was in Gods place and his Deputy to direct Aaron and the Israelites and David who was Gods shepheard to govern and feed the Jews did {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} perform the best service they could for the bringing the people in those times of the world under them to a more blessed estate in another world Replicat But when the people would have made Christ a King hee did not assent thereunto but went from among them Joh. 9. Answ. The people there out of a sudden apprehension of Christs power who miraculously fed many thousands with five barly loaves and two fishes were not fit instruments nor had a calling to fit them for conferring on Christ so great a dignity Scinditur incertum studia in contrariavulgus is a true and cleare verdict upon them as the schism Joh. 10.19 plainly shews they which to-day would make Christ a King will to morrow depose him if not they some others in a like but contrary heat upon some sleight distaste will doe it Their Hosanna one day their Crucifige soon after shew the mutability of their fancy Secondly had Christ accepted of the kingdom at these few Jews instance this might have been an occasion of a grievous combustion in that seditious and discontented people because the chief Rulers of the Jews consented not thereunto and had much people blindly led by them If the chiefe builders refused the head corner stone and said Wee will not have this man rule over us and further conspired saying Come this is the heire let us kill him Christ who well knew Gods law for the government of that people would not bee made King unlesse hee was orderly called thereunto by the chief Elders and Rulers of their Tribes Thirdly Christ did not deny or publikely gainsay his being made a King but perceiving their intention to take him and make him a king hee withdrew himself and thereby both avoided civill dissention to which that people were too too prone and continued also his humble course of life that as a Lamb hee might come to the slaughter and die for us Hee well knew the time appointed for his humiliation and waited his Fathers good pleasure for his exaltation Fourthly when hee was set as a king upon the holy hill of Sion his purpose was to propagate his kingdom by other courses then suited with these peoples plots and devises Their thoughts and wayes were not Christs thoughts and wayes For his mind was to demonstrate his glorious might and Sovereignty and his Infinite and all-seeing wisdome by means in the worlds eye and humane esteem most unlikely This in his good time he accordingly peformed Object The Saints are said Apoc. 20 to raign with Christ a thouand yeeres this is not yet fulfilled Therefore there shall be hereafter a thousand yeeres of Christs raign in which the Saints shall raign with him on earth For their raign with him in Heaven is everlasting Answ. Obsrve well that 't is no where said that Christs raign on kingdom is of a thousand yeares continuance His kingdom foretold Dan. 7.14 begun long since and continues for ever hee neyer reversed his command of teaching all Nations Ever since that edict people of all Nations and languages have been called to Christianity shewed their faith by their practise and sealed their Testimony such as have been called thereunto by their deaths Secondly for the space of a thousand years after Christs time many were called in severall Nrtions and in every part of that thousand yeeres many lived and raigned with Christ and the true doctrine of the Gospel was held in some good measure untill neare the end of the thousand yeeres at which time there was a declining Mr. Fox Mart. Pres. pag. 5. Then matters grew worse and worse Fox p. 215 vol. 1. Sylvester a Sorcerer about that time held the Popes Chair And Hildebrand soon after appeared to rule not by Gods but by Satans spirit Id. pag. 237. So that soon after these wicked beginnings error and superstition spread very much in the Churches proceedings Quest When then did the thousand years of the Saints raigning with Christ end Tell us the time punctually Answ. As wee cannot design the very year and day of the beginning of Christs famous kingdom Gods setting him up King upon the hill of Sion nor doe wee hold it necessary but onely in generall aver with Scripture that it was begun in Christs life time on Earth So for the end of the thousand yeares of the Saints raigning with Christ wee will not point out the very yeare and day â— but wee say that about a thousand yeers after Christs time Satan being loosed did with the full height of his malice infuse into the Pope and his instruments Pride error and other impieties insomuch that by the Popes power and craft conjoyned the Nations in al the kingdoms of this western part of the world in great measure yeelded to the Popes supreme authority over all Kings to his pretended infallible determinations to many superstitious observances and were led blind fold into a multitude of false and currunt doctrines In this grand Apostasie Christ had faith full servants who saw Romes declining from truth and growth to an height of wickednesse These as the rest of the Saints formerly continued to inhabit the holy City the new Jerusalem though they were assaulted with bloudy and most violent persecution and were extremely oppressed and tyrannized over untill Luthers time Object The Saints are said to reign with Christ the thousand yeares in which Satan is bound Rev. 20. Their reigning with Christ imports more then when it is said that Christ reigns in or with them This their reigning with Christ hath never yet been performed For Christ hath never yet visibly and personally come again to the Earth that they might reign with him as the words import And therefore hereafter he must so come and they reign with him Archer Answ. 1. There is nothing spoken Apoc. 20. which may assure us or indeed give us any the least warrant of Christs personall and visible comming again to reign here on earth If such a matter had been it might much better have been concluded from this Lo I am with you always to the worlds end Matâ—ult Or from Christs walking amidst the golden Candlesticks Rev. 1. that is the Churches of God That hee then did perform and in the same manner which is there meant he will ever do it to the last day These speeches and the like put together would soonerafford which indeed they do not a personall presence of Christ still on earth then any speech Apoc. 20. And 2. where t is said The Saints reign with Christ on earth how can that be more emphaticall and imply more then this Wee shall suffer with Christ Rom 8.19 No man ever hence inferred that Christ must again come down from Heaven that wee may suffer with him In both speeches of reigning with and suffering with Christ
