lastingness no comparison for that shall abide as long as the moon endureth When the Lord Christ reigneth there shall be great honour and subjection given to him by the great ones and it will fare well with the poor vers 12. 13. 14. also vers 2 4 6. of this 72. Psalm then shall that be fulfilled and made good Psal 67. 3. 4. 6. 7. Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee O let the nations be glad and sing for joy for thou shalt judge the people righteously and govern the nations upon earth Let the people praise thee As they will do then they will sing Hallelujans and prayse to the lamb what followeth then then shall the earth yeeld her encrease very fruitful times then and God even our own God shall blesse us and all the ends of the earth shall fear him It will be so eminently then In the next place take we knowledge of that very eminent place Isa 65. It is the prophecy where the new heaven and the new earth are spoken of and promised see what is said in vers 13. Therefore thus sayeth the Lord behold my servants shall eat but ye shall be hungry to wit the wicked and unsaved nations and people behold my servants shall drink but ye shall be thirsty behold all with a behold very observable my servants shall rejoyce but ye shall be ashamed vers 14. Behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart and howl for vexation of spirit vers 15. And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen for the Lord God shall slay thee and call his servants by another a new name a great difference then like that of Dives and Lazarus we see here is eating and drinking then for so did Adam and Eve and so did our Lord Christ in the day of his being here both before his death and after his resurrection Luk. 24. 42. 43. And so very likely will those changed alive then do for they will be men and women It followeth as a reason and that with a behold also vers 17. For behold I create a new heaven and a new earth The old will be done away and forgotten vers 18. They are bidden to rejoyce for the great blessednes and glory Jerusalem will be in God will create them so a rejoycing a praise Vers. 19. The voice of weeping shall no more be heard in her nor the voice of crying It is easy to see to what time and state that belongs this world affords no such exemption from weeping and crying only it will as to the full fulfilling be in the blessed world to come Vers. 21. They shall build houses and inhabit them they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them Vers. 22. They shall not build and another inhabit they shall not plant and another eat it fares so in this world many times but it will not then for as the dayes of a tree which are many so shall be the dayes of Gods people It followeth and mine elect shall long injoy the work of their hands their building and planting c. vers 23. They shall not labour in vain as many do in this world nor bring forth for trouble of which we made mention before For they are the blessed of the Lord and their off-spring with them Vers. 25. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together The same with that in Isa 11. of which before It is not hard to conceive what time this relateth unto it relateth to and is a prophecy of the new earth that God will create when there shall be the restoration of all things When it shall all come to passe and be so as is declared whether we believe it or no. The prophet Jeremiah declareth something to the like effect Ier. 33. 6. 7. 8. 9. I will bring them health I will cause their captivitie to return I will cleanse them from all their iniquitie and it shall be to me a name of joy and praise before all the people of the earth For the great prosperitie God will procure unto it And vers 11. The voice of joy and the voice of gladness the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride c. For he will cause their captivitie to return And so he goeth on in a promisary way of good things to the end of the 16th verse See the prophecy at large I spare to set it down for fear or being over-large And consider to what time it relateth for its full fulfilling at the time of the branch of righteousness growing up to David in the land it will be We may also minde that Ier. 50. 19. 20. When Israels captivitie shall be returned c. and the iniquity of Israel and Judah sought for and not be found for there shall be none we spake of it before Hosea the prophet mentioned by holy Paul Rom. 9. Eyeing the time of their great return and Gods gracious return to them Hos 2. 18. In that day to wit of the restoration I will make a covenant with them and with the beasts of the feild and with the fowls of heaven and with the creeping things of the ground and I will break the bow and the sword and the battel out of the earth I will make them lie down safely It may easily be minded what day this relateth unto it being the same with Isa 11. mentioned before when the hurtful nature of the creature will cease and mans enmitye also and wars cease to the ends of the earth and the restoration of all things and the peaceable kingdom of the Lord Christ takes place then it will be so and it is not like to be before Vers. 19. I will betroth thee to me for ever The marriage of the lamb will be nigh then yea I will betroth thee to me in righteousness c. vers 21. And it shall come to passe in that day I will hear the heavens and they shall hear the earth and the earth shall hear the corn and the wine and the oyl and they shall hear Iezreel and I will sow her to me in the earth to wit the new earth as to the fulfilling of it it is not sayd in heaven but in the earth Further see what the prophet Ioel sayth chap. 3. 18. And it shall come to passe when Ierusalem shall be holy and no stranger passe through her any more as they shall in no wise then Rev. 21. 27. at that day then at that day the mountains shall drop down new wiue and the hills shall flow with milk and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord and shall water the valley of Chittim It will go ill with Egypt then vers 20. But Judah shall dwell for ever and Jerusalem from generation to generation for God will then cleanse so as never before I conceive by changing of
them in a moment for the Lord dwelleth in Sion and his tabernacle will then be with men Rev. 21. 3. And he will dwell with men In the next place see what the prophet Micha sayth also in the matter Mich. 4. 1. It shall come to passe in the last dayes not yet made good that the mountain of the Lords house shall be exalted and established c see the place vers 3. And he to wit the Lord Christ when he cometh especially shall rebuke strong nations and judge many people And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks nation shall not lift up a sword against nation neither learn war any more a blessed peaceable time then Vers. 4. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his figtree and none shall make them afraid though they have no defensive arms for there will be no need of them sure enough to be made true and good for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Then at that day will be the peaceable kingdom of the Lord Christ and he as vers 7. The Lord shall reign over them in mount Sion from henceforth and for ever See what the prophet Zechariah sayth also Zech. 3. 9. 10. And I will remove the iniquity of that land to wit the land of Canaan chiefly in one day namely the day of the restoration and when it shall be so then they shall call every one his neighbor under the vine and under the figtree The prophet Malachy speaketh of the blessedness of that day even upon the same account Mal. 3. 12. And ye shall be a delightfull land sayth the Lord God There are other high prophecyes in Isaiah as that Isa 49. from vers 5. to vers 13. and from thence to vers 24. See what great things of like importance are said which I shall forbear to dilate on So Isa 52. Isa 54. Isa 55. 11. 12. There are prophecyes in the holy scriptures that speak of inheritances and possessions of Lot and sharing by Lot that seem as to their full fulfilling to relate to that happy day of the restoration and the new earth promised taking place As some time of old the land of Canaan was by promise given Israel for an inheritance by the Lord was after a long time divided to them by Lot and accordingly possessed by them in a way of particular propriety for they had not only a general light in the whole land as so given them of God but they had a particular interest in a part of it as it fell unto them by Lot where the Lord himself was the determiner as Solomon sayth Prov. 16. 