which Christ sets up a Monarchy vers. 9. to 13. And as the Son of Man in reference to which name he calls himselfe the Son of Man as wee read in the Gospell and to him was given a Monarchy and that after the fourth Beast or Monarchy was destroyed which is the Romane that is yet in being and so Christs Monarchy is yet to come but his Providentiall and Spirituall Government hath beene of old therefore it is meant of another and not of those states of Government Hos. 3. 4 5. the ten tribes then cast off should be left without all Religion till the latter dayes in which they should be converted and have David for their King that is Christ whom David typified therefore Christ is to be a King in the latter dayes So 2. Tim. 4 1. when Christ appeares next he is to have a Kingdome and that on earth before the Worlds end because then he resignes it 1 Cor. 15. 24. and yet this his kingdome is not till he come againe which yet he hath not though it is so long since he ascended wherefore his Kingdome is yet to come and this is the scope of the Parable Luke 19. 11. 12 which he spake because they thought Gods Kingdome that is the Kingdome of which God hath prophesied or promised so much which indeed was this Kingdome of Christ as he cals it in that Parable which they thought should immediately appeare he tels them he must go a farre journey to receive it and then he will come at the time appointed and bring it with him by which he means his Ascention into Heaven and his long stay there till his next coming So that he confirms them in their opinion of a Kingdome but rectifies them in the thoughts of the time when it should be and so Act. 1. 6. 7. he denies not the kingdome but would not tell them the time when it should be which was the question they asked but if he had onely meant his spirituall kingdome through the Gospels preaching he might have told them the time of that for he had said before that it should be over all the world before the râ—ine of Ierusalem Matth. 24. 14. therefore he means this his Monarchy which is called Israels kingdome as here so Dan 7. 18. because they under and with Christ shall enjoy the honour of that Kingdome And indeed of this Monarchicall kingdome have all the Prophets spoken more or lesse aâ— it is said Act. 3. 19. 20 21 which place of the Apostle is expresly meant of this kingdome of Christ and not of the last Generall Judgement at the worlds end as it is oft interpreted For first all the Prophets since the world begun have not spoken of the Worlds end and last judgement but of this Kingdome of Christ have they all spoken so that no Doctrine was so generally beleeved among the Iews at Christ his being among them as that of the Messias and of his kingdome wherefore they so stumble still on that Secondly the time of which this place speaks is a time of restoring all things that is a making all things new as it is elsewhere exprest 2 Pet 3. 13. which cannot be meant of the Worlds end and heaven which follows it for at the worlds end the earth ends and shall not be made new and the highest heavens needs no making a new nor have they any earth in them therefore it must be meâ—â—t of a time a state to be in this world therfore Rev. 21. 25. the new things come downe from heaven and therefore there must be a reforming things in this World and a reducing them to their originall as they were at the Creation which restitution of all things shall not be perfected indeed till the last generall Iudgement but shall be begun and proceeded much in at the beginning of this kingdome of Christ of which also the last Judgement is a part therefore the whole time of Christs kingdom is truely called a time of restitution and this place is meant of that Kingdome Thirdly which yet further appears because it is said that Christ must remaine in Heaven till he comes to restore all things therefore his next comming is this time but his next comming is to set up his Kingdome therefore this time of restitution is his kingdom And surely this Monarchy and Kingdome of Christ is that hee chiefely meanes in the Lords Prayer so called thy Kingdome come for in this Kingdome is Gods Name most hallowed because the Son is most honoured and then especially is Gods will done in earth as in heaven because as we shall shew anon all in that Kingdome shall be holy and so throughly sanctified as that they shall resemble though not perfectly equall them in Heaven that doe Gods will that is the Angels for Soules of Saints departed he cannot mean in that their doing of Gods will is not expressed in Scripture for our imitation as the Angels is now this kingdome of Christ is called the Fathers also both in this Petition as elsewhere Rev. 11. 15. and in the close of the Prayer because it is his Originally he first made it by a Decree and then gave it to Christ Daniel 2. 44. and 7. 9. 10. 13. 14. verse therefore he is called his King Psal. 2. 6. and it is confessed in the close of the Lords prayer to be his that is it's beginning and root is from him and it shall in the end returne to him thus much for the first thing that Christ shall have in this world a Monarchicall state or Kingdome Secondly consider the manner of this Kingdome of Christ that is both the extent of it and the qualities of it First the extent of it shall be over all the World as the other Monarchies were to be which goe before it and shall be swallowed up by it Dan. 2. 37. 38 39. 40. and 7. 23. all the knowne and esteemed parts of the World were under those Monarchies and so they shall be under Christ therefore it is said to grow up into a Mountaine and fill the whole earth Dan. 2. 34. 3â— and 7. 27. therefore the seventh Trumpet which declares this Kingdome of Christ brings in all kingdomes on earth under Christ Rev. 11. 15. to the end For of this Trumpet it is said Rom. 10. 7 the Mistery spoken of by the Prophets should be done that is the Kingdome of Christ set up and as the other great Monarchies brought under them all kingly power and they were Kings of Kings so shall Christ also therefore Dan. 2. 35. the Monarchy that is not the people but the State and Dignity vanished as dust to nothing the people remained but the Monarchy came to nothing So Dan. 7. 12 the Dominion was taken away though their lives continued and ver. 9. the Thrones cast downe that is of the foure mentioned kingdomes and vers. 27. all dominion and greatnesse shall be Christs
