that promised seed of the woman whence I conceive may be a good argument for the salvation of both our first Parents Adam and Eve and that then God did not sorsake them the work of his own hands as Psa 138.8 in that he himself so covered their nakedness and cloathed them with those skins though their first born Cain perished with his wicked off-spring for the most part at least afterwards by the flood After this as Christ by sacrifices and other institutions of God was from time to time set forth to his people by the teachings of his holy spirit so God the Creatour made known his glory in his
brightness of his coming but that it is the same coming Rev. 19. The Apostle here plainly shews concerning Antichrists destruction called the battel of Armageddon Rev. 16. The not well observing of this hath occasioned some otherwise learned men to conclude Antichrist should continue to the end of the world and Pareus often mentions the place in that sense which occasioned him to set down the thousand years Rev. 20. from the destruction of Hierusalem to Pope Gregory the seventh As Mr. Brightman from Constantine to Auno 1373. Though he speaks of a glorious Church of the Jews wherein the other doth not agree with him it is like upon the former account that the world should end with Antichrist from 2 Thes 2.8 which coming of Christs seems to be that that Saint John speaks of Rev. 1.7 where he saith he comes with Clouds which coming with Clouds seems necessary then to vail his glory too great for mortal eyes other wise to behold as St. Paul saith otherwise no man hath seen him nor can see him 1 Tim. 6.16 therefore Psa 18.9 11 12. speaks much of clouds to that purpose and every eye shall see him they ye also which peirced him which seems to be in reference to the promise Zac. 12.10 when his people shall mourn with penitent contrition though many others then mourn with bitter lamentation for the heavy judgements then upon the world and great distrinction of evil men c. of which again St. Paul speaketh very Emphatically 2 Tim. 4.1 Who shall judge hoth the quick and the dead at his appearing and at his Kingdom the wicked quick with temporal destruction the faithful dead with recompence as Rev. 11.18 for which he is there praised in a special manner by the twenty four Elders at the sounding of the seventh Trumpet Vers 15 16 17. Sixthly and Lastly his coming is taken for the last great day of Judgement decyphered by St. John Rev. 20.11 12. when sitting upon a great white Throne from whose face the Earth and the Heavens fled away and there was found no place for them when all the dead small and grout shall stand before him Now the fifth sense of Christ coming since his ascention into Heaven is that we are to consider which seems to be set forth in Scripture by many expressions which coming of Christ was described to the Apostle John in that Vision Rev. 19.11 to the end where Christ as a most mighty and powerful King going to overthrow and utterly ruine his enemies that is Antichrist and his Complices at the sounding of the seventh Trumpet in the Armageddon battel which coming is sometimes expressed by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the appearance from hence saith St. Paul 2 Tim. 4.8 There is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me onely but to all them that love his appearing So the former place 2 Thes 2.8 but again very remarkeably 1 Tim. 6.14 15 16. applying the title then given to Christ Rev. 19.11 12 13. Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ which in his time he shall shew who is the blessed and onely Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords who onely hath immortally c. so again Tit. 2.13 waiting for the blessed hope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and appearing of the glory of the great God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ Sometimes it is set forth by his presence or coming 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 15.23 afterwards they that are Christs at his coming the same word before 2 Thes 2.8 At the appearing of his coming Sometimes it is expressed by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Revelation 1 Cor. 1.7 Waiting for the coming the word signifies the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the like purpose 1 Pet. 1.7 That the tryal of faith might be found to praise and honour and glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at the appearing i.e. the Revelation of Jesus Christ which till it shall be revealed we shall not happily know many things concerning such his revealing and therefore we may not be peremptory de modo this way or that way though that such a reign and coming of Christ shall be is very evident as we hope to make appear from the Revelations where it is so frequently spoken of and so strongly asserted and confirmed and likewise from multitude of places in Old and New Testament therefore de modo I onely offer my reasons and say what may seem on the other part and what instances might be added in Scripture for such a mystical coming or raign may be easily conceived from many appearances of Christ to the Fathers Abraham Isaac Jacob