of Sinners Act. 4.12 Neither is there Salvation in any other And hereby the poor lost sinful Sinner sees his need of Christ to justifie him and pardon all his sins also to sanctifie him and save him from his sins and the wrath of God due unto him for his sins and to save him with an everlasting salvation God having thorowly convinced and savingly inlightned the Sinner the third and next part of God's workmanship upon his Soul is the work of Conversion Sinners are often called upon to turn unto God and to turn from their sins Ezek. 14.6 18 30 32.33.11 that they may know it is their duty so to do and that finding by experience it is not in their power being faln in Adam they should pray to God to turn them from their sins unto himself by his Spirit and Grace Jer. 31.18 19. Turn thou me and I shall be turned c. Conversion is that part of God's workmanship upon a Sinner's Soul wherein God doth first change the whole Man from the sinful similitude of Adam into the Image of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 3.18 We are changed into his Image c. I say in the work of true Conversion the whole Man is changed the heart is made a new heart Ezek. 36.26 A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes The Man is made a New-man Eph. 4.23 24. And that ye put on the New-man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness And his Life a New-Life Rom. 6.4 Even so we also should walk ill newness of Life Secondly God doth in the work of Conversion sanctifie the converted person wholly and throughout in Spirit Soul and Body 1 Thes 5.23 The very God of Peace sanctifie you wholly c. Upon or at the time of the Sinner's Conversion God imparts unto him and implants in him of every Grace that is in Christ a measure Joh. 1.14.16 And from his fulness have all we received and grace for grace Also Eph. 4.7 To every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ which grace is called the incorruptible seed of the New-birth 1 Pet. 1.23 which seed abideth in sanctified Believers 1 Joh. 3.9 It is implanted and it is inherent grace which grows like the grain of Mustard-seed Matth. 13.31 32. unto which Spiritual Growth every sanctified Believer is exhorted 2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in grace c. Thirdly God doth in the work of Conversion actually and really turn the converted person from darkness to light from the power of Satan and Sin unto God Act. 26.18 Before Conversion the Sinner was under the Vassalage of Satan who had dominion over him and ruled and worked in him Eph. 2.2 And he was then the servant of sin which had also dominion over him and reigned in him Rom. 5.21 And though the Sinner was convinced of his sins and troubled in his mind for his sins yea and saw the danger that his Soul was in by reason of his sins whereupon the Sinner resolved to forsake his sinful courses and to commit his sins no more yet until he was truly converted he had no power nor strength to overcome them nor could he pray and perform holy duties with delight and comfort but as a task and work that was hard and burdensom Isa 43.22 24 25. Thou hast not called upon me O Jacob and thou hast been weary of me O Israel But thou hast made me to serve with thy sins thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities I even I am he that blotteth out thy Transgressions for mine own sake and I will not remember thy sins Now that the Sinner is converted he is by the Spirit and Grace of God called to Repent and to Turn from his sins to God with his whole heart Jer. 31.18 19 20. Surely after that I was turned I repented I was ashamed c. Thus we may see what work God doth upon sinful sinners in respect whereof they are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus Let us in the next place consider what Work God doth upon sanctified Believers in respect whereof they also are God's workmanship God having called and converted sinful Sinners unto himself by his holy Spirit and Word formed Christ in them and changed them into the Image of Christ given them his holy Spirit and imparted grace unto them and implanted it in them and having of his free Grace adopted and justified them through Faith in Christ Gal. 3.26 Gal. 2.16 God is pleased out of the exceeding Riches of his free Grace to go on with his workmanship gradually until he have made them compleat in Christ Col. 2.10 whom he hath created in Christ Jesus And in order thereunto there are divers other works of God which he doth by his holy Spirit and Word in and upon the Souls of those Converts in respect whereof they are his workmanship And the first is the work of Faith with Power 2 Thes 1.11 called the Faith of the Operation of God Col. 2.12 wherein God demonstrates what is the exceeding greatness of his Power toward us who believe according to the working of his mighty Power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead Eph. 1.19 20. And this God doth in raising Souls from the death of sin to the life of Righteousness by Jesus Christ Eph. 2.5 6. This Faith Jesus Christ is the Author of and will be the finisher of it Heb. 12.2 and therefore called the Faith of the Son of God Gal. 2.20 by which Faith the Soul in its Conversion is united unto Christ and kept through it by the Power of God unto salvation Compare Eph. 4.13 with 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. it 's called the precious Faith of God's Elect 3 Pet. 1.1 even the same Spirit of Faith that Abraham had and that all the Sons and Daughters of Ahraham have and do receive 2 Cor. 4.13 This Faith is the Substance of things hoped for and the Evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 This Faith God worketh in us ordinarily by his holy Spirit and Word in the Ministry and administrations of the Gospel of his Grace Rom. 10.8 That is the Word of Faith which we preach And verse 17. So then Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God By which Faith we receive Jesus Christ our Lord John 1.12 Adhere and cleave to him with purpose of heart never to forsake him or deny him Act. 11.23 but to own him for our Head Lord and Lawgiver our King Priest and Prophet And trust and rest upon him alone and on him only for Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Isa 26.3 with Isa 50.10 And by this precious Faith Believers are justified Rom. 3.28 adopted Gal. 3.26 and sanctified Act. 26.18 through our Lord Jesus Christ But the converted Believer is not yet fully assured that Christ will save
him he is fully persuaded that there is not Salvation in any other and believing that Christ is able to save to the utmost all that come to God through him And being drawn to Christ by God the Father he doth by a lively Act of Faith go to him and adventure his Soul upon him resolving If I perish I will perish here This Faith is God's workmanship Eph. 28. By grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God Faith is not of our selves for when the poor lost Soul sees a necessity of believing and is willing to believe he experienceth that it is not in his own power to believe he cannot believe Faith is the gift of God and the Convert lies under doubting until God give him to believe Though to believe be our duty yet it is God's Grace Gift and Work 1 Thes 1.11 Called the Work of Faith with power and the Faith of the operation of God Col. 2.12 As before Another part of God's Workmanship upon Converted Believers is Mortification of Sin Rom. 6.6 Our Old-man is Crucified with him that the Body of Sin might be destroyed this is also our duty Rom. 8.13 But if ye through the Spirit do mortify the Deeds of the Body to wit of sin ye shall live And it is the Effect of true Faith in Christ Acts 15.9 Having purified or purged their hearts by Faith The Spirit of God by Faith works out sin and corruption both out of the heart and out of the life gradually killing and crucifying our Old Man Gal. 5.24 that the body of sin might be destroyed That henceforth we should not serve sin Rom. 6.6 nor fulfil the lusts of our flesh and of our carnal mind for to be carnally minded is death This part of God's Workmanship called Mortification is begun in Evangelical Repentance and godly sorrow for sin whereby a sanctified Believer is made to loath abhor and hate his sins 2 Cor. 7.9 10. and by the Grace of God to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts And to live soberly righteously and godly in this evil world Tit. 2.11 12. Now his heart being out of love with sin the Young Convert doth by the Assistance of the holy Spirit and Grace of God labour and endeavour the mortification of every corruption and the power of the indwelling Spirit in every sanctified Believer opposeth and subdueth the power of indwelling sin that remains in him after Regeneration Gal. 5.17 And the Spirit and Grace of God in him gets the Victory whereby Grace Reigns Rom. 5.20 21. And the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus makes him free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 Free first from the Reigning power of sin Rom. 6.11 14. Sin hath not dominion over a sanctified Believer nor will Christ suffer sin to reign in him nor suffer him to obey it in the lusts thereof Secondly From the captivating power of sin which Paul so sadly complained of Rom. 7.23 24 25. and was freed from by the power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.2 Thirdly From the Motions of sin in the flesh Rom. 7.5 6. So that no lust shall conceive and bring forth sin Jam. 1.14 15. And at last Christ will free sanctified Believers from the indwelling presence of sin Death will make a total and final separation between their sins and their souls for Eternity Another part of God's Workmanship upon converted Believers in order to their Salvation is sanctification of heart and life God hath chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thes 2.13 And Jesus Christ sanctifieth his People Heb. 2.11 As the End of our Faith is the salvation of our souls 1 Pet. 1.9 so the way to Salvation is Sanctification and Holiness Isa 35.8 And without Holiness no Man shall see the LORD to his comfort and salvation Heb. 12.14 Sanctification consists in the Truth of Grace in the Growth of Grace and in the Perfection of Grace The Truth of Grace produceth the Spiritual Fruit of the Gospel Col. 1.5 6. The Word of the Truth of the Gospel bringeth forth fruit since the day ye heard it and knew the Grace of God in Truth The Growth of Grace hath a threefold gradation some sanctified Believers grow like little Children in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.2 3. As new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby Those St. John calls little Children whose sins are forgiven 1 Joh. 2.12 13. And St. Paul calls them Babes in Christ 1 Cor. 3.1 Heb. 5.13 For he is a Babe one that is weak in Faith Rom. 14.1 15.1 Though such have but a little grace yet it is true grace and doth grow Grace is of a growing nature like a grain of Mustard-seed Matth. 13.31 Other sanctified Believers grow like young men they are strong in Faith and overcome the wicked One 1 Joh. 2.13 14. Their Faith is great their Love is fervent and their Patience hath its perfect work that they may be entire lacking nothing 1 Thes 1.3 And some sanctified Believers are compared to Fathers that is to say gracious grave grown and experienced Christians 1 Joh. 2.13 14. Such were some of the Saints in the Church at Thessalonica 2 Thes 1.3 4. Your faith grows exceedingly and the love of every one of you all to each other aboundeth The Perfection of Grace is the state of sanctified Believers in Heaven there are the spirits that is the souls of just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 Sanctified Believers ought to go on to perfection Heb. 6.1 And they that have received the Promises ought to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and filthiness of spirit perfecting Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 2. And God hath ordained the Ministry of the Gospel for the perfecting of the Saints Eph. 4.11 12 13. Until we all come in the unity of Faith unto a perfect man And though the Apostle was not perfect as he confessed yet he pressed toward the mark for the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.12 14. So ought all the Saints to do until they be translated from Earth to Heaven and from Grace to Glory and shall be set down in the Father's house among the Spirits of just men made perfect Thus Jesus Christ who came into the WORLD to save sinners brings them to salvation The next particular in our general Position to be explained is that Jesus Christ came into this WORLD to build up his own House the Church of God As Moses was faithful in the House of God as a servant who did all things about the Tabernacle according to the Pattern shewed unto him by God in the Mount Exod. 25.40 Acts 7.44 Heb. 8.5 So Jesus Christ was faithful unto God that appointed him as a Son over his own House the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not Man Heb. 3.2 3 5 6.