counsels of mens hearts shall be made manifest not onely to the mans selfe but to every one In a word every act of reasonable Creatures being immortall Creatures though the body once die is immortall the thoughts words acts and shall not onely abide for ever in hell or heaven but shall be revived and brought forth before all the world in this great day in as much as every thing was in Gods sight it shall be openly shewed before all the world this is taught when it is said Every thing shall be made manifest for this is to make them manifest when they be declared before all And all those workes from Adam to the last of mankind shall be orderly and clearly proceeded in by bookes Rev. 20. 12. as in a Court of Justice wherefore wee need not run hazard to know what is done in other places for we shall see and heare all one day and this may well take up much time though by an infinite power God will do it yet it shal be done by Christ as man and before men and therefore leasurely Now when this worke is dispatched and the finall sentence is pronounced upon all creatures both the blessed and cursed as is expressed Matth. 25. 31 to the end then will Christ resigne the Kingdome to the Father and this world together with his Kingdome shall end Object But you will say though this be long that Christ shall raigne yet it s not ever but it s said that he shall reigne for ever Ans. I answer it is said to be for ever though it is thus and at this time to end as the Apostle saith expresly he shall then resigne yet it is said to be for ever First because it is to be to the worlds end and the end of time and therefore is truly for ever as Moses Statutes were said to be because to last till Christ came and the end of that Discipline Christ and his Saints shall stand on the earth at the latter day Job 19. 25. that it shall be the last that shall rule and possesse the earth for so soone as they resigne all this world shall end Secondly because this Kingdome shall never be swallowed up by any other or after Monarchy as the former were by the latter and all by this of Christ therefore it is said Dan. 2. 44. It shall not be destroyed it shall not be left to other people Thirdly because it lasts long yea longer than ever any Monarchy and we say of long lasters that they last ever Fourthly because though his Kingdome be resigned yet it is but a translation or swallowing up of it into glory it remaines but is perfected not in the Sons but in Gods hand not in this world but in heaven The estate also of the Church shall never decay in grace or peace though once it shall be assaulted and the Saints after this Kingdome shall never dye they who lived and dyed before it began were raised up and died no more they who lived in the 1000. years of it died but together with the Saints found alive at Christs last comming they are raised up and changed and are all with Christ during the last Judgement and when it is done they with him go into heaven and are ever with the Lord 1 Thess. 4. therefore in these regards is that true Ps. 102. 27 28. God hath no end of years and the children of his servants shall continue and be established before him that is abide for ever in glory as hee is Thus much for the third thing the Duration of Christs Kingdome how long it shall continue when it shall end Now followeth the fourth thing to be considered namely the beginning of this Monarchy when the time shall come that it shall be set up This Monarchy of Christ is to be the last in the world as it is to last to the end of this world and therefore it is to begin when all the foure Monarchies are expired and ended Dan. 2. 34. this stone is to simite the Image on the feet that is it is to be set up when the Monarchy is passed the Head Armes Brest Thighs is come to the Legs and that in the Feet or Toes of it which is the fourth and last Monarchy namely the Roman after it is divided into the East and West Monarchy and their Westeâ—ne is broken into many petty Kingdomes then when their reigne is expired shall the Monarchy of Christ come Dan. 2. 44. In the daies of these Kings not one but many when many Kingdomes are made up out of the Roman Monarchy shall God set up Christs Kingdome So Dan. 7. 3 27 c. Foure Beasts that is States and Monarchies though called foure Kingdomes The first was the Babylonian then in being and expiring the second the Medes and Persians the third the Grecians under Alexander as a Leopard and with wings swiftly over-comming the world the fourth the Roman which was stronger and more stronger than all the formeâ— because of the many changes that should be in it as Ten Hornes or Kingdomes rise out of it and among them another fearfull little Horne Dan. 7. 7. which is interpreted ver. 9 20 23 24 c. The sum of which is that after the Roman Monarchy was parted in two legs the Eastern and Western Monarchy in this Western Monarchy for the Eastern which contain now the Persian and much of the Turk Tartar c. he passeth over in that the Churches were in those dayes to be in the Westerne parts of the world I say in this Western Monarchy should ten Hornes or Kingdomes arise and among them another little horne most blasphemous Now by the ten Hornes are meant ten Kingdomes which rose out of the Westerne Roman Monarchy and by the little Horne so blasphemous is meant the Papacie which rose up among or together with their Ten Kingdomes as is exprest Rev. 17. 12. For about the same time that the Bishop of Rome usurped Papall dignity or Authority these Kingdomes in Europe began to be set up and to become severall distinct Kingdomes but by the little horne is meant the Papacie as appeares because of its base words Dan. 7 8. 21 25. and its continuing for a time times and halfe a time is onely applyed to the Papacie Rev. 12. 14. Dan. 12. 7. and is the same time named in the same phrase and the same Oath which in reference to the Papacies prevailing is used Rev. 10. 5 6. and therefore he saith time shall be no longer expressing the end of the Papacies prevailing by the generall phrase of the time because it was prophesied of in Daniel in those dark phrases of time times and halfe a time now whereas it is said to rise up after the Ten whereas Rev. 17. 12. the Beast or Papacie is said to be one horne with the Ten to be ruinated v. 16. whereas this roots up three of the ten Kingdomes or