33. The Lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord whither that land so promised and after a long time possessed and divided by Lot was not a type of the new earth promised and expected and of some higher division and sharing at the restoration of all things may be considered and the rather because of what Ezekiel hath declared which will have its fulfilling and making good though as yet we understand it not it is very probable it is not yet fulfilled but will sure enough which the day will declare fully though to us it is dark and we understand little Every tribe as well as the whole people will have their share and Lot and the strangers will share with them where his dwelling is with them then Ezek. 47. 22. 23. very considerable The twelve tribes they are to have every one their share or Lot and the prince his and he must not take any of the peoples share from them to drive them out of their possession see Ezek. 46. 18. The twelve tribes will have interest in the city and every one a gate called by their name and the name of the city from that day very probable to be the day of the restoration will be the Lord is there He will be so in the new earth Rev. 21. 3. The prophet Obadiah hath something to the same effect vers 17. But in mount Sion there shall be deliverance and there shall be holyness and the house of Jacob shall possesse their possessions Vers. 19. And they of the south shall possesse the mount of Esau and they of the plain the philistins and they shall possesse the feilds of Ephraim and the feilds of Samaria and Benjamin shall possesse Gilead vers 20. And the captivitie of the host of Israel shall possesse that of the Canaanites even unto Zarephath and the captivity of Jerusalem which is in Sepharad shall possesse the cities of the south Vers. 21. And saviours or judges and disposers shall come upon the mount Sion to judge the mount of Esau And this it will be when the kingdom shall be the Lords for as yet it hath not been nor is it likely so fully to be till that happy time takes place The rather is that considerable because of what the new testament holds forth this way Eph. 1. 10. In the fulnes of times in the Lord Christ he should gather together in one the things in heaven and the things in the earth even in him restore them make them new all good and holy as at first Vers. 11. In whom we have obtained an inheritance or Lot Vers. 13. 14. The spirit of promise is sayd to be the earnest of our inheritance to wit of our interest and right unto it and that we shall in time possesse it we have for the present the earnest we shall have in the appointed time the full purchase it will be redeemed and settled on those it is redeemed and purchased for to the praise of the glory of him that hath done it for his Ephes. 5. 5. It is spoken of by the Apostle as a known thing that no wicked unclean person hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ or of God to wit in that kingdom to come Col. 1. 12. the Apostle speaketh of giving thanks unto the father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light The saints will then have inheritance given unto them at that time when Jerusalems light is come and the glory of the Lord riseth upon her Isa 60. 1. when she will sine gloriously holy Peter in like manner 1. Pet. 1. 4. blesseth God for the lively hope the servants of God are begotten again unto by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance the description of it suiteth with the restoration and change it is incorruptible and undefiled it will be so when it falls in with that time when the iniquity of that land is removed and the curse taken from the earth and it made new in the inheritance then and there then will be no corruption or defilement for there shall in no wise enter any that defileth Rev. 21. 27. it is said further that it fadeth not away as many times in this world mens inheritances do but it will
plainly appear that many if not most of the exhortations in the new testament to believe to repent to add to faith vertue c. To grow in grace and so all other duties towards God and man are from the consideration of the great glory and happiness that is to be brought to and enjoyed by the saints at the fore mentioned glorious coming and kingdom of Christ here upon earth and not so much from the consideration of the glory of heaven above save only as it is in the last place comprehended therein and to be enjoyed by them to wit after the last judgement here upon the earth is ended and our Lord Christ hath delivered up the kingdom to God the father There are yet other hindrances of which briefly Some say it is a controversie and they do not care to meddle with controversies what doth this signifie at our Lords first coming it was a controversie among the people whether he was the Christ or no some said he was others denied it and said he was a deceiver and those deceived that did own him have any of the rulers or pharises belived on him but this people who know not the law are cursed Joh. 7. 48. 49. John sent to him to know art thou he that should come or do we look for another Indeed so great a thing and of so high concernment as the coming of the Saviour vailed and so much opposed should make men to search and seek into it the more lest haply they be found at a losse when be comes And yet further some say and upon that account look not after it but let it alone namely That the ancient fathers and some add the modern Divines were not for it but rather against our Lord Christ his coming to set up his kingdom and reign here on earth this is taken for granted though very questionable and not likely to be true which if it were what doth it signifie little or nothing at all the high Preist and elders were against Christ and the Gospel do any of the Priests or rulers believe on him They did not then and if they do not now or have not done what doth it avail But notwithstanding all before said of the obstructions the knowledge of it increaseth and is very likely so to do till that be made good that the Gospel of the kingdom and coming again of the Lord Christ to reign be preached to all nations then shall the end come Math. 24. 14. great things will attend that great day and though now it is dark and hidden it will come to be preached on the house top and received and entertained more and more as it begins to be being as the present truth of the day and that which is much on the spirits of many of the good servants of the Lord who look for the return of their Lord and are in great expectation like good old Simeon who waited for the consolation of Israel and was glad and greatly satisfied when he had seen the Saviour as those blessed expectants now will be with the signes of his coming and much more when they shall see him come in the clouds of heaven when they will be changed in a moment and caught up to meet him when he cometh when he cometh Fully to take unto him his great power and to reign at which the nations will then be fully angry Rev. 11. 17. 18. when he cometh to judge the world in righteousness and the people with his truth Psal 96. 13. when he cometh to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in and by all them that believe 2. Thess 1. 10. when he cometh in flaming fire to render vengeance c. as in vers 8. when he cometh to make inquisition for blood Psal 9. 12. to wit the blood of the righteous from Abel to that day shed by cruel and envious ones and wicked oppressers on the earth Rev. 16. 6. Rev. 18. 24. that cry will be a sad tone to the wicked and will make them shake and tremble Psal 96. 13. for he cometh for he cometh to judge the world with righteousness c. as on the other hand it will be gladsom to the Saints they may lift up their heads and hearts with joy for their redeemer their redemption and full blessedness is at the very door If these proposalls and essays come into the hands of the learned their favourable censure is desired and that they would overlook any failer if in want of art and well dressing the matter or over often mentioning of of things called tautologie which could not well be avoided the things relating to Christ his kingdom and coming having so many great things and various attending of them And besides those for whom this principally was intended and made common may not have that acuteness but what they may want that way they have in love and affection in zeal and readiness to receive and embrace the truth at all times In the time of our Lord Christs being here they owned him the poor then received the Gospel when those of higher rank stood at a distance and rather made opposition The Apostles were men of low rank fisher-men and the like yea the women were very forward in the then owning our Lord Christ and great lovers of him and such as our Lord Christ being risen first appeared unto and made them messengers to the Apostles to inform them of that great truth of his being risen again from the dead his way is so to make men humble that they might learn not to dispise the day of