Hosanna to the son of David, or, A testimony to the Lord Christ shewing his rule and reign over the people of the Jews upon earth a thousand years together with his second personal appearance proved from the Scripture of truth : with a general word of life from the point to saints and sinners / by Samuel Grosvenour.

Hosanna to the Son of David: Or, A Testimony to the Lords Christ.

THe most wise God of Heaven and Earth hath so ordered and disposed of all truth revealed in his word, that every truth throughout all generations hath broke forth in its due season: and truely this truth that I am now speaking of, it doth more particularly concern the Saints of the last times. I shall make it appear, how all along this truth hath been testified unto from the first to the last: we shall begin with Gods promise unto Abraham, the thirteenth of Genesis, and the fifth verse; And the Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said unto Abraham after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, Northward, and Southward, and Eastward, and Westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. This land was the land of Canaan which God pro∣mised Abraham; yea, and a promise that is yet to be fulfilled.

Object. Abraham was in the Land of Canaan, and his seed after him.

Answ. It is true; but in what condition? they were strangers, and Pilgrims there, and this they confessed, and therefore this could not be a possession of it.

Ob. I, but God in promising Abraham the Land of Ca∣naan, it was a Type of the heavenly Canaan.

Answ. It is true, Abraham had an eye of faith to see into the promised rest, as all the seed of Abraham that are spiri∣tual Jews have; However, there is more then this in the promise.

For, observe how God cites this promise unto him: it is said, After that Lot was separated from him. I do not que∣stion but that Lot belongeth unto the general Assembly, and Church of the first-born, whose names are written in Hea∣ven, but yet Gods Covenant must be with Abraham: now observe the promise, For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever; now we know that all the Types of the Law, as that of the bloud of Bulls, and Coats, and others, they did all center in Jesus Christ, and so every true believer hath entered into that rest: but consider what the Lord saith, The Land which thou seest, the breadth and length of it, will I give unto thee, and to thy seed for ever. And you shall finde in many places of Scripture, that when the Lord promises to bring back a∣gain the Captivity of the Jews, (he saith) I will bring them into their own Land: a Scripture as clear as the Sun, for this, you may see in Jer. 23.5, 6, 7, 8. Behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto Da∣vid a righteous branch, and a King shall reign and pros∣per, and execute Justice and Judgement in the Earth. In his dayes Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our righteousnesse: and in vers. 8. They shall dwell in their own Land. So that here is both the two Tribes, and the ten Tribes promised to enjoy their own Land again, which is the Land of Canaan, under the rule and reign of that righteous branch unto David, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, for it is said, he must execute Justice and Judge∣ment in the earth. That Christ is that branch spoken of, you may see plainly in the eleventh of Isaiah, the first verse: the whole Chapter is a sweet discovery of the Kingdom of Christ; and in the ninth verse (he saith) The earth shall he full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the

Sea. We shall now begin with all the Prophets that have spoken in the name of the Lord: and that the Lord might be justified out of the mouths of the wicked, stand forth wic∣ked Balaam in the 24th. of Numbers, and the third verse, And he took up his Parable, and said, Balaam the Son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said. Pray observe in the first place, it is said in the second verse, that the Spirit of God was upon him: from whence I would in∣ferre this, that a Soul by the common enlightning of the Spi∣rit may come to see into this and other glorious truths, and therefore it ought to be our care, that we have not onely that Spirit upon us, but the Spirit in us; and as Christ saith, Rejoyce not that the Spirits are subject unto you, but ra∣ther that your names are written in heaven: so I say, Rejoyce not in thy knowledge of this Kingdom, but rather that Je∣sus Christ is King in thy heart, whereby thou comest to have assurance that thou hast an Interest in this glorious spi∣ritual Kingdom, when Jesus Christ shall come to be admi∣red in all them that believe. But to go on where we lest Balaam, in the seventh verse: He shall pour the water out of his buckets; (speaking of Jacob) and his seed shall be in many waters, and his King shall be higher then Agag, and his Kingdom shall be exalted. Jesus Christ shall be higher then all the Agags, and Nimrods, and Potentates of the Earth. For he is the great and onely Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, 1 Tim. 6.15. Moses also did by faith perceive what God would do for his Israel in the last dayes, as you may see in Deut. 33.26, 27, 28, 29. Hannah in her sweet song of deliverance prophesies of Christ, and of his Kingdom, 1 Sam. 2.10. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them; the Lord shall judge the ends of the Earth, and he shall give strength unto his King, and exalt the horn of his anointed. Mark, friends, the Exaltation of Christ it lieth in the destru∣ction, of his implacable enemies, Ps. 110.1. The Lord said un∣to my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand untill I make thine Enemies thy footstool: he shall give strength unto his King:

Jesus Christ is the King of Gods own appointment, a King that God hath given unto his subjects, Isa. 9.6, 7. For unto us a Childe is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his Nme shall be called, Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of peace. Of the in∣crease of his government and peace, there shall be no end, upon the Throne of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order it, and to stablish it with Judgement and Justice, from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this. That same Jesus that is the King of his Saints and people, that Jesus shall also be the King over all the Nations: Rev. 3.21. To him that overcometh, will I give to sit with me on my Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father on his Throne. So that here you may see that Jesus Christ hath a Throne, which he calls more properly his Throne. Now what this overcomer shall do, you may see in Rev. 2.26, 27. To him will I give power over the Nations; agreeing with that Pa∣rable that Christ spake of, concerning the Lord and his ser∣vants: to him that had gained ten Talents, his Lord saith, Be thou ruler over ten Cities; and to him that had gained five, over five. But let us a little consider this sweet Prophecie of the ninth of Isaiah. Some Expositors have much reasoned whether they should call Isaiah a Prophet, or an Evangelist. And truly, though all these names that are given unto Christ be sulfilled in respect unto his people in the state of Grace, (for he is the wonderful Counsellour of his people in all straits and difficulties, and he is the mighty God, for his own arm hath brought salvation, and he is the everlasting Fa∣ther, and he is the Prince of peace; for Christ onely is a be∣lievers peace) but it is said, He shall be King upon the Throne of David. Now ye know that the Throne of Da∣vid it was in the Land of Judea over the people of the Jews, this is the Throne which Jesus Christ shall have.