them that love it he will give when he comes a Crowne of Righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4. 8. And surely they who most love and long for it shall speed best at it and therefore it is pitty that this Doctrine of Christs Kingdome is no more studied Secondly This Doctrine of Christs Kingdome teacheth us who will love him to hate evill Psal. 97. 10. That is inferred from the Prophesie of his Kingdome For if he will ruine the workes of evill because he hates them it becomes them who love him to hate evill God saves the Saints from the wicked therefore let the Saints keepe themselves from wickednesse yea they must be extraordinary in all holy conversation and godlinesse as 2. Pet. 3. 11. â—or so much that phrase What manner of persons ought yee to be seemes to imply In Christs Kingdome all such things as now draw to unholinesse shall be done away and nothing but godlinesse shall beare sway Therefore they who expect that Kingdome should be every way holy and give diligence to be found of him at his comming in peace without spot and blamelesse 2 Pet. 3. 14. For though hee will not ruine yet hee will shame the Saints whom hee findes loose walkers And therefore he deferres his comming not because he is slacke to it for it is his glory but because he would have encrease of Knowledge and Grace so worke with his Saints that they might repent and amend what is amisse in them that it may goe well with them at his comming 2 Pet. 3. 9 15. for he speakes onely of Saints and therefore saith is long suffering to us word This is the reason of Christs deferring his coming so long Thirdly this Doctrine of Christs Kingdome teacheth us that be righteous to joy greatly in the hopes of it and to give thankes at the memory of it though it be but present in promise and prophesie Psalm 97. 11 12. And therefore to meditate of it as it were in present and to behold it in joy sowne for us and arising up in an Harvest vers. 11. Therefore there are many triumphing Psalmes made of this Kingdome though it be to come Psalm 96 98 99. Saints neither could nor should feare Christs comming iâ— they understood this Doctrine of it for his comming is for them Johnâ—4 Now since the Scripture speakes so much and so plainly of this Kingdome of Christ and makes for us such wholsome uses shewing as that it is a speciall and practicall Truth and was a chiefe Meditation of all the Prophets let every Saint search into and study this Doctrine it is our Harvest of joy and gladnesse and Christ pardon us our so much neglect of it hitherto Amen FINIS Three-fold state of Christs Kingdom â—providentiall Christ since the fall is the sacred Governor of all things 2. Christs spirituall Kingdom This also hath beene eveâ— since the fall 3. Christs Monarchicall Kingdome sâ— called 1. There 〈◊〉 be such a Monarchical Kâ—â—â—dome 2. Typified the Iewesâ—vernment He was 〈◊〉 present anâ— them in siâ— and tokens 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 to Israel 〈◊〉 Kings 〈◊〉 not be 〈◊〉 by men This state was 〈◊〉 In innocenâ— were diversâ— types of 〈◊〉 â—ypically and â—â—â—â—hetically the foure great â—â—narchyes â—e first Moâ—hy â—e second â—narchy â—e third Moâ—hy The fourth Mâ—narchy The fift Monarchy is Christsâ—s iâ— appeares 1. Because calâ—ed a Stove 2. Reared up by â—iod onely 3. By the duraâ—ion of it Christ the 〈◊〉 of Man is the Monarch Christ to be a King in the â—â—ter dayes The Apostles know not the time when Called Israelâ— Kingdome All the Prophâ— have spoken of Act. 3. 19. 2â— 21. England 〈◊〉 Doctrine so â—erally beleeâ—d among the â—ws 〈◊〉 Kingdome 〈◊〉 in the 〈…〉 In the manâ— Christs Kingâ— are two thinâ— The extent of Christs Kiâ—dome It shall be 〈◊〉 all the World Christs Kingdome exprest 1 In its Spâ—rituall estate 2. Theâ—re shalâ— bring all 〈◊〉 it Rev. 21. 23 2â— explan'd Hag. 2. 21. 22. explain'd â—ards the end it shall exâ— to all reable creaturâ— â—els Devils all tongues 〈◊〉 quality of â—ists King◠〈◊〉 day of judgeâ—t taken â—ctly for a parâ—ll Iudgâ—t More largely â—any shall be â—ged before the â—erall judgeâ—t Why the 〈◊〉 there made 〈◊〉 called a judgment 1. Because 〈◊〉 judging of 〈◊〉 godly A judging to Saints alive It s called a 〈◊〉 because mornâ— and evening Kingdom is Day and is evening morning â—n Scripture â—imes joyns â—her farre â—t in time What manner of Kingdome it a shall be in the Evening of the Day Three things 〈◊〉 be considered 〈◊〉 the beginning Christs Kingdome 1 What Chrâ— will doâ—â— when 〈◊〉 sets up his Kingdome Three comming of Christ What Christâ—all doe when he â—omes 〈◊〉 He shall raise 〈◊〉 all the â—aints Sitting at the Sacrament The Saints theâ— like his between 〈◊〉 his Resurrection and ascension 〈◊〉 He will deâ—roy the wicked 〈◊〉 3. Christ will examine blame and shame the Saints Christ withâ—raws himselfe â—â—to Heaven and â—aveâ— the Goâ—â—rnment to the â—â—ised The Apostlesâ—â—all be cheife Object Better to dy before Answer Better to live at that comming Advantâ—â— raised Saintâ— They shall havâ— more glory at 〈◊〉 last Obje How 〈◊〉 soules be fetched from heaven to live on Earth againe Answ. Their Soules be not in theâ— highest Heavens They are kept in a place till