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
live godly must suffer persecution 1 Tim. 3.12 This is their portion in this life as usually Gods Word describes it The godly are trees planted by rivers Psal. 1.3 Esa. 14.8 and as trees endure many a sharp frost and bitter storm to make them take root the better They are Vines Psal. 80.9 but must bee pruned else they will bee luxuriant in boughes deficient in fruit What Son is there whom the Father chastiseth not Heb. 12.7 Christ himself hath told us how these things may bee competible and consistent In the world saith hee yee shall have trouble in mee yee shall have peace Joh. 16.33 So there may bee terrours within and fightings without but God is the comfort of his people 2 Cor. 7.5 6. The joy the quiet repose the happinesse of the faithfull is to have God for their God Rev. 21.3 And having him they can want nothing needfull things present and things to come all are theirs 1 Cor. 3.22 They shall not want any thing that will work for their good nor have any thing which may procure their harm Thirdly it is not alwayes conclusive God hath promised this or that therefore undoubtedly it shall bee fulfilled interminis according to the expresse words For first many of Gods promises bee conditionall free in the promiser and not deserved by us though by Gods work upon us wee obey him and hee fulfill his promise but many promises by mans neglect of the condition deserved to bee cut off from beeing fulfilled God promised that a man should not stand before Israel in battle Josh. 1.5 yet sometimes their sins so provoked God that the Canaanites foyled them God said that Elies house should walk before him for ever but now saith hee upon their offending him it shall not lee so They that honour me I will honour 1 Sam. 2.30 And secondly wee must ballance the promises of God made to his people with the threats against them God doth so Lev. 26. Deut. 28. Rom. 2 6. c. And makes both take effect as to him seems good These good things saith Zachary shall come to passe if yee obey the voyce of the Lord Zach. 6.15 and by the rule of contraries the evils shall come to passe if they disobey Fourthly many promises are made good to Gods people in heaven with greater advantage then they could bee on earth God promises length of dayes and prosperity to such as keep his Laws Prov. 3.1 2. yet Henoch lived not half so long as his fore-fathers and Josias had his years cut off in battle though both Religious God made them a recompence in Heaven Fifthly Temporall promises are often fulfilled in this life with much advantage in spirituall favours God promises that the wives of such as fear God shall bee as Vines on the house side their children as Olive plants about their Tables Psal. 128.3 That the meek shall inherit the Land Yet often good and faithfull men lose wives children brothers lands and the like but God then gives them spirituall graces in this life Which are a hundred fold better for them and in the life to come everlasting blessednesse Mark 10.30 Object Christ visibly and personally came first to bee incarnate secondly he so comes to receive his Kingdom and thirdly to judg all men at the worlds end Some confound the second and third comming of Christ and think there shall bee no comming of Christ to judgment but to the last and finall judgment His comming to receive his Kingdom hath been overlookt since the first hundreth years of Christ Arch. 15. p. Answ. Dr. Alstede who is most zealous in your way and ready to maintain your conclusion for the thousand years yet accords with many Expositers before him and approves but of the first and last visible and personall appearing of Christ If a middle comming of Christ could have been justifyed hee wanted neither will nor skill to have asserted it Here Mr. Archer who censures otherâ— for dim-sighted and over-looking what hee conceived hee saw will bee found not single cied but to have mistaken and made three commings of two as hee whose sight failing him said Geminis consurgit mensa lucernis that there were two candles where in truth was but one If the Texts hee brings for a second visible and personall comming of Christ at the beginning of the thousand years yet to come were in any least measure conclusive I would particularly examine them But that labour may well bee spared If hee demand Quest Is there no comming of Christ to judgment untill the last judgment I Answer There is no visible and personall comming of Christ to any other judgment Yet Christ judges and punishes the wicked of the world by bloodshed famine pestilence Rev. 6. and 18.8 and 19.2 Many remarkable wayes hee hath judged and plagued the Churches enemies on earth by his instruments as a King punishes his disobedient Subjects by his Judges and Justices yet Christ leavs not nor comes down from Heaven his Throne no more theâ— an earthly King from his palace Repl. But there is a partiall judgment at the beginning of Christs Kingdome For after this judgment the Temple is opened the Ark of the Covenant is seen there are lightnings thunders c. Rev. 11.18 This Text is