Heb. 8.2 called The Church of the Living God 1 Tim. 3.15 The LORD Jesus Christ in order unto the building up his House the Church of God did ordain a Gospel-Ministry Eph. 4.11 12 13. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. And set them in his Church 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers c. The Apostles as wise Master-builders did prepare fit Materials for to build the House of God and to that purpose they having received Commission and Command from the LORD Jesus Christ Mark 16.15 went out into the WORLD and Preached the Gospel beginning at Jerusalem And when they had made and baptized many Disciples they planted those Churches that we read of in the holy Scriptures which were built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Corner Stone in whom all the building fitly framed together was builded together an Habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2 19-22 The Church at Jerusalem was the first of all those Gospel-Churches Act. 2.47 And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Which Church was at its first Constitution a particular Congregation of sanctified Believers baptized with Water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit Matth. 28.19 and separated from the Synagogues of the unbelieving Jews to worship God in Spirit and in Truth Joh. 4.21 23 24. according to the sacred Institutions of Christ and his Apostles even the Ordinances of God delivered unto his Churches of Saints 1 Cor. 11.1 2. And although the number of the Disciples were multiplied from one hundred and twenty Act. 1.15 to three thousand Act. 2.41 yea to five thousand Act. 4 4. Act. 5.14 And Believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women So that the Apostles had their own distinct Companies Societies or Congregations in Jerusalem Act. 4.13 19 23. And Peter and John being let go they went to their own Company Yet they all being of one heart and of one soul were but one Church and are so denominated Act. 15.4 And when they were come to Jerusalem they were received of the Church c. Act. 15.22 The whole Church And so were all the particular Congregations in every City denominated and called viz. The Church of God at Corinth 1 Cor. 1.2 And so our Lord and Saviour denominated all the Churches of God in Asia by the particular Cities wherein they were first planted and assembled to worship God Rev. 2.1 8 12 18. Rev. 3.1 7 14. Read those verses I intreat the Reader to consider 1. That our Lord Jesus Christ in building up his own House the Church of God ordained and appointed a preceding Ministry to be workers together with him in building his House Heb. 3.4 1 Cor. 3.9 10 11. We are labourers together with God Ye are God's Building c. 2. That the Churches of God under the Gospel are not National but Political and Congregational 3. That a particular visible true Constituted Gospel Church of God doth consist of fit Matter and due Form Jesus Christ the Chief Corner Stone is a lively Stone and the Materials of the Church ought to be living Stones Mat. 3.16 1 Pet. 2.4 5. Sanctified Believers 1 Cor. 1.2 6. And Christ himself was Baptized with Water Act. 10.44 47 48. and with the holy Spirit every one in his Visible Churches of Saints ought to be Baptized with Water and with the holy Spirit (a) Joh. 5. v. 5. 2. Those sanctified Believers ought to he fitly framed together and orderly compacted joyned and built together an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. chap. 4.15 16. which is the Form of the House of God the Church of the Living God 1 Tim. 3. v. 15. God commanded his Prophet Ezekiel chap. 43. v. 10 11. saying Thou Son of Man shew the House to the House of Israel (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in conjugatione hiph Annunciavit exposuit narravit indicavit And let them measure the Pattern Shew them the Form of the House And write it in their sight A wise Master-builder will take care to prepare fit Materials in every respect answerable and suitable unto the House he is about to build and so ought the Ministers of Christ who are Co-workers with God in building his House which is his Church to take heed both what and how they build 1 Cor. 3 9-14 Every mans work shall be made manifest for the Day shall declare it And the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is c. Young Converts new-born-Babes in Christ may be added to the Church of God Act. 2.41 47. But they are not fit Materials to be laid next unto the Corner Stone of that Spiritual building I say again they are not fit for the Foundation-work of God's building nor are they fit for Pillars in the House of God Consider what St. Paul that wise Master-builder saith of such young Converts 1 Cor. 3.1 2 3. Heb. 5.12 13. Read the words These and such as these are not fit Matter for the Foundation nor for Pillars nor for Beams in the House of God at the first Beginning Planting and Building or Gathering of a Church of God But rather Fathers that is grave gracious holy wise and experienced Believers Also some young Men that is such Christians that are strong in Faith and have in some measure overcome the World the Devil and their own Corruptions who are full of the holy Spirit rich in Grace and zealous for the House of God and the Purity of his Worship I say a competent number of such Christians being sound in the Faith holy in their Life and fitly qualified with diversity of spiritual gifts knowledge and grace are in my Opinion most meet to be by their own mutual free consent and agreement joyned tegether to become a particular Church of Saints by the help of some wise Master-builders and faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3 9-11 The Gospel-Form of a particular Church of God consists as we said in the fitly framing compacting and joyning those sanctified Believers together into ONE Fellowship Society and Gospel Brotherhood in a solemn Day of Prayer with Fasting wherein some Able Minister of the Gospel having by Preaching the Word unto them shewed them their Respective Duties in a Church Relation the Elders and Chief Brethren of some particular Churches of Saints being present and assisting in the work of the Day if they may be obtained may in the Name and Authority of the LORD Jesus Christ by virtue of this Commission given to him constitute and make them a particular Visible Church of God they giving up themselves professedly first to the LORD and then one to another mutually and
of the Church in any City and Villages adjacent who for Order sake in Gospel-Government hath Priority Pre-eminence and Authority above the rest of the Presbyters or Bishops of the same Church not alone nor without them but when Convened with them to Act Rule Guide Order and Govern with their Consent Suffrage and Assistance according to the Laws of the Lord Jesus Christ the Constitutions and Commandments the Practice and Example of his holy Apostles Act. 15.2 6 19 22. Nor should the Ministers of Christ strive which of them should be greatest Luk. 22.24 25 26. Neither ought any of them to Love and Affect to have Pre-eminence among them as Diotrephes did 3. Epist of John v. 9. (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. Titus 1.7 8 9. 2 Tim. 4.1 2 3 4 5. But a Bishop must be blameless an Ensample to the Flock vigilant patient apt to teach not covetous not greedy of filthy lucre and one that Ruleth well his own House that he may take Care of the Church of God holding fast the faithful Word c. CHAP. III. THE Third Work that our Lord Jesus Christ came into this World to do was to institute those Gospel-Ordinances in which his Churches of Saints must worship God in Spirit and in Truth When the Church is Assembled on the first Day of the week in some convenient place to worship God Christ hath appointed that first of all Prayers Supplications and Thanksgivings be made 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour Men having their Heads uncovered and Women having their Faces vailed or covered 1 Cor. 11.4 5 7 10 13. reverently kneeling Psal 95.6 Acts 21.5 or decently standing Luk. 18.11 13. They ought not to sit in Prayer-time unless some weakness of body or some bodily infirmity doth constrain them This part of the Worship of God ought to be administred by one of the Elders of that Church who ought to pray in the Spirit and to pray with the understanding also 1 Cor. 14.15 To pray with the Spirit implies two things First That the Minister have a spiritual Gift to pray Zech. 12.10 Secondly That he have the Spirits Assistance in praying Rom. 8.26 To pray with the understanding is to pray with such words as all the Congregation doth hear and understand that they may say Amen 1 Cor. 4.16 After Prayer the Teacher ought to Read the Written Word of God distinctly and give the sense thereof by Expounding and Interpreting the words of that Scripture that so the People may understand and be instructed or taught to know the Will and Mind of God therein revealed for their Learning and Edification as they did Neh. 8.4 5 6 7 8. And as Christ himself and his Apostles also did Luk. 4.16 17 21 22. Act. 28.23 Reading the holy Scripture is an Ordinance of God unto which Christ hath promised a Gospel-Blessing Rev. 1.3 Col. 4.16 And then the Pastor ought to Preach the Gospel and to exhort the People to Repent and Believe the Gospel to be holy and to walk in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blamelesly Labouring in the Word and Doctrine to Convert Sinners to Edifie Believers to Convince Gainsayers and to Comfort Strengthen and Establish them that Believe in Christ Also let the Prophets speak two or three and let the rest judge 1 Cor. 14.29 31. Rom. 12.6 7 8. Having then Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given unto us Whether Prophesie let us Prophesie according to the Analogy of Faith Or Ministry let us wait on our Ministring Or he that Teacheth on Teaching Or he that Exhorteth on Exhortation And he that Ruleth with diligence The Apostles so Preached that many believed Act. 14.1 And it pleased God by the Foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1.21 Our LORD Jesus Christ did command his Ministers also to Baptize them that do believe in him with Water in the Name of the