Object. How can that be? for Jerusalem is destroyed.

Answ. Though it be, yet we have the promise of God

for it, that it shall be again inhabited, Zech. 12.6. And Je∣rusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. Yea, we finde that at Christs second personal ap∣pearance, it is said that his seet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem, Zech. 14.4. and in the same day you finde that he shall be King over all the earth, and there shall be one Lord, and his name one, in the 9. verse. We know also, that as Solomon in his succession to the Crown was a sweet Type of Christ, so likewise in re∣spect of his peaceable Kingdom, and therein Christ shall well be called the Prince of Peace. Now it is very much to our purpose to consider with what difficulty Solomon did at∣tain unto the Crown; you have the story in the 1. of Kings, chap. 1. the whole Chapter is very remarkable: you finde that Solomons mother in the 17. verse comes unto King David, and she said unto him, My Lord, thou swarest by the Lord thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solo∣mon thy Son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my Throne, the 18. verse, and now behold, Adonijah reigneth. Observe, it is the woman that prevailes with David, and surely it must be the woman (even the Church) that must prevail with God for the exaltation of Jesus Christ, for she is said to travel with the man-childe, in the twelfth of the Revelation, and she brings him forth at last in verse 10. Now is come salvation and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: no more accusings then of Satan; no, no, the accuser of the brethren is cast down. Now observe how the woman and the Churches and Saints of Christ may agree together in their Petition: for as she said, My Lord, thou swarest that thy Son Solomon should reign, so may the Church say, Lord, thou hast sworn that thy Son Jesus Christ shall reign, in the 89th. Psalm, verse 3, 4. Well, what follows? And now (saith she) behold, Adonijah reigneth. This word, Behold, it is an ex∣pression of admiration; Behold, my servant whom I have chosen (speaking of Christ.) Truely, it should be matter of admiration unto the Sons and daughters of Zov, that the

Lord should have so much patience as to afford the Kings of the earth that time which is allotted unto them, but the Lamb shall at last overcome them; we finde that when Bath∣sheba had done, then came in also Nathan the Prophet, and he comes with the same story: certainly the true Prophets of God they will in all generations joyn with the Church in that which concerns the glory of God; and hereby we may come to know who are the false Prophets, and who are the true. The false Prophets they cry up the beast, and wonder after the beast; but the true Prophets they cry up Jesus Christ, and admire at his excellency, and are forced to cry out, Who would not fear thee, O thou King of Nations! Jer. 10.7. and as you read in the following Chapters, of the miserable end that did follow them that helped to Crown Adonijah, so be assured that nothing but misery and de∣struction will be the end of them that are enemies to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ: But as for those mine enemies that would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me. This will be Christs sen∣tence unto such his enemies at his appearance. It is my de∣sire to run through the whole current of Scripture, that the Reader may be surnished against all Gainsayers. The next Scripture that hints unto this truth, is in Job 19 25. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, verse 26, 27. yet in my flesh shall I see God, my eyes shall behold him: this was the comfort of Jobs knowledge, that he knew that Christ was his Redeemer. O man, or whoever thou art that readest, what doth thy Soul say to this? canst thou say as Job said? hath Christ given thee an entrance into his everlasting King∣dom of Grace? believe it, otherwise this truth will afford thee little comfort: he doth not say, A Redeemer, or THE Redeemer, but MY Redeemer, and this Redeemer shall stand upon the earth; yea, (saith he) mine eyes shall be∣hold him: for our vile bodies shall not be taken away from us at Christs appearance, but as Paul saith, they shall be changed and made like unto his glorious body. And

now we come to the 2. Psalm, where you have a plain de∣monstration of Christ and his Kingdom, vers. 6. Yet have I set my King upon my holy Hill of Zion: as sure as ever this was performed in his state of Humiliation, so shall it surely be accomplished in his Exaltation, Acts 4.25. yet this Psalm doth more particularly point at his Exaltation, when he shall come the second time without sin unto salvation: for it is said in the 9. verse, Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron; agreeing to that which is said in another place, By the breath of his mouth he shall slay the wicked; yea, we finde sometimes that God hath so revealed this truth in his word, that it cannot well be understood spiritually, unlesse we will turn Scriptures into Allegories, as in Psalm 47. where the very Translators or Expositors of the Bible have helped us with this Exposition: The Nations are exhorted cheerfully to entertain the kingdom of Christ. In the 2. verse it is said, He is terrible, and a great King over all the earth, whereas Christ as he is King to his people, he is the Prince of peace, Isa. 9.6. but see the work that this King is to do, in v. 3. He shall subdue the people under us, and the Nations under our feet: this will be more especially done at his se∣cond glorious appearing, agreeing to that in Dan 12.1. And another thing that you may take notice of in the Psalm, is in v. 9. where he saith, The Princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham. By Princes here I understand the Saints of God, for they are made Kings and Priests by Christ unto God the Father, as the Apostle saith, If ye be Christs, then are ye Abrahams, seed and heirs according to the promise, Gal. 3.29. that it is spoken of the Saints that shall rule and reign with Christ as Princes, you may see in Isa. 32.1. Behold, a King shall reign in righte∣ousnesse, and Princes shall rule in judgement. Second verse, and a man shall be as an hiding place from the winde, and a covert from the Tempest: this is the Man Christ Jesus, born of the Virgin Marie, crucified, dead, and buried, and ascend∣ed: for as he suffered as God-man in the earth, so he shall be exalted as God man upon the earth, witness his own words,