manifest and proves a judgment performed by Christ when his Kingdom to come begins and before the Temples opening c. Arch. p. 13. Answ. First The judgment spoken of Rev. 11.18 is the last judgment at the worlds end for there the dead are judged small and great and therefore all of them There Gods servants according to Christs promise are rewarded and his enemies destroyers of the earth destroyed Secondly I Answer that that which followes of the Temples opening the Ark seen of lightnings and thunders and the like is but a preparation and passage to the vision next in place And may much better begin the twelfth Chapter then end the eleventh Chapter This I prove because wee finde the like addresse to other visions in this book Namely Chap. 4.1 and 5. and Chap. 8.5 such a preparation was made at the giving of the Law Exod. 19.16 Object Christs Kingdom is said to bee at the seventh Trumpet Rev. 11.15 and then all kingdoms in the world are subject unto him Arch. p. 11. Likewise after the condemnation of the great Whore and the avenging of the Saints bloodshed by her Christ is said to bee Lord of Lords and King of Kings Therefore then towards the worlds end the eminent Kingdom of Christ begins Answ. Christs eminent Kingdom began as was shewed above and from his being upon earth hee hath had the kingdom power and glory for ever But as the Lord is evidently known by executing judgment Psal. 9.16 so hee is especially known and taken notice of by men to bee King when hee in evident manner shews his power in defending his servants and in plaguing his enemies Hence it is that when hee ruined Pharaoh and his Host Moses said
is the wicked Emperâ—â—â— did persecute the Christian Church untill Constantine ruled which was about the year of Christ three hundred Secondly That Constantine imprisoned Satan that is the wicked Emperours and bound them a thousand years by so setling the government that they could not domineer over the Church as formerly In this time saith hee Antichrist reigned and the Saints lived and reigned with Christ that is embraced the Truth This period of time Rev. 20.2 lasted one thousand years Thirdly That Satan was loosed And then the Turk plagued the Roman Empire three hundred ninty five years that hee likewise vexed the false Church that of Rome and the true Church which began to appear out of the wildernesse in the year one thousand three hundred and forsook Romish superstition and opening her eyes to the truth rose from death by the first resurrection Three hundred years are now past saith hee since this began Further the Turk shall begin to fall in the year one thousand six hundred and fifty and bee quite overthrown in the year one thousand six hundred ninty five Antichrists or the Popes fall is in the year one thousand six hundred eighty six After this the Jews shall bee called and the Gentiles also come into the true Church So that seven hundred years moe being added to the three hundred above the Church shall enjoy happy times and the Gentiles continue in the truth This period of time Rev 20.4 is of years saith hee one thousand These three periods of time extend to two thousand three hundred years How long after the Jews shall continue to embrace the Truth God saith hee hath not revealed nor can any man tell But at length the world shall grow secure and wicked and then Christ will come and put an end to the Saints sufferings and patience and to the malice and misehievous practises of the ungodly against them Some truth is in these passages to it I assent First T is true that the wicked Emperours did persecute the Church untill Constantines time I adde that some of them after his time did also vex the Church T is a truth also that Constantine setled Christian government But not so say I that is continued one thousand years from his time For Rome infected the world with error about one thousand years after Christ I approve also his exposition of Antichrists reigning and of the Saints living and reigning at the same time with Christ But I hold these things not setled by him within their due limits of time T is true that rising from Romish superstition and errour is a first resurrection in some but I adde further that all rising from sin in this life is likewise a first resurrection I grant also that the Turks have much plagued Rome and that both Turks and Popes have don great mischief to the true Church and that their tyranny shall fall in due time But the just year of their fall who can tell Lastly the Jews calling and the Gentiles fuller conversion may justly bee expected and indevoured But Goe teach all Nations expresses a command to us and a duty for them ever from Christs time to the worlds end What more I do approve will appear in other parts of this Discourse with my reasons thereof That many other passages herein are unsound and groundlesse I will particularly shew First Satan himself and not the wicked Emperours his instruments is bound Rev 20.2 And lest any should mistake herein bee that is bound is expresly set forth by four titles the Dragon the old Serpent the Devill and Satan So also Rev 12.9 And secondly bee that is bound is tyed fast from deceiving the Nations Now the old and grand deceiver is Satan himself and Rev 12.9 is called as indeed hee was before Christs time the deceiver of the whole world The Emperours course was by the sword and violent meanes of war not by wiles Whence Revâ— 13.4 the brag is made who can war with the Beast Therefore Satan himself and not the Emperours was bound Secondly if Constantine bound Satan first it may as well bee said that Maxentius a cruel Tyrant Julian the Apostate Maximus and other Arrians Pâ—as the murtherer of his predecessour and other the like wicked Emperours let him loose again Secondly how could Constantine who ruled but thirty years binde Satan a thousand years it must bee Christ who by his Almighty and endlesse power could binde Satan so long a