Father Son and holy Spirit Mat. 28.19 20. Mark 16.15 16. Joh. 1.33 Our Lord himself was Baptized by John in the River Jordan Mat. 3.13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be Baptized of him Ver. 16. And Jesus when he was Baptized went up straightway out of the Water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut immergeretur ver 13. and ver 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 immersus Jesus Mark 1.5 9. And were all Dipped of him in the River Jordan confessing their sins We read that both Men and Women were Baptized when they Believed Acts 8.12 But we read not in the holy Scripture of Truth that any Infants were Baptized They that had received the holy Spirit were commanded to be Baptized with Water in the Name of the LORD Acts 10.47 48. Those Men and Women are fit Subjects of Baptism that have received the Spirit of Christ do Believe in Christ Confess their sins and Repent Acts 2 37-41 The Manner of the Administration of this Gospel-Ordinance of Baptism was thus practised in the Daies of Christ and of his Apostles to wit The Person Baptizing and the Persons Baptized went into the Water Acts 8.38 39. And they went down both into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch and he Baptized him That is Philip Dipped the Eunuch under the Water and then they came out of the Water v. 39. The Spirit of God hath inspired the Apostles in writing the holy Scriptures to use one Greek word viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Dipping Joh. 1.25 26 33. Heb. 9.19 21. and another viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Sprinkling So that if to Dip in Water be to Baptize to Sprinkle with Water is to Rantize And the Manner of Baptizing in Water is represented in the holy Scripture by Burying in Water and raising up out of the Water Col. 2.12 Rom. 6.4 whereby is also figured forth the Believer's Fellowship with Jesus Christ in his Death and Resurrection Col. 2.12 Jesus Christ also before his Death did Institute his own Supper Matth. 26.26 27 28. 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. and commanded his Disciples to do so and to do so often in Remembrance of him 1 Cor. 11.25 26. and as a Memorial of his Death until he come again ver 26. In Administring this Sacred Ordinance of the Lord's Supper according to the Example of Christ and his Disciples these particular things ought to be observed 1. The Time The Lord's Supper ought to be Administred ordinarily on the Lord's Day that is the first Day of the week Acts 20.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. On the only Day of Sabbaths It is an Hebraism And upon the first Day of the week the Disciples came together to break bread c. And the time of the day was at Evening then Christ administred his Supper Mark 14.17 22. 2. The Minister ought to take the Bread and consecrate it by the Word and Prayer
THE VVORLD that Now is AND THE VVORLD that is to Come Or the First and Second Coming of Jesus Christ Wherein several Prophecies not yet fulfilled are Expounded By HAN KNOLLYS A Servant of Jesus Christ Rev. 1.19 LONDON Printed by Tho. Snowden An. 1681. TO THE READER Christian Reader SO needful is the true Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ so absolutely conducing unto Man's Eternal Well-being John 17.3 as whereby alone true Happiness is to be attained To that End in the former Part of this little Treatise is set forth First What the LORD Jesus Christ hath done and suffered for the Salvation of Sinners Secondly What HE doth work in them by his holy Spirit and Word in Order unto their Everlasting Salvation Thirdly What kind of Worship Churches Ministers and Ordinances the LORD Jesus Christ hath instituted and appointed under the Gospel And in the latter Part of it is briefly and plainly declared That there is a WORLD to Come That the LORD Jesus Christ will come personally visibly and suddenly That he will set up his Kingdom will Reign Raise the Dead and Judge both the Quick and the Dead 2 Tim. 4.1 At his Appearing his Kingdom It may be some of all sorts of Readers will judge and Censure me for one thing or another but with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by Man's Judgment I only entreat the Judicious Reader to search the Scriptures and thereby to prove all things and hold fast that which is sound I pretend not to Infallibility I know but in part yet I am willing to impart that which I do know unto others that are searching after Knowledge and Understanding And I pray that God will fill you that Read what I have written with the Knowledge of his Will Revealed in his written WORD That you may prove what is the perfect Will of God But if any man seem to be contentious we have no such Custom neither the Churches of God Nor will I contend with any one otherwise than the Apostle Jude exhorts in the third verse of his Epistle That we should earnestly contend for the Faith that was once delivered unto the Saints not by vain Disputings and Janglings but by sober Assertions and clear Proofs of Scripture Isa 8.20 Shew me friendly Reader wherein I have erred from the Truth and it will be as precious Balm and I shall esteem thee my friend indeed that will endeavour to convert me from the Errour of my Way if i◠be done in a Spirit of Love Nay if any one shall do it in another frame of spirit I shall thankfully acknowledge his kindness that will endeavour to Convince me to Reprove me yea although he should Reproach me and I would bear it patiently and humbly acknowledge my mistake And I will not obstinately hold fast any Errour after Conviction through the Grace of God for I love the Truth as it is in Jesus if my heart doth not deceive me more than my self or my esteem in the World Thy Souls Friend Han. Knollys From my Study in Bartholomew-Lane August 3. 1681. THE VVORLD That now is THE holy Scripture of Truth speaketh of three Worlds viz. The WORLD that was 2 Pet. 3.6 The WORLD that now is called this WORLD Mat. 12.32 the WORLD to come Heb. 2.5 The WORLD that now is is the Subject of the first Part of this Treatise And the WORLD to come shall be the subject of the latter Part thereof The principal matter of which we intend to treat touching the WORLD that now is doth concern the first Coming of Christ into this WORLD when the WORD was made Flesh and dwelt among us Joh. 1.14 The chief matter of the latter Part of this Treatise doth concern the Second Coming of Christ in the WORLD to come Wherein there will be New Heavens a New Earth and a New Jerusalem and all things will be new-created Rev. 21 1-5 CHAP. 1. Wherein our general Position is propounded proved and explained § 1. The Position propounded THat the Chief WORK of Jesus Christ in his first Coming into the WORLD was to save sinners to build up his own House the Church of the Living God and to institute all Gospel-Ordinances necessary for his Disciples to worship God in Spirit and in Truth § 2. The Position proved 1. That our LORD Jesus Christ came into the WORLD to save sinners Luk. 5.32 I came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to Repentance Matth. 18.11 For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost And 1 Tim. 1.15 Christ Jesus came into the WORLD to save Sinners 2. That our LORD Jesus Christ being come in the Flesh did build up his own House the Church of God Heb. 3 -- 6. For this Man Christ Jesus was counted worthy of more glory than Moses in as much as He who builded the House hath more honour than the House Moses was faithful in all his House as a Servant but Christ as a Son over his own House the Church of God 1 Tim. 3.15 3. That our Lord Jesus Christ hath instituted all Gospel-Ordinances necessary for his Disciples to worship God in Spirit and in Truth 1 Cor. 11.1 2. Be ye followers of me even as I am of Christ And keep the Ordinances as I delivered them unto you Joh. 4.21 22 23 24. The true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth § 3. The Position explained The first part of our general Position to be explained is That our LORD Jesus Christ came into the WORLD to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Now the Method I shall observe in the Explanation of this part of our Position shall be to shew 1. What kind of Saviour Christ is 2. What Salvation Sinners may have by Jesus Christ And 3. How Sinners are saved by Jesus Christ And of these in order First What kind of Saviour is Jesus Christ I answer 1. The LORD Jesus Christ is an Almighty Saviour As there is none other Act. 4.12 so there needs none other Saviour None can pull a Soul out of Christ's hand Joh. 10.27 -- 30. Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-Man Emmanuel God with us Matth. 1.23 Jehovah our Righteousness Jer. 23.6 The Mighty God Isa 9.6 The Almighty Rev. 1.8 The true God and Eternal Life 1 Joh. 5.20 There is no Saviour but God Isa 43.3 11. I even I am Jehovah and beside me there is no Saviour And Jude v. 25. To the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power both now and ever Amen It is absolutely necessary unto Salvation to know and believe That the LORD Jesus Christ is very God as well as very Man So the Virgin Mary believed when she said My Spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour Luk. 1.46 47. And so did all the holy Apostles and Saints believe and confess Rom. 9.5 2
