A DISCOVERY OF THE New Creation IN A Sermon Preached at the Head-Quarters at Putney Sept. 29. 1647. By Thomas Collier 2 Pet. 3. 13. Neverthelesse we look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousnesse LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert and are to be sold at the Black-spred-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls 1647. The Epistle to the Reader Reader THE new Creation the Kingdom of Heaven in the Saints is that great Mysterie God is now revealing in them I having both opportunity and freenesse at the head Quarters spoke something according to that measure of light God hath communicated unto me concerning this new Creation in the Saints this truth being by some owned yet by others privately opposed and contradicted I therefore at the desire of some who judge themselves one with and in this truth as also for satisfaction of the contrary minded have published that which was in weaknesse yet in power then delivered Although its true thou maist not here reade verbatim what was then delivered yet thou hast here the heads and substance of it God making thy spirit one in with any truth that thou findest here let him have the glory and he who is thine and the Truths servant hath his end and utmost desires T. C. Isai 65. 17. Behold I create new heavens and a new earth THis Scripture propounded is a satisfying reason of some propheticall Gospel-truths formerly discovered Wherein we may take notice First of the grace of the Gospel verse 1. I was found of them that sought me not c. Wherein you may note that persons not seeking after grace are made partakers of grace or that persons seek and finde grace from their being sought out and found by grace Men participate of Gospel grace not because there is either desert or desire in themselves but from the everlasting love free bounty of a gratious God who is the fountain of Grace and Love see this testified Jer. 31. 3. I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore in loving kindenesse have I drawn thee As this was a truth to the naturall Israel much more is it a truth to the spiritual Israel Whence was it that God shewed mercy to Mary out of whom was cast seven Devils that is a perfection of wickednesse was in her but Free-Grace and Love see Luke 7. latter end with Chap. 8. 2. with those Acts 2. who were the betrayers and murderers of Christ made partakers of Grace by Christ Saul Acts 9. 1 2 3. who persecuted Christ received mercy by Christ Vse 1. How might this incourage sinners yea and the worst of sinners too to expect not only the Declarations but the Communications of Grace from the Almighty Hast been a filthy polluted creature so was Mary hast been an enemy to Christ a persecutor of christians so were those Acts ◠and Saul Chap. 9. Yet he obtained mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. And this is written for thy incouragement that thou likewise maiest expect mercy Vse 2. To raise up the spirits of Persons made partakers of Grace to admire God who is the fountain and to cry Grace Grace unto it Secondly here is the disposition of man naturally verse 2. which is to oppose Grace notwithstanding God spreads forth his hand unto them in the tenders of mercy yet they walk after their own thoughts A second Gospel-Truth by the Prophet discovered is Gods exaltation of his own Name and People in the latter dayes ver 9. with the ruine of all enemies both within them and likewise without them within them that ignorance and darknesse in the things of God that carnalnesse and fleshlinesse that naturally dwels in them that unsatisfiednesse at all times and in all conditions with the will of God all enemies without must be spiritually slain verse 12. See what the slaughter is verse 13. Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold my servants shall eat but ye shall be hungry behold my servants shall drinke but ye shall be thirsty that is my servants who live in me shall dwel on high Isa 33. 1. Bread shall be given them to eat their waters shall be sure they shall feed on that feast made of fat things Isat 25. which is God in the spirit when Formallists and Legallists who live on things without them shall be hungry and thirsty nothing to feed on when the glorious appearance of truth discovers the emptinesse and destroyes the beeing of that wherein they lived Behold my servants shall rejoyce but ye shall be ashamed behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart and howl for vexation of spirit they shall be ashamed because that wherein they trusted their spirituall life and livelyhood is taken from them but ye to wit the Saints who live in the spirit shall rejoyce shall sing for joy of heart Isai 35. 