Christ come â—easons to prove 2. The way to the highest Heavens never opened till Christ went Obj. Ans. The bodies of Enoch and Elias taken up with their Soules Where Paradis Subjects of Christs Kinâ— all living 〈◊〉 and all 〈◊〉 on the eartâ— All the 〈◊〉 of Israel 〈◊〉 converted made Sub◠〈◊〉 this King â—alem shall â—ilt againe â—is kingdom â—elites sâ—all 〈◊〉 preemiâ— in Christs â—gdom above Saints â—ouble fulâ— of the Genâ— â—rists king◠〈◊〉 at all the â—ribes So all Natiâ— of the earth 〈◊〉 be converted The priviledgeâ— of it â— All its Suâ—jects except slaves shall be holy and 〈◊〉 Saints 〈◊〉 câ—ites among them None in Christâ— Kingdom shall prove 〈…〉 excommunicate all their children shall be elect and â—ainâ—â— In Christs â—â—gdom holiâ—e shall be â—atey them eâ—â— it was on â—rth â—than shall be â—ained originall â—rruption reâ—ained 〈◊〉 No backâ—ding in this â—ingdome That 〈◊〉 diate felâ—â— with God The 〈◊〉 to last but 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 commâ—â— Sitting at 〈◊〉 Lords Suppâ— What come â—â—mediately 〈◊〉 God not Sâ— to change Christ will them up 〈◊〉 of grdâ— 6 A full 〈◊〉 to all Prayers The secondâ— viledge of Christs Kâ—dom a 〈◊〉 of all temâ—blessingâ— They shall 〈◊〉 them witnesse â—pted from â—odily trou◠〈◊〉 life an â—teed yeeres â—icknesse or 〈◊〉 â—iolent death 10 5. 6. â—nger time 〈◊〉 the wicked 〈◊〉 either â—d 〈◊〉 His people not infected with Popery Christ hath a roll of all his subjects They shall then have an harvest of light and joy A little disturbance Christs Kingdome shall have That trouble not long Christs third and last coming How Christ begins the last generall judgment The assault of the wicked on the godly occasions Christs last coming to judgement 1 Thes. 4. 13. to 18. explained The Morning or most glorious part of Christs Kingdome Differences betweene the evening and the morning of Christs day Rom. 8. 19 c. Of Hell Hell that now is but a prison Which shall be swallowed up Hell in the sea or ayre Phil. 2. 10. All this lower visible world shall be hell of damned All then reduced to the Chaos Rev. 20. 11. Confusion is sins proper effect When hell was made All misery swallowed up in hell torments How long Christs Kingdome lasts A little interruption when the 1000 yearâ— be expired The day of judgement lasts a long time 1 It may be a 1000 yeares A further description of the Morning or most glorious part of Christs day Kingdome which is the last judgement and shall last very long 2. It s the time of Christs triumph God hath given a long time to every worke Else the solemnity of it were to little purpose Object Answ Object Answ What shall be done all that while Every thing shall be made manifest Christ resignes his Kingdome How Christs Kingdome is for ever 1. To the worlds end 2. It shall never be swallowed up by any other 3. It lasts longer than any other 4. The resurrection is but a translation When this Monarchy of Christ is to begin The little horne is the Papacie How long Papacy shall list When the ten Kingdoms Papacie began in Europe 1666. the number of the Reast and the end of the Papacie Rev. 11. expounded What meant by the streets of Rome Another reckoning by Daniel Dan. 12. 11 12. explained Two things in which the Abomination was to be set up Julian attempted to re-build the Temple and set up Sacrifice The calling of the Iewes 16â—6 Great trouble to the converted Israelites This coming of Christ will be sudden Christs coming to raise the dead wil be about 1700. Having found out when the 1000 years begin its easie to know the end of the world Wee are like to see sad daies till 1666. It s likely Popery shall againe over-run Europe 1 Arg. to prove it Kings shall agree to give up their pâ—â—wer to the Pope This the fore-running of Romes ruine 2. Arg. To prove Kings resigne to Rome Trouble both in regard of religion and justice When Christ will swallow up all Kingly power 1. We must looke for this Kingdome of Christ 2. We must hate evill be holy 3. We should joy in the hope of it
THE PERSONALL REIGNE OF CHRIST VPON EARTH In a Treatise wherein is fully and largely laid open and proved That Jesus Christ together with the Saints shall visibly possesse a Monarchicall State and Kingdome in this World WHICH SHEWETH 1. That there shall be such a Kingdom 2. The Manner of it 3. The Duration of it 4. The Time when it is to begin By IOHN ARCHER sometimes Preacher of All-Hallows Lumbard-street Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Iesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seene him go into Heaven Act. 1. 11. Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himselfe shall be with them and be their God Revel. 31. 3. And the Kingdome and dominion and the greatnesse of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most High whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdome and all Dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7. 27. LONDON Printed and are to be sold by Beniamin Allen in Popes-Head-Alley 1642. THE PERSONALL REIGNE OF CHRIST VPON EARTH THE Scripture reveales to us a Three-fold State of Christs Kingdome One Providentiall which is that universall influence and Soveraigne power by which Iesus Christ manageth the Affaires of all the World both in Heaven Earth and under the Earth as Mat. 18. 18. Thus in Mat. 13. The Feild which is the World is called by Christ his Kingdom whence it is that he enlighteneth every man that commeth into the world Ioh. 1. 9. For ever since the fall of Man the immediate dispensation and government of all things is delegated to him from the Father so that he is deputed as Viceroy or immediate Administrator of all things Therefore it is that he is Distinguished from the Father and Holy Ghost by the Title of Lord Acts 2. 