be ended See them at large in the Plain Discovery after the Parallels At the first Christ removes the hinderers and opposers of his reigning in the World towards whom God had shewed long Patience all the time of Christs sitting at his right hand and his faithful Servants patience had been all along exercised by them Yet notwithstanding by their Faith and Patience all along that Kingdom of Patience now almost at an end have inherited the Promises hitherto and still shall do through the thousand years But Psal 110. at the end of Christs sitting at Gods right hand in Heaven he will begin to make his foes his foot-stool by destroying the first Gog and Magog the Turk and Pope by a complication of Judgments Ezek. 38 39. Rev. 19.11 16.18 Dan. 12.1 with Dan. 11.45 And binding Satan Rev. 20.1 2 3. See Observ 3. Then God will set his King upon his holy hill of Sion Psal 2. and so perform the sure mercies to David for ever and that before himself for all which it is plainly recorded as is to be well observed 2 Sam. 7. in a great part of that Chapter See Observ 21. And then he will make every knee to bow to him in Heaven and Earth and under the Earth Phil. 2. Having given him a Name above every Name c. For then those in Heaven Angels and Saints come with him into the World when God shall bring his Son the second time into it as Heb. 1.6 which was prophesied of by David Psal 97. throughout and many other Scriptures Vide Irenicon from pag. 42 to pag. 88. And then all such as sleep in Jesus will God bring with him 1 Thess 4.14 See Obser 21. And he will then bodily begin to reward his Servants the Prophets and his Saints c. Rev. 11.18 by that blessed first Resurrection Rev. 20.6 and probably as they were eminent in grace or sufferings or both so much the sooner And in Earth the Jews will then become upon a miraculous Call and Conversion a very zealous and blessed People being beloved for their Fathers sake Rom. 11. See Observ 15. The heathen Gentiles will earnestly then seek Christs face and favour and even make use then of the Jews interterest to procure Christs favour Isa 6. Isa 19. c. The very inferiour creatures then will be freed from their bondage of coâ—uption Rom. 8. For there shall be no wicked men that shall then dare to abuse them or tyrannize over them as formerly See Observ 21. yea even such wicked men as will then be spared proving hypocrites as is probable will themselves be made slaves then as diverse Scriptures seem to speak For as sin brought alwayes with it a Spiritual slavery before so it is like always remarkably to add an outward visible slavery to all evil men in the world then But those Creatures will be matter of Gods praise to the Saints c. Christ will then delegate the power and management of that his Kingdom to the Saints for him Dan. 7.18 22 27. even that Kingdom he received of the Father and which he gave to them as he speaks and that they may rule for him v. 27. First to the first raised Saints and then to other eminent Saints in the natural life as his enemies which he came to destroy had ruled against him before which will be the just reason and cause of their ruine then Luke 19.27 The Covenant and Mercies to Abraham Isaac and Jacob promised and sworn to them personally and yet never personally performed in respect of their enjoying the Land of Canaan neither had their natural Seed that Land as it was made sure to that one seed Christ Gal. 3. for ever Deut. 30. and Deut. 11.21 and that as the dayes of heaven upon the earth c. See Observ 15. But it shall be then accordingly performed as it was promised and sworn As likewise the Oath to David in David's Seed and Saviour and Antitype to reign so long as the Sun and Moon shall endure See Irenicon pag. 77 to pag. 80. And Observ 21. So of the New Jerusalem called Jehova Shamma Ezek. 48. ult which is said to come down from God out of Heaven Rev. 21. where the Tabernacle of God is said to be with men See Observ 3. And the new Heavens and new Earth See Observ 22. later end with divers other Contemporaries for that thousand years as the Tree of Life and pure River See Iren. pag. 30. whereby the blessed gracious and glorious state of all things then are decyphred c. If these and the like points of Doctrine were enlarged upon and sitly placed in their due order of accomplishment as the holy Scriptures set them forth with such Rational and Scriptural Illustrations as are best suitable to their natures amongst themselves and in their sweet harmony with all other divine Truths there set down I doubt not but when once God shall give any sorts of men such Faith as to receive these things upon the divine authority of his Word they will appear both comfortable and excellent and prove forcible to such true Believers for increase of sanctification above what they received before and make to them as I have found by experience many parts of holy Scripture more clear and sweet and many wayes more useful than otherwise they can be to them whereas without these Doctrines I find I did not nor could ever have rightly understood or known them namely what such Texts of Scriptures respecting these and the like Doctrines do chiefly mean or drive at and I believe many others by degrees may find the like experience thereof in time But I am now many wayes restrained from enlarging therein and therefore only at present hint these things to believing Christians in such respects c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To Glory's God all Glory 's due for aye To Him alone this Due let all his pay FINIS A brief representation of the Doctrine of Christs Kingdom of Power to come upon Earth together with an endeavour to remove unjust prejudices from it To prevent the great sin and danger of being ashamed of Christ and his Truth even that great Truth of his Kingdom Joh. 18.37 Before a sinful and an adulterous generation of both which we are warned Mat. 8.38 True Christian Friend c. THE great and precious Truths respecting Christ Jesus our Saviours glorious appearance to destroy Antichrist to convert the Body of the Jewish Nation to begin his glorious Reign with his raised Saints on Earth for a thousand years c. And all this probably shortly to be manifest in the World which God hath been graciously pleased to discover unto me a poor weak and an unworthy instrument in such remarkable wayes as he hath led me according to his Word and by the guidance and operation of his holy Spirit and hath so strongly evidenced to my own soul and which hath been by sundry learned men and judicious Christians acknowledged