10. Then shall the redeemed of the Lord return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flee away This shall be and is the life of Saints who live in the fountain or rather in whom the fountain lives In a word these two things are here presented First The rejection or rather the subjection under feet of the enemies of God Secondly The exaltation glory and joy of the Saints ver 15. Ye shall leave your name for a curse to my chosen for the Lord God will slay thee and call his people by another name That is whereas the name viz. the power of the wicked hath been exceeding high the Lord will slay that name bring down their power and glory and lay it in the dust make it a reproach but he will call his servants by another name whereas formerly they had a name of reproach accounted the off-scouring of all things a reproach and proverb amongst men and so that word of truth hath been verified behold I and the children whom God hath given me are set for signes and wonders in Israel Oh beloved How have the Saints been set for signes and wonders even amongst those who pretend themselves to be the Lords Israel It s true in this and other Nations called Christian it 's looked upon as an exceeding contemptible thing not to be a Christian to be a Heathen an Infidel this is an evil thing But 2. It 's accounted a far more contemptible thing to be a Christian indeed not to be a Christian in form profession is a cōtemptible thing but to be a Christian indeed is a more contemptible thing a sad word indeed and it behoves those who are the causers of it to look about themselves for the leaders of my people cause them to erre and God is now casting reproach upon them but he will call his people by another name Object But how shall this be effected may some say it is exceeding unlikely wickednesse prevailes both within and without in high and low it seemes to be
times Col. 3. 16. Teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymnes and spirituall songs And truly when we come into these new heavens we shall then know what it is thus to teach one another Thus amongst many have I branched forth these few particulars wherein the nature and glory of this new heaven consists Vse 1. As to discover the ignorance of those who would retain men still in the old heavens under carnall and fleshly forms so 2. To incourage Saints who have yet but low apprehensions of this glory to presse forwards as Paul Phil. 3. forgetting those things which are behinde pressing forward to the mark that is the perfection of Christ who is the mark the prize run for It is a low and carnall principle for to set men a looking back after what once the soul injoyed not that I shall deny but that God may communicate comfort to souls in this low condition but that this is the temper of a Gospel spirit inlightned in the mysterie of truth to see the greatest glory to be before and that darknesse which is behinde and so it forgets that which is past from the glory of that which is before truly a soul taught of God in this spirituall mysterie of the new Creation cannot rest it self satisfied that is so satisfied as not to presse forward short of glory of that perfection which he sees in Christ this is the end of all Gospel ministrations thereby to work up souls into that unity of faith and knowledge of the son of God God working in it it shall be accomplished 2. To speak more externally by new heavens I understand to be meant a new Church estate and that in opposition unto the old it s said to be new First in respect of matter or members The old heavens were all carnall and prophane creatures people for the most part without the knowledge of God such was the matter of the carnall Church but the matter of this spirituall Church this new heavens shall be the Saints such as are all taught of God Thy children shall be all righteousnesse Isa 60. 21. Rev. 21. ult 2. New in opposition to the old manners and old conversation The members of the old Church were perhaps ignorant prophane having a form of godlinesse without the power of it but the members of this new heaven shall so walk with God as to honour his name God will so gloriously appear in them as that the world shal be convinced by their godly conversation The remnant that are left shall do no iniquity c. 3. They shall be new in respect of form compacted together by the Spirit not literall forms and ordinances The old heaven or Church-constitution hath been formed up with externall compactings the wisdom and power of the flesh knit together by things without them not by the bands of the Spirit the principle and power of love which is an everlasting band which will occasion Saints communion to be sweet and spirituall 4. They shall be new in respect of ministery not in the Letter but in the Spirit not fetcht out of the bottomlesse pit of creature-wisdom and humane abilities but the single ministration of the Spirit pray in the Spirit preach and prophesie in the Spirit praise in the Spirit that is in the wisdom and power of that law in the Spirit which will deliver Saints from fleshly actings into the glorious liberty of spirituall actings that they shall no more act from a legall principle to a law without them but from a principle of light life liberty and power within them Thus God will create a new heaven a new Church estate in the Spirit which will produce spirituall communion spirituall joy and gladnesse amongst the Saints who live in this light and glory This that mentioned Zac. 4. 