possession of Christ and their Faith is not Rooted in him Do but diligently observe and enquire into this matter and you shall find That those Ministers of Christ are most instrumental in converting Souls unto God who labour most in the Word and Doctrine of Gospel-Conviction of Sinners Those Ministers that Preach Christ and the Gospel of Free-Grace most convincingly labour in the Application of every Doctrine to convince the Conscience of Sinners that they are in danger of the Wrath of God and of eternal Death for their sins especially because they believe not in Christ exhorting them to Repent of their sin and Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ that they may be pardoned saved by him I say those Ministers have most Converts those are workers together with God and their convinced humbled converted and sanctified Hearers have not received the Grace of God in vain 2 Cor. 6.1 Some poor Souls may haply object or rather query Is there not a sound work of Conversion where there hath not been so great a work of Conviction and Humiliation nor so great horrours fears terrours and so clear and distinct a work of the Spirit 's Reproof of Sin Righteousness and Judgment as God works upon some Sinners I answer Though this be God's workmanship upon some yea many if not upon most notorious sinful sinners yet we may not limit the Holy One of Israel God is a free Agent And because I would not break the bruised Reed nor quench the smoaking Flax I know and acknowledge That some sinful sinners have lesser terrours fewer temptations fears and horrours than others have and some are longer under the work of Conviction and Bondage than others are though they have been as great and notorious sinners as they that were more and longer exercised with fears and terrours Yea and I know both by Experience and by Scripture that some sinners who have had Religious Education under godly Parents or Governours and have lived from their youth up under a godly Soul-saving Ministry and have thereby been restrained by the Common Grace of God from all gross sins that have not experienced the said terrours and temptations nor have they had such horrours of Conscience and fears of Hell Yet this I know that they have been thorowly convinced of their sinful natural state and of their lost and undone condition being and seeing themselves to be without Christ and without Grace and they have been thorowly convinced that their own Righteousnesses are filthy Raggs and that they must have Christ's Righteousness to justifie them and his Holiness to sanctifie them and his precious Blood to redeem them from their iniquity But as for Time whether longer or shorter and as for Measure whether greater or lesser whereby God did this work of Conviction upon them who can limit God God having wrought a thorow Conviction upon a sinful sinner the next part and piece of his workmanship upon his Soul is Spirituall Illumination in the Saving Knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ Eph. 1.17 18· whereby the Eyes of his Understanding is enlightened that the sinner may know that there is hope of pardon and salvation in Christ for him through Faith and Holiness In the work of Spiritual Illumination God doth by his holy Spirit and Word discover to him and enlighten the Eyes of his Understanding first to see the Divine Beauty and glorious Excellency of Jesus Christ above all other persons and things in the world A poor sinful sinner sees no beauty nor comeliness in Christ why he should desire him Isa 53.1 2 3. The Daughters of Jerusalem said What 's thy Beloved Lord Jesus Christ more than anothers Beloved Cant. 5.9 The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God-neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 until it please God to make an inward discovery thereof by his holy Spirit and Word in the Soul 1 Cor. 2.9 10 11 12. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit So 1 Joh. 5.20 We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him c. The Psalmist tells the sinner That Christ is fairer than the Sons of Men full of Grace is his Lips Psal 45.2 The Spouse told the Daughters of Jerusalem That her Beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest of ten thousand He is altogether lovely Cant. 5 10-6 And the Apostle counted all things loss and dung for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus his LORD Phil. 3.7 8. Secondly God inlightens the Eyes of Sinners Understanding to see the worth of Christ in some measure and degree As poor lost Sinners discern not the Beauty and Excellency of Christ so they understand not the worth of Christ until God discover it unto them and reveal it in them by his holy Spirit and Word Gal. 1.15 16. Now God makes known to the Sinner the worth of Christ by shewing him in the Glass of the Gospel 1. The unvaluable preciousness of the Blood of Christ that cleanseth Sinners from all sin and unrighteousness 1 Joh. 1.8 9. The precious Blood of Christ purgeth the Consciences of Sinners from dead works Heb. 9.14 And Christ both justifieth and sanctifieth Sinners by his precious Blood Rom 5.9 Heb. 13.12 1 Cor. 6.11 This speaks forth the worth of Christ 2. God shews the Sinner in the Glass of the Gospel the unsearchable Riches of Jesus Christ Eph. 3.8 the exceeding Riches of his Grace Eph. 2.7 And though Christ hath freely richly and abundantly given forth of his fulness so much Grace to so many poor Sinners from the day of Adam's transgression even to this day yet in this Vision of Christ's Riches the poor sinful Sinner sees him still as full of Grace and Truth as the Disciples did Joh. 1.14 3. God shews the Sinner in the Glass of the Gospel the glorious Liberties of the Spirit of Christ Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 2 Cor. 3.17 And the Saints are commanded to stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free Gal. 5.1 called the glorious Liberties of the Sons of God Rom. 8.21 This Gospel-Liberty is not a Liberty to sin nor may this Liberty be used for an occasion to the flesh Gal. 5.13 but it is a freedom from sin Rom. 6.18 22. in respect of the condemnation due thereunto Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus and in respect of the dominion thereof Rom. 6.14 Sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace Thirdly God shews the Convinced Sinner in the Glass of the Gospel his need of Christ and acquaints him with an indispensible Necessity of accepting Christ upon Gospel-terms of Free-Grace Without money and without price Isa 55.1 2 3. Rev. 22.17 God doth by his Spirit and Word inform the Sinner that the Lord Jesus Christ alone is the only Saviour
solemnly with one accord engaging themselves to come together in ONE Congregation and to Assemble themselves together in some one Place every first Day of the week to worship God publickly in all his holy Ordinances with their mutual professed Subjection unto the Laws of God's House and with a Professed Resolution to Continue in the Apostles Doctrine and in Fellowship and in Breaking of Bread and Prayer through the Help of God All which being done the same Minister ought to declare them to be a Church of Saints and the Ministers and Brethren of other Churches being also present ought to own and acknowledge them to be a Sister-Church by giving them the Right hand of Fellowship and so to commend them by Prayer unto God and to the Word of his Grace who is able to build them up and to give them an Inheritance among all them which are sanctified The Well-Being of a particular Church of Saints doth principally consist in three things viz. Oneness Order and Government That Gospel-Oneness which maketh very much for the Well-Being of a particular Church is threefold First That there be but ONE Church in one City 1 Cor. 14.19 34. and that all the Congregations of Saints in that City called Churches bear but one Name to wit the Church of God in that City as in the Apostles daies Act. 15.4.22 1 Cor. 1.2 Rev. 2. 3. chap. That so there may be no Schism Divisions nor sinful Separations from the Church of God but that the whole Church may be perfectly joyned together in ONE As a City that is compact together Psal 122.3 as an House or Building fitly framed together Ephes 2.21 22. and as a Body fitly joyned and compacted by every joynt of supply Eph. 4.16 Secondly That this Church be of one Heart and of one Soul Act. 4.32 being perfectly joyned together in the same Mind and in the same Judgment 1 Cor. 1.2 9 10. that so they may all with one Mind and one Mouth glorifie God even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ Rom. 15.6 having the same Love one to another Phil. 2.1 2 3. and the same Care one for another 1 Cor. 12.25 26 27. each one endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Eph. 4 3-6 This Oneness will make the Communion of Saints very comfortable Col. 2 2-5 And hereby they will enjoy Fellowship with the Father Son and Spirit in all God's holy Gospel-Ordinances to the Glory of God and their own Edification Thirdly That this one Church and all the Congregations of Saints that are Members thereof walk by one and the same Rule of the written Word of God Phil. 3.16 being Ordered and Guided by their Bishops Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders according to the Royal Laws of God's House called the perfect Law of Liberty Jam. 1.25 submitting themselves unto those Guides Act. 20.28 whom God hath made their Overseers who watch for their Souls as they that must give an Account Heb. 13.7 17. Cant. 6.4.10 Gospel-Order is a great Beauty and Ornament to the Church Col. 2.5 and Order makes very much for the Well-Being of the Church And Gospel-Order consisteth in these things Psal 48.2 Ezek. 16.12 14. First That the Bishop and Presbyters set in Order the things which are wanting in the Church Titus 1.5 1 Cor. 11.34 Secondly That all things in the Church be done decently and in Order which Christ hath commanded to be done 1 Cor. 14.40 And for which his Apostles and Disciples have given us Example Phil. 3.17 Thirdly That the Order of the Gospel be carefully observed and kept in the Administration of God's Sacred Ordinances in the Admission of Members in the Ordination of Church-Officers and in withdrawing from every Brother that walketh Disorderly God was offended with his Church under the Law because they sought him not in due Order 2 Chron. 15.