who is truth it self, Mark. 13.26. And they shall see the Son of man coming in the Clouds, with great power and glory. Christ so coming as he is the Son of David, and the Son of Abraham. Now the place whereunto he shall gather all his people, it is said to be the excellency of Jacob, which is in the Land of Canaan. The next Psalm that speaks of this truth, is 67. 4. O let the Nations be glad, and sing for joy: why, what is the matter? it follows: For thou shalt judge the people righteously; and lead the Nations upon earth. It cannot be denied, but that Christ doth govern and dispose of all things, now: but this points at his very personal being as God-man upon the earth, vers. 6. Then shall the earth yield her increase; I cannot believe that the earth doth now yield the same increase that it did before the fall of Adam, but certainly God will make the earth as glori∣ous for the second Adam as ever he did for the first. You have also a plain Prophesie of his Kingdom, Psalm 72. But I passe to the second of Isaiah in the second verse: And it shall come to passe in the last dayes, that the Mountain of the house of the Lord shall be exalted in the top of the Mountains: agreeing to that in the fourth of Micah, the first. The Scripture maketh a difference between the latter dayes, and the last dayes: Christ saith, As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the dayes of the coming of the Son of Man.

Object. But is not Christs second coming, called the judgement of the great day, as in the sixth of Jude? where then is any room for dayes?

I answer, that this day of judgement may as well be ta∣ken for the thousand years rule of Christ as for one days and the Scripture doth bear witnesse that there is no difference as to God, second of Peter, the third and eighth verse, One day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day: in the fourth verse, And he shall judge among the Nations, and shall rebuke many people. Here he is brought in performing his Kingly office upon the Throne of his father David amongst the Nations: the glorious ef∣fects

of this his Kingdom you have in Isa. 35. The whole Chapter is a most glorious Prophesie of the Kingdom of Christ, not onely internally in the spirit of his people, but also externally in the world.

Object. Was not this already performed when Christ came in the flesh, when the deaf did hear, and the blind see, and the lame leap?

Answ. Though the Prophesie hath a special eye unto that time, and was specially fulfilled then, yet it reacheth unto a higher dispensation, as will appear if we consider the 8th. verse, and the 10th. verse: in the 8th. verse it is said, And an high-way shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holinesse. I know not the like expres∣sion again in all the Scripture, where the way of holinesle is called an high-way; I do believe that when Christ spake of the straight way and narrow Gate that leadeth unto life, that he meant the way of holinesse: now we know that an high way it is a broad way, and a plain way; and yet rightly con∣sidered, they do not oppose each other: for while the Prince of the power of the aire (which is the Devil) doth rule and bear sway in the world, he (as all other Kings have) hath his high way, which is the high way; of sin, error, and pro∣sanesse, and there are multitudes that are found galloping in this way: but the way of holinesse is so strait, that he that walks in that way must walk alone; but when Christ cometh, and shall be King over all the earth, then shall be fulfilled that saying of the Prophet Isaiah, Thy people also shall be all righteous, Isa. 60.21. It is further apparent if we consider Isa. 35. the 10th. verse: by the ransomed of the Lord I understand, either the people of the Jews in gene∣ral, or else every true believer in particular: These shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladnesse, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Why Gods bringing of his people now unto Zion, it is with weeping, and with supplication; but in this day when (Zion) the Moun∣tain of the house of the Lord shall be exalted in the top

of the Mountains, it shall be with everlasting joy; agreeing to that in Jer. 31.12. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion. But in the 9th. verse there is weep∣ing and supplication, and in the latter end of the 12th. verse, they shall not sorrow any more at all. Certainly then this will be a time of extraordinary spiritual joy, which we ex∣pect and wait for, and not an outward glorious Jewish Kingdom, which some speaking against it, say that we look for: but let such see their portion, it they have a portion in Christ, and how gracious Christ will be unto them in this his kingdom, in that sweet Prophesie of his reign in Isa. 32.4. The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge. I am perswaded that many a gracious heart, in the corsidera∣tion of that glorious truth of Christs spiritual reign in the hearts of his people over sin, Satan and the world, hath cried down this his personal reign upon the Throne of his father David, as error and Heresie. I might cite much in the behalf of this truth, from Isa. 65.17. to the end, but I shall passe over to Jer. 30.9. And they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their King, whom I will raise up unto them. Now observe the time when they shall serve this King, it is when God shall give them to pessesse the land which he gave unto their fathers, as you may see plainly in the third verse: and before they do thus serve him, they shall re∣turn and seek him, even the Jews that are called the chil∣dren of Israel, Hosea 3.5. O ye Gentile Saints of the most high, what room hath God made in your hearts for the poor Jews? did they think upon us when we were not a people, and shall not we think upon them? Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence; for he hath said that the Nation and kingdome that will not serve them shall pe∣rish; yea, those Nations shall be utterly destroyed, Isa. 60.12. certainly then there is little hopes for England that would not suffer you to dwell amongst us: but faithfull is God that hath promised, and will accomplish, even to set over them that great Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls, the Lord Je us Christ, Ezek 34, 23. The next plain Scripture is

Dan. 7.27. And the kingdom, and dominion, and the greatnesse of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. This is a plain Prophesie of Christs per∣sonal appearing to rule and reign with his Saints: if ye con∣sider the 22th verse, there ye have him mentioned; Untill the ancient of dayes came; agreeing with that his title in the Revelation: I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. This is a kingdom, and dominion under the whole heaven, certainly then it must be on earth; and then shall that promise be made good, which saith, The meek shall in∣herit the earth. We do not doubt, (as a worthy Preacher* 1.1 lately said) of a kingdom in the heavens, in that celestial place of glory prepared for us; but our God hath promised us a kingdom under the whole heaven; wherein Christ shall be King, that one Lord, both over be∣lieving Jews and believing Gentiles.