time Thirdly when Satan was cast down from heaven into the earth and Sea Rev 12 which are termed the Abysse in which hee was bound Rev 20. hee gives his power and great autority to the beast Rev 13.2 that is as most Expositors hold the secular power of Rome 1. in the wicked Emperours 2. in the Popes arrogating the same Satan therefore was bound the wicked Emperours were loose Thirdly Satan is not loosed Vntill hee Rev 20. in eminent manner deceive the Nations again whom Christ commanded the Apostles to teach what he commanded This was don about a thousand years after Christ For then darknesse overspread the face of the Church Popes pride exalted it self above all called God and tyrannized over Princes then were superâ—itious â—ites and humane inventions mixed with and preferred before Gods ordinances then nice and Scholastick disputes to little or no edification were agitated and the milk and strong meat of sacred Scriptures neglected Fourthly If the first resurrection bee the bringing of men from Popish errours to truth and a raising them from a sinfull course to an holy life â— qua pridemâ—erant alieni which was not in use with them before as Mr. Brightman sayes on Apoc. 20.5 then may it also bee termed the first resurrection when many thousand Jews and Gentiles were converted from heathenish superstition and Jewish errours and embraced the Gospel in and presently after Christs time This is rather the first resurrection then that in which men abandoned Bomish superstition three hundred years agon in the time of Marâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 John de Ganduno John Wiclif and others as Mr. Brightman would have it Fifthly Suppose it granted that three hundred years are past since popish errours were gainsaid as indeed when ever did any errour manifestly spring but God had his witnesses of truth to oppose it what glound have wee to affirm that some Gentiles shall held the truth seven hundred years moe and the Jews no man knows how long after that By this account the world should endure two thousand three hundred years after Christs time which some learned men deny others will not define nor hath Mr. Brightman any found Argument to prove it If hee urg from Apocalyps 20. the thousand years mentioned for the reigning of the Saints with Christ and then the thousand years before them for Satans binding hee may as well adde a thousand years moe in which the Saints shall bee priests of God and reign also with him For the thousand years are a third time named and by
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
Gods and they but sojourners with him Vers 23. That they might observe how God blessed them when they in the seventh yeare labored not and that it was hee that gave the encrease when they did labour and so depend on his goodnesse to them It served also to bring them to the seventh seven and so come to the Jubilee the famous year of rest So they might rather conclude that the world should stand but this also would bee but a sandy foundation fortie nine thousand years and then have a great Jubilee and rest in which the last Trumpet should sound as in the Jubilee year the Jews Trumpets were wont to doe Obj. The ancient Jews understood Esa. 2.11 and 17. of the great day of judgement where it is said and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day The later Iews speak something to the same purpose and thence they say that the Lord shall be King over all the earth Answ. In Esay 2. is an excellent prophecie of the preaching of the Gospel and of the calling of the Gentiles by the Word going out from Sion and Ierusalem This was fulfilled when God set up Christ his King on mount Sion as I proved above Peruse the Chapter ballance each passage and particle thereof and try whether there bee any the least warrant for a day of judgment of a thousand years continuance It is true that when the Gospel began to bee taught Christ was by all true beleevers exalted alone and preferred above all the high looks and loftiness of men many idolatrous and superstitious persons then turned to Christ and cast away their silver and golden Idols as there it is foretold And if any unbeleevers saw not then Christs glory they were justly to bee blamed His glory was then such and hath so continued that the gates of hell could never prevaile against it It is true that many worldly Potentates then strove to exalt themselves above Christ and were highly exalted by others saying Who is like this our Lord who can war with him But Christ in due time did manifest that these brags were vain and foolish Because Christ by overthrowing them will shew his might to bee far above them and that all their forces are inconsiderable And at the day of judgment when all quick and dead shall stand before him all both small and great shall see and consesse him alone to bee exalted But neither in Esay 2. nor in the whole prophecie is there any ground for two resurrections and a day of judgment between them of a thousand years continuance Obj. The Rabbins think the title of Psal. 92. Lâ—jom â—assâ—abat for the day of the Sabbath to bee the argument of the Psalme and to be understood of the Sabbath of a thousand years Answ. Wee find the Rabbins often extravagant in their opinions therefore their bare affertion cannot bee a sufficient warrant unto us they say that Psal. 92 is for the day that shall bee all rest On Talm. Sanedr Ch. 11. and adde that a thousand years in Gods sight are but as yesterday from Psal. 90.4 Wee must attend more why they thus speak then that they thus speak and try what they say against their assertion thus I argue First if the title of the Psalm import that it was onely for the Sabbath of the thousand years that is then to bee used as the title Libnei Korch implies a Psalm to bee used and sung by the sons of Koreâ— how is it that some Rabbins say that it was sung by Adam in the evening before the Sabbath after the promise made to him and others say it was sung in the Sanctuary by the Levits Secondly If the title bee so expounded that Lejom Hassh meane concerning the Sabbath as the objection intimates by making this title the Argument of the Psalm this cannot bee For the Psalm intreats not of the thousand years of Christs reign making it such as some now doe Yea it speaks of Gods being the most high and the King exalted above all not for a thousand years but for evermore and touches matters usuall in the gracious course of Gods governing the world and his goodnesse to man in the same Thirdly What day is all rest none I think on this earth Here the Church is militant The dead that die in the Lord rest from their labours Revel. 