36. Lord and Christ that is anointed to be Lord in a distinct sense meaning one who by commission is deputed and delegated to immediate administration in the behalfe of others This indeed though the mystery was not revealed Christ as God-man though not as then manifested in the flesh governed and ruled the whole world ever since Adam his fall For if God the Father had not deputed a Mediator his Iustice and Holinesse according to the Covenant of works by which he onely had to deale with mankinde and this World had overthrowne mankind and all this World This is the first state of Christs Kingdome A second state of Christs Kingdome is spirituall which is that Soveraignty which by his Word and spirit he exerciseth over the consciences of some people and in speciall the Elect of God the Father whom by his Word and Spirit he subdues in conscience to an universall obedience to him as 2 Cor. 10. 4. 5 this hath 〈◊〉 ever since the fall first on Adam as wee have to be sure on Evah for to her and her seed as to Abraham and his seed to David and his seed was the promise made And to Abel Seth and so along to Abraham and all his Children by faith Jewes and afterwards Gentiles but this is not generall over all the world and respecting this Christ saith His Kingdome is not of this world and that the Kingdome of God is not by observation that is after a worldly pomp and honour and of this he still speakes when he saith The Kingdome of God is at hand is within you c. And this state of his Kingdome was more narrow and obscure till Christs comming in the flesh and the preaching the Gospell to every creature that is to all mankinde where ever there was opportunitie without restraint to the Nation of the Iewes as it was before and many worthy ones have thought and many doe to this day thinke that this is the onely state of Christs Kingdome and therefore doe appropriate and apply all that is said of his Kingdome in Scripture to this state of it Indeed in many things belonging to Christs Monarchy there is a spirituall sence also and they may not untruly be applyed spiritually as that of making all new which appertaines to the Monarchy of Christ as Revel. 21. 2. 4. 5. and yet applyed spiritually 2 Cor. 5. 17. But they have a farther sense as there is besides this a third state of Christs Kingdome which I may call Monarchicall not because the other two fore-mentioned states of his Kingdome were not so in some sense for in some sence they are as absolute and Monarchicall as any State or Kingdome can be in that he rules by his will and absolute Prerogative he alone as he listeth in his providentiall state of government by which he ruleth all things he doth as he will of that is Psal. 33. spoken and it is said vers. 10. 11. that he onely doth by his will and so in the spirituall state of his Kingdomes Rom. 9. 15. Phil. 2. 13. But I call this last state of his Monarchicall because in this when he entreth upon it he will governe as earthly Monarches have done that is universally over the world in those dayes knowne and esteemed and in a worldly visible earthly glory not by tyranny oppression and sensually but with honour peace riches and whatsoever in and of the world is not sinfull having all Nations and Kingdomes doing homage to him as the great Monarchies of the World had Now because in this visible Majesty it shall be conformed to the Monarchies I call it a state Monarchicall to distinguish it from the two former states which ever have beene since the World began whereas yet this hath not beene which also shall abide with this when it comes and of this last state of the Kingdome of Christ I am to treat and shew foure things 1. That there shall be such a Kingdom 2. The Manner of it 3. The Duration of it 4. The Time when it is to begin First that there shall be a Monarchicall State of Chriâ—ts Kingdome a Soveraignty which Christ shall administer over all the Earth in a visible and worldly manner for splendor riches peace c. though not in a fleshly or sinfull manner Of this God gave us a type in the Government of the Nation of Israel from the time he called them out of Aegypt till they desired a King and cast off their Iudges when he saith They cast not off Samuel but God that is Iesus Christ who is God because Moses Ioshua and all the Iudges were not their Kings though they exercised a Kingly power therefore Moses is called King in Iesurun Deut. 33. 5. but it was not of themselves but by Commission and Deputation from Christ as a vice-Roy so that it was not they but Christ all that while did immediately rule them not so much or onely by a providence as he did all the world else nor
by a spirituall government for so he ruled not them all but a very few of them such as were elect unto eternall life and sanctified but by a King of Monarchicall Government so that he was an immediate and particular King to them and was visibly present amongst them in signes and tokens of presence as the Pillar of the Cloud aâ—d fire and after that in the Tabernacle Arke Mercy-seate c. And did manifestly give them Lawes appearing as a consuming fire Exod. 24. 17. and appointed Officers to administer the Kingdome both ordinary and extraordinary and to punish the offenders executing Iustice by an immediate hand and had all hard cases brought to him and gave order about their battels and appointed their Generalls for warres for the Iudges for the most part except Ely and Samuell were but extraordinary Officers or Generals raised up in danger of enemies and case of warre so that every way Christ was a Monarch and King to Israell wherefore indeed when they refused Judges and would have a King like other Nations they did cast off him yet notwithstanding after he had punished them by one King namely Saul he gave them a King also for a type and shaddow of that which he himselfe did before but in a type and shaddow For as the Nation of Israel in their Mosaicall Discipline and Lyturgy were but a type of the Nations of the World whom in a morall way God will bring to be a People to Christ among which the Israelites as a first borne shall be cheife So Christs government of that Nation from the time they were called out of Egypt till they cast off Judges