This kingdom it is given him by God the Father, who is also called the ancient of dayes; for as Christ saith, I and my father are one, you have it in the 13. and 14. verses of Dan. 7. I saw in the night Visions; and behold, one like the Son of Man, came with the Clouds of Heaven; agreeing unto Christs words, Then shall ye see the Son of Man co∣ming in the Clouds of Heaven with power and great glo∣ry. I shall plainly lay down my Meditations concern∣ing it, and leave it to the judgement of the Christian Rea∣der, which were this; Christ coming, and the Saints bring∣ing of him unto God their father: for it is said in the 13th. verse, They brought him near before him; agreeing to that in Isa. 8.18. Behold, I and the children which thou hast given me. And now being before their father, (as Christ said, I go to my father and to your father, to my God and to your God) the subject matter of their plea is for a kingdome founded in the sufferings of Christ, and so a branch of the new Covenant, Isa. 53.12. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoyl with

the strong, because he hath poured out his Soul unto death. Now God the father being faithful that promised, he gives the kingdom unto the Son; agreeing to that in Ps. 72.1. Give the King thy judgements, O God, and thy righte∣ousnesse unto the Kings Son, which is fulfilled in Dan. 7.14. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a king∣dom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him; even him that was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, unto whom the Na∣tions have said, We will not have this man to reign over us, even unto him shall this glory and dominion be given, that so that which is written may be fulfilled, At the name of Je∣fus every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confesse that he is the Lord, for he will be King alone in that day, Hosea 13.10. The Prophet Joel is very large in declaring the signs and wonders that shall be, before this great day of the Lord, agreeing with those in Matth. 24. The Pro∣phet Amos is in the latter end of his Prophesie treating of the restauration of the children of Israel, which take in ma∣ny special circumstances concerning this truth, and will re∣quire a larger Trearise then this is: for there is both heighth and depth, and length and breadth in the truths of God. But I passe them over, and shall onely take notice of Mich. 4.3. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off, vers. 4. They shall sit every man under his Vine, and under his Fig-tree, and none shall make them afraid. It shall be a Solomons kingdom in respect of peace; so that in this sense he will come as the desired one of all Nations, and this kingdom shall come to the daugh∣ter of Jerusalem, as you may see in vers. 8. but more espe∣cially in Zeph. 3.14. Sing, O daughter of Zion, shout, O Israel, be glad and rejoyce with all the heart, O daughter of Ierusalem. Now see the reason why: The Lord hath taken away thy judgements, and then thou shalt not see evil any more. O how beautiful upon the Mountains should the feet of such publishers be, that would say unto Zion, Thy God reigneth, Isaiah 52.7. Then shall the Saints of the Lord

sing that song, which none shall learn but onely those who are redeemed from the earth, and from amongst men, Rev. 14.4. Then shall Mount Zion sing. Zech. 2.10. Sing and rejoyce, O daughter of Zion: for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joyned unto the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. Verse. 12. The Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall chuse Jerusalem again. There will be such a∣bundance of light in the latter days, that the Nations shall be able to see, and to distinguish between the Bride and the Whore; the false Church, and the true Church; the house of God, and Babylon that shall be made the Cage of every unclean and filthy bird, even when the Gentiles shall come to the light of the Jews, which shall be as life from the dead, Rom. 11.15. for as sure as ever the Lord hath cast them off, so surely will he receive them again: but Oh, the dread∣full work that the Lord must make in the earth, before he shall have accomplished his designes unto his people! and for this he hath appointed a day: and Oh, that Saints and Sinners would take notice of it: Mal. 4.1. For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord. Agreeing unto this, is that Prophesie in Isa. 2.12. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up, and he shall be brought low. And in vers. 20. In that day a man shall cast his Idols of silver, and his Idols of gold which they made, to the Moles and to the Bats. All which may certifie us of a notable fiery day of Tryal, which will come before the great day of Christ. And truely, here I may justly take up a deep Lamentation in the Considerati∣on of that abundance of pride and wickedness which doth abound, not onely amongst the common profane of the world, but also amongst Professors themselves: this is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation. O, how few have kept their first love! and such as are in the day of their first Espousals, if they be not very watchful, will be caried

away with the stream, amongst Professors that have cooled in their first love: certainly therefore it is a time for such as fear the Lord, to be thinking upon his dishonoured Name; for unto such as fear his Name, shall the Sun of righ∣teousness arise with healing under his wings.

Thus far there hath been onely treated of this Kingdom from the Old Testament Prophesies: I shall come now to some New Testament Scriptures wherein it is as clearly af∣firmed.

From Mat. 25.31. it is thus written: When the Son of man shall come in his glory, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and in the 34 verse, Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand. By the man Christ Jesus, the Son of Da∣vid, the Son of Abraham, God will judge the world; yea, and so judge them as he is a King; or el••e what Kingdom shall he have to deliver up unto God the Father? Then cometh the end (saith the Apostle) when he shall have delive∣red up the kingdom unto the Father, that God may be all in all, 1 Cor. 15.23, 24, 25. Mat. 2.2. Mark 13.26. Luk. 1.32. there God makes a promise unto Mary by the Angel, that that child Jesus which was in her womb, should sit upon the Throne of his Father David, which is to rule and reign over the house of Jacob, as it followeth in the 33 vers. And in order unto this, he shall so come from Hea∣ven, as he ascended up into Heaven. Now there is none that will deny this, but such as will deny Christ and Scri∣pture too, that he did ascend with the same body with which he did arise: & this is his own testimony of his second coming, when he saith, Then shall ye see the Son of man coming, Act. 1.9, 10, 11 but until that time, the Heavens must receive him, which will be the time of the restitution of all things, Act. 3.21. 2 Tim. 4.1. Paul doth charge Timothy upon the account of the appearing and Kingdom of Christ, to be faithful in the work of his Ministry: so that Christ as he is King, and in his Kingdom, shall judge both the quick and the dead: but when Christ shall give up this Kingdom unto