true Grace in our hearts may shine forth in our lives the best adornings for the coming of our Lord that so we may be counted worthy to escape all those things and be able to stand before him the Son of man Luke 21.36 being so adorned to meet our spiritual Bridegroom Mat. 25.13 so waiting for and expecting the Adoption even the redemption of our bodies Rom. 8.23 in that day of Redemption when he cometh as Luk. 21.28 Mat. 24.33 being then counted worthy of that world even the world to come Heb. 2.5 and of the resurrection of the dead being the children of the resurrection Luk. 20.35 Yea let us as the Apostle exhorteth hasten unto the coming of the Lord 2 Pet. 3.12 casting off every weight that presseth down Heb. 12.1 and so all such as are risen with Christ from the dead though they sleep in Jesus will God bring with him 1 Thess 3.13 4.14 Sixtly Let the due consideration of this second coming of Christ make us long for it and love it which will be an Argument of our blessedness by it 2 Tim. 4.8 for there is laid up a Crown of Righteousness for all such as love his appearing It is the time of the redemption of all God's Israel from their Enemies and from the hands of all that hate them that they may serve him without fear in righteousness and holiness all the dayes of their lives Luk. 1.74 Rev. 22.3 It is the end and attainment of the faith and prayers of God's People according to the mercy promised frequently to the forefathers and recorded in the Word that as our Saviour taught us to pray that Gods Name should be hallowed his Kingdom come his Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven so it will from his said appearance be accordingly fulfilled by Angels and Men on Earth then as before in Heaven so it will be such a state as will be much admired and so to be longed after loved where above all his Servants shall behold Christs glory which his Father hath given him on Earth Iohn 17.24 Seventhly Let all faithful Christians hence be chearful and free-hearted in giving to Christ's Disciples so making them friends of the Mammon of iniquity that they may receive them into everlasting habitations Luke 16.9 that which is so disposed of is laid up in the best and safest treasury in the whole world yea more it is put into the best hand and for the best improvement that it is possible to make of earthly treasure Christ takes it as done to himself and undertakes the repayment both more incomparably than worldly treasure is worth and for unspeakably longer continuance than any worldly treasure could be kept 2dly Be sitted for acts of self-denial when Christ calls to it for he will be above all our interests or relations as there is the greatest reason Mat. 10.37 it is the condition of Christ's Disciples Mat. 16.24 Luke 9.23 Mar. 8.34 and such as in so doing forsake any thing make Christ their debtor who is their best paymaster and in the best season probably in his Kingdom in this time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the word may seem to note an hundred fold in both these Texts Mark 10.30 Luke 18.30 though otherwise many times in this life likewise but it is most sure if they suffer with him in his Kingdom of Patience on Earth they man reign with him in his glorious Kingdom of Power on Earth in the New Jerusalem Jehovah Shamma the Lord is there Ezek. 40. ult and when the Tabernacle of God is with men Rev. 21.3 and he will dwell with them and wipe away all tears from their eyes And 3dly to be couragious and resolute in suffering for him when called to this And what are any or all the sufferings of men to the sufferings of God becoming man that he might suffer to satisfie Divine Justice to procure infinite Mercy for such as should otherwise have endured infinite and eternal Misery this our Saviour requires in the forenamed places Mat. 16.24 Luke 9.23 Mark 8.34 Eightly Let the terrible things of both those comings engage Godly men to labour to be counted worthy to escape such things and to be able to stand before the Son of man by improving all such Christs and his Spirits counsels Luke 21.36 as ye have heard in sundry particulars And let the consideration of them fray wicked men from their sins even the greatest as well as the meanest and to learn to kiss the Son Psa 2 ult lest he be angry and they perish in the way And if they will not believe these things let them hence know assuredly they will feel the misery of them as the Jews of old did after Christ's first coming upon their neglecting or despising his warnings Again As for ungoâ—ly men of any of the former sorts that refuse to make any such good use of these terrors of the Lord let them hence also take notice and know that when they shall think themselves most secure in their sins a sudden destruction will then come upon them as pains on a woman in travel and they shall not escape It is true I know and I find by daily experience that these terrors of the Lord and Doctrines of mortification are unpleasing and unacceptable to most sorts of men but they must â—e pressed upon them as wholsom and necessary Physick is by parents upon their children to save their lives so on these to save such mens souls if God may give them repentance but if not they will be the more inexcusable in that they have not perished without warning and such seasonable warnings may help to free Gods Ministers from the heavy guilt of the blood of souls Now therefore let all carnal worldly ignorant prophane wicked and uâ— believing persons And all sinfully engaged enemies to the Truth Cause Glory Worship and Servants of God or against any or all sorts of persons engaged to stand up for Gods and Christs sake that so they might promote irreligion and false religion with prophaneness or to endeavour to suppress true Religion and the power of Religion by opposition and hatred of true Piety and Holiness Oh let such seriously and throughly consider in the most retired closets of heir hearts and consciences what a dreadful appearance without repentance and reformation will the coming of the Lord be unto all such O let them consider what fools they will then be with millions of witnesses that for trifles sading Vanities for nothing for worse than nothing for the matter and cause of horrour and anguish with everlasting wo and misery in that they have despised rejected their own mercy that happiness that Christ hath purchased by an infinite price and was provided for his servants by the most wife holy glorious and infinitely gracious God for all truly penitent and believing souls and tendered and bestowed on them by the sanctifying Spirit of Wisdom Grace and Truth but such in the mean
Revelation and by means of that together with the assistance of God's holy Spirit what was shut up before in Daniel likewise till the time of the end but ever since to be sought after to be known for the benefit of his Church as they are recorded by his Apostle St. John with promise of blessing to the due performance thereof 13ly Such Scriptures as have special stamps upon them of the last times as Jacob's and Moses his Prophecies of the twelve Tribes Gen. See Iren. p. 59 60 61. 49. Deut. 33. and that Song of Moses penned for posterity Deut. 32. and Balaams Prophecy Num. 24. c. usually contain something in them respecting the same times 14ly That usual phrase in Scripture in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the postremity of dayes in the Septuagint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the last of dayes by ours read in the latter dayes hath reference usually to these Times wherein these great Mysteries were to be opened by degrees and the things contained in them accordingly fulfilled in their orders as is observable in these Scriptures following Gen. 49.1 Numb 24.24 Deut. 4.30 Prov. 31.25 Isa 2.2 Mic. 4.3 Jer. 23.20 Ezek. 38.16 Hos 3.5 But especially take notice of these two following places Dan. 2.28 10.14 to which may be added Dan. 8.17 the time of the end and ver 19. the last end of the indignation and the like chap. 11.36 till the indignation be accomplished where the former or such other like expressions of the latter dayes are used which all usually refer to the Mysteries of these latter times But Daniel in the first text tells Nebuchadnezzer expresly that God had made known unto him what should be in the postremity of dayes c. viz. in the fourth and fifth Monarchies as he proceeds to explain to him And chap. 10 14. after Daniel had seen a glorious Vision of Christ an Angel was sent to comfort him and told him expresly that he was sent to make him understand what should befall his People in the latter or postremity of days See Abridgm on Dan. 11.36 40 and so the other like phrases at the time of the end Dan. 11.40 that is in the last times So chap. 12.4 9 13. in the end of the dayes at the resurrection of the Just that is when Daniel was to be raised again to stand in his lot and the other phrase the last end of the indignation Dan. 8.19 and chap. 11.36 is to be understood of the Jews full great Restoration at Christ's Appearance as Dan. 12.1 which are the particular drifts of those several phrases by the orders of his Visions and the intents of them as may appear by their accomplishments in part and by what is further still to be done as we have set down in their due place in our Abridgment of Daniels Visions on divers of those places and phrases Therefore besides many other considerations from the Prophecies of Daniel which might be convincingly added take notice of this one How unwarrantably somâ— men contrary to the scope of the Spirit of God and the natural signâ—fications of these many phrases and expressions set down by the holy Ghost along that Book besides the experimental fulfilling of divers things therein accordingly as chap. 11.40 12.4 9. 