saith that John in the Revelation prophesied that Christians should accomplish that thousand year in Jerusalem Answ. Justin beleeves the resurrection of the body wee deny it not But Justin asserts not two resurrections as some now doe one a thousand years before the other Justin sayes that Jerusalem shall bee re-edified inlarged adorned in such sense as Ezekiel and Esay foretold it is most true A Jerusalem that in Rev. 21.10 Gal 4.26 all the world over shall bee made a place of Gods worship as was the old Jerusalem to the great joy of all people the distinction of Jew and Gentile shall bee taken away and all true Christians shall bee the Israel of God and true Jews and shall have no need of the old Jerusalem How implicitly in Esaies words by Justin cited the thousand years should be pointed at he is quicksighted that can discern No man I think endeavours now to prove the thousand years from that text in Esay It there were any such thing in Esays words Logick now if ever would work it out Further St John sayes not totidem verbis in expresse terms what Iustin alledges but that there shall be a new Ierusalem comming down from heaven not built by man and that the Saints shall reign a thousand years with Christ and I will also grant that this reign should bee in the new Jerusalem But that reign was in the beginning of the Gospels times for a thousand yeers and shall not bee towards the end of the world This Ierusalem is mother of us all of all the Israel of God of all beleeving Iews and Gentiles in all times to the world end and is not limited to old Jerusalems seat and some certain time That kingdom began long since and was such as hath been above shewed not such as the pleaders for the thousand yeers to come describe it Object Divers of the Ancient Fathers besides Iustin Martyr as Ireneus Tertullian Lactantius Nepos and others held the opinion of the thousand yeers reign Austine himself sometime inclined to the same and it seems to bee Ieroms prime Argument against it that it savoured of Judaism to reject this opinion is a neglect of an ancient Tradition of the Church Papias recommended it to the Fathers above they to us Answ. The antiquity of this opinion will be little warrant to the verity of it if wee consider that Ireneus sayes That Papias an Auditor of St. John asserted it whereas Papias himself denies that ever hee saw or heard the Apostles And Eusebius B 3. Histor Eccles. sayes that Papias was too credulous and of shallow judgment and by mis-interpreting Apostolicall expositions led others into errour as Ireneus in this very point and as some conceive in the opinion of Antichrists reign but for three years and an half near the worlds end You see then what a tottering and weak foundation this tradition hath It is granted that Austin had an inclination to like of it but his {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} second thoughts made him wisely to abandon those Fathers faulty opinion and to correct his own as for Ierom hee censures the millenary conceit to bee a Iewish {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} fable and so inconsistent with the vision in Apoc. 20. jarring in it self contrary to other Scriptures and unworthy of the Christian faith See Ierom on the life of Papias Hee had therefore Arguments sufficient to confute it Dionysins a learned and judicious Bishop of Alexandria called together the chief abettors of this opinion and argued with them about it three dayes from morning till night and examined Nepos Book in defence thereof whereupon in conclusion his chief opposer yeelded and promised never to teach or so much as to mention the opinion again and all the rest there present submitted to the truth Euseb. Histor. B. 7. Repl. Bee this opinion true or false or whether the Fathers held an errour herein or no to bee of the same minde with the Jews is not alwayes culpable The Rabbins tell us that the seventh millenary is the great day of Judgment That the world shall continue six thousand years and in the seventh thousand bee destroyed with fire and purified and the Lord alone shall bee exalted in that day Esa. 2. that is shall bee King over all the Earth They say that God in this millenary shall break the wicked and that it shall bee a great Sabbath or day of rest Other Rabbins hold that the sixt millenary shall be the day of Judgment Rabbi Elias sayes that the world should continue two thousand yeers before the Law two thousand years under the Law two thousand under Christ See these and other their opinions cited by Mr. Mede on Revel. 20. Answ. No man holds the Jews in all things culpable They are most carefull and vigilant preservers of the originall Hebrew Text intire and uncorrupt so that had not the Jews and Greeks been kept distinct people untill these times the knowledge both of the Hebrew Greek originals had perished by the prevalency of Papistical darknesse See my preface to Cognatio Linguarum The Iews also when they list to speak out shew good skill in the sacred stories Besides many passages in their Talmuds about their rites and customes serve better to open some difficulties in the New Testament then our Latine Commentaries What I attribute to the knowledge lockt up in the Hebrew tongue see in my Book Cognatio Linguarum Posit 9. The Rabbins have many truths but like good corne in much chaffe themselves often times so speake that they will tell you Stultus credit omni verbo it is sillinesse to take all they speak for sad truth Maimonid part 1. chap. 62. Schick Bechin Happer pag. 114. Some truths they hide under Enigmaes and Parables and of them they say I finding a Pomegranat did eat the Kernels and laid by the Rinde P. Galatin 1.7 Yet many such riddles they have not worth the cracking their shell and more like a deafe nut then an wholsome Pomegranat These fall under Pauls prohibition of not giving heed to fables 1 Tim. 1.4 Hee that will prositably peruse them must try all things in them and keep that which is good 1 Thes. 5.21 And whoever will hope to deale soundly with them which would bee a glorious and heavenly work for their conversion must bee able to match and surpasse them as in sound knowledge of the Scripture so in their own tongue and learning as the Apostles and ancient Fathers did the Greeks Herein Mr. Broughton did much and had hee lived longer by good incouragement was both able and willing to have done far more Secondly for the present question observe the Jews jarring opinions Some of them hold the day of judgment the wickeds breaking and the Messias his exalting to bee at the end of the fift millenary which is fully past for I hold the world to be five thousand five hundred seventie one years old in this year