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 14.33 And God hath committed the Government of his Gospel-Church and Kingdom unto Christ to Order it c. Isa 9.6 7. God is not the Author of Confusion Gospel-Government is ordained and appointed of God for the Well-Being of his Church The Church of God cannot have a Well-Being without Christ's Instituted Gospel-Government And to that end God the Father hath laid the Government of his Church upon his Son Jesus Christ Isa 9.6 7. To whom he gave all Power in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 And he hath made Christ Lord of his House and King of his Church Heb. 3 1-6 Psal 149.2 The Lord Jesus Christ deligated this his Ecclesiastical Government of the Church unto his holy Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers called Bishops Presbyters or Elders who where allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel 1 Thes 2.4 And the Apostles and Evangelists did commit the same unto faithful men 2 Tim. 2.12 whom they Ordained Bishops Presbyters or Elders in the Churches of Saints Titus 1.5 7. Act. 14.23 which Gospel-Government as we said before is not a Coercive-Power over Mens Consciences nor is it a Dominion over their Faith neither is it a Lordship over God's Clergy or Heritage but it is a Stewardship of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 2 3 4. Let a Man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God And Titus 1.7 For a Bishop must be blameless as the Steward of God Unto this Gospel-Government appertains Church-Censures of Admonition 2 Thes 3.15 and Titus 3.10 Suspension or withdrawing from a Brother or Member that hath and doth walk disorderly 2 Thes 3.6 and Excommunication of those Members that live in gross and scandalous sins 1 Cor. 5.1 4 5 13. CHAP. II. Of Gospel-Ministry § 1. THE LORD Jesus Christ is the Chief Minister of God's Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 8.1 2. which the Lord pitched and not Man He is the Chief Pastor of God's little Flock (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pastorum Princeps 1 Pet. 5.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. the Bishop of our Souls (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.25 Heb. 13.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 13.20 The great Shepherd of of the Sheep who in all things hath the Pre-eminence (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in omnibus Ipse Primatum tenens or Supremacy § 2. HE gave Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the work of the Ministry Ephes 4.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 12.28 The Apostles Prophets Evangelists were appointed by Christ to Preach the Gospel to the World Mark 16.15 and for the Gathering of the Saints framing and perfectly joyning them together (e) Eph. 4.11 12 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The Pastors and Teachers were Set by Christ in the Churches as fixed Officers for the Edifying of the Body until we all meet together in
Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of Devils Forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth Which Apostasie happened in the fourth Century as Ecclesiastical Historians tell us when the Church at Rome and other Churches their Bishops Presbyters and Members departed from the Faith and fell away from the sound Doctrine pure Worship and true Discipline of the Gospel And then the Apocalyptical Beast the Pope and the great Whore Mystery Babylon the Great that Mother of Harlots and the false Prophets those Roman croaking Frogs did begin to Rise who afterwards greatly increased in the ten European Kingdoms See my Book intituled Mystery-Babylon unvailed Printed 1679. But the last and greatest Apostasie noted in the holy Scripture of Truth is both in Faith and Manners by Men of corrupt Minds and carnal Principles having the Form of Godliness but denying the Power thereof 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5. This know also that in the last daies perillous times shall come For men shall be lovers of their own selves covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to Parents unthankful unholy without natura laffection Truce-breakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good Traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away The particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 1. This likewise or besides directs us to look back to the former Epistle ch 4. v. 1 2 3. before-mentioned to wit the Time of the first Apostasie In the latter daies v. 1. But here the Apostle speaks of the Time of the Last Apostasie v. 1. That in the last daies c. The great Inquiry now will be What Daies the Apostle meant here I answer My Opinion hereof is That by the Last Daies here we are to understand those three Prophetical Daies and an half of the 1260 Daies that Christ's two Witnesses shall prophesie in sackcloth Rev. 11.3 7-12 And I will give power unto my two Witnesses and they shall prophesie a thousand two hundred and threescore days clothed in sackcloth And when they shall have finished their Testimony the Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless Pit shall make War against them and shall overcome them and kill them And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great City which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt where also our Lord was crucified And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three daies and an half and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves And they that dwell upon the Earth shall rejoyce over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth And after three daies and an half the Spirit of Life from God entred into them And they stood upon their feet and great fear fell upon them which saw them Read my Exposition of the Eleventh chapter of the Revelation published 1679. These Daies of slaying the Witnesses are those last Daies and will be perillous Times For 1. The Roman Beast will make war against the Witnesses and overcome them and kill them Rev. 11.7 2. They will be perillous hard difficult dangerous grievous and troublesome Times or Daies because the Rights Liberties and Freedoms of the People will be infringed and taken from them and such temptations and snares will be laid whereby mens Liberties Lives and Estates shall be in great hazard and danger Mat. 24.21 Luk. 21.22 26 27. 3. These last Daies will be so full of amazing Distractions Disturbances and Tribulations that wise men shall be at their Wits end not knowing what to do nor what course to take for their own safety And many eminent Professors of Religion will fall off from their former Principles and Practice and be drawn aside to follow the pernicious waies of ungodly men and so fall in with the sins of those last Daies here mentioned 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lovers of their own selves Self-love is the Root of Apostasie both Political and Ecclesiastical When men of Name began to love themselves more than their most solemn Oaths Vows and Covenants more than Truth and Righteousness more than the good Laws of the Nation and the just Liberties and Rights of the People then began the last and greatest Political Apostasie And when men of Eminency for Religion began to love themselves more than the Waies and Worship of God more than the Churches and Saints of God more than Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God then began the Ecclesiastical Apostasie of those last Daies This is one Sign that Christ gave his Disciples of the Ending Time of this world Matth. 24.3 4 12. And as he sate upon the Mount of Olives the Disciples came unto him privately saying Tell us when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world And Jesus answered and said unto them Take heed that no man deceive you And because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Covetous Danaeus in Loc. saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic à Paulo dicitur qui sive aurum sive argentum sive agros sive quaslibet alias opes ardenter expetit vitiose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is often rendred studium pecuniae the desire of money And the love of money saith the Apostle 1 Tim. 6.10 is the root of all evil which whilst some have coveted after they have erred from the faith c. How much of the spirit of the world and of the things of this world is crept into the hearts of many Professors and Church-Members in these last Daies who consider not the Testimony of the Apostle against them 1 Joh. 2.15 If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him Covetousness is Idolatry Col. 3.5 Another Character of those Apostates of the last Daies is Pride 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Proud so are those covetous self-loving Professors and Church-Members in these evil Daies witness the Perriwigs and Petticoats of London Professors and Sermon hearers in this City Doth not even Nature it self teach you that if a man have long hair it is a shame unto him 1 Cor. 11.14 Yea it is a shame indeed for men professing Godliness to wear such long Perriwigs of Womens hair as some men do What an abomination is it unto the Lord to see an hoary Head covered with long hair that hath been cut off from a Whores Head when he is praying to God and worshipping the All-seeing God Heb. 4.13 All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do And doth
branch thereof already proved viz. That there is a WORLD to come wherein will be the New Heavens and a New Earth and the New Jerusalem By the World to come we are to understand that which the Apostle calls That inhabited WORLD even that to come Heb. 2.5 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Apostle Peter tells us that the old world being overflowed with water perished the world that now is even this present evil world is reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment c. 2. Pet. 3.6 7. But there will come another world after the world that now is called the WORLD to come in contradistinction unto this world Eph. 1.21 This world is distinguished from that world by Christ himself Luk. 20.34 35 36 37. The WORLD to come will be a New Creation then Christ will make all things new Rev. 21.5 He will create New Heavens and a New Earth and a New Jerusalem Isa 65.17 When St. John had seen in his Vision the New Heaven and a New Earth Rev. 21.1 2. He saw the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven and vers 5. He that sate upon the Throne said Behold I make all things new This New-Creation will bear some Resemblance unto the first Creation in respect of Matter Manner Parts and End thereof The Matter out of which the Lord Jesus Christ will create the WORLD to come whereof we treat is a meer Chaos viz. the Confusion and Desolation of this present evil world All things will be in a confused and desolate Condition towards the End of this world will be perilous Times 2 Tim. 3.1 In the last daies perilous Times shall come And great Tribulations such as never was Mat. 24.21 yea and most wicked Abomination the whole world lying in wickedness 1 John 5.19 and behold then even then will the Lord Jesus Christ appear Matth. 