small beginnings or things Consult the holy histories and the histories down and since the histories of France Germany the Waldenses and others and it is likely as it hath been so it will be found still not but that sometimes God annoints persons of higher rank and maketh known his mind unto them and makes use of them but it seemeth not to be his ordinary method but the contrary If any advantage by the things proposed come to any either for the furthering of their knowledge or their being encouraged to believe hope and wait for their fulfilling the proposer of them will think himself well appaied read and consider well of what thou readest nothing is imposed on thee try all things hold fast that which is good Farewell P. G. B. CHAP. I. Of the Resurrection in general 1 Cor. 15. THe great doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was a thing that holy Paul the great Apostle of the gentiles had a great insight into as he had also in many other high mysteries which were revealed and made known unto him the which he imparted for the benefit and profit of others That truth looking forward eyeing a future time when it shall be made good but in all times necessary to be made known and believed by all the servants of God whose hope is not in this world This of rising again after death in his proceed on
the first fruits then a long time since not yet come after those that are Christs expresly declared to be at his coming then cometh the end implying as before neer that time they shall arise and not before towards the end a little before the last session neer a thousand years after the rising of the just as before Then cometh the end the end of time or of a state it may be considered as in a more General way as holding out the latter end of a state or of time as a day year or years neer accomplished is said to be the end of that day year or years as was said by the Lord himself to Noah Gen. 6 13. the end of all flesb is come c. It is at hand It is but a little while and the floud will come and sweep away all it only stays while Noah builds the Ark but the end was come Yet further when the floud was come all were not drowned presently haply some might live twenty thirty or forty days after the floud was come and begun and it is said that the end of all flesh was come But secondly the end may be taken strictly for the utter end of time or being of a thing as the utter end of a day year or years the filling or full finishing thereof nothing remaining an end an utter end According to such an end as was come upon the old world when the floud was at hand so it may be minded and taken here as in order to the rising of the unjust and wicked to judgment towards the end of Christs kingdom and reign on earth a little before he resigns before the utter end be come shall the rising of the unjust and wicked be to judgment And as in the last place it relates to them is the true understanding of what is spoken on that account in John 5. 28. 29. for sutable to the several resurrection both of the just and unjust so also is their judgment to be and also what is spoken in Math. 25 34. concerning the judgment and salvation of the just and in vers 41. of the judgment and destruction of the unjust is thus to be understood and will be found to be truth in the day thereof CHAP. III. Containing sundry things of the reign of our Lord Christ of his putting down all his enemies and how long his reign will be THe Apostle in his proceed seemeth to make a digression from the matter in hand namely the resurrection which he returns unto and speaks largely of afterward but here having mentioned the coming of the end he falls on speaking of very high and great things that shall attend the end in order to our Lord Christ his kingdom and reign and having put down all enemies his then delivering up his kingdom and God the father becoming all in all he waves the mentioning of the resurrection of the unjust and speaks no otherwise then thus then cometh the end and so takes on another thing that shall be at the end also Vers. 24 Then cometh the end when he shall have put down all rule and all Authority and power that which is first set down is the last thing that will be done at the utmost end when all things relating to the reign and dominion are finished then he shall deliver up the kingdom to God the father when all power and authorities are put down all enemies under his feet then he shall deliver up the kingdom to God the father of whom he received it Then all that are under our Lord Christ then shall give up their power also and God the father shall be all in all When he shall have put down all rule and authority and power Great kings and monarchs use to have all rule authority and power derived from them by all that are under them and what they meet with in their dominions that is not so derived they put down and suppresse Our Lord Christ a mighty king and monarch then will do in like manner put down all rule and authority not derived from him all that make opposition his enemies that would not have him reign over them that will not subject themselves the princes and rulers of the unsaved Nations Gog and Magog and the captains and mighty men with all that excercise rule and power they will then by our Lord Christ he utterly dispossessed of their power and put down The prophecy of Malachi will then in the reign of our Lord Christ be made good to the life they shall be so burnt up as there shall be left neither root nor branch there will be none to succeed them to take their dominions and thrones after them as now the son succeeding the father but it will not be so then their places will be no more sound for ever All authoritie and power and rule in the time of the kingdom and reign of our Lord Jesus in the thousand yeers he will subject and put down all that have enmity in them sooner or later he will put them under his feet This is one of the great things to be done before the utter end come the putting down all rule authoritie and power in an active visible way and until then he must reign and his kingdome continue for so it is said expresly in vers 25. He must reign until he himself hath put all his enemies under his feet All his enemies great and small high and low one and all by what name or title soever they be named or called he shall subdue them and as a mighty mighty Monarch shall subject them under his feet and put them down all that have enmity in them against him sin and death and the grave they shall all be destroyed by him the last enemy that shall be destroyed will be death as after is exprest the Apostle layes great stresse upon it he must he must reign until then This until seemeth not to be the same with that in the 110. Psalm mentioned by our Lord Math. 22. 44. Also by the Apostle Heb. 1. 13. Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool Which scriptures some urge against the personal coming of our Lord Christ the second time and his reigning here on earth saying thus he must stay in heaven until all be done here his enemies made his footstool So as if all the scriptures that speak of his kingdome and reign shall be made good in a virtual way and that 's all To dilate the matter a little First that in the 110. Psalm and the other alledged scriptures is done by God the father himself he said to the son the Lord Christ as those places do shew but this is done by the Lord Christ himself he must reign until he hath made c. Again that 's done by God the father in heaven this is done by the Lord Christ himself on earth That 's done by the father in heaven where the Lord Christ is sitting at