diverâ— others are many things objected But the Sun retaines its light how many clouds soever bee interposed Wee will punctually examine any thing that is worthy of Answen Object If Christ had about the time of his Ascensionâ— so absolute a Soveraignty at is affirmed how is it â—that many Nations in those times many afterwards many at this very day have not or doe not yet yeeld obedience to him Many Tyrans many Hereticks have risen up against his Dominion and Laws Answ. Those were no impeachment to Christs absolute Soverdigâ—ty The wickednesse of Sons takes not away the fatherhood and authority of Parents that is over them nor doth a debauched Servants ill carriage argue his exemption from the Mastership he is subject unto David was and continued King though 〈…〉 and Sauls house though Absalon his own Sonâ—e though Shebah a Benjamite and many of Israel rose up against and submiâ—ted 〈…〉 his Scepter So Christ sits an absolute King on his Throne bee the people of the world never so unquiet erroneous rebellious Hee rides on a crowned King conquering his enemies more then ever David did and still to conquer Rev. 6.2 And If any escape their due deserved punishment in this life they must appeare at the great day of accounts hereafter and shall then smart for all their miscarriages Object Judge wee of Christs Kingdome by what wee finde in sacred writ and otherwise concerning him When heâ—came into the world Hee was a man of sorrow hee was in the forme of a Servant rather a worm then a man had no beauty in him that bee should bee desired In all this what Royalty What sign of Majesty Glimps 11. Answ. VVee are not to judge of matters according to their outward appearance or mens estâ—em but according to their true worth and excellency Christ it his incarnation humility but whatsoever hee then appeared hee was indeed the fairest of ten thousand Cant. 5.10 Fairer then the Children of men Psal. 45.2 and was God and man and exalted by his Father above every name that is named Object Hee had a Reed put into his hand in stead of a Scepter was bowed to in scorue his Lordship and Dominion was much darkned and appeared not to the world his Crown and dignity were hid in a monnet bâ—e was little knowne by the Name of God Omnipotent â—or shewed himselfâ— to bee Lord of Lords and King of Kings Glimps p. 9. Answ. 1. If Christ was abused and scorned the greater was the peoples sinne and his patience the more eminent The more indignity hee suâ—ed the greater did his love appeare to wards us and his merit more prevaile for us Such an Objection as this might of old have been expected out of the mouth of a Pharisee or now from an unhappy Son of the Syâ—agogue A child of wisdome cannot but know that Christ by his by his 〈◊〉 curing â—ll disedses by bpening the eyes of the blind so born by giving hearing to the deas by raising the dead by rising himself from death notwithstanding Satans and wicked wretches malice against him shewed himselfe to bee the Sonne of God to bee God equilâ— and one with the Father and to have a power above all â—ings and Potentates that ever ruled My works saith he testifâ—e of mea Object Noâ— onely himselfe but his Disciples and Followers also were injured and muâ—thered by the bloody minded Jewish Rulers and Remâ—n Dopâ—ties yeaâ— his Subjects were but a company of poore distressed forlorne people wandring up and down destitute of all comforts Glimps p. 9. Answ. If Christ himself suffered a shamefull death surely hee had done all things well and deserved it not but hee came into the world to die for us and for our redemption hee died and overcame death and all adverse power If his Apostler their successours and muâ—titudes of Christians were injured and persecuted by the authority of Heathen Emperours and many of them put to death and savagely butchered yet dying for and in the Lord and in a good cause they were so saryâ— from being forâ—orne or miserable that they are proâ—onced blessed and happy Mat. 5. Rev. 14. Christ by dying for them 〈…〉 of death So that their deaths were comfortable to themselves and advantageous to the Gospel and Christs Kingdome thereby was more and more propagated They were of that number which overcame the Devill and his instruments by the bloud of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and that loved 〈◊〉 their lives unto the death Rev. 12.11 Object Christ hath not yet ruled as earthly Monarchs did universally over the known and esteemed World nor hath be had Soveraignty over all the Earth in a visible and worldly manner for splendor riches peace c. whatsoever is not sinfull Hee hath not subdued all the neighbouring Nations as David had done The faâ— on earth Psal. 22.29 that is great men for outward estate bowed not unto him Archer if the booke bee his p. 3.6 Answ. If Christ did not rule as the Earthly Monarchs for visible splendour glory c. the reason is easily given Solomon who excelled in abundance of all outward and royall accoutrements found all to bee but vanity of vanity and vexation of spirit If the wiseâ—t of all Kings esteemed them so upon his owne just triall and experience much more did Christ know their worthlesnesse and emptinesse His Kingdom served to furnish his Subjects with matters an hundred fold better in this life and in the world to come with endlesse happinesse VVhereas all that those earthly Monarchs possessed was but as the beauty of a lilly which soon fades and on the morrow is cast into the Oven Nor did Christ intend to conquer the world by force of Armes but in a more heavenly peaceable and glorious a manner Hee as a Learned man well saith sent forth his Apostles who though they were but a few mean men yet were they more victorious then the greatest Alexander and potent Caesars and conquered by the word of their testimony many opposite Kingdomes subdued many thousand spirits and consciences and that in a short time without shedding one drop of blood Secondly Though not many noble rich wise yet some of al these sorts were converted in the Primitive times as namely Joseph of Arâ—matâ—ea an honourable Counsellor some Saints in the tyrans Nero's house the Aethiopian Queens Chamberlaine such as came out of all Nations at Penteoost Acts 2. for mean men use not to be farre Travellers the generous Bereans and seing these became followers of Christ so doubtlesse did many others For Isaiah speakes often of Kings whose example draws a train of the best sort after them overcome by the brightnesse of the Gospel Besides the fat on earth men like the plants of God flourishing with the fatnesse of Gods grace Psal. 92.14 fed with the marrow and fatnesse of the Gospel Esa. 25.6 became members of Christs Kingdom Object At Christs possessing his Kingdome suppose it to bee about