24.29 30. And HE will come and restore all things For then will be the Times of the Restitution of all things Act. 3.21 and then will Christ Restore our Judges as at the first Isa 1.26 27. HE will make our Oppressors Peace and our Exactors Righteousness Isa 60.17 Then the Wolf and the Lamb shall feed together They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy Mountain saith the Lord Isa 65.25 The Manner of the New-Creation will be in an Instant as the first Creation was God spake the word and it was done He commanded and they were created Psal 148.5 God said Let there be Light and there was Light Gen. 1.3 Isa 66.8 Who hath heard such a thing Who hath seen such things Shall the Earth be made to bring forth in one day They are created now and not from the Beginning Isa 48.6 7. Or shall a Nation be born at once far as soon as Zion travelled she brought forth her children And so will the whole New-Creation there will be a Restitution of all things and all things will be on a sudden made new Rev. 21.5 The Parts of the New-Creation in the World to come are first the New-Heavens and the New-Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness 2 Pet. 3.13 whereby we are to understand that New-State and Frame of Government here on Earth which the Lord Jesus Christ the King of Kings and King of Nations will constitute and command his Saints to execute in all his Dominions and Kingdoms under the whole Heaven Dan. 7.13 14 27. Isa 9.6 7. Secondly The New Jerusalem that heavenly Jerusalem Heb. 12.22 23 24. called the General Assembly and the Church of the first born written in Heaven c. whereby we are to understand that glorious State of the Church of God on Earth which will be in that day when God will glorifie the House of his Glory Isa 60.1 2 7 13 19 20. which Christ shall present unto himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle nor any such thing Eph. 5.27 but holy and without blemish called the Lamb's Wife Rev. 21.9 10 11. prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband v. 2. In this holy City the heavenly New Jerusalem shall the pure Worship of God be celebrated and his Sacred Ordinances shall be administred according to his Divine Institutions and his Spiritual Gifts shall again be given unto his Saints for the Glory of his holy Name and for the Conversion of the Nations that shall be saved Isa 60.1 2 3 4 5. The Gentiles shall come to thy Light The Abundance of the Sea shall be converted unto thee And Rev. 21.10 23 24. And the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it c. Thirdly The Renewed Creatures whose earnest Expectation waiteth for the Manifestation of the Sons of God Rom. 8. 23. And not only they but our selves also which have the first fruits of the Spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the Adoption to wit the Redemption of our body The End of the New-Creation in the World to come is first To make all things very good as God did in the first Creation Gen. 1.31 And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good So the Lord Jesus Christ will create all things new and make every thing very good in the world to come Wherein will be the Times of the Restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began Act. 3.19 20 21. Secondly To glorifie himself and to make his Church glorious Isa 28.5 62.3 In that Day shall the LORD of Hosts be for a Crown of Glory and for a Diadem of Beauty unto the Residue of his People Thou shalt also be a Crown of Glory in the hand of the LORD and a Royal Diadem in the hand of thy God Isa 60.1 2 3 7 9 13 19 22. I the LORD will hasten it in his Time The second Branch of our general Position which hath also been proved is this That the LORD Jesus Christ shall appear the Second Time which is now to be explained The Second Coming of Christ from Heaven is often asserted by the Prophets and Apostles and confirmed by the Testimony of Christ himself Rev. 22.7 I come quickly ver 12. Behold I come quickly And ver 26. Surely I come quickly Amen Even so Come LORD Jesus Zech. 14.5 And the Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee Also 1 Thes 3.13 At the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ with all his Saints These Scriptures and those also before mentioned for proof of this Branch of our Position viz. Phil. 3.20 Heb. 9.28 do testifie That our LORD Jesus Christ will certainly suddenly and visibly appear the Second Time and come from Heaven upon the Earth in his own Person This Job believed and therefore did he speak Job 19.25 For I know that my Redeemer Liveth And be shall stand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the last of Time or Day upon the Earth Read ver 26 27. Heb. 10.37 Yet
Bridegroom Christ Jesus shall grow secure careless invigilant and all slumber and sleep it is a Sign that the Second Coming of Christ is near Matth. 25.5 6. While the Bridegroom Jesus Christ tarried they all slumbred and slept And at midnight there was a Cry made Behold the Bridegrom cometh And ver 10 The Bridegrom came called the Son of Man ver 13. See my exposition upon the Parable of the ten Virgins printed Anno 1667. David prophesied Psal 145.10.11.12.13 that the latter DAY Saints shall bless the LORD Saying They shall speak of the Glory of thy Kingdom and talk of thy Power To make known to the Sons of Men the glorious Majesty of his Kingdom But when the wise Virgins begin to be Sinfully silent and dare not bear their Testimony boldly and publickly for Christ against Antichrist when they cease to teach and preach the Doctrine of Christs Second Coming and of the glorious Majesty of his Davidical Kingdom then they begin to grow carnal worldly careless and secure formal and lukewarm But there will then come a Midnight Dispensation that will awaken all virgin Professors and then Christ will come Another Sign of Christ's Second Coming from Heaven is that great Tribulation which our Saviour foretold his Disciples would be immediately before his Second Coming and Appearance Matth. 24.21 29 30. For then shall be great Tribulation And immediately after the Tribulation of those days they shall see the Son of Man Coming in the Clouds of Heaven c. This great Tribulation will cause Distress of Nations with great perplexities Mens hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming upon the Earth Luk. 21.25 26 27. Read Dan. 12.1 2 3 4 8 9 13 c. This great Tribulation will be such as never was since the world began Mat. 24.21 WOE WOE WOE to the Inhabitants of the Earth Rev. 8.13 and of the Sea Rev 12.12 And the People of God especially his two Prophetical Witnesses to wit the separated Churches and their faithful Ministers shall not be exempted from the Tribulation of those Daies for they shall suffer Persecution 2 Tim. 3.1 12. This know also that in the Last daies perillous Times shall come Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution And when the two Prophetical Witnesses of Christ shall have finished their Testimony that is to say have Preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ King of Nations Jer. 7.10 and Matth. 24.14 The Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless Pit shall make War against them and shall overcome them and kill them Rev. 11.7 See my Exposition of the 11th chapter of the Revelation where I have proved That before the Second WOE be past Rev. 11.14 The Papal-Beast shall ascend that is Rise and Reign and He shall overcome that is the Papists will prevail against the Protestants and will kill the Two Witnesses that is they will persecute the separated Churches of Saints and their Ministers scatter their Assemblies disperse their Congregations break their Meeting-places imprison some banish others and condemn some to Death and will burn them kill and slay them And the Second WOE being past the Third WOE will come quickly Rev. 11.14 to wit the Seven Vials of the Last Plagues of God Almighty shall then be poured out upon the Papal-Antichristian Beast the great Whore and the false Prophet whose Name is Mystery-Babylon Rev. 17.5 See my Book intituled Mystical-Babylon unvailed Thirdly Touching the Ends of Christ's Second Coming to wit what Christ will do when he comes again from Heaven First When Christ cometh from Heaven with his holy Angels HE will send them to gather together his Elect from one end of Heaven to the other Matth. 24.30 31. Then shall the dispersed of Judah be gathered and the Out-casts of Israel with them as was foretold Isa 11.12 16. And HE shall set up an Ensign for the Nations and shall assemble the Out-casts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four Corners of the Earth In that DAY God will pour upon the House of David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and Supplication and they shall look upon Christ whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him Zech. 12.10 and Rev. 1.7 Behold he cometh with Clouds and every Eye shall see him and they also that pierced him Then shall come to pass that wonderful work of the Jews Conversion prophesied Isa 66.6 8. Who hath heard such a thing Who hath seen such things Shall the Earth be made to bring forth in one day Shall a Nation be born at once And so all Israel shall be saved as it is written The Redeemer shall come to Zion Isa 59.20 And shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11.26 27. For this is my Covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins And all the Tribes of Judah and Israel being gathered they shall all be Reunited into one Nation which the Prophet Ezekiel shewed them by the parable of two sticks made one stick in his hand Ezek. 37 15-22 And I will make them one Nation And one King shall be King to them Vers 24. And they shall have one Shepherd Vers 27. My Tabernacle also shall be with them Yea I will be their God and they shall be my People Vers 28. My Sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore Then shall also the fulness of the Gentiles be converted unto them Isa 6.1 2 3 5. And the Gentiles shall come to thy Light and the Abundance of the Sea shall be converted unto thee Rom. 11.25 Until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in And the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the Light of it and the Kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honour into it Rev. 21.24 This will be a glorious day and a glorious work and then will the LORD be for a Crown of Glory and for a Diadem of beauty unto the Residue of his People Isa 28.5 6. Then shall they be also a Crown of Glory in the hand of the LORD and a Royal Diadem in the hand of their God Isa 62.3 And this is One End of our Saviour's Second Coming from Heaven Isa 49.6 To gather his People together unto himself Psal 50.5 Gather my Saints together unto me Matth. 24.27 28. Secondly Another End of Christ's Coming from Heaven and another Work that he will do when he comes again is this viz. He will put down all Rule all Authority and all Power that are his Enemies who would not have him to Reign Luk. 19.27 For he must Reign until he hath put all his Enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15.24 25. as was prophesied Psa 110.1 and Luk. 20.42 43. The External Enemies of Christ are principally three First Ezekiel's Gog and Magog who are prophesied of Ezek. 38. 39. chapters Thus saith the Lord I am against thee O Gog c. 38. v. 2