2.28 in part fulfilled yet notwithstanding all these they have I say very mistakenly gone about to limit and confine all Daniel's Prophecy to the Greek Empire which our Saviour hath manifested in the Book of Revelation will not be fulfilled wholly in about two thousand years after or happily near upon it See our Abridgment on Daniel and the fum of the Revelation in the Irenicon pag. 26 27 28 29 30 31. 15ly God's Covenant with Abraham to be the Lord his God and thereupon to give to him and his seed the Land of Canaan renewed afterwards to Isaac Gen. 26.3 and also to Jacob Gen. 35.12 See Fore runner p. 38 39. and confirmed by Moses for all three together Exod. 6.3 4. yea and as he speaks sworn by God to them Deut. 30.20 Yea and again with a very remarkable and strong expression reaching to and comprehending the Kingdom of Christ in the thousand years as appears Deut. 11.21 he sware it saith Moses as the dayes of Heaven upon Earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Upon the account of all which God seems to tell Moses Exod. 3. that that should be his Memorial through all Generations that he was the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob which Memorial he there three times repeated v. 6 15 16. to assure all Generations of the first Resurrection of the Just Rev. 20.5 6. having not only personally promised it to them all but sworn it in such manners as Moses recordeth And yet again his own Spirit and Word in his Servants mouths again declares that in their natural lives they lived on Earth this Promise made personally to them was not fulfilled as St. Stephen expresly speaks Acts 7.5 they had not so much as to set a foot upon by that Covenant though they purchased Burying-places that their dead bones might keep possession thereof by that means till the Resurrection of the Just or first said Resurrection Rev. 20.5 6. when Christ that one promised Seed Gal. 3.16 in special and chiefly to be understood as their Seed not Seeds as the Apostle remarkably distinguisheth and expoundeth too in that Text I say Christ that promised Seed should put them into possession then of that Land of Canaan wherein they had been only strangers and pilgrims before as Heb. 11.9 and dwelling in Tabernacles as was the condition also of Isaac and Jacob as the Apostle shews though they were Heirs of the same Promise ver 9. and yet he had said of Abraham particularly ver 8. That Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he was afterward to receive for an Inheritance obeyed not knowing whither he went So that not having yet received it he must according to Scripture receive it at the said first Resurrection See Fore-runner p. 38 39. for God's Promises and Oaths will not fail though many mens faith may much fail in these things as is by our Saviour foretold Luke 18.8 when he Abraham shal appear to be the Heir not only of Canaan but of the World through faith as the Apostle Paul further teacheth Rom. 4.13 and this Mr. Mede shews to be the drift of our Saviour's Argument Mat. 22.27 Mark 12. that therefore God is the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob according to the tenour of that Covenant in that they must live again upon Earth to inherit then that promised Land of Canaan to wit at that time of the restitution of all things Act. 3.19 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the New Creation of all things as our Saviour shews Rev. 21.5 Behold I make all things new and in this sense Beza understands that place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to five or
and also the Septuagint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifie lower than the Angels and crowned him with Glory and Worship making him to have dominion over the works of his hands and putting all things under his feet c. Which the Apostle applyes to Christ Heb. 2. and also saith he hath made him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a little while as our Translation hath it in the margent likewise inferiour to the Angels and then speaketh of the same subjection of the creatures under him then afterwards to come and therefore ver 8. he saith we do not yet see all things put under him only we see Christ in his own person that for a little while was made lower than the Angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour But he again further teacheth Phil. 2.9 c. that God had given him a Name above every name that at the Name of JESUS every knee should bow or be subject of things in Heaven and things on Earth and things under the Earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father Which will not be done till he hath received his Kingdom and shall return as he himself speaketh Luke 19.12 15 and all these things can at no other time upon Scripture-ground be expected but at his said 2d coming when God shall bring again his Son into the world and say Let all the Angels of God worship him Heb. 1.6 and that was also foretold Psal 97.7 which whole Psalm beginning The Lord reigneth let the Earth rejoyce c. setteth forth prophetically in what a glorious manner Christ will come then to set up his glorious Kingdom both by destroying his Idolatrous Enemies and wonderfully delivering and exalting his People as is observable throughout the whole Psalm and this as to the time and order Christ succinctly explains Rev. 20.4 saying the Saints reigned with Christ a thousand years And accordingly thereunto are all the Promises of raising again the Tabernacle of David which was fallen Amos 9.11 Acts 15.16 and those for the perpetuity of Davids Kingdom to his seed so long as the Sun and Moon do endure See Irenicon p. 77 78 79. and the like are all to be interpreted which will be manifest when the Kingdom of the Stone Dan. 2.33 34. shall become a great Mountain filling the whole Earth And this is that Coming of the Son of man in his Kingdom spoken of by Christ Matth. 