and after that also by Kings immediately called and Deputed by him which shewed that he still kept the Soveraignty and was their King was a shadow or type of his state of Monarchicall government which in due time he will have immediately and visibly over all Nations on the earth therefore the Israelites Kings could not be deposed by men because not set up by men and ruled so absolutely because they rul'd by Commission immediately from Christ and as types of that his Rule Monarchicall which in the latter Dayes he meant to take up over all the World Thus we see ever since Christ gathered a visible people and Kingdom he fore-shewed his intent to have a state Monarchicall in the World for hâ—s Spirituall Kingdome he typified from the fall of Adam by the Sacrificâ—s Altars and the Preists which were the Fathers and first Borne of the Family but this his Monarchicall Government be began to typifie when he called a Nation to be his people and as he typified it so he fore-told and Prophesied it the 8. Psalme is made onely out of a propheticall Meditation of this Monarchicall state of Christs Kingdome as the Apostle teacheth us Heb. 2. 5. 6. 7. 8. who applyes that Psalme to Christ and to this Monarchicall state of Christ For he saith it is meant of a world and a world to come after that the Apostle writ that Epistle Vers 5. But by providence Christ then had ruled the World and in a Spirituall Government by the Gospel he had spread himselfe over all the world before Jerusalem was ruined as he told his Disciples Matthew 24. 14. then the end that is of the Citie Ierusalem shall come But besides all this there is a whole world to come to be put in subiection to Christ of which Adam in innocencie was indeed a Type for in innocencie was divers Types of Christ in that God ever intended Christ Adams faâ—l and damning all mankind was a Type or figure of Christ saving all the elect Rom 5. 14. So Adams marriage to the woman was a type of Christs coniunction to the Church Ephes. 5. 30. 31. 32. So in the Soveraignty that Christ gave Adam over all that present World was figured out the subjection of a World to come to Christ wherefore the Psalmist speaks in such a phrase as makes Expositors thinke he meant Adam because Adam was its figure but it is evident it cannot be meant of Adam or the state in innocencie because in this Epistle to the Hebrewes after Christ had set up his Spirituall Kingdome by the Gospell over all the World in some consciences every where yet he saith it is a World to come and besides there are divers passages in the Psalme which are not competible with the state of Innocencie as the stilling the avenger c. whereas in innocencie were not Enemies or avengers Therefore this Psalme fore-tels a state of Christs Kingdome to come after the Gospels preaching to all the World wherein he should have as perfectly all the World Subject to him as in Innocencie Adam had all under his dominion as wee read Gen 1. 26. Nor can this be meant of the last of all time namely the Generall Judgement When all knees shall bow to him and â—â—ery tongue shall confesse him Lord Phil. 2. 10. 11. which is refer 〈◊〉 to his last Judgement Rom. 14. 10. 11. For then he is to resigne 〈◊〉 to surrender up the Kingdome to God the Father and to hold and administer it no longer 1 Cor. 15. 24. But this and many other places as we shall see prophesie of a state of Monarchicall Government which Christ shall hold after the Gospell is preached universally before that last and generall Judgement Psal. 22. he prophesieth of Christs Passion and in vers. 6 7 8. the words of reproach torments inflicted on Christ piercing his hands and feet and vers. 18. their demeanour towards the garments of Christ applyed to Christ as Mat. 27 35. and what Christ would doe after his deliverance from his Passion Psal. 22. 22. applyed to Christ Heb. 2. 12. By all which is cleare that Psalme is of Christs Passion after which it is prophesied that all the world should turne to him and worship him and that he should have the Kingdome vers. 27. 28. and that a generation of Saints should serve him and all that be fat on the earth shall worship him vers. 29. which must be meant of the Monarchicall state of Christ and not of his spirituall Government in the conscience onely because it is said vers. 29. that all the fat on the earth shall bow to him and all that goe downe to the dust there is none can keepe alive his soule that iâ— Christ shall have a Soveraignty over all that live and die which he hath not in his spirituall Government which onely reacheth the living This was also celebrated typically and prophetically by Israels subduing all the earth that is all knowne neighbouring Nations round about them Psal 47. and in Salomon as in a type Psal. 72. and is certainely the scope of Psal. 96. 97. 98. 110. For what state of Christs Kingdom as yet whether providentiall or spirituall gave all the earth cause to joy because of peace justice and truth Therefore there is a state to come wherein
it shall be done to all the earth this is most fully set down by the Prophet Daniel chap. 2. 31. to 46 the great Image presented in a dreame to Nebuchadnezzar represented foure great Monarchies whose foundations indeed were laid presently after the Floud in Nimrod and that Assyrian Monarchy which grew up into the Babylonian c. whatsoever God did before the Floud it is evident that ever since it except a little time at first to grow he hath held this World under a Monarchy and so he will hold it untill its end I say God by Daniel the Interpreter and by that dreame to Nebuchadnezzer in and by an Image represented foure great Monarchies one of which was then in being and the rest were to follow and every one of them had the World as then it was found and esteemed under them The first Monarchy was the Assyrian which fell into the Babylonian and blossomed in Nimred Gen 10. 