to Gideon and Sampsons Parents to some of the Prophets and others in the Old Testament but in the New more to our purpose we have a glimps of Christs Kingly glory at his transfiguration when Moses and Elias talked with Christ and what a strang Revelation was that of Christ to Paul before a Jewish Persecutor at his Conversion by a light at Noon-day above the brightness of the Sun to strike him down and make him blind till miraculously healed by Ananias and by an audible voyce saying Saul Saul Why persecutest thou me What a wonderful Revelation was that of Christ to Stephen at his death for to strengthen his sight to see the Heavens open and Christ sitting at the right hand of God God our Saviour who is Lord and Christ can fulfil his pleasure any way he will and he will infallibly do it in that way his spirit hath foretold it though the weak understandings of men may not in some things or the inlarged capacity of Angels may not reach in every respect how God will fulfill his predictions as it was at the Birth of Christ in many particulars And that I may deal truly and ingeniously herein I was the more engaged in such a tenderness and moderation in this though greatly useful yet hitherto somewhat mysterious point of Doctrine in that when I had drawn up the substance of my Reasons against the personal reign in a foul copy by I know not what hand of Providence I suddenly and unwittingly fixed mine eye upon these words Rev. 10. where is said When the seventh Angel begins to sound the mystery of God should be finished which finishing I ever before that time conceived should not be till the last Judgement and then comparing that with what is said at the sounding of the seventh Trumpet chap. 11.18 where to the like effect it is said The Temple of God was opened in Heaven Now the Temple of old signified Christs body wherein the Godhead dwelled bodily and he Temple in heaven might signifie some appearance of Christs humane nature then which in the next words seem more evident And there was seen in the Temple the Ark of his Testament which phrase imports some evident demonstration of Gods grace in Christ de modo I determine nothing peremptorily And
and comfort and shall any think it not worth his enquiring into What is not that wonderful Majesty and glory of Christ to be considered and observed Is the peace and grace holiness and happines of his Church held out in Scripture abundantly in those times not worthy to be highly esteemed and prized Yea shall such multitudes of Saints have their portion in that heaven-born Jerusalem and shall they not take notice of their priviledge Is not the coming in of such multitudes of Subjects to their great King of Kings both of Israelites Jews and Gentiles there seriously faithfully and thankfully to be acknowledged beleived and improved which in comparison of the other times will be as an harvest to the after-gleanings or the Vintage to the after-gatherings Is not the salvation of such vast numbers of beleiving souls in these grace-prevailing sanctified seasons that shall greatly honour Christ Jesus in their times and enjoy eternal happiness afterward with him in heaven be a matter of exceeding rejoycing to the fellow-members of Christs mystical body If the glorious Angels in Heaven rejoyce at the conversion of one sinner that repents as our Saviour speaketh how should Gods people rejoyce by faith aforehand to see so many millions of millions that are then to come in to that glorious Church-state on earth If Gods faithful Servants have rejoyced in their seasons past when God hath prospered their labours to bring home poor souls to Christ though but a few many times how should it make the hearts of beleeving souls to exult but even by faith to foresee that day of salvation to come to Gods people and with faithful Abraham so foreseeing Christs first coming so to rej yce beforehand as he did Yea is that the mainfruit of the travel of Christs soul Isa 53.11 12. When he shall see his seed and prolong his days and the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand and wherein he himself shall be satisfied as the Prophet there shews and shall it not be the great satisfaction of all Gods people in these times to be assured thereof If from about 600000 natural Israelites and such as were born of them in forty years space in the Wilderness there is computed by learned and judicious Divines to have died above six millions in the Wilderness when almost the same number entred into Canaan that came out of Egypt How many millions then yea how many millions of millions may be conceived to spring up and be educated in the faith of Jesus Christ their King and Saviour in that thousand years space when there shall be such confluence of all Nations into the true Church and when they will not be cut off in judgements by untimely deaths as many times great numbers of those Israelites were and is not such blessedness and happiness of Gods Church reserved for those times upon many considerations if we duly weigh the many and large promises and evidences of Scripture thereunto to be referred of great concernment as many ways to all such as rejoyce in the happiness of Gods chosen and