16.28 of which he soon after shewed a glymps unto his three Disciples Peter James and John at his Transfiguration Mark 9.1 Luke 9.27 Neither can these Texts be justly denied to be meant of such a Kingdom of Christ to come upon his coming again nor warrantably be interpreted in any other sense if the said Texts be seriously and duly considered 22. Obser I have observed only three great Earthquakes spoken of in all the series or order of the Book of Revelation And where the Spirit of God calls them great we may expect they will be great indeed For Earthquakes are often spoken of besides these great ones The first is upon the opening of the sixth Seal Rev. 6.12 when God by Constantine the Great overturned Satan's Paganish Kingdom when five or six several Caesars were so potent to oppose him See Fore runner p. 29. and cast down Satan from his Heaven of Heathenish Worship into the Earth Rev. 12.9 which was spoken of the same time which is described as a day of Judgment Rev. 6. to the Paganish Powers as indeed it was and there the Spirit of God sets down an Ecce before it and Lo saith he there was a great Earthquake The second is Rev. 11.13 at the ascension of the two Witnesses after their resurrection and then the holy Spirit tells us at the same hour there was a great Earthquake when the tenth part of the Dition of the City of Rome probably will quite fall from it See Fore runner p. 8. where the Witnesses are to rise again c. and this Earthquake we may daily expect But thirdly there is another great Earthquake afterwards spoken of to come which he further illustrates much above both the former and that will be at or about Antichrist's final destruction at the end of the sixth Viol and pouring-out of the seventh for the compleating of his ruine Rev. 16.17 18. and then the Spirit of God speaks with a great deal of emphasis of it saying v. 18. And there was a great Earthquake such as was not since Man was upon Earth so mighty an Earthquake and so great Which seems to be further described in the three following verses and seems to be at or about the same time of Michael's standing up to deliver Daniels People when such a time of trouble will be as never was since there was a Nation Dan. 12.1 and when St. Paul saith of Antichrist 2 Thess 2.8 Christ will destroy him with the appearance of his coming and happily of both Rev. 14. latter part of the chapter And then will not only the Earth be shaken but also the Heavens as saith the Prophet Hag. 2.6 7 21. Heb. 12.26 and as upon good reason from several Scriptures seems to be the main drift of them then to be fulfilled as Mal. 3.2 Rev. 11.16 Which shaking of the Earth probably may seem was first at that great Earthquake Rev. 6.12 when God by Constantine the Great overthrew Paganish Idolatry and may be again by the next great Earthquake now approaching Rev. 11.13 which will also begin to shake Antichristian Idolaters who are called in this Book the men of the Earth and the perfecting of that shaking is to be at that third and greatest Earthquake Rev. 16.18 when not only the Earth and evil men will be shaken but also the Heavens namely such Churches as will be then in a degree reformed Churches and thereupon will the new Heavens and new Earth ensue of both reformed Church and State in the whole World I conceive at the setting up of Christ's Kingdom on Earth Rev. 20.4 5.10 23. When the Prophet Moses denounceth threatnings against the twelve Tribes the Spirit of God seems to guide him divers times to set them down prophetically as including Prophecies in their order afterwards to be fulfilled as is observable Lev. 26. Deut. 28. 4.30 which he said expresly should be in the latter dayes and Deut. 32. from ver 1. to 44. See these Texts more fully in the Irenicon pag. 60 61. 24. Obser The heavy weight of God's wrath upon mankind next after the fall of the first Adam seems very observable through the first great Period of the World until the Flood for first good Abel the remotest type of Christ after Adam being slain by his brother Yet cursed Cain was then suffered to live to people the World which further appears that in those first ages of the World to the Flood few are recorded or hinted in Scripture to
of God seems frequently to joyn matters of the latter times together which will be fulfilled at a great distance and particularly concerning the two Resurrections Rev. 20. and even the whole Doctrine of the Resurrection almost as we noted in the Irenicon pag. 102. and elsewhere was made known by degrees and so the two Sessions of the great day of Judgment vide Obser 2. But as we here observe St. Paul sets three great things down together namely Christ's Resurrection as the first fruits of the Resurrection of the Just at the said first Resurrection or at his second coming which is like to be about 1700 years after and then cometh the end which according as Christ hath revealed will be above a thousand years after his second coming and at his third So that mark of the Primitive times Dan. 12.4 to wit Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be encreased divers hundreds of years before Antichrist's time times and the dividing of a time which are set forth in a wonderfull Vision of Christ as Rev. 10. likewise in the three next verses 5 6 7. which contain 1260 years more So three Questions are propounded by Christ's Disciples Mat. 24. of the signs of Jerusalems destruction and of his coming again or returning as he called it before Luke 19.12 and of the end of the World To all our Saviour answers but much of the nearest and gives divers signs of his second coming in the clouds of Heaven which he speaks of ver 30. but closely thereunto adjoyns what should be done at his third coming v. 31. which was not to be so much revealed saving mystically afterwards in the Book of the Revelation which was in respect thereof to be the true Key to open in after-times the spiritual Cabinet of divers otherwise mystical Texts darkly set down by Christ and his holy Spirit in other places of Scripture to the like purpose and so to be such a Key for other things See the like Mat. 25.31 speaks in part of his second coming and in the other part of that verse and ver 32. he speaks of what shall be done at his third coming largely expounded so by himself Rev. 20.11 to the end of the chapter So again St. Paul in 1 Thes 3. ult and chap. 4.14 he speaks of Christ's second coming when Christ will bring all his Saints and all that then shall sleep in Jesus with him but in ver 16. he speaks of his last coming as also expounded by Christ in the said place Also again 1 Cor. 15.23 the Apostle plainly speaks of his second coming and ver 52. sets down divers things to be done at Christs coming at the last Session of Judgment and last Resurrection And because it appears God would have these things concerning the last times of the World to be so darkly delivered for the most part and in mysteries in the Revelation Hence it hath come to pass that such imperfect and mistaken apprehensions have for the most part been entertained by all sorts of men and without some special guidance of God's Spirit could not probably be otherwise found out who himself is said to have opened the Disciples understanding after his Resurrection Luke 24.45 that they might understand the Scriptures but as many then which heard them neither believed nor regarded what they taught and those matters of Salvation by Jesus Christ crucified risen and ascended were hidden from most mens eyes so it is to be expected it will be as we are forewarned with most men in respect of Christ's descending or coming again the second time by stumbling at such Scriptures that concern it on one prejudice or mistake or other It concerns those therefore that will approve themselves wise to be wary in such matters of putting them by slightly which such as rightly shall receive and own are like to find much sweetnes and benefit by them being such as duely search into them For Christs blessing Chap. 1.3 will not be void or vain say vain men what they can or wicked men and devils act what they can to the contrary See Discovery of his Second and Third coming next after the Parallels 30. Observ That of Daniel 12.2 3. is specially meant of the civil Resurrection of the Jews from their bondage and dispersion the time of which is afterwards set down vers 12. which in a vision of the dry bones