of old who is the Lord And as it hath been so it will be his kingdom will rule over all and he shall give the power and dominion to whom he pleaseth for he is God over all blessed for ever Untill the time come that the kingdom of the Lord Christ take place and his dominion and rule begin when he shall take to him his great power and reign and after deliver it to God the father so as God the creator of heaven and earth will be first in kingdom and rule The great Alpha and will be the last in kingdom rule and power the great Omega The middle it will be to the Lord Christ when he takes it on all power in heaven and earth being given unto him and he must reign till the end and then deliver up and God the father be all in all the Alpha and Omega In the kingdom of God Almighty there hath been two great Mediums or two that have been eminent between God and man besides others namely Moses a great Prophet raised up of God of great authority and rule and the Lord Christ sent of the father first to suffer and then to be highly advanced and to reign but I shall forbear to dilate further In the next place we propose that direction of our Lord Christ about prayer Math. 6. from vers 6. to vers 15. which seemeth to speak to the same matter to wit the kingdom of the father and his being all in all after this manner saith our Lord pray ye our father which art in heaven c. thy kingdom come the kingdom of the father we are to pray that it may come implying it was not then come and likewise that it was not that kingdom which had been since the creation then was and now is and also shall be till the kingdom of our Lord Christ takes place but a kingdom that was to come when our Lord Christ shall resign and God the father be all in all and his kingdom shall come and take place and wonderfull shall be the glory of it beyond all conceiving This kingdom we are to pray that it may come I do not here intend the excluding of the kingdom of grace or glory to be comprehended within this desire or prayer the further advance of the kingdom of grace in the increase of the number and the advance of the intrest of God and Christ here may be included in it and likewise the coming of the kingdom of our Lord Christ when he and his kingdom shall appear and come in power and great glory Whatever of God and Christ hath not yet had its time and highest attainer we may pray that it may come as included in this direction of our Lord thy kingdom come But in special as that which was mostly intended by our Lord Christ in this direction was that the kingdom of God the father that it may come being the last and highest in glory when God the father will be all in all in kingdom sovereignty and rule the great Omega This being that it is likely which the voge and spirits of the servants of God in their desires and wishes go out after and that which their dayly expressions are of as the sum of all blessedness to wit heaven and glory and to be with their heavenly father in glory in his kingdom as the uttermost of all their desires The close of our Lords prayer hath much in this his attest for thine is the kingdom the Power and the glory for ever and ever Amen all in all He had in the times and ages of the world delegated and given kingdoms and authorities and powers to others he hath given unto the Lord Christ kingdom power and authority he hath made and appointed him to be king of kings and Lord of Lords 1. Tim. 6. 15 and he shall come and take to him his great power and all nations serve and obey him but when the end of his kingdom is come he will deliver up all unto his father and be subject unto him himself and the father shall take all into his own power and be all in all for thine is the kingdom the power and the glory for ever and ever Amen It will be so in an eminent manner then God the father his will be the kingdom and the power and the glory and all in all Holy Paul hath a like close he having spoken of the rejection of the Jewes and taking on the Gentils and the restoring of the Jewes again by the coming of the deliverer out of Sion when all Israel shall be saved high mysteries which he admired and cryed out O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his Judgements and his ways past finding out Rom. 11. 33. he closes thus in vers 36. for of him and through him or by him and to him are all things to his glory to him be glory for ever Amen for his is the kingdom the power and the glory for ever and he shall be all in all I further propose as worthy our consideration that consolatory speech of our Lord Christ to his disciples in Joh. 14. 1. 2. 3. they being much troubled at the thoughts of his departure from them he saith to them let not your hearts be troubled ye believe in God to wit the father so is the Creed I believe in God the father Almighty c. believe also in me God the son that he spake of God the father the words following show in my fathers house he doth not say in his own house or kingdom but in his fathers house Whether by house here be meant the new heaven and new earth wherein will be several degrees of glory Luk. 19. 15. to 19. 1. Cor. 15. 41 or whether heaven only or whether both together to wit the kingdom of the son and the kingdom of the father so it may seem to be it being a blessed estate they are to be in after Christ at his coming hath received them to himself or whether it be a borrowed way of speaking I shall not determine but leave it to consideration The tendencie is consolatory to the Disciples in my fathers house are many mansion places places of great contentment happy repose and much blessedness I shall not venture to allegorise this saying of our Lord but rather believe it as it is spoken for that our Lord doth attest it saying If it were not so I would have told you There is such provision such blessednes in my fathers house and I go to prepare a place for you A place our Lord tells his disciples he goeth to prepare for them not expressing where it shall be happily in his fathers house very great and spacious like the master of it the great Jehovah I go to prepare a place for you hapily in his own house or kingdom which he is one to receive Luk 19. 12. 15. in the new heaven and the new earth where he will
not the things he had been speaking of but a case wherein there should be not dying or rising again but a changing in a marvellous manner in a moment in the twinkling of an eye Let the reader judge CHAP. VII Containing the holding forth that the righteous living and remaining at the coming of the Lord Christ changed in a moment In special the Israelites the seed of Abraham will be the inhabitants of the new earth and habitable world to come with some scriptures discussed that seem plainly to speak it forth THat there will be a new earth and an habitable world to come something hath been sayd before and that the righteous alive at the coming of the Lord then changed in a moment shall be the inhabitants of it not excluding the raised then living in the body again We shall now dilate a little by way of enquirie what the holy scriptures speak and hold forth concerning the same First the Apostle Peter 2. Peter 3. 13. speaking of the hebrews commonly called Jewes who are said to be the first in order Rom. 1. 16. chap. 2. 10. To every man found working good glory honor and peace to the Jew first and also or after to the gentile It was so in regard of the offer of grace and salvation it is very like it will be so then Peter he sayth we according to his promise look for a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness or righteous men and women according as the prophet Isaiah saith Isa 60. 21. 22. Thy people also shall be all righteous they shall inherit the land for ever to wit the land of promise the land of Canaan a little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation a nation born in one day I the Lord will hasten it in his time when the redeemer shall come again to Sion and all Israel shall be saved which shall more fully be fulfilled at the time of their being so changed in a moment as declared by him And on the other side holy John tells us Rev. 21. 27. There shall in no wise enter into it to wit the holy city any thing that defileth or is unclean neither whatsoever worketh abomanation or maketh a lie but they which are written in the lambs book of life those shall dwell in Gods mountain then or his hill Psal 15. 1. namely those raised and changed ones not excluding the children of the resurrection The Lord Christ shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven Mark 13. 27. Very like to be made good in these changed ones not excluding the raised And that this will be made good then see that in the fore going verse And then shall they see the son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory comporting with this And that in a special wise it relates to them take we knowledge of that in Zech. 10. 6. 8. 9. 10. which as to its more full and through fulfilling seems in my apprehension to eye that time This seeing of the son of man at his coming may minde us of that of our Lord Christ Math. 23. 39. Ye shall not see me henceforth till we shall say blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord when every eye shall see him and they also which peirced him Rev. 1. 7. Further we may take notice what Ezekiel holds forth Ezek. 36. Ezek. 37. In the 36th chapter He declares the great displeasure of God against his people the children of Israel and speaks of great calamitie that had been upon them the heathen people being the instruments in Gods hand who dealt cruelly with them and that when God hath pitty upon them and returns to them to take them again to be his people then he would cause his fury against those enemies to break forth and they should bear their shame and punishment this from the 1. to the end of the 7th vers Then followeth very high and great promises vers 8. 