14.13 The time of all rest is in heaven onely 4. The speech of a thousand years being but as yesterday in Psalm 90. hath no more reference to the title of this Psalm then Harp and Harrow have each to other Fiftly The 90 Psalm speaks of mans birth his flourishing his decay If hee live threescore and ten or eightie years as men did in Moses in Davids in our times his dayes seeme as soon past as a thought To it they are compared If man could live a thousand years as Adam almost did these in Gods sight are but as yesterday as a watch in the night that are past What are they to God that is eternall Sixtly what reason hath any one to refer the words of a thousand years being as yesterday more to the seventh thousand years then to the fourth sift or sixt thousand years of the world Obj. Wee desire the conversion of the Iews and is it not the easiest way to deale with them for the same end not to wrest plain Prophecies which pertain to the last and glorious comming of Christ to his first comming So that wee hold the main truth and prove to them that Iesus of Nazaret was the true Messias and that they ought not to expect any other Answ. Here Mr. Mede answers himself saying That a Christian must consent no further to the Jews then his profession rightly I suppose grounded on Gods truth will give him leave The rule is good Now let us try what things hee holds to belong to the second comming of Christ not to his first as others affirme First Instance in Mr. Mâ—de in Revel. 1.7 it is said That Jesus Christ who bath washed us from our sins by his blood comes in the clouds of heaven and every eye shall see him even they that have crucified him and all Tribes of the earth hall mourn before him These passages are verified onely at Christs last and glorious comming Answ. The mourning of all kinreds of the earth in regard of their sins for whose expiation Christ was crucified is foretold Matth. 24.30 and Luke 21.27 where it is also said that hee comes with power and great glory {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} with or upon the elouds of heaven that is say the Rabbins the Angels Coch-Nathon Sanedr pag. 370. answerable to Jude 14. Where God comes with thousands of his holy ones This was fulfilled before that generation passed Mat. 24.34 Luke 21.32 Some that heard Christ preach are told that they should not taste death untill they saw the kingdom of God come with power Matth.
is extinct before the famous kingdom of Christ begins And if the false prophet and all his retinue bee cast into hell before the thousand years I suppose them in a prison whence there can bee no escape much lesse a returne to a flourishing estate on earth Obj. In the famous thousand years the Nations shall not bee seduced by Satan But the Nations yea both Jews and Gentiles were seduced very much in the thousand years after Christs ascension for then rose Simon Magus Nicolaitans Menandrians Valintinians Novatians Anrians Donatists and sundry other hereticks These wonderfully seduced the world before that thousand years were ended Ans. Wee must know that when t is said that Satan was cast down from heaven the meaning is that hee was cast out from deceiving heavenly minded men in the Church They resisted him and abode stedfast in the faith And that when t is said he was â—st down to the earth and fast bound in the bottomlesse pit then because it is said also woâ— it to the inhabitants of the Earth and Sea Revel. 12.12 hereby was denoted the devils prevailing over men of earthly and unquiet minds Among whom was Simon Magus who to bee accounted a great man deceived the people Such also were the Nicolaitans men of lustfull demeanour such were Novatus and his followers who out of their pride thought themselves holier then all other men such was Donatus who missing of the Bishoprick of Carthage fell into hereticall doctrines many other hereticks in severall nations were caught in the devils snares and led captive by him But Satan could not then deceive the nations universally as formerly The Gospel was spread into countries far and near Repl. There doth not appeare any considerable conversion of the Nations in the thousand years after Christs time hee neither then nor since hath subdued all the sons of Seth Numb. 24.17 nor shewed himself to bee the Prince to whom the people of the world should bee gathered and yeeld their obedience Gon. 49.10 Alstede pag 40. Answ. Christ shewed that hee should and ought to have a people gathered out of all Nations when hee bad the Apostles and their successors Go and teach all Nations what hee commanded them And surely hee would not give such a commission in vain or upon weak grounds or out of its due time The Apostles then also caused the sound of the Gospel to go out into all the world Rom. 10.18 Paul wrote to the Romans Corinthians Galatians Ephesians c. In Christs name teachers came to Samaria Antioch Caesarea Crete Pamphilia Pisidia Lycaonia Babylon Macedonia Achaia Dalmatia Spain Scripture mentions all these and moe Cities and countries to whom the Gospel came And if so many parts of the world as Scripture mentions were instructed by Paul and his fellow labourers wee may justly conceive were stories of these times silent that many moe Cities and Kingdomes were taught by all the twelve Apostles and those that they sent forth to spread the Gospell This manifestly appears by the song Apoc. 5.9 where the redeemed acknowledge themselves to bee of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Wee see hence therefore that Christ did exparietare as Dr. Alstede according to Mr. Broughton whom hee calls his learned master for the Hebrew tongue translates Numb. 24.17 unwall all the sons of Seth that is all the Nations of the world or rule over them as the Rabbins say Coch. pag. 377. for hee broke down the partition wall that kept out the Gentiles Ephes. 