his Ascension hee did not bring under all the earth and haughtinesse of people that is Kingly power that he alone might be exalted Esa. 2.11 17. Archer p. 22 c. Answ. Christ was the Stone Dan. 2.25 which did strike break and destroy the foure kingdomes there mentioned and was avenged of them for their pride and Idolatry which are the sinnes for which God threatens in Esay As God in his due time punished those foure Kingdomes so when Romes sins were come to ripenesse hee spared iâ— not For hee tooke peace from the earth and left the Roman forces to kill one another Rev. 6.4 And for being drunke with the blood of God people when her sinnes come in remembrance before God bee is fully to bee rewarded and at length to bee left desolate and burnt with fire Rev. 17. 18. How Christ at the comming to his Kingdome was and is exalted above all I have formerly declared how Christian Kings are his substitutes and nursing fathers of the Church See Esa. 49.23 60.3.11 c. Object Antichrist hath set up himself as Lord and God and prescribed Laws to the consciences of men so that Christ hath been cast out of his Throne and to this day hath raigned little outwardly The Devill himself in regard of multiplicity of Subjects is a greater King then hee For the greatest part of the world is beathen Antichristian or â—isked Glimps p. 9 10. Answ. Anitichrist hath indeed magnified himselfe as much as possibly hee could and attempted to throw Christ out of his Kingdome But Christs Throne abides firm for ever and ever Heb. 1.8 Antichrists Babel fals but of Christs Kingdome there shall bee no end Bâ—ke 1.33 And though the Devill hath many moe Subjects then Christ if you account the faithfull alone to bee Christs Subjects and the rest the Devils yet if you judg aright you shall finde that Christ hath moe subjects then the Devill and that Christs power over all is greater then the Devils For even the Devill himselfe and all his Subjects as you call them are at Christs command and if they doe any good 't is by their true â—orde exciting them and evill neither can they nor the Devill their Lord by usurpation doe except Christ permit them Besides every faithfull Servant of God and subject of Christ is as deare to God as the apple of his eye is as David Zach. 12.8 worth tenthousand of the Devils Vassals If the least in the kingdom of Heaven bee greater then John Baptist how much more pretious to God is any true Christian then millions of Reprobates Object Kings have their royall Thrones their Palaces their Attendants they appeare many wayes both in these and other matters what and how great they are Now what I pray you was there in Christ formerly answerable to the glory power and Majesty of some mean Kings in the world in these times Answ. If you will further urge to a comparison between Christ and Earthly Kings I doubt not but that you will easily discern your misprision For what Kings palace and Throne on Earth is comparable to Christs which is in Heaven 1 King 9.27 Psal. 11.40 VVhat Kings Attendants and messengers like in fidelity agility strength and observance to the Spirits holy Angels who are at Christs command Kings have their potent and puissant Hosts but infinitely inferiour to Christs Hosts that is all Creatures in Heaven and Earth far unlike to the thousand thousands that minister unto Christ and ten thousand thousands that stand before him Dan. 7.10 God gives to Kings great Majesty and glory Dan. 5.18 But Christs glory is above all Principalities and powers and all names of created excellency and into his hands God hath given all things Ephes. 1.21 Job 13.3 16.15 Kings send their Edicts to the utmost parts of their Dominions but Christ to all parts of Heaven and Earth Kings command their Officers and have them responsable for their services but Kings themselves are Christs Vicegerents and must bee countable to him for all Christs laws are most heavenly most perfect far surpassing all humane inventions The honours that any one receives from his King are but mean and momentary in regard of the honours which God â— gives Kings can punish the bodies of their Subjects with prison and death but God can cast both their soules and bodies into the lake of fire and brimston Kings stand in need and make use of their Subjects help and advise but Christ nor needs nor will use his subjects counsel and will use though hee needs not their services VVhat should I say more Christ in all things doth {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} not onely surpasse all that is in Kings but even all that can be spoken or conceived of them So great then is the glory and Majesty of Christ that the Moon may bee abashed and the Sun ashamed take the speech literally or else figuratively for Princes and such as they lend their light unto when Christ raigns on mount Sion and shews his power to bee above all created might whatsoever The Sun never saw any King doe such wonderfull workes as Christ here on Earth did effect If some subject bee ignorant of a Kings Majesty and eminency it is because his meannesse hath not accesse to the Court nor converse with such as can inform him but a good christian cannot but know Christs kingly glory and highnesse For though hee cannot approach that light and Majesty in which Christ now is yet may hee search the Scriptures which in excellent manner discover the same so far as it pleased the holy Spirit to describe them or is needfull for us to know Object But Christ himself saith My Kingdome is not of this World Therefore there was some power and royalty which was either denyed Christ or which hee would not take upon him Answ. A Kingdome may bee said to bee of this world in two respects First because the administration of it is by humane and worldly means and tends to worldly ends as namely to get a large extent of wordly Dominion a glorious name among men abundance of earthly matters and there is terminated In this sense not Christs but Alexanders and the Caesars kingdoms were of this world Secondly because it is so administred that Men conversing in this world may thereby take notice of Christ use the things of this world in an heavenly manner have on earth a conversation as it were in Heaven each man in his severall calling and place of worldly employment serve God and advance his kingdom of grace in this world and so submit themselves to Christs government here that they may bee heires of glory in a better world Such a kingdom Christ both had and hath in and over this world such a kingdom hee affirmed himself to bee born unto And as Christ governs this world and all things therein in ordine ad câ—lestia with reference to the world to come so Moses who