9. For behold I am for you and will turn unto you c. vers 10. And I will multiply men upon you all the house of Israel c. vers 11. And I will multiply upon you man and beast and settle you after your old estates and will do better unto you then at your beginnings c. And so goeth on to the 16th verse in a promissary way Where the prophet begins again a further relation of their sin and the wrath that attends and the reason of the stop and staying of their misery namely the pitty and compassion he had to them and the regard he had to the honor of his great name Vers. 24. God speaks of gathering Israel from all countries and bringing them to their own land the iniquity of it being removed in one day And vers 25. and 29. he speaks of full cleansing promised vers 26. a new heart promised and a new spirit to be given the stony heart to be taken away and a heart of flesh given corruption wholly put off and incorruption put on a great change indeed much the same we are treating of vers 27. I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes Verse 28. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers which land shall have the iniquity of it removed in one day And ye shall be my people and I will be your God The fulness of the blessing of the new covenant See what followeth to the end of the chapter and weigh the whole Chapter 37. First we have that of the dry bones set together with flesh and synews and covered with skin and life breathed into them with the interpretation of it vers 11 12 13 14. These bones are the whole house of Israel The opening of graves as to the full or utmost fulfilling of it seemeth to eye the resurrection We have likewise the two sticks made one to wit Israel and Judah made one as vers 17. explained in vers 21. behold I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen whither they be gone and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own land vers 22. And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel and one king shall be king to them all and they shall no more be two nations neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all Then in vers 23. There is the promise of preservation from pollution the promise of full cleansing of full salvation and being kept in that happy condition they were changed into and God to be their God and they his people And as in vers 24. David Gods servant to be king over them and they to have one shepheard Then followeth that very observable and remarkable vers 25. And they shall dwell in the land that I
so SOmething hath been said before concerning the great things that attend the coming of the Lord Christ and come to passe then as the restoration of all things Act. 3. 21. A new heaven and a new earth the raising the dead saints out of their graves the changing the living in a moment the beginning of the world to come with other things very many that have been mentioned before and may be further said after that are held forth in the prophecies and sayings in the holy scriptures relating to the latter day not yet fulfilled nor like to be in the full made good till that happy day in that blessed world to come of which we shall dilate a little In the former chapter we treated of what Ezekiel hath foretold Ezek. 36. Ezek. 37. Of the dry bones and the two stiks with the interpretation of the same The matter relating to Israels restoration and re-union and their full enjoyments of the promises made to Abraham Isaack and Jacob which had not been made good in Ezekiel his time but were after to be fully made good according as he declared which to this day hath not been made good and not very likely so fully to be so in any time yet to come in this world but much more probable to be made good then to the full when that nation shall be so born in one day and be no more two but one nation for ever they and their Childrens children for ever at that blessed day when the world to come shall take place when that of the redeemers coming to Sion and to such as turn or are turned from iniquity in Jacob hath its full fulfilling which is not very like to be till the Lord himself comes for he himself hath said ye shall not see me henceforth till the time come when ye shall say blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord Luk. 23. 35. The lambs standing on Mount Sion with the sealed ones having their fathers name written on their foreheads and the singing the new song which none could learn but they that pure virgin state and being without fault before the throne of God it will not I conceive be so fully in this world but in that blessed world to come All those forementioned things will very fully contemporise with that blessed time and state without any allegorie interpretation or framing a spirituall notion to make the matter good for it will be even so in the letter visibly and be made good without the least failer Further that of the Prophet Isaiah is very considerable as to this matter Chap. 65. 17. where the new heaven and the new earth is held forth with a behold a great thing behold I create new heavens and a new earth vers 18. I create Jerusalem a rejoycing and her people a joy And therefore in the beginning of the vers it is said be glad and rejoyce for ever in that which I create for behold I create a very great thing so he goeth on to the end of chapter In Isa 66. 8. Who hath heard sach a thing shall a nation be born at once in a moment in the twinkling of an eye as those alive at the coming of the Lord shall be changed then As soon as Sion travelled she brought forth see the whole to the 22. vers And that in special in the 14. 15. 16. See if they do not eye the very time of the destroying of this world by fire and the taking place of the blessed world to come when the new heaven and the new earth will take place of which before And the certainty and stableness is confirmed by that vers 22. For as the new heavens and the new earth which I shall make shall remain before me saith the Lord so shall your seed and your name remain This comporteth with that Isa 59. 21. very considerable As for me this is my covenant with them saith the Lord my spirit that is upon thee being changed so and my words which I have put in thy mouth to wit of thanksgiving and praise shall not depart out of them mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed from henceforth and for ever And this I conceive relateth to the coming of the redeemer to Sion when all Israel shall be saved Rom. 11. 26. then as Isa 60. 1. arise and shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee Jerusalems happy day will then be come We might mention much more of holy Isaiah for that he had great light in this matter and hath held forth much as in chap. 60. and so to the end of his prophecy which the reader may please to consider As likewise in divers other places which I forbear to mention lest we should be too large All that hath been said as to its full fulfilling seemeth to relate to the time of the world to come and the Israelites the seed of Abraham principally not excluding the gentile Saints from sharing in the blessedness of that day and walking in Jerusalems light when it shall be very great indeed The light of one day being from the sun then as the light of seven dayes Isa 30. 26. that that changing in a moment will effect it to the highest degree of being translated out of darkness into this marvelous light 1. Pet. 2. 9. In the next place we may take notice what the Prophet Ieremiah holds forth Ier. 30. 31. and 32. of which we shall dilate a little Ier. 30. 10. Iacob is bidden not to fear nor Israel to be dismayed for God will save them from afar and their seed from the land of their captivitie and Iacob shall return and be in rest and quiet and none shall make him afraid he goeth on with further promises and threatnings against the wicked then at the same time to wit in the latter days when God will perform the intents of his heart reade on to the 22th verse where he sums up all and they shall be my people and I will be their God very happy will their condition be for blessed is the people whose God is the Lord. Ier. 31. 1. he saith at the same time will I be the God of all the families of Israel and they shall be my people In an eminent wise they shall be so to God and he so to them a very great thing the one hundred forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel those sealed ones with their fathers name written on their foreheads will be so Gods people and God their God so The twelve thousand of every tribe and all Israel when they shall be saved by the coming of the deliverer to Sion and the two sticks according to Ezekiels vision and the interpretation of it one nation and no more two for ever but one born in a day changed in a moment then will God be their God and they his people so at that day So he