would glory with his inheritance It is then likely there will be a strange holy contention upon earth between God and his people as the holy Spirit seems to imply concerning those times Rev. 22.3 saying And his servants shall serve him whether God or his people should do better each towards other that is as I may say what is within the reach and sphere of their activity For Christ will greatly exalt his people under that his dominion and they by his grace will be such as the more he exalts them the more they will rejoyce to exalt him and the more they exalt him the more he will inlarge them both with grace and glory and the larger their portion of grace shall be the greater will be their peace security and happiness And this will be the more and more constant in that regard the interrupting and corrupting causes thereof which might otherwise hinder as formerly shall then in a very great degree by his kingly power and goodness be removed and taken away when Satan the Tempter is bound and shut up in his bottomless pit and strong tentations proceeding at other times from the prevalency of the corruption of men shall be much abandoned provocations much removed natural corruption manacled and fettered and in many as it is probable very greatly suppressed and accordingly grace holiness inward peace and with them consequently outward peace prosperity and all kind of security that is suitable to that condition and how will this work upon the sanctified spirits of that happy seed and generation blessed of God to consider still with holy David What shall we render unto the Lord our King and Saviour for all such his goodness conferred upon us So that if men have any Christian frame of spirit upon them they cannot but upon such considerations think of and inquire into the Kingdom of Christ to come on earth as many ways worth the while except they be onely carnal Gospellers that only make worldly marchandise thereof but otherwise regard neither grace nor glory for themselves or others or at least are conscious to themselves that they have no part in either Yet even such by the due consideration of these things by Gods mercy may learn to be wise hereafter and shew themselves men and not like such the Prophet David speaks of being in worldly honour have no understanding but are like the beasts that perish and thus much for answer to the vain pleadings of such persons CHAP. V. Which declares how the three great Chronologers of the Holy Ghost to wit Moses Daniel and St. John do successively foretel of the Kingdom of Christ at the end of the fourth Monarchy set forth in that Image expounded by Daniel Chap. 2. and how that the three Babylonish designes of Satan in the three Babels they severally speak of the first to promote confusion of tongues in Moses record at the Tower of Babel the second to erect oppressive tyranny against Gods people by the Monarchy of Babilon in Daniels time and thirdly to advance spiritual delusion and seducement by the mystical Babylon in the latter times all which will be at last by the setting up of Christs Kingdom altogether brought to confusion so that thence the Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands that smote the Image before while there was regnum lapidis will then become a great Mountain filling the whole earth when there will be regnum montis as Mr. Mede appositely speaks FIrst then for the evidences of Christs Kingdom and reign on earth to come under or after the seventh Trumpet out of the Chronology of Moses and Daniel more darkly given but further cleared in the book of Revelation as we observed in which book we shewed the Spirit of God doth so much and in so many places refer us to the Prophets and as St. Peter saith directly that all the prophets since the world
the Shepherds Luk. 2.8 that he was of Davids house a Lord as before Mat. 2.6 So in the regard of his present coming in the flesh he was born to them that day a Saviour Christ Moshiach the Messiah implying likewise his threefold annointing as Prophet Priest and King and also for all people Jews and and Gentles So the Angel before as this likewise now acknowledge and declare him the Christ the Lord the great Messiah the great Ruler though he was then a weak Babe in appearance in mean outward condition in the worlds view wrapped in swadling cloths having a Crath for a Cradle a Manger for a Couch being not received in the dwelling house but lodged in a Stable and that O prodigy of abasement at that time the most blessed Mother brought forth the most glorious infant King her Son and Saviour as was said of all people Yet even then a multitude of the heavenly host Genethlia celebrant and Carole loud and sweetly the happiness of his Nativity Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men Whereupon said an Ancient aptly Quis tam parvus tam magnus Infans jacens in praesaepi voce Angelorum celebratus What wonderful celestial Kingly glory in all that outward abasement at his birth is here by the eye of faith to be discerned the glorious Angels are the Heraulds to publish his Kingly dignity over and over again to set forth his Royal descent yea his Divine Majesty when he seemed only a despised