2.14 So that whosoever feared God in any Nation was accepted Act. 10.33 Of the far spreading of the Gospel many fathers speak Prayer to God saith Justin Martyr was made in Christs name in all parts of the world Dial. with Tryph. The doctrine of Christ saith Tertullian ubique porrigitur ubique ereditur was every where propagated every where beleeved It was carried home by the converts of all nations Act. 2. Tertul. lib. contr. Iudaeos The Gospel was taught {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} on the Theater of the whole world Clem. Alex. protrept. 2. It did {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} overcome all Euseb. Hist. 2.14 The Gospel preached at the first did presently {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} possesse the whole world Diod. Episc. Tarsens And Aretas Chap. 60. on the Apocalyps saith that {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} the knowledge of Gods will in all the world shewed that Satan was then bound And I adde from Revel. 20. that if this bee so it shews also that then the Saints reigned with Christ in all the world Wherefore the spreading of the Gospel among the Jews and Gentiles was a thousand five hundred and moe years agon accomplished and is still to bee more and more accomplished Because Christs command of teaching of Nations is still in force and because Christ then riding on his white horse conquered and goes on still to conquer Revel. 6.2 Nor did the converts in all parts of the world leave their owne habitations to go to Canaan as some conceit the Jews at least should do but did {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} dwell as formerly in their own countries Idem Diod. in Photii Bibl. pag. 691. Object The Jews have been more seduced in the years since Christs ascension then before They are extremely bent against Christianitie and wander still in grosse darknesse of mind The ten Tribes captived by Assur have heard nothing concerning Christ Alst pag.38 They are all lost Arch. 27. T is a hard censure utterly and wholly to exclude them from communion with Christ Alst pag.39 Answ. It is most true that many Jews were and are very much overwhelmed with errour and blindnesse yet did a great part of them beleeve the Gospel at or neer Christs time The distinction of Jew and Gentile much more of Judah and Israel was taken away after Christs death So that the title Jew in those times and afterwards comprehended all of that Nation of what Tribe soever Now it is said Act. 2. that there were Jews of all nations under heaven at Jerusalem These then learned the Gospel of Christ by the miraculous gift of the Holy Ghost and carried the sound thereof into their own countries into Parthia Media Persia Mesopotamia Pontus Cyrene and the other places there mentioned as Tâ—rtullian above truely said Atone Sermon Acts 2. were converted three thousand soules and Acts 4.6 others in number five thousand The frequent Sermons of the Apostles doubtlesse converted many moe Wee read Act. 21.20 that many myriads or many times ten thousand Jews beleeved If the Apostles and others taught the Gospel in all parts of the world and it pleased God to worke wonderfully with them as wee read in expresse Scripture hee did with some of them doubtlesse in all parts where they came many of severall Tribes were converted Secondly more particularly for the ten Tribes First Many of Ephraim and Manasseh and Simeon fell to
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
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
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
this means hee will make the world continue three thousand three hundred years from Christs time Hee may likewise make the woman Rev 12.6 and 13. fly twise into the wildernesse because there her flight is twise mentioned In this way I think Mr. Brightman will walk without company Sixthly Concerning the Turks Mr. Medes opinion is more probable first that their dominion began when Tangolipex was made King in the year one thousand fifty seven not in the year one thousand three hundred as sales Mr. Brightman Secondly that from the year one thousand fifty seven count three hundred ninety six years moe which come to the year one thousand foure hundred fifty three and then in this very year the Turks took Constantinople and rose to greater might and not began to fall as Mr. Brightman affirms they should after three hundred ninty six years Thirdly the Text is expresse that upon the times mentioned Apoc. 9.13 they should kill the third part of man whereas the Text hath not one word of their fall nor is the ruin of the Turkish Empire foretold in what year it should fall saith Mr. Mede And again Mr. Mede still holding his accustomed ingenuity gives another sense of Apoc. 9.15 thus The Turks will bee prepared for a fit time to wit for a day a moneth and a year to kill the third part of men And surely this sense is more probable then the other depending upon the exposition of each day for a year which is not to take place except somthing in the Prophecy lead us thereunto Seventhly If the ten horned beast Rev 13.1 bee not the Popes as they are Clergy men but the secular Rulers of Rome then Mr. Brightman erres in making this beast to expresse