goeth on vers 4. I will build thee and thou shalt be built O virgin of Israel vers 6. there shall be a day wherein it shall be said arise ye and let us go up to Sion to the Lord our God vers 7. the Lord saith sing with gladness for Jacob. vers 8. behold I will bring them from the north and gather them from the coasts of the Earth vers 10. he that scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepheard doth his sheep or flock vers 11. the Lord hath redeemed Jacob. vers 12. therefore shall they come and sing in the height of Sion for Sion will be very high indeed then and shine forth very gloriously this is much the same with that of holy Isaiah chap. 2. 2. When it shall come to passe in the last days the very time we are treating of that the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow unto it He goeth on and speaketh of great things that shall be done for Israel Gods people At vers 31. He speaketh of a new covenant God will make after those days with the house of Israel and Iudah Reade the matter at large What it is he declares vers 33. of Ier. 31. Namely he will put his law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and he will be their God and they shall be his people There is much of grace in it in that he undertakes to do it without any condition vers 34. Seemeth to look further and to eye another time then that of grace and the state of regeneration as to its full fulfilling it is said they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying know the Lord the reason is For they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord. This new covenant it seemeth not only to eye the day of grace but the day of glory Not only the day of Christs first coming when he confirmed it with his bloud Heb. 9. The comfort and blessed fruit whereof all the servants of God in all ages since have enjoyed and yet do and still shall enjoy till that happy time come when they shall enjoy the high and full enjoyment of it in that blessed world to come when the great fruit and blessedness of it shall then be made partakers of so as was never attained unto or enjoyed before in that happy time that is coming it will have its full fulfilling and be made good in every particular That in vers 34. of this Ier. 31. which seemeth to eye another time in order thereunto for in the day of grace whilest this world lasteth there will be need of teaching and exhorting one another as it is commanded Heb. 3. 13. But exhort one another dayly whilest it is called to day whilest the day of grace lasteth so chap. 10. 25. But exhort one another and so much the more as we see the day approacheth wherein there will be no need of doing it Here in the state of regeneration there will be but knowledge in part but then in that happy state and time there will be the full vision and knowledge of God that man will be capable of the greatest according to the greatness and the least according to their littleness every vessel bigg or little will be brim-full that it can receive no more The earth to wit the new earth will be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea Isa 11. 9. Holy Paul semeth to eye this of not teaching one another 1 Cor. 13. 9. we know but in part we prophesy in part so was it at the present but there was another time to come when it would not be so Vers. 10. When that which is perfect is come that blessed time that perfect state takes place as it will do when the raised and changed ones shall appear with the Lord Christ then an end of things in part and of teaching also For prophesying or teaching as to them will then cease Here we are but as children then as perfect men here we see but as through a glasse darkly but then we shall see face to face clearly and fully we now know but in part but then we shall know as we are known for God will fully take away the face of the covering and vail that lets and hinders Isa 25. 7. when there shall be a changing so that vail will be done away Very high knowledge of God then our Lord will shew us plainly of the father and in him we shall behold his glory In the eighth and ninth chapters of the epistle to the Hebrews this is treated of by the Apostle under the term of a new testament A covenant and a testament differ something strictly minded though in substance they may be the same There were many covenants made by Almighty God as with Noah and Abraham Isaack and Iacob with the Israelites with David and with Levi c. But he made but two testaments a first by Moses confirmed by the bloud of Bulls and Goats A second by the Lord Christ confirmed by his own bloud or death as a testament must be else it is of no force but a covenant is of force whilest a person liveth and is otherwise confirmed The new testament as a testament of the Lord Christ he is the blessed mediator or surety of it as Moses was of the first It relates chiefly to the time of grace and the estate of regeneration in this world and is of high concern and great fruit and benefit to all believers much of the mistery of godlines and of the Gospel being contained in it but as a covenant it seemeth to eye and look at a further time not yet come and a covenant that shall then be made good when they shall not teach for there will be no need of it they shall know as much as they shall be capable of knowing for such fullness they shall enjoy as nothing can be added to it No great question but the Apostle had this in his thoughts in order to that blessed time to come the last verse seemeth to speak out so much to them that look for him to wit the Lord Christ shall he appear the second time as he appeared the first without sin to wit the imputation of sin in a low condition in the form of a servant so the first time but the second time in power and great glory without sin unto salvation Heb. 9. 28. to wit to full and perfect salvation of body and spirit united in one at that happy day There are many blessed expectants that look for the Lord Christ his appearing this second time as good old Simeon Hannah did the first time there are blessed servants that look for their Lord his return from a far country whither he is gone to receive for
at his first creating but enjoy some blessed additions to his happy estate namely stability therein immortalitie and life everlasting the high enjoyment of the presence of God and the Lord Christ high interest in the new covenant and more of the spirit and grace of the saviour then Adam ever had and that for evermore But there is something further considerable man was made male and female in the image of God they were created so And was made with seed in him whereby to propagate posteritie he had a wise given him of God for that it was not good for him to be alone A woman or female suitable unto him was formed out of him in a wonderful wise and they were bidden to multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it and God made nothing in vain He had no question in his innocent estate if he had continued in it and not fell from it generated and replenished the earth as he did after in his fallen condition being bidden to do so before in order to what will be at the restoration and change in that moment at our Lord his coming the scripture seemeth silent in it and so I shall be likewise till time discover further or that day it self declare I shall only intimate to prevent prejudice that I do not in the least intend the including of the raised ones or children of the resurrection in the case before spoken of their condition seeming much to differ from that of the changed alive then it is said by our Lord Math. 22. 30. That in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God in heaven but the changed alive will be men and women as Adam and Eve were in their first estate such by whom that happy world to come will be begun and peopled as that first world would have been if Adam had not fell The old world was so after Adams fall and how the new world to come will be some way or how it will be it is likely I shall say no more Further it is intimated that the seperate condition of man is not in the least medled with but man intire as he will be at his being changed at the restoration of all things Having made this digression I premise one or two things more namely that the restoration and changing in a moment it will be here below on earth it will be from this old corrupt earth under the curse to that new which God will create wherein will dwell blessing which we according to the promise look for at that happy day And that by the world to come spoken of in the holy scriptures in which this restoration will take place is not meant of heaven above but a state here below on earth and that to take it for heaven properly or understand it so is to offer losse to the holy scriptures and that which in effect renders insignificant and makes void what is said in them concerning the restoration of all things the change in a moment the new earth with all things made new by him sitting on the throne with very many other things that might be mentioned And lastly I premise that the Israelites the seed of Abraham Isaack and Jacob will be the people highly concerned and cheif in this restoration and change the twelve thousand of every tribe of Israel and that their land the land of promise will share in a principal wise in that happy restoration and change and in a likely way be the center of the new earth We shall now return to the matter we had under consideration before namely man considered according to propagation and off-spring How acceptable to some the proposing of it will be I know not but it will be some way necessary in order to the better minding and taking knowledge of sundrie high prophecies that seem to look that way and to relate to that day First that Isa 59. 