weak new born babe and others and that a multitude too sing forth the high praises of his Nativity the Holy Spirit fills the hearts of old and young great and small poor and rich men and women with joy and inlarged Discourses of his Kingly excellence before and about his birth The Star and the Sages soon after with speedy course come out of the East to give this much more glorious day star yea Sun of righteousness a timely visit And to tender that glorious object to the unbelieving world that they might take a view with them of that King and Saviour even then new born to Gods faithful people and after their example worship him and bring their offerings to him And they make inquiry of the place of this new Kings birth Where is he that is born King of the Jews and such was their zeal towards him that no outward meanness hinders them from yeilding him all due homage and observance of worship with oblations of gold frankincense and myrrhe Thns God in his weakest estate of life in the world would have all sorts in heaven and in earth assist in some meet Equipage suitable to his Kingly Dignity And after that he is no sooner presented unto God in the Temple where his Mother as the badge of her present meanness of condition in the world offers according to the law a pair of Turtle Doves or two young Pigeons answerable to her poor estate though sprung from the lineage of David But even then old Simeon divinely inspired and spiritually inlarged with satisfying joy is now well pleased to sing his swan-like song to welcome death Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace c. and the main substance of his song or the highest strain in it is the Kingly glory of Christ on earth Luk. 2.32 A light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel answerable to the prophesie Num. 24.17 A star shall come out of Jacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel c. He had ground from many Prophets with such rejoycing to utter it Yea Simeon again blessing Joseph and Mary tells them That Child was set for the falling and rising of many in Israel First to that perverse generation He was a stumbling block as the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 1.23 for their falling to the future Israelites when he shall come to reign gloriously he will likewise be for the rising of many Old Anna in publique declares the like to all that look for redemption in Jerusalem and there it was in some respect too well known temporal redemption was expected as well as spiritual though they did it unseasonably for which they had sufficient Scripture ground though then misapplyed by them And though it was common amongst the Jews in those times to neglect the spiritual redemption by Christ and vainly seek to anticipate the temporal then long after to come by their great King the Messiah yet even then that true Israelite Nathaniel had learned better concerning Christ and made confession thereof unto him of both Thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel John 1.49 The mother of Zebedees children acknowledged no less though unwarrantably applyed when she would have her two Sons promoted The one at his right hand and the other at his left in his kingdom Mat. 20.21 Yet afterwards our Saviour promiseth no less to them and the rest of his faithful disciples Luk. 22.29 30. I appoint unto you a kingdom as my father hath appointed unto me That ye may eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom and sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel And because that opinion much prevailed amongst the Jews then that the Kingdom of God should immediately appear Luk. 19.11 thereupon in the next vers and forward our Saviour resolves the matter by a Parable comparing himself to a Nobleman that was to go into a far Country and to receive to himself a Kingdom and to return Consider here how usual a thing it was among all sorts to stile Christ the Son of David the two blind men Mat. 9.27 Thou Son of David have mercy on us All the people say Mat. 12.23 when he had cast out the blind and dumb Devil Is not this the Son of David The woman of Canaan Mat. 15.22 O Lord thou Son of David So other two blind men Mat. 20.30 Have mercy on us O Lord thou Son of David And Chap. 21.9 The multitudes cry Hosanna to the Son of David The disciples themselves could not deny that the Christ was the Son of David Chap. 22.42 so Luk. 20.30 31. Christ being the King of the Jews was such a noted thing that when he was to dye it was mentioned either in scorn or earnest or attested by God and Men and Christ himself at every turn after he came before Pilate the chief Priests and Elders having examined him about destroying the Temple and his being the Son of God but the main accusation against him was his being a King which he never denied though they falsly added he thereupon forbad to pay tribute unto Cesar yet in that wherein the strength of the temptation lay he fairly resolved Pilate that his Kingdom was not from hence or of this world his Kingdom will be from God and not from men but besides that as ost as Pilate mentioned him to be the King of the Jews and asked him if he were so he never denied it Yea when