2. The candlestick all of gold which notes unto us the purity of the Church not only in their comming forth of litterall Babylon but principally of our comming forth of mysticall Babylon in these latter dayes so likewise the woman cloathed with the sun Rev. 12. having the moon under her feet that is the Church cloathed with Christ the sun of righteousnesse But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousnesse arise with healing in his wings Mal. 4. with the Moon under her feet all things be low and short of Christ under feet low in esteem with the spirituall soul shee being with childe travailing pained to be delivered that is to bring forth Christ in the spirit This informs us of the vanity and ignorance of those who seek so much to keep up the old Heavens the old Church for matter and Members that will turn the world into Church by a human power they are those that must be spiritually slain Isa 65. 11 12. But ye are they that forsake the Lrod and forget my holy mountain that prepare a table for the troop and furnish a drinke offering unto that number therefore I will number you to the sword and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter c. Here is the vanity of such persons that seek to uphold forms fleshly actings and fleshly compactings the old Ministery fetcht out of humane abilities the wisdome of the flesh limiting the spirit to those humane qualifications where he appears least all these both persons and things must bow down to the slaughter Now I come to the second part of my text and a new earth in this new Creation there is not only new heavens but a new earth What this new earth is it 's to be looked upon either more mystically or more litterally as the new heavens 1. Mystically there is an earth in the heart of every man nay of every christian flesh and fleshly corruptions fleshly conclusions which prevents the joy of Saints now the Lord will make a new earth he will subject that old earth that is in his Saints that it shall not so prevail in them he will be a fire in them Mal. 3. 3. burning up and consuming this old earth and flesh O beloved there is much ignorance even amongst Christians of Christs appearing powerfully within as a fire to burn up and consume the deeds of darknesse this is that Iohn mindes when he saith he shall baptize you with the holy Spirit and with fire and Christ himself I am come to set fire in the earth and what will ye if it be already kindled truly friends it is the work of Christ to set fire in the earth that is that earth which is within you as well as without you 1. There shall not be such earthly actings actings after the flesh either the lusts of the flesh or the righteousnesse of the flesh 2. There shall not be such earthly distractings which flowe from those corrupt motions and actings but this earth being covered with the knowledge of the glory of God and delivered from this earthlinesse and fleshlinesse into the glorious liberty of the sons of God shall act to God
from God but by Iesus Christ they come to injoy reconciliation But Secondly They injoy not only peace with God but peace with the Saints it is only the glorious light of this New Creation that will put an end to these divisions amongst Christians it is not Magisteriall power setting up Uniformity but that one Spirit of light and truth that must bring the Saints into this unity I question not but many of you have read what Zephaniah writes Chap. 3. 9. I will turn to the people a pure language and they shall serve me with one consent or with one shoulder This pure language is the language of the spirit and the truth is that nothing else will be able to put an end to these divisions but this spirituall dispensation this new creation of God in the spirits of his people and this is and shall be the glory of this heaven unity and peace amongst Saints see Isa 11. 13. The envy of Ephraim shall depart and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off Ephraim shall not envy Judah neither shall Judah vex Ephraim Whence is it that there is so much envy in the spirits of christians but from their fleshlinesse vexing each other when they should rather be a comfort each to other but this shall depart be gone in this new Creation this kingdome of God it shall be a kingdome of peace not only internall with God with the Saints Isa 66. 12. but Secondly With men and amongst men of the earth this new creation will put an end to all those wars and confusions in the world See Isa 2. 4. When once the Saints mountain comes to be established in the top of all mountains when they shall live in God who is their mountain this light and glory shall go forth so far amongst the wicked as that they shall imbrace peace it will put a period to wars and commotions that are amongst the men of the earth Secondly There is the knowledge not only of their peace with but of their union in God here still lieth the great mysterie of the Gospel the Saints union in the Spirit the knowledge of it is exceeding glorious that this is a truth see Ioh. 17. 21. There is a union of spirits 1 Cor. 6. 17. A union in the power wisdome and glory of the Father but I forbeare the inlarging of these at present 2. The glory of this new Creation consists not only in knowledge but in spirituall injoyment likewise there is the abundance of spirituall injoyment it does not only see and know but it injoyes what it sees it sees liberty and peace and injoyes it and lives in it it sees God in the Spirit and lives in him it not only sees a union but injoyes a union both in spirit wisdome power and glory of the Father thus Saints that live in that abundance of life that is in God Iohn 10. 