The Lord reignes for ever and ever Exod. 15.18 When hee smote the Philistins with Emeroids and kept them under in Samuels time no King leading forth the Israelites Armies 't is also said that God is their King 1 Sam. 8.7 and 12.12 When the fury of buls dogs lions Vnicorns prevailed not over Christ so that hee conquered all power opposit unto him David sung The Kingdom is the Lords Psal. 22.28 When David himself overcame the enemies of his kingdom which was a type of Christs 't is said The Lord reigneth 1 Chron. 16.31 When Satan is conquered by Michael then it is proclaimed That the Kingdom is the Lords Rev. 12.10 When Christ judges and plagues Rome hee is stiled King of Kings Rev. 19.16 When at the day of judgment all his enemies are wholly cast down under his feet and lie at his mercy and disposure to bee judged then 't is said That the kingdoms of this world are our Lords even Christs Rev. 11.15 Hee that was first stiled Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 then plainly at last appears so to bee what the wicked out of their pride would not before assent unto then they shall to their shame and confusion confesse and finde most true This I touched before and now have cleared fully and past denyall Object God hath promised to put on his armour Esa. 59.17 to make his sword drunk with the blood of the slain to make a great slaughter in Edom and Bozra Esa. 54.14 To powre out his indignation on the armies of the wicked to fat his sword with blood Esa. 34.2 To feed his enemies with their own flesh and to make them drink their own blood to contend with them that contend with his people Esa. 25.25 26. That wars moved against his Church shall not prosper Esa 54.17 That hee will wound Kings in his wrath and fill all with dead bodies and destroy the heads over divers Countries Psal. 110. and slay the wicked Esa 11.4 that is some eminent opposer of Christ That hee will make a City to bee an heap and a strong City a ruin Esa 25.1 And bring down them that dwell on high Esa 26.5 That when the Nations are ripe for the Harvest hee will fill the Winepresse of his wrath Joel 3.9 That hee will destroy all the Nations that come against Jerusalemâ— Zach. 14.11 These things are to bee fulfilled when God reigns in Sion and expresse the Churches happinesse and the wickeds misery not yet fulfilled Answ. From these Texts may bee inferred First that as the old Jerusalem was cruelly assaulted so shall the New â— for in it Christians suffer great tribulation Rev. 7.14 The Dragon wars with the Womans seed Rev 12.17 The ten-horned beast blasphemes Gods Tabernacle and the Saints in it wars with them overcomes them Rev 13.6.7 kils many of them Rev 6.11 And Secondly Though God suffer his Church by the enemies thereof somtimes to bee thus used yet hee being armed and riding on his white horse goes on conquering and to conquer at his good pleasure and sends the riders on the red pale and black horses to punish the great men of the earth and their retinue so that they hide themselves in caves and dens Rev 6. These things saith Mr. Mede were don within four hundred years after Christs birth After this Christ powres Vials of wrath on the Churches adversaries Rev 16. Hee makes Babel fall casts the beast and false Prophet into the lake of fire and slayes their remnant Rev 19. Hee slayes Gog and his Armies Rev. 20. Thus hee destroyss them that destroyed the earth Rev 11.18 The wicked may domineer for a time yet shall bee not onely in the four hundred years after Christ but oftentimes afterward foiled and in the end the victory shall be on the Saints party who are the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem They it they live are the Lords and if they die they change a pilgrims and militant state here into a glorious and perpetually setled estate hereafter Besides they leave on earth a faithfull â—uccession of Inhabitants of the new and spirituall Jerusalem against whom the Gates of hell cannot prevail whence it is that this Jerusalem cannot be destroyed and that all which maliciously oppose it shall bâ—e vanquished and subdued as all Nations were who fought against the old Jerusalem Thirdly that God not delighting in mens destruction le ts the wicked eat the wickeds flesh and drink each others blood Hee pulled down Aram and the neigbouring Nations by Babel Babel by Persia the Persians by Alexander King of Greece and his chief Captains the Greeks the posterity of Seleucus and Ptolomy by the Romans the chief Roman rulers {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} by mutuall conflicts among themselves and by the Goths and Vandals others and at the last day will utterly destroy and abolish that wicked State with the brightnesse of his comming 2 Thess. 2.8 What befell Babylon Tyre Damascus of Aram Kir and Ar of Moab Dumah of Edom Zoan of Aegypt will at length befall Rome For among the wicked there is an eminent and superlative wicked State called the wicked one whom God will destroy Esa 11.4 and this is as Jonathan Ben Vzziel saith Armylus the Roman power saith Mr. Broughton by originall from Romulus the word denotes him with no greater change then Armathia is put for Ramath Nor can the Roman Beast fall alone the heads of divers Countries the ten Kings fall with him Rev 16.14 and their posterity turn to Christs side verse 16. Thus Christ brings them low that carry their heads full high he quels their power and demolishes their cities Fourthly Christ who hath and still doth plague his enemies observes the time of their sins being ripe for the harvest Rev. 14.15 and come to the full height and then makes them drink full cups out of the winepresse of his wrath Thus to conclude it is manifest that the New Jerusalem shall subsist and prevail and that the City which in Saint Johns time ruled over the Kings of the Earth and which would then have no King but Caesar and now would have the Pope above all Kings persisting in one and the same fin of making lawfull Princes her vassals shall still boe decaying and at last bee utterly destroyed But hence can not be concluded that the Christian Church shall enjoy on Earth such and so long felicity as Mr. Archer and some others plead for and it is probable that such prosperity would bring more damage to the Church then could affection The Churches experience hath usually found it so to doe and on good ground hath contented it self with some small measure of outward comforts sweetned with plenty and abundance of spirituall refreshments Repl. You take the term Ierusalem in a mysticall sense and decline the corporall and outward felicity of the Church with diverting us to spirituall blessings If thus you fly to Allegorizing texts and turning plain evidences for corporall matters to