Ezek. 37. is shewed to Ezekiel is many wayes evident as afterwards follows and so that Resurrection was to be carried on to the end of the fourty five years vers 12. afterwards when Christ will fully deliver them both temporally and spiritually as vers 1. Many arguments might be raised from the words to this purpose and from the time wherein the things are to be fulfilled according both to Ezekiel and Daniel When it is said Many shall arise not all And again it is said They shall be turned unto righteousness that is the righteousness of Justification by Faith in Christ which was contrary to the Legal righteousness that the Jewes before sought after Again some arise to shame and contempt at that time that is by revolting from the faithful Jewes then by fears or hopes or threatnings or the like from the enemy and so fall into shame and perpetual contempt both temporally spiritually and consequently eternally It is observable that the Spirit of God sometimes setteth down Mysteries of Judgements in the order they are to be fulfilled in the resemblance of a day of Judgment as here and sometimes though such things be done long before the end of the world as in Rev. 6. When the sixth seal was opened in Constantines time which is above one thousand two hundred years ago and yet there described as a day of Judgement but yet it was but a particular one for that time but no Judgement said then to be set nor Books opened and quick and dead both Judged as will be at Christs second and third Comings as was said in our second large Observation 31. Observ The harmoniousness and uniform agreement of these divine Truths respecting the Reign of Christ the thousand years touched at least briefly in divers of the preceding Observations shewes them to come from God and their agreeing with the divine Oracles of the holy Spirit scattered in all parts of the sacred Scriptures as in many particulars have been here already set down and as we may afterwards point out or at least briefly hint at As in the two Sessions of the great Day of Judgment with the four particulars proper to the day of Judgement First In both the Judgement is said to be set Secondly In both The Books are said to be opened Thirdly In both first the quick And Fourthly In both last the dead are judged See the large second Observation to these purposes Again these particulars are suitable to the second personal coming of Christ to be hereafter at the beginning and after the little space when the thousand years shall
many of them had such faylings or given such offence as occasion others to stumble or they are so mean in esteem as not much to be regarded c. Answ Though perhaps some have been such yet not all there are very ancient as well as modern Witnesses thereof and in most times some and good and eminent men too as well as meaner persons if men would impartially enquire and much I doubt not might be fairly answered to particular exceptions if things were duely weighed but it hath been usual to take up any vain pretences against what is really good but the rule of old was non quis sed quid Our Saviour hath two cautions in hearing take heed what and take heed how but he reserveth to himself liberty to send his messages by any sort of men As we must not have his Faith with respect of persons so not receive or own it in respect of persons but as founded upon the Scriptures of Truth How oft hath the looking asquint upon Gods Messengers upon some appearing or pretended occasion of disrespect or other proved a sad judgement unto many to whom they have come and who have been sent by him in great turnings of times that have not been assaulted in some kind respecting their persons Those rebels of old excited one another to smite the Prophet with the tongue that they might not give heed to any of his words Jer. 18.18 However notwithstanding the worst that can be pretended against mens persons men may consider that Gold that is found but in dunghills ordraughts if by the touch-stone it be approved to be Gold deserveth to be laid up when washed from the soil upon it as well as that which had been kept closely before in the Treasury or Cabinet Wisdom will be justified of her Children in all her Oracles for this reason because they are her Oracles Gods Servants here are to have their grain of allowance but the vain World useth to preoccupate the judgment of the Saints unjustly by harsh censures and hard speeches as Antichrist hath done their reign to come by wicked Idolatry Object But these Doctrines c. shake the foundation of worldly interest and enjoyments for if Christs glorious appearance will be so terrible and work such desolations and changes and that its approach is nigh what will become of Possessors treasures and their owners Answ Good to the good and evil to the evil Rev. 11.18 and therefore God seems to cause such seasonable Truths to be known and published in these last dayes to loosen mens hearts from the world and especially from their wickedness and as Daniel counselled Nebuchadnezzar when he was to be driven from his most stately Palace to feed among the Beasts Dan. 4.27 Let men break off their sins by righteousness and their iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor viz. Gods poor c. and like to our Saviours wise Steward let them make themselves friends with the Mammon of iniquity whilest time serveth that they may receive them into their houses when they are out of their stewardships even those houses and mansions which our Saviour went to prepare for his little little flock in his Kingdom and at his return will give them possession of them with himself But here to be short Let sober and serious Christians further consider that God hath not said so very much of these things in his Word to no purpose but every truth contained in his Word is useful in its season to his Church working as all holy Scriptures do Sanctification in his People besides take notice that mystical Truths may now from the Word be expected to be revealed in great measure when that point of time is hastening to us wherein the Mystery of God will be finished Rev. 10.7 And according to Mark 13.32 which Text many stumble at Christ saith that as man he knew not the day and hour of the last times at least not strictly taken yet even then he being such a person in whom the Godhead dwelled bodily as Col. 2.9 did then to his Disciples make known much of these things Matth. 24. Luke 20 21. Mark 13. and in other places at least in some latitude although in a strict sense the day and hour of Christs comming may not be known to us by means of incompleat or broken years or some imperfection of Chronology or the like as God is pleased to over-rule c. So likewise when Christ tells his Disciples Acts 1.5 6. It is not for you to know the times and seasons then in the state they were in at present which the Father hath put in his own power Yet even then he tells them in the next vers of being endued with power from on high on Pentecost then near at hand when they were not only fitted for the work of the Ministry and to work Miracles but to know the great Mysteries of holy Scriptures and of Daniel in particular as was seen in Peter Acts 3.19 20 21. in James Acts 15.15 16 17. In St. Paul abundantly in his Epistles and even in Jude's short Epistle vers 14. But above all the beloved Disciple St. John is taught to unlock all the formerly shut up Mysteries of the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel even to those times and that by Christ himself in the whole Book of the Revelations thenceforward to be useful for his Churches successively for the time of the end for which they were reserved