Antichrist or the Popes onely Secondly hee erres in saying that this beast began in the year three hundred and six whereas the Caesars began before and were in Saint Johns time For it is said of the seven heads that five are past that one is Rev 11.10 that is the Cesars And then thirdly if this beast bee to rule two and forty moneths in Mr. Brightmans sense they must begin in or before Saint Johns time and so must bee ended many years agon though his account for the wounded beasts cure bee taken in to make the summe swel Other exceptions against Mr. Brightman will in part appear elsewhere in this Discourse Chap. V. Dr. J. Alsteds and M. H. Archers accounts about the times in the Apocalyps and Daniel propounded and refuted DOctor Alstede layes his plot for the account of times thus Daniels seventy weeks end at Jerusalems ruine in the year of Christ 69 Adde thereunto the dayes after this desolation Dan. 12.11 that is so many years 1290 These two summes make up the years of the Churches affliction 1359 Then follow the dayes that is years which make them happy who live unto them 1335 These two summes reach unto the year of Christ 2694 The last thousand of the years in the summe last above mentioned are the thousand years in Apoc. 20. in which Satan is bound and the Church flourisheth So that this thousand years begin in the year 1694. Mr. Archer thus frames his accounts of these times page 47. Julian set up the abomination of desolation in the year of Christ 366 To this adde the account of dayes that is years Dan. 12.11 at the end whereof the Jews shall bee called to Christ 1290 Then adde also 45 years moe part of the 1335. Dan. 12.12 45 These three summes amount to about years 1700 Then in the year 1700. Satan is bound and the Churches happinesse begins After this follow the wars of Gog and Magog So that the world ends not before but some time after the year 2700. Mr. Archer brings us another account page 51. that if one misse the other may hit Thus it stands The Papacy begun and the ten Kingdoms arose in the year of Christ 406 The Papacy continues years 1260 So that the Papacy is ruined in the year 1666 Then begin the years of Satans binding in which the Saints reign with Christ in much prosperity These are years 1000 Then follow the wars of Gog and Magog after which the last and sinall judgement comes so that these wars are not before the year of Christ 2666. These accounts of time I hold to bee many wayes faulty First Daniels weeks end not at Jerusalems fall by Titus Arg. 1. Jerusalems wall is built and the Messias slain after seven weeks and 62 weeks Dan. 9.26 and in the half of the one week remaining the Messiah puts an end to sacrifice and oblation There is the end of the seventy weeks But the destruction of Jerusalem was thirty and odde years if not forty after Christs death which did put an end to sacrifice and oblation Therefore the seventy weeks cannot end at Jerusalems fall by Titus Arg. 2. The Covenant with many at which the seventy weeks end was confirmed in the half of the one week which remained after the seven and sixty two weeks Dan. 9.27 But this Covenant was confirmed by Christ at his death and resurrection Therefore the seventy weeks end at Christs death and not at Jerusalems fall above thirty years after Object T is said Dan. 9.27 That in the one week remaining after the seven and sixty two weeks the abomination of desolation shall be powred on the City Jerusalem Therefore the seventy weeks end at the destruction of Jerusalem Answer The one week the last of the seventy ends as in the Text is plain when by Christ the Covenant is confirmed and sacrifice caused to cease by his death That which is added concerning the abomination of desolation powred on the City shews as Mr. Brightman on Dan. 12.11 well saith the Jews punishment for killing the Messias and that Christ by confirming a new Covenant and by his death putting an end to legall ceremonies declared that there should bee no need of the old Jerusalem There is not nor needed there to bee an expression of any time foretelling the ruin of the City By story it fell forty or neer forty years after Christs death and in this time the Apostles called some Jews to repentannce and faith in Christ that Christs blood might not bee upon them all to their eternall ruine Secondlly Dr. Alsiedes opinion fails in making the daies one thousand two hundred and ninty Dan. 12.11 to take place at Jerusalems destruction by Titus Arg. 1. Those daies one thousand two hundred and ninty take place upon the taking away of the daily sâ—crisice and setting up the abomination of desolation But these both were doâ— by Antiochus Epiphanes many years before Jerusalems ruin by Titus Therefore they may not bee referred to the destruction of Jerusalem after Christs time by Titus But here perhaps it will bee objected The setting up of the abomination of desolation spoken of in Daniel is in Mat. 24.15 Mark 13.14 and Luk. 21.20 expresly referred to the Romans and their Soldiers
him and rode firth conquering and to conquer Rev. 6.2 This hee judges to bee in the beginning of the Apocalypticall times And that it was so I have above proved In the latter end of his Kingdom Christ makes an absolute conquest over the beast and â—alse Prophet and casts them into the fiery Lake and brings all men to judgment and then delivers up his Kingdom of governing and defending his Church in this world to his Father And they reign together eternally with the Saints in a setlâ—d and blessed estate Secondly I conceive the terms at his appearing and in or at his kingdom to bee in sense at his manifest appearing to bee the great King And that the form of speech is duobus pro uno positis by putting two expressions for one So Thunders and voices Rev. 8.5 are put for thundring or loud voices as both Mr. Mede and Mr. Brightman expound that place The reason why I thus understand it is because Christ ever truly