8 to the 13 and was ripened in that present Nebuchadnezzars child and grandchild This Monarchy was expressed in that Image by the head of gold The second Monarchy was that of the Medes and Persians which blossomed in Cyrus who conquered Babylon and slew the Grandchild of Nebuchadnezzar namely Balteshashar Dan. 2. 39. and endured till Darius whom Great Alexander the Greek overthrew this Monarchy was exprest in that Image by the Brest and Armes of Silver The third Monarchy was that of the Greekes which blossomed or rather immaturely and suddenly ripened in Great Alexandar of Macedon a Grecian and by his sudden victories over-ran the World and by his sudden and untimely death was divided into foure great parts by foure of his chiefe Generals who parted the world among them Dan. 2. 39. untill the more Westerne people by little and little namely the Romanes won all from them this Grecian Monarchy was expressed in that Image by a belly and thighes of brasse The fourth Monarchy was that of the West namely that of the Romanes which compared with the former is Western which blossemed and ripened leisurely and by degrees and was therefore the more like to last long And by certaine gradations and much time rooted out successively all the inheritors of Alexander the upholders of the Greeke Monarchy and possest all the chiefe known parts of the world and so fetching its beginning lower Westward and yet up as high Eastward it became a mightier Monarchy then any of the former This Monarchy was expressed in the Image by the legs of Iron Dan. 2. 32. 40. Because as Iron it was strongest of all and subdued all under it but in processe of time the body of the world which it bore up being so great to which it was a leg or supporter it divided it selfe as it is in the naturall body into two legs and is in the image so expressed though for a great while it was but one Monarchy yet at last it grew into two the Eastern and Western Monarchy which yet though divided were both strong as Iron and held all Nations under them but in processe of time these fell into feet and toes as the naturall body of man from two legs descend into feet and toes The Eastern Monarchy was swallowed up by the Persian Turke c. The Western Monarchy fell into divers Kingdomes but among these subdivided Kings was strength and weakenesse the feet being part of Iron and part of Clay Dan. 2. 33. 41. and much mingling shall be among them to rejoyn the Kingdomes into one body some whereof are weake and some strong as Iron and Clay but it never shall be as Iron cannot be mixt with Clay Dan. 2. 41. 42. 43. The Spaniard and Austrian in Spaine and Germany and other Nations in Europe some of which are strong and some weak have sought by marriage and other Covenants to mingle and rejoyne into one Monarchy but it shall never be as we cannot mingle Iron and Clay But to the period and upshot of their Soveraignty and Monarchy they shall remaine Kingdomes distinct as feet and toes of Iron and Clay partly weak and partly strong now in the dayes of this fourth Romane and Western Monarchy There shall be a stone cut out without hands Dan. 2. 34 to 36. which shall first ruine these Kingdoms it smote the Image on the feet that were of Iron and Clay vers. 34 and so swallowed up the whole Image all the foregoing Monarchies were brought under it and by it to nothing vers. 35. and it became a Monarchy over the whole Earth wherever any of the former Monarchies had ruled â—ers 35. that is as is explained Dan. 2. 44. 45 a Kingdome which that Stone shall obtaine set up by the God of Heaven Whereas the other Monarchies were erected by men on earth though permitted and ordered by God which Kingdome or Monarchy shall swallow up in it all foregoing Monarchies and that by no humane meanes or policie for it was without hands or not in hand that is not of man but a Divine worke every way and it shall reach and swallow up not onely the feet and toes but the leggs of Brasse the Brest and Armes of Silver the head of Gold Dan 2. 34. 35. that is all Kingdomes and States that were from first to last under any of the Monarchies shall be swallowed up and come under this And this is a fift Monarchy which shall arise in the world after the former feure which is meant of a state of Christs Kingdom as appeares First because it is called a stone as Christ is the stone which the builders refused become the head of the corner 1 Pet. 2. 3. to 8. And secondly it is a stone not in hand or not cut out with hands because by God immediately without humane helpe this Kingdom shall be reared up Thirdly its duration that it shall last for ever shews it is 〈◊〉 of Christs Kingdome we people shall swallow it up as they have done all other Monarchies the Babylonian was 〈◊〉 to the Medes and Persians and this to the Grecians 〈…〉 the Romanes but this shall be left to none but this shall be 〈◊〉 Dan. 2. 44. that is to the worlds end but the Kingdome at the worlds end shall be Christs for then he gives it up to the Father 1 Cor. 15. 24. therefore till then and at that time when all ends he hath the Kingdom Christs spirituall Kingdome and his Providentiall were before this time therefore that which is to begin when these Monarchies end must be Christs Monarchy wherefore from this prophesie we learne that Christ shall have a Monarchicall State on earth and a visible Kingdome as other Monarchs had swallowing up or causing to vanish all other Monarchies as the latter Monarchies did the former And that this Monarchy is to be Christs is yet more plaine by Dan. 7. where the foure Monarchies under 4 Beasts are prophesied of vers 3. to 9. the 16. 17. after