as is observable Dan. 8.17 19. Chap. 11.40 12.4 9. So that from that time they were unsealed by our Saviour and his holy Spirit who through all times of the Seals hath hitherto opened his Mysteries in their orders Rev. 6. Rev. 8. c. much of this nature might be added not only to remove the frivolous and erroneous conceits of many respecting these things whilest they little consider in what Glory and Majesty Christ will then come in the Clouds of Heaven or with Clouds as Rev. 1.7 accompanied with all his holy Angels And as Enoch long since prophesied Jude 14. with ten thousands of his Saints who shall then come with him 1 Thess 1. ult and 4.14 that he then uniting their Spirits to their Bodies may make them alive and remain against his last coming as verses 15 17. and may so make them capable to behold his glory in the New Jerusalem the thousand years John 17.4 with Rev. 20. In sum then Christian take notice of these representations of the points of Doctrine respecting Christs comings and Kingdom on earth First These Points as all other divine Truths are Uniform See this considered in many particulars in Obser 31. and bear an excellent harmony with themselves and all other true Doctrines and no wayes twharting or disagreeing in themselves or with any others which sound Christians own or profess as by comparing particulars will appear Secondly There is nothing new in them in substance being only fuller explications of divine Mysteries before more darkly couched yet contained in the Word of God Thirdly They will more and more be manifest to have no greater enemies than ignorance of Gods Divine Counsels revealed and sinful unbelief or prophaneness being of themselves sacred and sanctifying Truths which likewise is another evidence of their divine excellency Lastly That now they are in their due season especially made known by the especial grace of God to be published to and improved by his faithful People upon whom the ends of the World are coming And as for some misapprehensions of some good men to whom Mysteries of this nature are not yet discovered whence not only a strange slighting of these great things of God sometimes proceeds but likewise hard speeches both concerning the things and Christs own witnesses of them according to his Word who are therein to be pittied and prayed for with endeavours of information if God afford opportunity and shall be pleased to vouchsafe his blessing However all men herein are to be admonished that they offend not any such wayes against Christ more than they are aware of by contemning or speaking evil of those divine matters they understand not and therefore do not believe yet will be fulfilled in their season Amen FINIS Errata's formerly omitted though smaller faults be passed by IN the Forrunner pag. 10. before line 26. add of the eternal decrees p. 34. r. Rev. 13. in the marg In Irenicon p. ult Chron. Table l. 18. r. 410. In the Preface p. 3. l. 1. r. witnessings In the Advertisement l. 19. 1. supernal p. 84. l. 27. r. Pharisees not Disciples p. 100. l. 26. 1. Ideom p. 101. l. 39. r. special not spiritual p. 109. l. 6. r. thy In Parallel p. 36. l. 9. r. incheate Plain Discovery p. 1. l. 4. r. new
and I doubt not will be owned more and more I am well assured are of so high concernment both for the glory of God and our Lord Jesus Christ and for the edification and comfort of his People in the last times that I shall be ready by his Grace upon all fitting occasions to warn all such as truly fear God to take heed either of slighting or rejecting of them for though they are of that nature that God hath in his most wise counsel reserved to be more especially known for his true Churches benefit in these last dayes when his ancient People the Jews are shortly to be converted unto Christ their Saviour as the Apostle Paul saith Rom. 11. and all Israel shall be saved that even as the Mystery of the Gentiles Conversion was hidden to the Jews and even for a time to the Apostles themselves when it was to take place until by Miracles Word Spirit and Visions they were powerfully taught to acknowledge it So theirs is like in great part to be hid to the Gentiles And as Antichrist was to come to be revealed to reign to be consumed with the breath of Christ's mouth uttered by his Witnesses but all to be fulfilled in a great Mystery all along to the most in the World saving unto some few persons and places unto whom by degrees God in special wayes of mercy hath been pleased from time to time to manifest these things and yet I say but by degrees for the accomplishment of God's Mysteries have in all times been very wonderful and above mens reach ordinarily to discover And as the Apostle Paul was greatly honoured and imployed by the Jewish Rulers and learned Rabbies of his time whilst he persecuted the Christian Faith yet when afterward he preached that Gospel of Christ crucified and that unto the Gentiles was as much by those Jews persecuted and opposed himself and by all of their way so in a degree may it be expected of such as God manifesteth such things unto as he will accomplish in the end of the dayes as Daniel's phrase is which shall appear to be against the interest of men in the world or above the ordinary strain of the times that many though not all will slight and oppose them even until God fulfils them and such their slighting and opposing is like to be as to the Jews of old the occasion of such his fulfilling of them Dan. 12.10 But then many such will they nill they must give glory to God as Rev. 11.13 for so it pleaseth God usually to hide great things from the wise and prudent and to reveal them unto babes Luke 20.21 But to prevent and remove prejudices First then Let all serious Christian Spirits take notice that in those two first Books I have endeavoured to vindicate the true Doctrine of Christ's Kingdom on Earth to come from those unjust aspersions of Disloyalty to Kings and Magistrates as most opposit thereunto which though haply it hath been unpleasing to some yet otherwise I had not therein so approved my self unto God satisfied mine own conscience done right to many sorts of men nor to the Doctrine which I have been taught as I said before and this may three times be seen in the said Books in the first pag. 15. somewhat largely and pag. 41 42. reckoning such delusions among Satans Vials on Christ's Kingdom and in the second Book in the Preface of it towards the end of the second leaf c. Secondly Let all such observe that those things which as I believe I have by God's special guidance published are for the substance nothing but the true Scriptural explications of the old Articles of the Faith as Learned-men had before manifested from the best Antiquity and owned in great part in the most pure Primitive-times But yet upon a better ground for us are now to be owned from the most pure and infallible Word of Truth that more sure Word of Prophecy as 2 Pet. 1.19 whereunto all Christians are bound to take heed For as we profess to believe that Jesus Christ will come from the right hand of the Father to judge the quick and the dead and likewise to believe the Resurrection of the Just and the Life of the World to come as the Nicene Creed according to Heb. 2.5 And how these things shall be fulfilled our Saviour who best knew hath himself instructed his Church together with the time when in some good measure as Rev. 11.18 at his glorious appearing both beginning to judge the quick then by destroying of them that destroyed the Earth i.e. Antichrist and his Accomplices with the appearance of his coming as 2 Thess 2.8 and 2dly by giving reward unto his Servants the Prophets and unto his Saints