the great King then appears manifestly to bee the great King indeed by an absolute conquest over the Churches enemies and by over-comming death and by bringing as the great and onâ—y King the whole world to judgement Object In Dan. 7.9 and Rev. 20.4 Thrones are said to bee set up and judgment given to the Saints who are said to judg the world 1 Cor. 6.2 and the Saints to obtain the Kingdom that is to live and reign with Christ Besides in Dan. 7.13 14. and Luk. 21.24 it is said That Christ shall appear in the clouds of heaven and have power glory and kingdom given him so that all people Nations and languages shall serve him and that these things shall come to passe when the times of the Gentiles shall come to an end That is when the little born Dan. 7.11 namely Antichrist is overthrown Therefore Christs glorious Kingdom and the Saints reign with him takes not place untill the Popedom bee ruined Answ. In Dan. 7.9 the Thrones that is those of the four beasts are said to bee so our new translation hath it cast down and the Antient of daies to sit on his Throne Hee gives judgement to the Saints that is on their party or inables them to maintain their party against the little horn that domineered over them before for a time times and half a time The Saints therefore in those daies after Antiochus his armies were defeated set up Gods worship again 1 Macc. 4. and maintained their cause against the body of the fourth Beâ—st which was then hornlesse Dan. 7.11 and 26 So that it began to decay and was consuming daily unto the end This the Jews Gods people did untill the Son of man came in the clouds of heaven and received the â—ternall kingdom Dan. 7.14 which began as was above proved one thousand five hundred years agon Secondly How Christs Kingdom so long agon begun the Saints judged and reigned I have likewise declared Thirdly Christs glorious comming to judgment is sometimes to bee understood of vengeance and punishment insâ—icted on the world for their sins So the Lord is said Judg. 14. To come with thousands of his holy ones to give judgment against all men and to rebuke the ungodly c. when hee drowned the old world So Christ comming with power and great glory in these Texts of Daniel and Luke may expresse his comming with vengeance against the Romans and Jews that kild him and opposed the Gospel For it is said Luk. 21 22 and 32. That that age and generation should not passe untill all those things were fulfilled Besides it is not said that Christ shall not so come untill the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled but untill Jerusalem bee trodden under foot by the Gentiles and the power of heaven Sun Moon and Stars that is the government of that people bee shaken This was don when Jerusalem was overthrown Repl The sense of Luke 21.32 may bee {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} this people Nation kindred of the Jews shall not passe or cease to be a Nation or people untill these things bee fulfilled The word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} so signifies Ans. The word {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} expresses Dor generation in the old Testament a hundred times It is sometimes also put for Gnam Mispaâ—haâ—h Mâ—ledeth people nation progeny But then commonly it intends and denotes the Nation or family then living which is all one in meaning with Generation In this sense The People and Nation and race of men now living shall not passe or be extinct untill all these things be accomplished Repl If you deny the Texts Dan. 7.9 22. Rev 20.4 to expresse the great day of judgment Christs comming in the clouds with power and great glory and the Saints with him to judge the Earth and abolith Antichrist with the brightnesse of his comming in the thousand years yet to come you undermine the pillar of Evangelicall faith concerning the glorious comming of Christ Answ God is known by executing judgment Psalm 9.16 Not by the great and sinall judgment onely but by other particular judgments also on mankind Some Jews might mis-conceive of Gods dealing towards them and be perswaded that they should in or at Christs time get their necks from under the yoak of their oppressors But when they saw Jerusalem in that age ruined many Jews cruelly slain the rest grievously disperst how could they but think and you now conceit that God then sate gloriously in judgment against them who were grown as secure as they in the old world Mat. 24.37 Luke 17.26 As this judgment was conspicuous and shewed the great power and glory of Christ and verified Christs speech of some then standing by him who should not taste death untill they saw Christs kingdom come with power Mark 9.1 So I verily believe that Christ will come in the clouds or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} with clouds of witnesses Mark 14.62 and great power to judge and destroy Antichrist and all his Churches enemies Apoc. 20.9 Thus doe I endeavour to hold up the pillar of Evangelicall truth and in no wiâ—e undermine it Christ I say hath already by the brightnesse of his comming in the word preached given Antichrist such a blow that hee shall never lick himself whole and will in his good time bring him to utter confusion What was done in the thousand years I have above sufficiently unfolded Object Justin Martyr tels Trypho the Jew that himself and all Orthodox Christians knew the resurrection of the body and the thousand years in which Jerusalem should be re-edified adorned and inlarged according as Ezekiel and Esay had prophecied of a thousand years in which shall bee a new heaven and new earth So that Jerusalem is made to triumph and the dayes of Gods people to bee as the dayes of the tree of life In these words saith Justin we hold that the thousand years are implicitly pointed at He further
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
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.