16.28 Mark 9.1 and many of them might live untill what was shewed to St. John Rev. 6 by the horses and riders upon them was in some sort fulfilled The high Priest and his assistants might live to see the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God and come in or with the clouds of heaven Matth. 26.24 to punish the Jews and ruine Jerusalem as Henoch bid the old word behold God comming with thousands of his holy ones or Angels to destroy the old world Jud. 14. In the same manner the Son of man is set forth with a Crown on his head and a Sickle in his hand when bee comes to fill up the Wine-presse of his wrath Revel. 14.18 The mourning here spoken of was in part fulfilled Act. 2.37 in the Jews who seeing that is pondering in their minds how they had kild the Lord of glory as Peter there told them Were with griefe pricked at their hearts repented and beleeved in Christ Now what was done by them was and is in like manner done by all converts of all Nations whatsoever from Christs time to the worlds end Thus it appears that the passages above instanced in may bee said to bee done at the Gospels first progresse and yet must continually be done by all who become Christians in after times Instance of Mr. Mede The royall Kingdome of Christ who feeds the innumerable multitude that have palms in their hands Revel. 7.17 and Christs victory over the ten Kings vassals of the Beast Rev. 17.4 are better referred to Christs last glorious coming then to his first comming Answ The multitude with palms in their hands are converts of all nations kinreds tongues and people who praise God for their salvation Rev. 7.10.11 The like is done Revel. 5. where the redeemed out of all Nations acknowledge all power riches wisdom strength honour glory and praise to belong to Christ who sits crowned upon his throne This vision in Chap. 5. Mr. Mede himselfe holds to bee fulfilled in the beginning of the Apocalypticall times The Palm bearing multitude bee they in what time they shall continue the same course of ascribing all praise honour power c. to Christ sitting on his throne And Christ Revel. 17.14 conquering the ten Kings shews himself to bee Lord of Lords and King of Kings Now before the visions here mentioned Christ was exalted far above all principalities powers and dominations and every title and name that is named not in this world onely but in the world to come Ephes. 1.21.22 and in the very entrance of the Revelation in stiled the Prince of the Kings of the earth Revel. 1.5 Therefore the royall Kingdom and all power and honour c. begins to bee due to Christ at his first comming and must in all times afterward even to his second comming at the worlds end be ascribed unto him Instance The mariage of the Lamb Revel. 19.7 The New Jerusalem Revel. 21.9 The Lamb the light of the new Jerusalem Vers 23. are better applied to the last and glorious comming of Christ then wrested to his first comming Answ. To these Instances I purpose to answer in their due place where now I come to speak of divers passages in the two last Chapters of the Revelation Chap. VII Objections out of Revel. 21. 22. answered AMong learned expositers many controversies and doubts are moved about the two last Chapters of the Revelation I will briefly handle that which especially concerns the matter here to bee discussed Obj. Many most excellent and admirable promises are made unto Christians Apoc. 21. and 22. which must bee made good at one time or other Many of them have not yet been fulfilled therefore they are to bee fulfilled hereafter and that must bee either in the thousand years of the Churches prosperitie in which the Church and Saints of God shall reign with Christ before the end of the world or else in the world to come in heaven The promises are these of new heavens and new earth of a new Jerusalem of its being prepared and trimmed for Christ the bus band thereof of freedom from tears death sorrow pain of all things made new and many other the like Read the Chapters Answ. I grant that the promises in these two Chapters are for this life And thus by severall arguments I prove it First the new Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven and is on earth if it were to bee in heaven then it should ascend from earth to heaven which it is not said to doe And this ascending to God befals not Gods servants both in body and soulâ— untill the last judgment bee past whereas in this life the Ephesians and other converts become fellow Citizens with the Saints Ephes. 2.19 And secondly there can bee no tears in heaven which need to bee wiped away from the Saints eyes Thirdly T is on earth that the Saints thirst Revel. 21.6 and there Christ refreshes them with the water of life Joh. 4.14 In heaven they thirst not but are fully satisfied with all joy and pleasures for evermore Psal. 16. Then fourthly the Nations that are saved Revel. 1.24 walk a phrase usuall for conversing in this life in the light of Christ who is the light of the world and glory of his people Israel Luk. 2.32 And t is on earth that Kings doe their service to God and bring their people to the New Jerusalem or the true Church On earth are civill distinctions of Kings and people of master and servant but in heaven a Lazarus is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in an Angelicall condition no lesse then a great Monarch all there rest from their labours Fiftly Christ who is the wisdom of the Father is the Tree of life Prov. 31.18 and 22. Rev. 22.2 and is the life of men in this world 1 Ioh. 5.20 As hee is the spirituall Manna so hee is the fruit of this tree every moneth fed upon by beleevers Sixtly The leaves of this tree serve to heale the Nations Rev. 22.2 Now in heaven there is no account kept by moneths nor are there any sores of the Saints to bee healed or that need cure The soules of all faithfull are purified by faith in this life Act. 15.9 And their bodies lie down and leave what was sinfull and corrupt in them in the dust of the grave and rising glorious and immortall ascend to heaven Thus by these Arguments it appears that the condition of Gods people in this life is in these two Chapters declared Secondly I will shew that many passages in these Chapters which seem to belong to the Saints state in heaven expresse their happy condition not onely in the thousand years from Christs time but in all the dayes of the Gospel to the worlds end and thus I prove it First Every one that is in Christ is a new creature and not onely so but all things are become new 2 Cor. 5.17 This is answerable to Apoc.