20. 21. the coming of the redeemer to Sion of which we treated before it relateth as to the full fulfilling of it to that happy day of the changing in a moment and the blessed restoration of all things then See what followeth vers 21. as for me this is my covenant with them saith the Lord to wit with the Israelites the seed of Abraham my spirit that is upon thee it is not said in thee but upon thee a very glorious unnoynting then like that Zech. 4. 14. such a kind of annoynting it is likely will be then on the changed people it followeth and the words I have put in thy mouth Whether Gods law in their hearts or the joyfull tone of the Gospel and tidings of great joy or the new Song of praise and thanksgiving to the lamb for the great grace and blessedness enjoyed Psal 40. 3. it may be considered the latter very likely Rev. 5. 12. 13. it followeth nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed from henceforth As I conceive from the time of the redeemers coming the second time and from henceforth as to the fulness of is and for ever Of great duration when once begun Whither this be the same Covenant with that Ier. 31. 31. may be considered Or whether it will be another that will take place with that happy day and so forward for ever I will make no assay to declare but that it relateth as to the utmost fulfilling of it to that blessed time of the restoration and that it implieth seed and generation then and seeds seed for ever seemeth very likely and that it may probably relate to the changed people of whom we have spoken and the rather if we minde that that followeth in Isa 60. being the very same prophecy carried on where Israel is bidden to arise and shine when Gods spirit or annoynting is upon them they will then shine gloriously as Moses shined when he had been in the mount with God Then their light will be fully come and the glory of the Lord will be risen upon them and the gentiles will see it c. For great will be their glory see the whole chapter and that in the close where it is said a little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation hapily by generation for then will be no conversion to increase so further Chap. 61. 8. 9. The Lord sayeth I will make an everlasting Covenant with them and their seed shall be known among the people all that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed that the Lord hath blessed What time this eyeth as to its full fulfilling consult the 2d and 3d. verses minde the whole and in particular the two last verses it eyeing that time when the Lord Christ shall appear and his shall appear with him in glory Col. 3. 4. Chap. 65. Where the New Heaven and the new earth are foretold and promised vers 17. for behold I create a new heaven and a new earth the old shall passe
be given to the saints for they shall reign with him Rev. 20. 4. 6. of which more after But to proceed in a gradual way and take knowledge of what the holy scripture holds forth as relating to and eyeing that happy time before mentioned we may take knowledge of father Jacobs blessing of Judah his son Gen. 49. 8. His hand should be on the neck of his enemies his fathers children should bow before him Vers. 10. The scepter shall not depart from Judah c. We may also take notice of Balaams prophecy Numb 24. 7. 8. see the place the height and fulness is like to be then see like wise vers 17. 18. 19. All held forth which I forbear to set down relateth to a time afarr off and not nigh Vers. 17. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have the dominion a wonderfull time it relateth unto for as vers 23. Who shall live when God doth this he will he will do it Then in the dayes of the dominion and reign of the Lord Christ shall that be fulfilled Psal 15. acknowledged and stiled a Psalm of Christs kingdom vers 14. In stead of thy fathers thou shalt have or there shall be children whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth to wit fully so in the new earth I will make thy name to be remembred in all generations therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever Psal 49. 14. Eyeing the resurrection when death feedeth on the wicked in the grave the righteous shall arise and have the day the dominion in that very morning likewise will that be made good then Psal 149. 9. To have power to execute the vengeance that is written it is sayd this honour have all the saints to share with the Lord Christ their blessed saviour and redeemer their king and governor sure enough to be true and made good then In the next place take we knowledge of what holy Isaiah sayth Isa 60. 12. The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee to wit Isrnel shall perish yea those nations shall be utterly wasted vers 14. The sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet and shall call thee the city of the Lord. That this relateth to the time of Christ and his kingdom few deny We shall proceed to that eminent place Dan. 7. It is after the fourth kingdom or monarchy see what is sayd vers 18. But the saints of the most high to wit the Israelites especially shall take and possesse the kingdom for ever even for ever and ever very great durations not yet begun it is likely but will fully be fulfilled at the restoration when our Lord Christ shall be sent the second time then the saints shall fully take and possesse the kingdom Vers. 22. And the ancient of days came and judgement was given to the saints of the most high And the time came that the Paints possessed the kingdom Some build the fifth Monarchy or kingdom of the stone on this and other the like scriptures apprehending it will be in this world before the restoration and change we have treated of which I leave to the day to declare whether it will be so or no but what holy Daniel hath foretold will surely be made good even that vers 27. And the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the most high whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey him that is their governour There can be nothing more full and plain only the time is to be waited for and very like it will be fully fulfilled when our Lord Christ fully takes to him his power and reigns at the happy restoration of all things I shall mention no more out of the old testament Our Lord Christ in the new hath told us that his kingdom is not of this world Joh. 18. 36. neither as I apprehend is or to be in this world save in a spiritual consideration as the gospel and gospel dispensations as the spirit and word and the fruits of the spirit righteousness peace and joy with faith and love c. though some apprehend from those words in the latter part of that verse but now is my kingdom not from hence or then to be set up in this world the emphasis of the words as they conceive lying in the word but now that his kingdom will begin to be set up in this world before his personal coming but I leave it as not being the subject matter of this discourse but that is clear another thing that we are treating of from his kingdom in a spiritual consideration only It is dominion kingdom and power outward and visible which our treaty is of this our Lord hath not taken to him as yet he hath not taken to him his great power and kingdom he is gone to fetch it when he comes he will bring it with him Luk. 19. 12. 15. 2. Tim. 4. 7. And then he will fully set it up and reign gloriously in the midst of his enemies It is much in my apprehension that any should think the saints of the most high should reign and have kingdom and power and dominion before the Lord Christ that would answer the prophecyes in the holy Scriptures and be a fulfilling of them but I conceive though some so think and say yet most of them that judge Christs kingdom will begin to be set up in this world before his personal coming do not apprehend that the prophecyes on that account will have their full fulfilling therein nor will be so fulfilled till he so comes Our Lord Christ tels his followers that continued with him in his temptations Luk. 22. 28 29. 30. And I appoint unto you a kingdom as my father hath appointed unto me that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom when it comes and he reigns in it and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel Minde we that in Math. 25. 24. come ye blessed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you c. When will this be when he shall come in his glory and all the holy Angels with him and shall fit on the throne of his glory it will be then that the Saints of the most high God will be so advanced and dignified so impowered to judge know ye not saith the Apostle 1. Cor. 6. 2. that the Saints shall judge the world yea and Angels also vers 3. the world have judged and wrongfully many times condemned them and they have been for Christs sake killed all the day long Rom. 8. 36. it will be otherwise then they shall judge them that injuriously condemned them then the Saints shall have the day and what Daniell hath told shall come to passe that the dominion and greatness of the kingdom under the