and to all that fear his Name both small and great which is then to be done in the Resurrection of the Just as is further explained Rev. 20.4 5 6. when also begins the Reign of the Saints with Christ on Earth the said thousand years while Satan also shall be bound as ver 1 2 3. during which time our Saviour shews that the Apostles shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel Mat. 19.28 concerning which Period he more fully explains himself Luke 22.29 I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me where his Throne must be distinct from his Fathers where he sate on his right hand in Heaven as Rev. 3.21 is clearly explained which Kingdom appointed to him by his Father the Apostle shews 1 Cor. 15.24 at the end the same shall be delivered again to his Father when ends the said Kingdom that the Father had appointed to him with his Saints on Earth which began at his beginning to judge the quick and the dead at his first appearing as was shewed which continued all the said thousand years and the finishing of the Judgment of the Just and Wicked concerning which there are so abundant and evident proofs in Scripture that when Antichristian prejudices shall once be removed even that spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh as 1 John 4.3 which such do not in the Apostles sense that acknowledg not the fulfilling of all Christ's Offices in their seasons as the Scripture holds them out till his Mediatorship be consummate which the spirit of Antichrist hath all along opposed c. Then I say I confidently believe those glorious Truths will evidently be manifest and received in the true Church of Christ Thirdly Now for the Subjects of that Kingdom of Christ on Earth that we may give a little further taste of the Doctrine thereof before we proceed to the removal of the prejudices against it They will be first the Body of the Nation of the Jews c. for the most part miraculously converted upon Christ's glorious appearance and probably his speaking to them as in that pattern of St. Paul's Conversion and of many Jews about three hundred years after Christ as
world will not be the question at last in foro Conscientiae at least if thou hadst pausedly read with due attention or heard the sound of such Doctrine of Christ thou oughtest to search whether those things are so Men on both parts are to be heard more in regard of their Scripture evidence for what they affirm than in any other regard in the things of God and the salvation and happiness of souls But for this Doctrine it hath been and is abundantly proved if men would seriously seek information and so as never will be refelled and I doubt not but will more and more with many of Gods People be owned and improved but it will in this be found as in all other branches of Christian Faith it must be Gods Spirit must perswade men to believe it though they know it for none can believe what they know not therefore it will necessarily follow when they have the knowledge of it they must earnestly pray and meditate and consider and importune the Father of Mercies to know in this respect his will yea and though they be reckoned wise and prudent and learned too in such matters they must go to Christ as babes to be taught by his Spirit Parts Learning Authority of men may work conviction but cannot perswade men to own and apply unto themselves any divine and precious truths of God in Scripture for the benefit of his Church And therefore Christian if this Doctrine held out to thee be of God thou art bound carefully and diligently to enquire after it for if thou beest faithful it is part of thine inheritance and exceeding useful and needful for thee too in the last dayes that the evil consequences of rejecting of it may not inevitably fall upon thee On the other hand there are degrees of glory to be obtained of the Saints For one star differeth from another star in glory For any through the rejecting of such Doctrine of the Gospel but to lose the happiness in the more speedy resurrection of the Just some few hundreds of years may well be deemed a great loss And as the Ancients judged there will be mora a deferring of some probably upon such an account how should men therefore seek to be strengthened in all kind of Gospel-consolation c. Object But those Scriptures have been otherwise interpreted by many able and good men in an other sence only for spiritual consolation c. Answ That many able and good men have so understood them hath been because of the unjust scandals c. that a long time have been cast upon this Doctrine of Truth by the subtilty of Satan and vanity of men or at least for want of discovery but how weakly and insufficiently some who might of later times have had more light set before them have gone about to evade the Truth may to a discerning impartial eye easily appear that while they have gain-said the Truth have many times laid down evident proofs and confirmations thereof so that their own Writings might sufficiently manifest their mistakes besides God hath raised many able and judicious persons of later times that have both vindicated these Truths and sufficiently answered what by others though otherwise men of good account have unwarrantably been set down to the contrary as hath been shewed c. Object But some may happily say they are satisfied with the knowledge of what is and hath been accounted necessary to salvation and think it not needful to trouble themselves with things dark and mysterious though they be truths c. Answ As God hath works to fulfil in all Ages of his Church so hath he needful Truths to be owned and believed in several conditions and estates his People are to pass thorow in this world but these great Truths concerning the right understanding of what God doth and is about to accomplish in these last times are now more in their proper season as was said are his more distinct and clear explications of some Articles of Christian Faith and though the Scriptures however they have been plentiful yet have formerly of old been more dark in setting them down according to the divine wisdom and pleasure of the incomprehensible God and yet in much grace to his true Church in these last times hath made them very evident that we may by no means conceive those plentiful portions of sacred Scripture respecting these things are now in their season to be overlooked since God hath such excellent ends in revealing them to his People both for his our Saviours glory and his Peoples seasonable and needful consolation for there is no word of Grace written for believing souls but they know it in its due season and use to be more of worth than all the world and therefore this general charge Wisdom gives her Children Prov. 2.4 To seek her as silver and search for her as hid treasures vers 5. whereby they may understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God with many like encouragements And our Saviour the wisdom of the Father enjoyneth men for seasonable Truths in his Life-time to search the Scriptures then the same charge lies upon all his People now which whoso endeavours faithfully shall find his blessing accordingly in so doing and then mysteries before are no longer mysteries to them to whom God reveals them for the good of others Obj. But such as seek into such Mysteries do often mistake and differ one from the other c. Answ The great things of God are sometimes so high that he is pleased but to reveal them by degrees and in their proper seasons yet every degree of such he imployes to seek into them really promotes his end and when his time is come either by searching or revelation or both or as he pleaseth he makes them known and when they are so they are highly to be prized and duly to be improved and though in some things less essential some mistakes may be amongst some good men and differences of apprehensions yet still by such searching the Word will resolve them I must acknowledge to God's glory before men and Angels I have to my own great satisfaction found the experience thereof which I have therefore in order set down sincerely and faithfully with the sense of mine own weakness for other mens profit and advantage though the intent of that Treatise called The Irenicon was to prove such a Kingdom of Christ was to come yet as I found a remarkable hand of God upon me many wayes leading me to discern and acknowledge a personal appearance of Christ after I had laid down some reasons of my former apprehensions of a mystical which I likewise sufficiently answered so as may make much for the advantage of such as will duly weigh that work of God upon me by whom with my seeking with small help of men I desired to be guided so as ever to have an eye and an ear open to the directions of his Word and Spirit