God the Father, (wch he shall do, 1 Cor. 15.) then saith Christ to his, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you before the foundations of the world were laid. And thus God the Father shall be all in all, & the Saints shall come into the Fathers Kingdom: Come ye blessed of my Father. Luk. 12.32. It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom: and this is a Kingdom which was prepared for them, from before the foundations of the world were laid: so that the Saints of God, besides that Kingdom that they shall have upon the foundation of the world, shall have a Kingdom prepa∣red for them, from before the foundation of the world was laid, which is a house eternal in the Heavens.

Amongst the twelve chosen Apostles of Jesus Christ, John was the beloved Disciple, who lay in the bosom of Christ; and therefore he did deeply share in afflictions for Christ; and being banished into the Isle of Patmos, there he had the glorious things that do belong unto this King∣dom opened unto him: it is the Revelation which God the Father gave unto Christ, and Christ by his Angel revea∣led unto John; I John (saith he, in the ninth verse) who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of of us Christ: John, and the Saints that he did write unto, were travelling towards this King∣dom; yea, and they were in the way too, and that was through many tribulations. You have in the third verse a blessing pronounced upon him that readeth, and they that hear and keep the things which are written in this Prophe∣sie; that is, keep up the testimony of them, and the power of them being manifested in their lives and conversations. Now see those sweet Motto's that he gives to Christ in the fifth verse:

First, he is the fathful witness, and that in respect of that witness that he did hold forth in the world to his Fithers glory. And

Secondly, in respect of that witness that he beares unto his people by his Spirit, and that is a witness that he holds forth by his Spirit unto their spirits, that they are the chil∣dren of God, Rom. 8.16.

Secondly, he is called the first begotten of the dead, as the Apostle argues it in 1 Cor. 15.21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead: and in verse 22, he speaks of Christ as being the first fruits, agree∣ing to that in Col. 1.18. where he is called the first born from the dead.

Thirdly, he is called the Prince of the kings of the earth; and this very manifest in Scripture: he is often called the King of kings, and Lord of lords. But I shall speak something of that which he delivered to the Pharisees, Mat 22.49. If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? It was the que∣stion that Christ put unto the Pharisees; What (saith he) think ye of Christ? whose Son is he? And they answered him. The Son of David. How then (saith Christ) doth David call him Lord? as in Psalm 110.1. So that by this it doth appear, that Christ is both Davids Lord, and Davids Son: he is Davids Lord, not onely as he is Lord of Heaven and Earth, but also as he is King of kings, and Lord of lords. And thus he is Davids Lord, and Davids Prince, as well as Nero's Prince, or any other wicked Prince that ever was upon the Earth.

Again, he is Davids Lord, in respect that he shall sit up∣on David's Throne; and this is that which David by faith did foresee, and that which is promised Christ in Luk. 1.31, 32, 33. Now I hope that there is none that will deny that Christ is the Son of David: for taking upon him our sins, he must of necessity take upon him our body; a body hast thou prepared me. And thus he was in all things like unto us, sin onely excepted; and that the Scripture might be fulfilled, he is born of a Virgin, Isa. 7.14. compared with Mat. 1.23. I am perswaded in my very conscience, that the clea∣ring up of the birth of Jesus Christ, with his personal ap∣pearance in the flesh, to suffer and dye for sinners, together with his personal appearance in glory hereafter, will be the Doctrine that God will make effectual in order unto the conversion of the Jews: for I understand that herein ly∣eth their blindness, which was also in their forefathers, an

expectation of the Messiah in a state of glory; but what saith Christ unto this? O fools, and slow of heart to believe! ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to have en∣tered into his glory? Luk. 24.25. so that the very foundation of Christs exaltation, lieth and consisteth in his humiliation: because he was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrow, and acquainted with grief, therefore shall he come in the glory of his Father, and in the glory of his holy Angels.

This Truth is farther confirmed from Rev. 2.26. He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the Nations, even as I have received of my Fa∣ther. Psal. 2.9. The saints, as the Scripture speaks, are Heirs, joynt Heirs, yea, co-Heirs with Jesus Christ, and therefore he having received of God the Father to have power over the Nations, he will give the same power over the Nations unto his saints that do overcome: and as he did overcome Sin, Death, Satan and the World, and is now set down in his Fa∣thers Throne, so also he hath a Throne (even the Throne of his father David) that he will give his overcoming Saints to sit down upon with him, Rev. 3.21.

In Rev 11.15. it is thus written, And the seventh Angel sounded, and there were great Voices in heaven, saying, The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ: from hence it is very plain, that they are the Kingdoms of this world, which shall be given unto Jesus Christ. And the devil, that red Dragon, that devouring Ly∣on, that old Serpent, did know full well of this, when he came to tempt Christ: for after that he had failed twice, he comes, in the third temptation, with this: All the King∣doms of this world will I give thee, and the glory of them, so thou wilt but fall down and worship before me, Mat. 4.8, 9 he knew it with a witness, from the very first promise that God gave un∣to fallen man, The seed of the woman shall break the head of the Serpents; which is, Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, and manifested to destroy the works of the devil.

Object. Whereas you speak here of a thousand years reign, it is said in this verse, That he shall reign for ever and ever.