10. I am come that ye might have life and that ye might have it more abundantly O the abundance of spirituall injoyment of spirituall communion Saints in this heaven injoy hence it is the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 3. 23. All is yours c. And truly friends if all be the Saints when they see it and injoy it it will be enough to fill them with joy unspeakable and full of glory 3. The glory of this new Creation consists not only in being delivered from legall and fleshly actings but likewise lives in the power of heavenly and spirituall actings and that first to God in spirituall prayer and praisings but secondly from God not only in the whole conversation but likewise in acts of righteousnesse and justice unto men but likewise in preachings and praisings all shall be done in the wisdome and power of the Spirit that so grace may be communicated to the hearers This is the third part of the glory of this new Creation and injoyed by those who live in it 4. And finally the glory of this new Creation brings forth joy and gladnesse in the spirits of those who live in it perpetual singing of new songs of praise unto the Lord see Rev. 21. 4. with Isa 25. 7. I shall instance more particularly Rev. 19. 1. where you shall finde after the fall of Babylon which is effected as well within us as without us there was a voice of thunderings saying Hallelujah and ver 6. For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth This is that will minister occasion to souls to sing praises when they can say truly The Lord God omnipotent reigneth that is reigneth over flesh and corruptions and the powers of darknesse are vanquished and subdued Chap. 15. 3. They sing the song of Moses the servant of the Lord but who sung this song those who had gone through this sea of glasse and gotten the victory over spirituall enemies who had gone through this fiery sea and overcome they sing this song of Moses it s called the song of Moses because when Moses could look back and see his enemies dead in the red sea then he could sing so when souls see themselves spiritually delivered all their spirituall enemies lie dead before them then they can sing this is that new song mentioned Rev. 14. 3. That none could learn but those who were redeem'd from the earth it is called a new song in opposition to the old carnall and formall singings of the world it is such a song that none can learn but those who are redeemed from the earth what is that why it is to be delivered from that earthlinesse and fleshlinesse that possesseth souls when once souls are delivered from this earth as they shall in this new heaven then they can sing new songs and not till then see one Scripture in the old Testament amongst many answering this truth Zac. 8. 19. Thus saith the Lord The fast of the fourth moneth and the fast of the fift and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladnesse and chearfull feasts therefore love the truth and peace This its true relates to the Jews in the Letter concerning their Babylonish captivity but it principally relates unto our comming forth of mysticall Babylon as its clear in the verses to the end of the Chapter all those dayes of fastings shall be turned into dayes of feastings I remember in the Gospel when the Pharisees queried of Christ what the reason was that Johns disciples fasted and Christs fasted not his answer was the children of the Bridegroom cannot fast so long as the Bridegroom is with them but the time will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken away and then shall they fast beloved it is an argument that the Bridegroom hath been gone from us a long time and that is the cause of those fastings and mournings but when the Bridegroom is come those dayes of fastings and mournings shall be ended and shall be turned into feastings and spirituall praisings This is that Paul mindes in the Primitive
more purely in the Spirit being delivered both from fleshly actings and fleshly distractings Those vialls of wrath mentioned in the Revelations are not only to be poured out upon earthly persons and things without the Saints but likewise upon this earth within them this is that minded Rev. 10 2. The Angell which is Christ sets his right foot on the sea and his left foot upon the earth and cried with aloud voice and verse 4. Seven thunders utter their voices that is the Lord speaks a perfection of terror and dread to the earth and sea that is within the Saints as well as without them A Glorious word for poor Christians who wait for deliverance the vision is for an appointed time it will speak and not lye it will come and not tarry thy vile body shall be changed thou shalt appear w th him in glory thou shalt see the death of that body of sin thou shalt passe thorow that sea of glasse mingled with fire and see all thy sins thy earthlinesse left behinde lying dead before thee which will occasion thee to sing new songs of praise unto the Almighty c. Comfort your selves with these things wait earnestly pressing on unto this injoyment Secondly By earth I understand to be meant 1. The powers of the earth or the Magisterial power the rule government of this earth It shall be an earth wherein dwelleth righteousnesse 2 Pet. 13. Querie In what respect may the earthly Magistracy or earthly powers be said to be made new Answ First In respect of the persons ruling they shall be such as are acquainted with and have an interest in the righteous God that as formerly God hath many times set up wicked men to rule and govern see Dan. 4. 