and the coming of his kingdom and reign and all those great things that shall contemporize fall in and take place then of which we have spoken before and are too many to be here set down they shall all have their fulfilling and making good then these of the holy psalmists of Isaiah Ieremiah and Ezekiel of Daniel and the rest of the prophets relating to that time shall then in like manner be fulfilled as they are written We shall particularize a few out of the new testament and draw to a close First that of our Lord Math. 25. 31. With all that followeth to the end of the chapter as it is setdown when the son of man shall come in his glory and all his holy Angels with him then will he sit on the throne of his glory likewise the gathering the nations the setting them on the right hand and on the left the saying as is their spoken and judging and sentencing of them will be fulfilled according as it is written in all the particulars of it As also that Luk. 21. 27. and then shall ye see the son of man come in the clouds with power and great glory Every eye shall see him Rev. 1. 7. As sure as the wise men saw his star and afterwards himself lying in the manger or as they in the time of his humiliation saw him ride on an asse and on a colt the foal of an asse as it was written Zech. 9. 9. Math. 21. 4. 5. Tell ye the daughter of Sion behold thy king cometh unto thee meek and sitting on an asse c. So as sure then when he comes again he shall come in the clouds of heaven in great power and glory and every eye shall see him That Acts. 1. 10. 11. Which the two men in white apparrel to wit Angels told the disciples looking after our Lord being ascended this Jesus whom ye have seen go up into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven it shall then be fulfilled As likewise that Heb. 9. 28. To them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation Then will be fulfilled that which holy Peter and others have told concerning the burning of this world and the taking place of the new a new heaven and a new earth according to the promise of God with tho raising of the dead in Christ out of their graves and the changing of those saints then alive in a moment The restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy Prophets will be fulfilled as sure as those things spoken by them were formerly when he came before Then will that be fulfilled written by holy Paul Rom. 8. concerning the waited for adoption the redemption of the body and the creatures also delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God Then shall Daniel as was told by the Angel stand up in his lot And Abraham and Isaack and Jacob and all the Prophets sit together in the kingdom of God as it is written That which holy Isaiah chap. 60. hath foretold and holy John hath shewed Rev. 21. Rev. 22. concerning Jerusalems glory coming down from heaven and shining gloriously with the pure river of water of life and the trees bearing fruit every moneth which he hath attested to be the true sayings of Almighty God And also that concerning the righteous then that they shall hunger no more nor thirst any more nor suffer pain or death any more for ever nor no more curse the sayings being true and faithfull and will be fulfilled then the righteous shall see the vengence that is written fully made good against their wicked oppressors their wrongs righted their faith and patience rewarded the righteous proceedings of God manifested in punishing them with everlasting destruction from his presence such as sorely afflicted them when they shall have rest together it will be all fulfilled as it is written Great terror and fear will attend the wicked then and they will according as it is written be found saying to the mountains fall on us and to the hills cover us from the presence of him that sitteth on the throne And Gog and Magog the beast and false Prophet the captains and mighty men and all their great numbers be destroyed And the devill that deceived them and death also and the grave or Hell be cast into the lake of sire for ever with very many things of the like kinde which in a prophetical way by way of threatning against the wicked are written it shall then be fulfilled and made good from the faithfulness of the Lord Iehovah that is engaged in it Why should any that believe the the power and faihfulness of God doubt of it why should any think that the things spoken of in the holy Scriptures relating to the Lord Christ his second coming in power and great glory declared by the prophets and holy penmen of the Scriptures that those should not as well be fulfilled and made good as those were fulfilled at his first coming in the state of humiliation and suffering why should any go about to advance unbelief and weak reason into the room and place of faith and conclude that those things of Christs coming and kingdom are divised fables or things impossible ever to come to passe Holy Peter strong in faith and lively in hope saith 2. Pet. 3. 12. seeing so great things are to be done as burning and dissolving this old heaven and earth with the works therein in order to the coming in of the new in the room thereof we should be looking for and hastning to the day of their performance Vers. 13. we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dweleth righteousnes And again vers 14. seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace c. unto those that look for him the second time he will appear Heb. 9. 28. Great good things will attend the righteous hereafter a great change for the better will come when they shall enjoy a flourishing condition and abundance of peace and felicity The blessed morning will come when they will come to have the preheminence The day hasteneth when they as Lazarus had will have the good things and be comforted when the wicked will sadly suffer the righteous being in the height of their enjoyments of blessedness enjoying the presence of God and being for ever with the Lord Christ and having fellowship with just men throughly made perfect and shall live and reign with Christ a thousand years as it is written and will be fulfilled It is impossible that any thing thereof should fail or come short I shall forbear to enlarge The reason and scope of the whole is to infor from what is written as fulfilled of the prophecyes at Christ our Lord his first coming to shew what we may look for and expect at his second coming in like manner remembring holy Peter hath told us we have a more sure word of Prophecy unto which we do well to taken ed Hope we stedfastly therefore for the great grace and blessedness that shall be brought unto us at the revelation of Iesus Christ O come Lord Iesus come quickly Errata PAge line 7. for on reade gone p. 32. l. 2. for on r. in p. 33. l. 27. for had no r. had not l. 22. r. Lord Jesus p. 43. l. 30. for Psalm r. Esa p. 44. for psal r. phil l. 33. for his r. this p. 52. l. 15. for preceher r. preached p. 55. l. 17. for changed r. raised p. 57. l. 36. for world r. word l. 30. r. is come dole which is to come p. 59. l. 22. for many r. man p. 78. l. 13. r. that will attend p. 83. l. 16. for as our Christ r. as our Lord Christ l. 11. r. the regeneration p. 87. l. 12. for must r. might l. 31. for as so great r. is so great p. 91. l. 12. for thee r. him p. 102. dele for a time p. 105. l. 23. for light r. right p. 107. for be r he p. 109. l. 17. for must r. may l. 24. dele save In p. 13. at the close of the 3. chap. some thing intended to have been left out was casually left in concerning a long time after a 1000. years said to be Mr. Archors judgement also p. 16. towards the end these words and as some apprehend will be a 1000 years more Which not being the judgement of the Authour is here intimated FINIS