I answer: I do believe that a thousand years is a Type of perfection; and therefore we cannot read of any of the sons of Adam that God did suffer to live a thousand yeers; to de∣monstrate unto man, that there is no persection here in this life: but then see the limitation that this word Ever hath in Scripture, in Psal. 72.17. it is for ever, as long as the sun. But let us take a little notice how the Nations will take this: it is said, They were angry, vers. 18. so that while the Saints are praising and rejoycing before God, with great admitation in the enjoyment of this salvation, the Nations will be sret∣ting and vexing to see what is come to pass: for thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged; all Christs implacable, impenitent Enemies do but heap up wrath, against this day of wrath, for this will be a day of Judgement wherein Christ will give to every man, according to his works; yea, God will have an account of the very carth which he hath let out unto the sons and daughters of Adam, for it is said, He will destroy them which destroy the earth.

And certainly, this is that the Church of Christ is now in pain for, and crying, travelling to be delivered, even of this Man child, who shall rule all Nations with a Rod of Iron, Rev. 125. and that because of that great joy which they will re∣ceive when Christ is exalted; for the Saints they are such as love the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Tim. 4.8. For when he shall come in flaming fire unto his Enemies, he shall be with his people as a Lamb: And I looked, and lo! a Lamb stood on the Mount Zion: here is fulfilled that Prophe∣sie in Psal. 2. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion: so that he will be both King and Lamb upon mount Zion. Mount Zion, as it is written, shall be exalted above all mountains; and the Name of Jesus, upon this exalted mountain, shall be exalted above every Name, and then shall the Saints of God sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb, saying, Great and marve∣lous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; Just and true are thy wayes, thou King of Saints, Rev. 15.3. Now it will be to our purpose to consider in what respect these shall be said to sing the song of Moses, which is Typical; for I believe that both

Jews and Gentiles shall sing this song: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the Seals thereof, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and Na∣tion; And hast made us unto our God, Kings and Priests, and we shall reign upon the Earth, Rev. 5.9, 10. so that out of eve∣ry people, Christ will have a peculiar people. Now let us see how well the children of God travelling towards this new Jerusalem, and the children of Israel towards the Land of Canaan, will Agree together.

First then, to take in the spiritual meaning; as the Children of Israel were in Egypt, under sore bondage; so are all the sons and daughters of Adam by nature, under the bon∣dage of sin and Satan, and led captive by him at his pleasure, 2 Tim. 2.26. now the Lord by the hand of Moses, he brings them out of Egypt, and they are set safe over the Red Sea, and now for the Land of Canaan: but they came not thither, for we read of their sad fall through unbelief, Heb. 3.18. so the Lord, by the death of Jesus Christ, hath set out a way for all towards the heavenly Canaan, but few come thither, and why so? Many are called, but sew are chosen; one of a Tribe, and two of a Family, as the Scripture witnesseth, Many that are first shall be last, and the last first.

Secondly, if we look at the mystical meaning, then by Egypt we are to understand Babylon, mystical Babylon, a∣mongst whose inhabitants there is Egyptian darkness, and the Lord now in the dayes of the Gospel having called and brought his people out of Babylon, while they stand upon a Sea of glass mingled with fire, they are inabled by the Spirit of God to sing: They sing the Song of Moses, and of the Lamb, saying, Just and true are thy wayes, thou King of Saints, Isa. 33.22. The Israel after the flesh, they sing, being delivered from outward Enemies; the Israel after the Spirit they shall sing, being delivered from all their enemies, both inward and outward.

In Rev. 19. you have the great joy and rejoycing of the Saints at the downfal of Babylon, whilst the Kings of the

Earth which have committed Fornication with her, and the Merchants of the Whore are weeping, and wailing, and cry∣ing out, Alas, alas; the Saints they shall be saying, Alleluiah, salvation, and honour & glory, and power unto the Lord our God, even so Amen. Alleluiah. It is a praising and rejoycing in the Lord, for his great Judgements and vengeance which he had taken; and to this end Christ was anointed, to proclaim the day of vengeance of our God, Isa. 61.2. & 63.4. & 34.8. but in what posture then shall the Saints be in that day? you may see in the 7. vers. Let us be glad, and rejoyce, and give honour to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his Wife hath made her self ready. Well, amongst all this vengeance and Judgement, let us see what will be the Name of Jesus Christ, and that is, King of kings, and Lord of lords, vers. 16. We come now to Rev. 20.1. we have presented unto us an Angel coming down from Heaven, having the Key of the bottomless pit: whether Christ be meant here by this Angel, or no, I shall leave that to the judicious Reader; with his meditations upon Rev. 1.18. where Christ faith, I have the Keys of Hell and Death: now this Angel layeth hold on the Dragon, which is Satan, and bindes him a Thousand years; and he is cast into the bot∣tomless pit, with a Seal upon him. Some there are that do imagine, that this thousand years was in the time of Con∣stantine; but I see no ground for the truth of it: for when he shall be bound, the Nations shall not be deceived with any false worship, as ever hitherto they have been, since the man of sin, that son of perdition, hath been up; and that he was loosed in the time of wicked Hildebrand a Ne∣cromancer: but the words here in the 3. vers. faith, That after his binding, he must be loosed for a little season: now the wise man faith, There is a time, & a season for everything: and if the time since, in the Scriptural Account, can be lookt upon as a little season, yet where hath Satans work been? For I believe, that Satan is yet at his first work, in being a lying Spirit in the mouthes of false Prophets, and so deceiving the Nations in the things of God, and of Christ, and carrying