more saw him that is invisible Thus a Christian may in this life by faith see take comfort in and rejoyce most heartily in the glorious estate of the life to come and as wee use to say have an heaven upon earth whence it is that the Church on earth is called Heaven Of which hereafter I shall speak Secondly the comforts joyes blessings of Gods people in this life are exceeding abundant his gifts {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} unutterable 2 Cor. 9.15 their rejoycing for the same is {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} unexpressible 1 Pet. 1.8 They have peace {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that passes all understanding Phil. 4.7 If they lose wife children brothers lands or the like they receive in this life {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} things an hundred fold better Mat. 19.29 And if Paul count all things dung in comparison of Jesus Christ and the enjoying of him the old Jerusalems richly beautified Temple the resplendent Jewels in the new Jerusalems walls and gates composure the gold transparent as glasse with which the streets are paved the Cry stall rivers the fruitfull trees with which the City is furnished and adorned cannot fully and to the life set forth the wonderfull glory of Gods Church in this life Let what can bee said of the Kings daughter Christs Spouse of the Churches excellency from outward matters Psal. 45. in the Song of songs and elswhere this addition Sâ— is all glorious within surpasses all So there is an ward beauty a spirituall glory superadded to the outward excellency of the Church that goes beyond the highest strains that can by words bee uttered Let but the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ the enjoyment of his favour the comforts of the holy Ghost which in this life must bee gotten by them that hope to enjoy his presence in the other world bee put into the ballance against all worldly matters to whose lustre allusion is so often made in these two Chapters they are of more weight and greater worth then all such outward things Wherefore the lofty and stately expressions in these Chapters cannot be denyed to belong to the Christian Church of which Christ is the light from his being here on earth untill he give up his government of the same at the last day and take up with him his servants to those heavenly mansions which he hath prepared for them Chap. VIII whether the binding of Satan for a thousand yeers bee already past The Question stated THE Angels which in the beginning of the world fell from their happy condition were east down into Tartarus and were there reserved in everlasting chains under darknesse to the judgment of the great day Jude 6. Therefore they are at all times so bound that they cannot work any mischief to man without especiall commission from God who gives them liberty and looses their chain so far onely as to him seems good This sometimes God doth and that either for triall of the godly as in Jobs case or for to humble them as when Paul was buffeted by Satans Messenger 2 Cor. 12.7 Or for punishment of the wicked as when Ahab bent to believe false Prophets was deceived by a lying Spirit 1 Kings 22. or upon some other the like cases Of this restraint and loosing of Satan the question is not Scripture informs us further First of an eminent and notable binding up of Satan for a thousand years after Christs time in the Abysse or bottomlesse pit wherein hee is so fast sealed up that hee cannot deceive the Nations Secondly of an eminent and manifest loosing him after the thousand yeers are ended After which time hee works much mischief against Gods people and draws the Nations in all coasts of the world into combustions of war The controversie here is whether this notable binding up of Satan bee already past or yet to come This I am now to discusse Chap. IX The famous and notable binding up of Satan is already past and is not yet to come THis position I thus prove Arg. 1. The famous kingdom of Christ and Christians and this notable binding up of Satan for a thousand years begin both together Dr. J. Alstede Mr. J. Mede Mr. Archer The Glimpse joyntly hold this undeniable But the famous Kingdome of Christ and Christians began moe years then one thousand five hundred agon as I have above proved Therefore the notable binding up of Satan began one thousand five hundred years agon and therefore is past long before our time Arg. 2. Hee that did in eminent manner by the Spirit and finger of God cast out devils and did {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} annul and undo the works of the devill and spoyled him of his power did first eminently bind Satan Matth. 12.29 Luk 11.20 c. But Christ at his being on earth above one thousand five hundred years agon did in eminent manner by the Spirit and finger of God cast out devils and annull and undo the works of Satan and spoyle him of his power Therefore Christ then bound Satan as above in an eminent manner Of Christs casting out of devils is often mention made in the Gospels as Luk 11.10 and elsewhere and this hee did in such manner that all man were astonied thereat Matth. 9.33 Mark 1.27 and never saw it in the like manner That Christ did annull and undoe the works of the devill and take from him his power is manifest The devill was the Prince of darknesse Christ was the light of the world Joh. 1.9 The devill blinded the minds of unbeleevers Christ commanded light to shine out of darknesse and gave the Nations knowledg of himself and the Gospel 2 Cor. 4.4 The devill caught men in his snares Christ by bringing men to repentance and faith freed them from those snares 2 Tim. 2.26 Zacheus of a Publican and sinner and lost man was by Christ made a son of Abraham Luk 19. So were other the like converts The Ephesians were children of wrath as other Gentiles and walked according to the Prince that rules in the ayre or darknesse but Christ inlightned the eyes of their understanding quickned them by grace saved them through faith Ephes. 1.2 The devill drew men at first into sin and thereby brought as other calamities so death on mankind but Christ by his death destroyed him that had the power of death that is the devill Heb. 2.14 and tooke away the sting of death 1 Cor. 15.55 So that Satan did but bruise Christs heele Christ crushed Satans head Thus Christ did overpower and conquer Satan in those primitive times as the Texts cited shew Arg. 3. Christ hath already become the head of all principalitie and power and spoyled them and made a shew openly and triumphed over them Coloss. 2.10 and 15. and being raised from death sate on Gods right hand and was above all principalities and powers and dominions and had all things subject to him and under