3 8 11 16. And thou shalt come up against my People Israel It shall be in the latter daies And vers 23. Thus will I magnifie my self and sanctifie my self c. chap. 39.1 8-13 21 25 29. Secondly Mystery Babylon and the Kings of the Earth who have given their Power and Strength unto the Beast Rev. 19.19 20 21. Thirdly John's Mystical Gog and Magog and all their multitude Rev. 20.8 9. Who will compass the Camp of the Saints about and the Beloved City And fire will come down from God out of Heaven and devour them Thirdly Another End of Christ's Coming from Heaven and another Work that he will do when he comes again is this viz. He will set up his Davidical Kingdom on Earth Dan. 2.44 And in the daies of those Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom that shall never be destroyed Luk. 1.31 32 33. And the Lord shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David And Isa 9.6 7. The next particular in our general Position is touching the Kingdom of Christ and his Saints The holy Scriptures of Truth do in several places plainly affirm That the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdom of Christ and his Saints Dan. 7.13 14 27. Vers 14. And there was given him Dominion Glory and a Kingdom His Dominion is an everlasting Dominion which shall not pass away And his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Vers 27. And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the People even to the Saints of the most High And Rev. 11.15 The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdom of our LORD and of his Christ c. By the Kingdoms of this World we may understand universally All the Kingdoms in the whole world for Christ shall be King of all the Earth Zech. 14.9 In that Day shall there be one Lord and his Name one Particularly the Kingdom of David to wit Judah and Israel Luk. 1.31 32 33. And the LORD God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David And of his Kingdom there shall be no end Isa 9.6 7. Micah 4.8 And thou O Tower of the Flock the strong hold of the Daughter of Zion unto thee shall it come Even the first Dominion the Kingdom shall come to the Daughter of Jerusalem And vers 7. All those Prophesies shall be fulfilled Dan. 2.37 43 44. When the Stone hath broken all those Kingdoms in pieces vers 34 35 45. which Stone is Christ Luk. 20 17 18. and his Jerusalem Zech. 12.3 compared with Matth. 21.44 and Jerem. 51 19-24 And with thee will I destroy Kingdoms Then that Stone will become a great Mountain and fill the whole Earth Dan. 2.35 that is to say Christ will be King of all the Earth Zech. 14.9 And thâ— Kingdom of Christ will be enlarged 1. By the extraordinary Conversion of Sinners both Jews and Gentiles Isa 60.3 5 8 10-15 and Rom. 11 25 26 27. 2. By the pouring out of the Spirit upon all Flesh Joel 2.28 Isa 44.3 4 5. whereby the Earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Joel 2.29 and Hab. 2.14 Then the Nations shall know That the LORD Jesus Christ is King of Nations Jer. 10.7 The King of Kings and the only Potentate 1 Tim. 6.15 And HE shall put down all Rule and all Authority and Power 1 Cor. 15.24 25. For he must Reign till he hath put all Enemies under his feet And the Saints shall know That the Kingdom of Christ is not of this World Joh. 18.36 that is to say Christ's Kingdom is not of a worldly Constitution but it is a spiritual and Heavenly Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.18 and called the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 25.1 2. though it will be a glorious Kingdom Psal 145.10 11 12 13. yet it is not that Kingdom of Glory where Jesus Christ his holy Angels and the Spirits of Just men made perfect now are for there are no foolish Virgins in that Kingdom of Heaven See more of this matter in my Exposition of the Parable of the Kingdom of Heaven Printed anno Dom. 1674. And also in the third Part of my Apocalyptical Mysteries Printed Anno 1667. likewise in my Exposition of the 11th Chapter of the Revelation Printed Anno 1679. This Kingdom of our LORD Jesus Christ will begin in the Daies of these Kings Dan. 2.44 that is to say the ten Kings of the fourth Kingdom the Roman Monarchy Then the Dominion shall be given unto the Saints Dan. 7.27 And the Saints of the most High shall take the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom for ever and ever Dan. 7.18.22 And they shall Reign on Earth Rev. 5.9 10. Then the Saints shall be rarely qualified and spirited for Government for They shall be all Righteous Isa 60.1 2 3 20 21. They shall do no iniquity Zeph. 3.13 And They shall be without fault before the Throne of God Rev. 14.5 They shall be endued with courage clad with Zeal and girded with strength to bind Kings in Chains and Nobles in fetters of Iron and execute upon them the Judgment written Luk. 19.27 This Honour have all his Saints Psal 149.1 2 6 7 8 9. and Zech. 12.5 6 7 8 9. and Isa 60.12 For the Nation and Kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted And when the Kingdom of our LORD Jesus Christ is established on Earth and all the Kingdoms of this world are become his the thousand years of the Reign of Christ and his Saints being ended Rev. 20.4 5 6 7. then Christ will Raise the Dead and he will judge the Quick and the Dead which being done HE will deliver up the Kingdom to God even the Father that God may be all in all 1 Cor. 15 24-28 The next particular in our general Position to be explained is the Resurrection of the Body at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ compare 1 Cor. 15.20 22 23. with 1 Thes 4.16 The Lord himself shall descend from Heaven And the Dead in Christ shall Rise first The Dead Bodies of the Saints shall then be Raised from the Dead that shall yet remain in their Graves They that sleep in Jesus will God raise up them will Jesus Christ awaken with the Trump of God 1 Thes 4.14 The Resurrection of the Dead hath this Order and is described by the Apostle in this manner to wit Christ first 1 Cor. 15.22 23 24. afterwards they that are Christ's at his Coming But the rest of the Dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished Rev. 20.5 6. This is the first Resurrection Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection They shall Reign with Christ a thousand years and that on Earth Rev. 5.9 10. These Kings and Priests are the Children of the Resurrection Luk. 20.35 36. being the Children of God Whose vile Bodies shall be changed and
willing to resign your whole Man Spirit Soul and Body unto the Government of Christ as LORD and King to Reign and Rule Guide and Govern you by his holy Spirit and Written Word Not that you can do those things of your selves I have told you without Christ you can do nothing Joh. 15.5 But it is your duty to do them and it is the Free Grace of God to work in you to will and to do according to his good pleasure Phil. 2.12 13. that he so working in you you may work out your own salvation with fear and trembling I would through the Divine Assistance of the Spirit and Grace of God make some Application of this our general Position unto the Churches of Saints for their edification First I most humbly beseech all the Churches of Saints to receive this Doctrine of Christ's Second Personal Coming from Heaven And to believe 1. That when HE comes he will glorifie the House of his Glory Isa 60.1 2 7. and will make Zion an eternal Excellency vers 14.15 22. God will build up Zion and then he shall appear in his Glory Psal 102.13 16. Then shall Zion be the Perfection of Beauty Psal 50.2 Out of which God shall shine In that DAY God shall be his Churches everlasting Light and Glory Isa 60.19 Rev. 21.23 Then shall Christ and his Church be each others Crown and Glory Isa 28.5 In that DAY shall the LORD of Hosts be for a Crown of Glory and for a Diadem of Beauty unto the Residue of his People Isa 62.3 Thou shalt also be a Crown of Glory in the hand of the LORD and a Royal Diadem in the hand of thy God Read Zech. 9.16 and Isa 60.13 2. That when Christ comes He will Restore all his holy Ordinances unto their Primitive Power and Purity yea unto an higher and greater degree of Excellency than in the Apostles Daies God will not only give his Churches of Saints Pastors according to his own heart which shall feed them with knowledge and understanding Jer. 3.14 15. but HE will also pour out his Spirit upon Sons and Daughters and upon the Servants and upon the Hand-maids also God will pour out his Spirit Joel 2.28 31 32. Before the great and terrible DAY of the LORD come The LORD will vouchsafe unto his Churches such Anointing of his holy Spirit as the Apostle John witnesseth and recorded 1 Joh. 2.20 27. But ye have an Unction from the holy ONE and ye know all things c. Read v. 27. and Joh. 6.45 Isa 54.13 Jer. 31.34 It is written in the Prophets And they shall be all taught of God And not only be instructed and led by the holy eternal Spirit into the sound and saving Knowledge of all the Truths in God's written Word as the Truth is in Jesus but they shall see with their Eyes those things fulfilled which they have read and heard out of the written Word of God Matth. 