on the Mystery of Iniquity; and at this work he is new very busie, labouring to pervert Foundation-truths by sinful suggestions into our hearts. I know it by mine own ex∣perience: for he hath been very much labouring to blind my understanding and judgement in a foundation-truth: but O for ever blessed he that faithful High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, who knowing all his plots, hath still kept my Faith running out upon his word, with an answering, It is written. But now his last work that we read he shall do, is to gather the nations against this beloved City, to their final destru∣ction: he is no sconer out of prison, but he goes to his work, and loseth no time: it is said, that he went out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth. Why it is reported by writers, that Jerusalem is in the midst of the earth, and so in this sence Christ will rule in the midst of his enemies, as it may truly be said, when Christ taketh possession of any heart; why there is flesh, and sin, and the world: I, but Christ he is King, & he keeps his Throne, and will at length bring them down under his seat, though for a time (for ends best known unto the Lord) they may have their lurking cor∣ners in the soul. Now when Satan had cathered them to∣gether, the next news that we finde, is their general destru∣ction by fire, which I believe is the general destruction of the whole world, with all things that are therein. Heaven and earth shall pass away (faith Christ) but not one tittle of my word, until all be fulfilled: for I finde that the general Judgement of the righteous and the wicked, it followeth afterward, and then shall those wicked ones who were in that last Conspira∣cie against Christ and his people, and so filled up the measure of the sins of all the Serpents seed. that went before them, be condemned before his Tribunal: for the book shall be open∣ed, and every one shall be judged according to his works. But before this Throne and Judgement of Christ, upon this white Throne, by himself particularly spoken of in vers. 11. we have divers Thrones spoken of in the fourth verse: And judgement was given unto them who had not worshipped the beast nor his Images and they lived and reigned with Christ a

thousand years; but afterwards Christ who is the Elder Bro∣ther, is sole Judge of all; and having finished the Judgement, he delivers up all into the hands of God the Father: then shall the Saints, above what they know now, know with ad∣miration, that the Son and Father are one, and they one in them, according to Christs prayer, Joh. 17.21, 24.

Now in order unto their reigning with Christ, they must be brought forth by the enjoyment of a Resurrection: and this I judge to be the first Resurrection, which shall be only of the Saints that sleep in Jesus; for the dead in Christ shall rise first, according to St. Pauls Doctrine, 1 Thes. 4.10. and 1 Corin. 15. Christ the first fruits, afterwards they that are Christs at his coming. I know there are some that will ap∣ply this Resurrection to the Resurrection of the Soul out of the grave of sin and corruption: Well, I shall not much controvert it; but whoever I see so risen, I do not question his part in the first Resurrection: for it is said, Blessed and ho∣ly is he that hath part in the first Resurrection: It doth not speak of sinners, but of saints which had not worshipped the Beast, neither his Image, they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand yeers; but the rest of the dead lived not again, until the thousand yeers were finished.

Quest. But what are the rest of the dead that have not their part in this first Resurrection?

Answ. We have them set down in Rev. 21.8. and I am sure there is not a Saint amongst them; they are the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and Sorcerers, and Idolaters, and all lyars; and where shall all these be? why these shall be without; for without are dogs and sorcerers, Rev. 22.15. without; that is, without this holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven; so that they shall not see that transcendent glory, which will be manifested in this City, a glimpse of which the Lord even now sometimes lets down into the spi∣rits of his people, that so they might with the Apostle groan for the Adoption, to wit, the Redemption of our bodies: yea, he witnesseth that the whole Creation groans for this,

even for the manifestation of the sons of God; and they that had received the first fruits of the spirit, groaned also. O then how shall the saints of the latter dayes that are un∣der the great Promise of the Father, groan and travel for the accomplishment of these things! And surely such that are in some measure delivered into the beauty, and spiritualness, and glory of this glory, cannot but long and desire to be un∣clothed, that they might be cloathed upon: John, in this chapter, saw a new heaven, and a new earth, which was pro∣phesied of long before, in Isa. 65.17. and there you have a description what this new Heaven and new Earth is, in the 18 verse, For behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoycing, and her people a Joy. A new heaven indeed, when Jerusalem which now is, which is in bondage with her children, shall rejoyce with that Jerusalem which is above, which is free, and is the mother of us all, which shall come downe from God out of Heaven: there shall also be a new Earth, for the Divell be∣ing bound up, there will not be that Enmity in the hearts of Earthly men, neither to the Saints nor amongst themselves, but according to the Prophesie in Isa. 65. last. The Lyon and the Lamb shall lie down together. vers. 2. And I saw the holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, pre∣pared as a bride adorned for her husband. John in the time of all this Revelation was in the spirit, Rev. 1.10. I was in the spirit on the Lords day; and all that was revealed unto him was spiritual, from first to last: he that readeth, let him un∣derstand. I saw (saith he) the holy City (for nothing that is unholy can enter in; flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.) It is a City, and it is a holy City; and cer∣tainly this is the City which Abraham by faith looked for, while he was a stranger in the Land of Promise, Heb. 11.10. For he looked for a city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God: This City hath Foundations, as you may see in the fourteenth verse, and God is the Builder and Maker of it, for it is of his Creation.

This holy City, this new Jerusalem, it is said to come down from God out of heaven: doth not this plainly demonstrate

unto us that the saints shall come down from heaven, ac∣cording as it is written, The Lord thy God shall come, and all the Saints with him; and in Phil. 3.20. For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: this is an expectation of Christ from heaven, and I see no difference between this expression and that of Christ's, I am the true bread which came down from heaven: now see in what manner this holy City doth come down, and then consider whether it will be any way a disadvantage unto the Saints, to come down from heaven, for they come as a bride adorned for her husband. (O blessed Union!) all the Saints are Christs Bride, the whole general Assembly and Church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven, they do but make up the Lambs Wife; and thus she shall come adorned for her husband, that is, without s••o: or wrinkle, as will appear if we compare spiritual things with spiritual. For here Christ doth by his spi∣rit and word espouse us unto himself, 2 Cor. 11.2. O but there is a marriage day, Rev. 19.7. and then it shall be gran∣ted unto the Bride to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, which is the Righteousness of the Saints: Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage-supper of the Lamb. Christ he is the Kings son, according to Psal. 72 1. and God the Father he will institute a supper for his Sonne, which is called The Mariage Supper of the Lamb, a Supper that shall begin, when all other suppers shall have ended: this doth not any way diminish from the souls feeding up∣on Christ here, according unto Christs words, My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed; but this is a supper the which all the Saints shall be called unto, that they might be married unto Christ, who were in this life espou∣sed unto Christ, and therefore when ye have the cry at mid∣night, it is said, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh Christ comes unto his Saints, as a Bridegroom in the glory of his Father and of his holy Angels: the Saints, they meet Christ as the Lambs wife, yea, as a Bride adorned for the Bridegroom, that although he comes at midnight to the ungodly, and to

the seeming godly foolish Virgins without Christ in the world, yet it is the Saints morning-Star, that infallible signe of day unto them.