been By his example his Successors were infected with ambition pride tyranny stoutness disobedience to their Emperours lawfull Autority So that Mr. Fox saith That the Popes after this Hildebrand imitated him on the Kings of Israel did idolatrous Jeroboam Whereupon the Clergy of France said that Hildebrand ruled not by the Spirit of God but of Satan It seems that they saw Satan loose in him and his practises Pope Alexander that proudly set his foot on the Emperour Fredericks neck confirmed the wicked acts of this Hildebrand Pope Adrian said that this Frederick claimed homage of the Popes required it of them that were Gods and Sons of the high God In brief the Popes in these times did so domineer that Kings could doe little in their own Realms because the Popes exalted themselves and to get'a boundlesse autority took away all unity and concord Not England alone but Germany and France and most parts of the western world felt this to their smart had their Estates impoverished by large contributions and heavy exactions at the Popes pleasure and their blood lamentably and profusely exhausted in the wars for the holy Land as the Pope stiled them and in other combustions So that Mr. Fox averres that these courses were taken to weaken and bring low Princes and to advance and inrich the Popes And that the restlesse spirits of Romanists and especially of the later sprung brood of the Jesuites more violent then ever have raised grievous combustions in the Church there is scarce any eye so dim that doth not clearly discern Thus it appears that Satan was loosed about six hundred years agon and then deceived the world as of old and that by the means of Romanists grievous Wars and bloudshed have broken forth which may well bee tearmed the wars of Gog. And so the learned H. Bullinger esteems them and more sully relates the miseries of those wars Of the same minde is the judicious D. Paraeus and others In those Wars many of Gods Saints were vexed with the Popes pride exalting himself above Christian Princes were much afflicted injured and slain the like may bee said of other Wars which have succeeded them for the holy Land Repl. The expresse words Rev. 20.3 are that Satan shall bee loosed but for a short time in which hee deceives the Nations and promotes the wars of Gog which compasse the holy City Therefore it is an errour to make the wars of Gog of five or six hundred years continuance already past Whereas Gogs assault will bee but a sudden â—urry and last but a little time nor in those wars shall an hair of the Saints perish Arch. 34. 41. So many years cannot bee counted a shors time D. Alstede p. 36. Answ. Five or six hundred years may in Scripture phrase be termed a short time For first Where the Saints Souls under the Altar are bid to rest a little season untill their fellow servants bee killed even as they Rev. 6.11 It is manifest that the Saints of God have been â—illed much more then six or seven hundreth years as were the Christians at or near the Primitive times of whose fouls in that place is mention Secondly Five or six or seven hundred years may bee termed a a short time of the Churches sufferings if they bee compared with the eternall blisse that Gods people shall enjoy after their miseries in this life are ended In the like sense the afflictions of Gods Servants in this life how great soever are termed light and momentary in regard of the most excellent and eternall weight of glory in the life to come 2 Cor. 4.17 And thirdly so many years in regard of the thousand years of Satans restraint are a shorter time and may bee termed a short time with respect to the thousand years In this sense Dr. Alstede himself and some others take them Fourthly Christ himself saith Behold I come shortly or quickly Rev. 22.20 and yet is not hee come to make an end of the world as there of revealing matters from the Primitive times to the worlds end in which space one thousand six hundred years are already past Thus six hundred years and moe may bee termed a short time Mr. Archer here erres against plain Scripture Gogs wars shall not bee a sudden and short hurry not much harmfull to Gods Saints For God tells us that Satans rage shall bee fierce because â—ee bath but a short time Rev. 12.12 Gogs wars are in the four Coasts of the Earth and are so great and furious that God comes down himself to put an end to them and to vanquish and punish the Autor and Instruments of the War Wherefore D. Alstede more soundly holds that in these wars will be a grievous and lamentable affliction of Gods people Repl. If the wars of Gog and Magog have already lasted so long as you conceive then surely they cannot bee far from their end and the last and finall judgment must be near at hand But it is expected that there shall bee a time of great prosperity of the Church in all matters not sinfull Arch. pag. 3. and that the same time should begin within some few years and continue many hundreth years before the last day of judgment And that the Jews also shall be called and enjoy those happy times Answ. It is very probable that the day of judgment is neer For first there hath been as was foretold 2 Thess. 2. a departure front the true Religion and that most conspicuous and manifest about a thousand years after Christ and the man of sin the son of perdition the adversary of Christ the exalter of himself above all that is called God is disclosed and by good proof demonstrated Luther and many other Learned Writers some in many since his time have laid open to the world Antichrists wicked enterprises by the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and shewed how in the ages before Luther the world was gull'd by strong deâ—sioâ—s and beleeved lies Secondly the new Babel that is Rome is fallen in her honour and repute Her grand claim of universall vicarship her power over Kings her unerring judgment in matters of controvâ—rsie her vast chalenge of all power spirituall and tâ—porall and her like capitall errours are plainly by the writings of the Orthodox party confuted and by religious Princes within their own Territories taken away in good part and will daily more and more fall to the ground At Cyrus conquest of the old Babel the Kings and their Nations subject to her Scepter left her So now England Scotland Denmark a great part of Germany the Protestant Churches in France and others elswhere once under Romes yoak have already abandoned the Popes power and censure the Roman Church justly as condemned by God himself in the Apocalyps And in truth the Pope is more honoured at a distance which often beguiles the eye then in some parts of Italy and even in the territories near Rome Thirdly are not men become self-lovers proud covetous boasters blasphemers disobedient to Parents unthankfull unholy without naturall affection truce-breakers false accusers c. 1 Tim. 3.1 such as Paul there saith men would bee in the last dayes Whereas Gods servants should bee endowed with righteousnesse faith charity peace and should bee gentle apt to teach patient c. 1 Tim. 2.22 which are vertues graces in these days somewhat rare Let us therefore not be secure and cry peace peace and happy dayes but remember the worlds stupiditie in the dayes of Noah and Lot Luk. 17.27 how the world then feared nothing till judgment seised on them Let us rather watch and waite for Christs comming and appearance being confident that as Christ by the Sword out of his mouth his heavenly word the bright shining light of the Gospel hath made a great manisest â—msumption of Antichrist so by his glorious and last comming he will abolish him 2 Thes. 2.8 Matth. 25.31 And destroy them that destroy the earth Rev. 11.18 among whom Antichrist the Pope of Rome hath been and is a chiefe actor Then shall all the world see most clearly Christ to be which in truth hee hath ever been the Lord of Lords and King of Kings Revel. 19.16 Then even his enemies shall see that his Kingdom was such as could not bee shaken nor prevailed against by all their malice power and designes and hee thenceforth shalll reign in heaven with his faithfull servants in happinesse for evermore Rev. 11.15 Concerning the Jews calling to the Goâ—el I have above spoken Here onely I adde that wee should take heed of any proud or contemptuous cariage towards them They were broken off from the true Olive and wee graffed in God is able to graffe them into it again It concerns us to use all good means to win them to Christ If wee can trade to the Indies for worldly commodities why should wee not take courses for reducing some at least of that once beloved nation into Christs fold FINIS