24.33 34 35. That Gospel Ordinance of Praising God will then be with greater spiritualness and with more heavenly mindedness performed in the General Assembly and Church of the first Born where all the Sons of God shall sing together even all the Saints and Angels shall celebrate the high Praises of God together Read Rev. 5.11 12 13. Rev. 11.15 16 17. Rev. 14.1 2 3. Rev. 15.2 3 4. Rev. 19.1 4 5 6 7 8 9. The whole Worship of God shall then be performed by the true Worshippers in Spirit and in Truth according to Christ's Word John 4.23 24. for God will then give all his People one Heart and one Way Jer. 32.38 39 40. to worship him with one Consent Zeph. 3.9 14 16 17 18. In that day shall there be ONE LORD and his Name ONE Zech. 14.9 A Restitution of all things Acts 3.21 3. That when Christ comes his glorious personal and spiritual Presence with his Church Heb. 12.21 23 24. Rev. 22.2 3. will occasion a Confluence of all Comforts Isa 51.3 12. and 66.13 and Zech. 1.13 17. Then Zion shall be adorned with spiritual and glorious Beauty Isa 52.1 9 10. and compassed about with peace and safety God will be as a Wall of Fire round about Zion Zech. 2.5 10. Sing and rejoyce O Daughter of Zion for Lo I come and I will dwell in the midst of thee saith the LORD Read Ezek. 34.23 24 25 28 29 30 31. No Canaanite in the Land of Israel nor none that shall hurt or destroy in all God's holy Mountains Zech. 2.4 Jerusalem shall be inhabited as Towns without walls for God's salvation shall be her walls and bulwarks Isa 26.1 2 3. Then the State of the Church of God will bear some proportional Resemblance to the Kingdom of Heaven for it will then be a sinless state Isa 60.1 21. Zeph. 3.13 and Rev. 14.1 5. and a sorrowless state Rev. 21.1 2 3 4 5. and a timeless state Rev. 10.6 Time shall be no more For the thousand years time of the Church's Glory being finished and all the time of Satan and his Instruments ended who are the Abusers of Time Time shall pass into Eternity of Glory and Beatifical Vision and eternal Life Secondly I would also humbly intreat my Reverend Brethren to declare to the Ministers of Christ Churches of Saints what is noted in the holy Scripture of Truth concerning the WORLD to come the New Heavens and a New Earth and the New Jerusalem Also the Second Personal Coming of our LORD Jesus Christ from Heaven You are commissioned and commanded to declare unto the people the whole counsel of God revealed in his written Word and this Gospel of the Kingdom and Coming of Christ must be preached in all the Inhabited World towards the latter End thereof Matth. 24.14 as a Witness unto all Nations and then shall the End come This is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Generation Truth which ought to be Preached and Testified by the Ministers and Churches of Christ in these latter daies though they be killed for bearing this Testimony Rev. 11.3 4 7. Be faithful to Death and Christ will give you a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 and 12.11 Lastly A word of Consolation to those that do believe pray and wait for the world to come and the Spiritual Glory thereof 1. In general for then the Ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting Joy c. Isa 35.10 Then shall be the confluence of all spiritual Comforts to the Church and People of God Isa 60.1 2 3 7 13 19-22 The LORD shall be thy everlasting Light and thy God thy Glory vers 19. All the promises of Grace and Glory shall then be performed which are in Christ Yea and in Christ Amen to the praise and glory of God 2 Cor. 1.20 And then all Prophecies relating to the Churches Spiritual Glory shall be fulfilled Act. 3 19-21 which God hath spoken by the mouth of his holy Prophets Then will be a superabundant pouring out of
the Spirit Joel 2.28 And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and your Sons and your Daughters shall prophesie your old men shall dream dreams your young men shall see visions And God will graciously prevent the Prayers of his Saints Isa 65.17 24. It shall come to pass that before they call I will answer and whilst they are yet speaking I will hear All the Sons Daughters of God will then be of one Heart and of one Mind Jer. 32.39 40. Then all sanctified Believers will come in the Unity of the Spirit to a perfect Man Eph. 4.13 And in that Day there shall be ONE LORD and his Name One in all the Earth Zech. 14.9 Zeph. 3.9 And They shall serve the LORD with one consent And then Honour Dignity and Renown shall be given to the Church of God to Religion to Religious persons and to all holy things Zech. 9.16 The Church shall then be as the Stones of a Crown lifted up Those Living Stones in that spiritual Building will then be a Crown of Glory a Royal Diadem in the hand of the LORD Isa 62.1 2.3 28.5 2. In particular 1. To the seed of Abraham the Jews They shall be called gathered united into one Nation and the Davidical Kingdom of Jesus Christ shall be given to them Micah 4.8 which they shall take and possess for ever and ever Dan. 7.14.18 27 28. They shall be all holy Isa 60. and so all Israel shall be saved Rom. 11.26 27. 2. To the Off-spring of Japhet the Gentiles whom God shall persuade to dwell in the Tents of Shem Even all the Nations of them that are saved who shall then walk in the Light of the New Jerusalem Rev. 21.24 and shall also enjoy the spiritual Glory and Blessings of the WORLD to come whereof we speak A word of Counsel to Virgin Professors in this Generation 1. Take heed you do not fall asleep whilst the Bridegroom tarryeth or rather only seems to delay his coming as they did Matth. 25.5 6. They all slumbred and slept until a midnight Dispensation a Cry did awaken them out of their carnal security when being at ease in Zion they became formal luke-warm and worldly minding earthly things more than heavenly and seeking their own things more than the things of Christ 2. Prepare your selves for that time of Tribulation which shall come before Christ come Matth. 24.21 29 30. It 's call'd an hour of Temptation which shall come upon all the World to try them that dwell upon the Earth Rev. 3. It will come upon the Jews Dan. 12.1 2 3. and upon the Gentiles Rev. 11.7 but more especially upon the Inhabiters of the Earth Rev. 8.13 12.12 Rev. 19.19 20. viz. upon the Beast and the false Prophet and upon the Kings of the Earth and their Armies Prepare for that midnight Dispensation of Darkness Distress and Temptation which is coming upon Nations Cities and Churches to try them 3. Consider what manner of persons you ought to be in all holy conversation and godliness that look and wait for the Glory of Christ his Church and Saints in the world to come 2 Pet. 3.11 13 14. Lastly A word of Instruction to the King the Nobles the Judges and all the Magistrates in this Island and in this City The Kingly Prophet David gave the Instruction I intend Psal 2. wherein by the Spirit of Prophecy he foretold 1. That the Kings of the Earth will set themselves and the Rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against his Anointed vers 2 3. 2. That God speaks to them in his wrath and vexes them in his hot displeasure vers 5. 3. That the LORD Jesus Christ will break them with a Rod of Iron and dash them in pieces like a Potters Vessel 4. That God will set his King namely King Jesus opon his holy Hill of Zion vers 6 7. 5. That God will give the LORD Jesus Christ the Heathen for his Inheritance and the utmost part of the Earth for his Possession and his Dominion shall be from Sea to Sea even unto the Ends of the Earth vers 8. And then the holy Prophet exhorts those Kings and Judges to be wise and to be instructed vers 10 11 12. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish This phrase of kissing the Son implies 1. A Declaration or Testimony of Love and Peace between Christ and them Cant. 1.2 Christ who is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 is the Prince of Peace Isa 9.6 and it concerns all Kings to be at Peace with Jesus Christ And the LORD Jesus Christ is the Judge of the quick and dead and he sits among the Judges called Gods of the Earth and they also must stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ therefore it concerns all Judges to kiss the Son that is to make their Peace with Christ 2. To kiss the Son implies to worship Jesus Christ And if God commanded the holy Angels to worship him Heb. 1.6 then Kings and Judges are not exempted from worshiping Jesus Christ Phil. 2.9 11. Every knee shall bow to him and confess that he is LORD Because God hath exalted Christ above all and given him a name above every name c. Eph. 1.20 21. and set him far above all Principalities and Powers in this World c. 3. By kissing the Son is intended the submitting to his Dominion and Government Isa 9.6 7. God the Father hath laid the Government of Saints upon Christ for he is King of Saints Rev. 15.3 and the Government of Zion his Church upon Christ for he is King of Zion Psal 149.1 2. and the Government of the Nations upon Christ for he is King of Nations Jer. 10.7 10. By him Kings Reign and Princes decree Judgment He puts down one and sets up another Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Judge of Judges therefore be wise O Kings and be instructed ye Judges of the Land Now I will conclude with a word of Exhortation to the Magistrates and Inhabitants of this City Consider God hath visited this City with the Pestilence and with a Fire and yet the Inhabitants thereof have not returned to the LORD Now God threatens a Famine of Bread if He shut up Heaven that it Rain not and a Famine of the Word if He suffer the Papists to prevail O Repent and Amend Administer Justice and Righteousness Plead the Cause of the Widow and Fatherless Relieve the Oppressed and Acquit the Innocent Let the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation teach you Citizens of London to deny all ungodliness and worldly Lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil world that in the world to come you may have Life everlasting Amen FINIS