they rejected all literall sense of them whereas besides their spirituall sense they had a sense literall respecting this time of Christs Kingdome And it is clear that beyond the first Age even an hundred years after Christ it is recorded by one who lived in the dayes of the Apostle John who was the last Apostle it was the joynt opinion of all beleevers that Christ should have a Kingdome on earth which should after it was come to perfection endure a thousand yeares And this is the time which I call the evening or first part of Christs day and its duration besides the time of its imperfection or embryonie before it be settled Now there was not any of the foregoing Monarchies of the world which in full state strength endured so long The first Monarchy the Babylonian was but 70. yeares the Grandfather Father and Child and so we might shew of the rest that they were much short of this of Christs continuance Yea that of Israel which fore-shewed this of Christs rose but up in Saul David was perfect in Solomon and declined in the next in Reâ—oâ—oam Now when these thousand yeares are expired there shall be a little interruption for a while Rev. 20. 3. by the letting loose of Satan and his stirring up Gog Mâ—gog to disturbe this Kingdome Rev. 20. 3 7 8 9. but it shall be but a little while only a Combination and an Attempt but no hurt but fatall ruine to the enemy but till the thousand years be expired there shall not be any attempt against the Kingdome And when this interruption of cloud is blowne away there shall arise the Morning or latter part and most glorious time of Christs Day and Kingdome that which we call the last judgement which shall last a great while indeed the Scripture sets not downe the time how long this shall last but it is evident it must last a long while First I know not but it may last a thousand yeares as the other is to do because this is the time in which Gods Mercy Iustice Truth Power c. is to be gloriously revealed before all Mankind and Devills and the Truth of every Title of Scripture cleared and the Reason and Righteousnesse of all Gods administrations to Men and Devils revealed Rom. 2. 5. So that every sinner is to be silenced in his reasonings or convinced that he said and thought amisse Iud. 14 15. Now this must require much time Secondly This is the time in which Iesus Christ is to triumph and Lord it over all reasonable creatures to be worshipped and acknowledged by every one in Heaven Earth and under the Earth Phil. 2. 10 11. which is referred to this time Rom. 14. 10 11. For during the other part of Christ his Kingly Raigne in the thousand yeares he is not alwayes visible but if he were yet they under the Earth the dead Reprobates from Cain to them that were slain when he set up his Kingdome do not bow to him and with their tongues confesse him and the devils then are chained up but they do not bow to him But at this time shall Christ sit on the Throne of his Glory and every knee shall bow to him and every tongue shall confesse him Lord therefore surely it shall be no short time In all the time he is to have when he resigns the Kingdome and People are divided according to Election and Reprobation wherefore this being all the time surely it will be a long time This is the reward of his great suffering a Reward having respect to all Creatures though in respect of the Elect he hath another reward Phil. 2. 10 11. Therefore God hath given him this Name Of this God hath much spoken of to him Ps. 110. 1. and to his enemies and people and Christ hath sitten waiting till it is done ever since his Ascension Heb. 10. 12 13. Therefore surely God will not huddle it over in a small or short time God hath given a long time to every worke to Satan to Antichrist and will he straiten Christ in this his time when workes in which God is glorified but by accident have a long day shall not Christs day be long in which God is so directly glorified Phil. 2. 11. There can be no worke besides Heavens glory so pleasing to God and all Saints and so comely in it selfe as this for Christ to sit on the Throne and all knees bow to him Therefore as we do with workes comely and very pleasing God will draw it out and lengthen its time Thirdly Because the solemnity of it were to little purpose if it were not to last long as we deride great preparations and pompe for a short shew the whole Creation groanes for the liberty and Glory of this time Rom. 8. 19 22. For this place as was before shewed is necessarily meant of this last and generall Judgement and onely of it every Creature in specie or kind shall be eased of the vanity which Mans sin and Gods curse hath loaded it withall and shall have its primitive glory which it waits for and it shall last but till this day of Judgement lasts Now to what purpose were that omnipotent restitution of all things and that large expence of rich Majesty and Bounty to cloath all Creatures with glory if it were to be but for a little season surely this is all the time in which Sinners and Saints good and bad Angels shall be in one place and in which mankind shall behold the glory of this visible world made for them and subjected to them in the Creation therefore the time shall be long But if this time be so long the Saints shall be kept long from Heaven First I answer God that hath eternity for them in heaven may lengthen out their time in this world and yet recompense them Secondly This is a Heaven a Paradise and fit and next preparative for Heaven who can lose by being kept from heaven by beholding Christ his most glorious Triumph over all Creatures What shall be done to take up so much time All Gods attributes shall be set open before us as he hath declared them in the Word by Creation Providence Redemption and Christ his highest Kingly glory shall be shewed us on which alone one might gaze a thousand yeares with great joy the whole Scripture in every Tittle of it shall be shewed to be fulfilled how every act of God in the world is according to it in riding the world by the Word and by it he made it and according to this word shall be shewed to us the reason of every dealing of God with Saints and sinners and all the works of Angels Devils which are infinitely more and greater than Mankind because they have ever wrought since the world began and are mighty in wit and spirit and all the world of mankind shall be revealed to us all yea the ends intents