of the proceedings wherein I have endeavoured in sundry places on several occasions to give an account advantagious to serious Christian souls and greater than if it had been otherwise as upon sundry considerations might be made to appear and though in such subjects for divers reasons men that write of them cannot well be much in explications and applications lest they be too voluminous in laying down the principles and confirmation as the foundation of them in the first place necessary yet afterwards it will be easie by God's assistance for all sorts of understanding Christians to do it for their own benefit and the edification of others And to which purpose I shall likewise by God's Grace be ready upon any call of his to approve my self to all mens consciences in the clearing and improving of such needful Truths according to my measure and as he may give me opportunity which haply I conceive may be the chief work remaining to me in this world though haply they may find resistance from Satan the end of whose Kingdom they hold out or from several sorts of men either upon prejudice or want of searching and trying them by the Scriptures or from some evil disposition of spirit or other or worldly engagements to the contrary c. as it hath usually been with the Witnessings of other Truths of God in their seasons but this is the comfort in such case Truth shall prevail and Gods Word shall stand when all is done for he that is with such as witness for it is Almighty and will suffer no Truth of his utterly to fall to the ground though for a time it may suffer an eclypse but in the mean time the work of his Witnesses is with him their Lord and their labour with their God And as no Truth of God is in its season to be rejected so concerning these there seems to be less reason in this regard because the Spirit of God seems in all times of his Messengers to be so abundant in giving testimony thereunto that men may not onely find much in Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms as our Saviour then directed to search for his first coming in his Kingdom of Patience Vide Irenicon p. 81 82 83 c. but concerning his second coming and Kingdom of Power then to be set up in the World they may have abundant evidence besides from his Apostles Evangelists and many sorts of persons there recorded to have been divinely inspired and after all our Saviour's most sure Explications and Applications of all the former strongly asserted and sent by his beloved Disciple St. John unto the Churches for their Edification and Comfort unto his said Coming again as all along by the quotations in the said two Books by his remarkable hand sent abroad of late may more fully appear to such as duly weigh the Scriptures Obj. But it may be alledged against these things as it was at our Saviours first coming Have any of the Rulers believed on him So Do the Great and Learned or Eminent Men in the World of many Ages past acknowledge these things Answ It was a great stumbling-block to many sorts of the People of the Jews that their Rulers did not But were they not both by our Saviour therefore characterized by Blind leaders of the blind c. and the same obstacle hath many times since and still is like to fall in the way of many But the Scripture informs men on the other hand Not many Wise not many Learned not many Noble c. though some of all those c. So neither are these Truths without some Witnesses of all such ranks and many in the purest primitive times besides more late ones as hath been abundantly not long since published but while men as we hinted before have more respect to Men than God's Word it is no wonder they are in some great matters misled Therefore in a word they are to be warned that they pin not their faith on other mens sleeves but with the Noble Bereans search by the holy Scriptures whether these things be so if they would stand upon a sure foundation c. It matters not to thee saithful Christian who are the persons that plead for or against any divine Truth whilst thou mayest find the Word of God evidently to give witness to it and if in this thou follow any sort of men rather than Christs truth thou wilt certainly be misled above what thou mightest in other things for our Saviour hath in these things forewarned thee Luke 18.8 Their Faith will be wanting when he cometh as in the latter part of the foregoing Chapter is particularly described wherefore they should pray and not faint c. Object But there is one dangerous shifting here comes on to be avoided i.e. Many good men able faithful and well approved do not at all own such Doctrines and some reckon them to be little better than fancies c. Answ No good men however qualified or approved in this world are perfect Who better or equal to the Apostles of Christ yet the chiefest of them shewed their infirmities Peter and Paul were so at difference that they parted from each other and Barnabas was far carried away with the dissimulation of a mistaken party and there was much adoe among some of them before the believing Gentiles could be received though the Word and Will of God was for it till God made the business out of question but the evidence of the Jews conversion and things contemporary with them have much more clearness that they shall be accomplished and though good men in many things have been upheld in upright wayes pleasing unto God yet they may fail in others and what sorts of good men have not had their failings and is not that vanity in many able approved and learned men that they are apt so to conceive of their light or parts or learning or experience that nothing is to be owned and received that is not suited to their own standard and all is but fancy that is not comprized within the summary of their Faith although they have not searched and tryed them by the true touch-stone of the Word But let all such be they who they will either in their own esteem or in the esteem of others take heed of being in such regard resisters of any divine Truth God hath more Truths yet to reveal than any times past have been hitherto capable of receiving or that these times we are in can attain to but will be revealed and received too at the time when his Temple shall be opened in Heaven and when men shall see in his Temple the Ark of his Testament Rev. 11.19 But he hath now in our times revealed some things which he would have owned by us which have not of many years past been so manifest and clear but are now very seasonable to be many ways improved in these last days Object But the Teachers of such or such Doctrines have