17. The most High ruleth over the children of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will and setteth up over it the basest of men now as God hath many times given the government of Nations into the hands of the basest of men So he will give it into the hands of the Saints I question not but that you have heard of the personall reign of Christ that he shall come personally and subdue his enemies and so rule over the world but this will be the glory of Christs kingdome 1. He will have a glorious kingdome in the spirits of his people and this is the new heavens And 2. He will in and by his Saints rule the world That this is a truth I shall confirm unto you from Scripture Dan. 8. 27. And the Kingdome and Dominion and the greatnesse of the Kingdome under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve and obey him What more mysticall truth may be in this Scripture concerning the Kingdome in the Spirit I shall not question but this I beleeve to be a truth that the nations shall become the nations of Christ and the government shall be in the hands of the Saints Isa 60 12. The Nations and Kingdomes that will not serve thee to wit Christ in the Saints shall perish yea those nations shall utterly be wasted See verse 17 18. For brasse I will bring gold and for iron I will bring silver and for wood brasse and for stones iron Here is the new Creation all new and I will make thine officers peace and thine exactors righteousnesse violence shall no more be heard in thy streets wasting and destruction within thy borders Jer. 30 20. Your Nobles shall be of your selves and your Governours shall proceed out of the midst of you God will raise up men of singuler spirits and principles to govern the Nations Thus in respect of the persons governing there shall be a new earth for by earth is meant the earthly powers Rev. 12. the earth helped the woman that is the powers of the earth Secondly It shall be a new earth in relation to the manner of the persons ruling it is a new earth in which shall dwell righteousnesse 2 Pet. 3. 13. this is the great work that God hath to effect in the latter dayes of the Gospel to reduce Magisteriall power to its primitive institution that you may see Rom 13. 1. There is no power but is ordained of God and it is ordained for the punishment of them that do evil but for the praise of them that do well Although this end hath been a long time loosed yet now God will reduce it to this institution This is the great work right honourable that God cals for at your hands whom he hath raised up for that end See Isaiah 58. 4. Behold ye fast for strife and debate c. verse 6. Is not this the Fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickednesse to undo the heavy burdens to let the oppressed go free to break every yoke this is a Gospel-Fast and that which God cals for at your hands it is not to hang down the head for a day like a Bull-rush that so with more applause there may be a smiting with the fist of wickednesse no no beloved it is the execution of righteousnesse justice and mercy without respect of persons it is to undo every yoke and this being the great work in hand and that which God cals for and will effect give me leave to present amongst many nationall grievances some few unto you First Spirituall oppressions in matters of conscience You know that a long time man hath assumed this power to himself to rule over the consciences of their brethren a great oppression and that which cannot be born in souls who live in light and that from which God will deliver his people and punish all that oppressed them Secondly In temporall oppressions I shall minde some few 1. Tyranicall and oppressing laws and courts of Justice hence it comes to passe many times that to seek a Remedy proves destructive the cure proves worse then the disease many an honest man chusing rather to suffer losse then by the use of meanes to seek his right suits at law being so dangerous and hazerdous to the States of men the end of law and courts of justice should be for the righting of men in case of dammage and not undoing better no cure then such a cure 2 Oppression or grievance is in writing our lawes in an unknown tongue that the most part of our Nationall inhabitants cannot understand their own lawes that the French should be better read in our English lawes then those to whom they pertain what oppression comes to the Commons of England by this means I need not mention it s not unknown how many by this meanes are maintained by other mens losses A 3d Oppression the kingdom grones under is a slavery to the wils of men although its that which hath been alwaies declared against since this was began yet we never were so volved up into it as now there is an affection to Arbitrarinesse in the wills of