one thousand six hundred fortie foure yet is not the one thousand years by some conceived to bee begun Some begin the great Sabbath at the end of the sixt millenary Such as live to it shall see how neer they come to the mark Elias seems to hold that the fift and sixt millenary shall bee under Christ and therefore say I by their own grounds times of much happinesse I would they were so humble as to make use of them There can be but one truth some of these to passe by others must needs misse it perhaps all of them See how our writers vary from them Mr. Brightman begins the famous 1000. years in the three hundred year of Christ Dr. Alstede in one thousand six hundred ninetie foure Mr. Archer in one thousand six hundred sixtie six or in one thousand seven hundred Others differ from these This 't is to grope after truth by a darke light or no light at all Maimonides saies well It is better that a matter of which no certain demonstration can be made should remain in doubt then in vain to dispute thereof Mor. Neb. Part. a. Cap. 16. Repl. Wee Christians use Jewish termes Gehenna for hell Paradise for heaven the day of judgment for Gods finall judicature yea Saint Peter may seem to have confirmed the Rabbins tradition by his speech of the day of judgement 2 Pet. 3.7 and of one day being with the Lord as a thousand years Let us not rashly neglect their terms Answ. Pau's rule is not to use words which mans wisdom teaches 1 Cor. 2.13 to avoyd prophane and vain jangling and opposition of science 1 Tim. 6.20 for there may bee wisdom and science falsly so cald Hee injoyns us to speak {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the words of God 1 Pet. 4.11 wholsom words of our Lord Jesus Christ doctrin according to godlinesse 1 Tim 6.3 and tending to godly edification These rules wee may observe and yet seeing Gods word speaks linguis â—ominum as men use to do so said Maimonid Mor. Neb. p. 1. c. 26. and hath frequent Metaphors Metonymies Ellipses Metaplasms and other forms and frames of speech usuall in other tongues and forain writers wee nor are nor need to bee nice in using the Rabbins phrases especially these which the New Testament doth expresly and particularly warrant by its own example or in generall by examples of like nature so that wee ever take heed that they lead us not into errour The holy Spirit is so far from scrupulositie in this kind that not onely it makes use of those Rabbinick and Jewish terms above but of Syriack also as Abba Father Maranaths the Lord comes of Roman as Legio a Legion custodia a watch of the Septuagints as {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} poyson {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Heb. 11.21 from Gen. 47. â—1 in which word the Seventie mistook and translated Matteh {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} a staffe for Mittah a bed And {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} it is a wonderfull thing Matth. 21.42 mistook also by the Seventie in Psal. 118.22 for {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} In these and some other the mastakes of the Seventie Interpreters the New Testament follows them where the errour might bee helped by recourse to the Hebrew of the Old Testament Yea the holy Ghost hath made use of some Poets speeches Tit. 1.12 Act. 17.28 and declined not the names Castor and Pollun or Dioscuri Act. 28.11 a terme superstitiously used by the Heathen So that I conceive that where God sayes yee shall not name the Heathen gods Jos. 23.7 hee intends the naming them with honour and reverence as the Heathen did Wherefore wee may use Jewish terms and forms of speeches borrowed from other nations so that wee trespasse not against the rules above Wee must ever have a diligent care as not to obey the commandements of man so not to use their terms that turn from the truth Tit. 1.14 wee must bee carefull that we do not {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} teach other doctrine then that received from Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 1.3 into which stray by-paths quaint and novell expressions do sometimes make men unawares to slip Saint Peter hath the term day of judgment 2 Pet. 2.9 and 3.7 calling it the day to which the wicked are reserved But hee rather hath it from Job 21.30 then from the Rabbins See the place As for Saint Peters speech which follows One day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day it shews that perhaps men will count God slack of his promise as of that Luk. 18.7 8. God will avenge his elect which cry day and night unto him yea though bee long forbeare hee will I say avenge them quickly A little time may seem long to a man but in regard of God himself there is no slacknesse onely in mercy hee gives men time to repent So that Saint Peter expresses the day or time of Gods longsuffering and not the day of judgements continuance to bee for a thousand years as Mr. Mede and others conceive Besides Christ â—seth as this so many other passages of Scripture misconstrued by the Jews yet needs not to refute the Jews misprision It is sufficient that Christ applies them aright Rectum est index sui obliqui The very propounding of truth will justifie it selfe and disclose what is erroneous But not to dwell longer on this matter I hold that all phrases or speeches are to bee approved or disallowed according to the ground on which they be built See what the Rabbins say for themselves in this regard Rabbi Elias saies that the world shall continue six thousand years Why so Because there be six Alephs in the fiâ—t Verse of Genesis where each Aleph stands for a thousand This reason is senselesse but if you dislike it you shall bee told from Rabbi Symeon Ben. Iaba Woe bee to him that thinks the Law containes no more in it then the â—are words import To this I say no more then that as wee must not take any thing from the Law which on good ground may bee concluded thence so wee must not adde thereunto Deut. 12.32 that is wee must not infer from the Law what the holy Spirit never intended The learned Mr. W. Schickard hath well shaken such like Jewish tricks as this Bechin Happerush pag. 146. c. Repl. A tradition agreeing with Rabbi Ketina's opinion of the worlds destruction in the seventh millenary gives us a better ground for its truth thus After six years the Jews land and people had a cessation and rest so after that six thousand years bee past in the seventh thousand years the world shall have a cessation and rest Answ. The use which God makes of the seventh years rest in Levit. 25. is much different from that of the Rabbins Namely that the Iews might know that the Land was