In the third verse: And I heard a great voice out of hea∣ven, saying, Behold! the Tabernacle of God is with men; Hea∣ven it self will witness unto this truth, [Behold!] where∣ever we have this word, it speaks out something of admira∣tion, that his people might know the certainty of that which is promised: you have it in Isa. 52.15. Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

Christ Jesus the Son of the Eternal God, though equal with God, yet he took upon him the form of a servant, My Servant shall be extolled; yea, and as it follows, the kings shall shut their mouthes at him, &c. It is said of this new Jerusalem in the fourth verse, And the kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

In the fourth verse: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. Here are the Saints in their perfect state, a sinless state; for surely if there shall be no more cry∣ing, there shall be no more sinning: when a Saint sins, God will take care to bring him unto Godly sorrow. O but this is a state without sorrow: Sin is a way of pain, but the for∣mer things shall be passed away. A Saints grief is either first for himself, or else secondly, for the sins of others: why in both these respects sorrow and sighing shall flee away: if it be in himself, it is from a body of sin, a Law in his members warring against the Law of his minde. O but this vile body shall be changed, and (as it is written) made like unto his glo∣rious body.

Secondly, sin in others is that which doth often grieve the gracious heart, as it tends unto the dishonour of Christ: but in this state the Saints shall have no such cause of grief, for Christ alone shall be exalted and admired in them that be∣lieve.

I might cite much more in the behalf of this truth, from divers other verses in this chapter: but I pass by them all un∣to the last verse:

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lye, but they which are written in the Lambs book of life: though it hath twelve gates of enterance, yet at these gates there are twelve Angels. There is such a glory of God in the new Jerusalem, as would even torment a poor sinner to be in the presence of it, as you may see in the eleventh verse. As they see not here into that kingdom of grace, set up in the heart of a believer, which consists in peace and joy in the holy Ghost, so they shall not see into that Kingdom of glory that the believer shall be possess'd of, and shall be revealed in him: No, no, it is the Saints onely, that can give the de∣scription of both, Psal. 145.10. And thy Saints shall blesse thee, they shall speak of the glory of thy Kingdom, and talk of thy power; to make known unto the Sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious Majesty of his Kingdom.

I come now to Rev. 22.3. And there shall be no more curse; but the Throne of God, and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve Him. Vers. 4. And they shall see His face, and His Name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no Candle, neither light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. Such as shall be brought unto this state of glory, shall never more know what belongs unto the curse: for they being redeemed from the curse of the Law, Christ being made a curse for them, they shall also be delivered from death into a state of immortality; and therefore they are said to reign for ever and ever: here the Saints shall see that beatifical vision, and be perfected in that glory which in some measure was here revealed in them, (according as the Apostle saith) he revealeth them unto us by his Spirit: they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their forehead: this name is that name which Jesus Christ shall write upon him that overcometh, even the name of my God, and the name of the

Citie of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of Heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name, witnessed in Rev. 3.12. agreeable unto this is that Prophesie in Isa. 65.5. For the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: but this in the time of this new Jerusalem state, as you may see in vers. 17. where∣as formerly men blessed themselves in the abundance of their enjoyments, there shall be no such Generation here; but he that blesseth himself in the earth, shall blesse himself in the God of truth; and whereas formerly the Land hath mourned because of Oaths, now he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth: And there shall be no night there, and they need no Gandle, neither light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. It hath been night long enough, but now the day shall dawn, and the shadow shall flee away, and it shall be such a day, as night shall never follow it, yea, such a day as shall not need the light of the Sun, if by the Sun we may un∣derstand, as also by the Moon, to be held fo••••h unto us the Ordinances of the Gospel in this respect, in this respect there will be no need of these, because we shall no more see darkly as through a glasse, (though much glory is so mani∣fested but we shall see him as he is, Isa. 60.19, 20. Now here I would speak a word unto such who professing themselves to have gone through all, and do look upon others as Car∣nalists & Legalists that walk in the practise of Ordinances. Certainly if in this state there is no need of these, we may safely conclude that untill this state there is need of them, and that it is the will of God that his people should walk in them according as it is written in Isaiah, Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousnesse, and remembreth thee in thy wayes. We are so frail and to apt to be taken in the snare of iniquity, that we have need to be instructed in many things, (as the Apostle saith) though we know them al∣ready: and if Satan can but once finde us in that sin of spi∣ritual pride, then it is to be feared that he will beguile us as once he beguiled Eve; For it is the Lords revealed me∣thod

to discover himself in love and mercy, in, and through his own appointments: but I would not limit the holy One of Israel, neither yet would I set up the Ordinances as to the bare use and practise of them, without the enjoyment of God in them, or above the enjoyment of God without them: He gave some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, for the perfecting of the Saints; and this should be the great aime and end of Saints in the use of Ordinances, to presse forwards after perfection, if that by any means they may attain unto the Resurrection of the dead, which Paul pres∣sed after, but yet did not leave nor forsake any of the least of Gods Ordinances: wherefore Return, Return, O Shulamite, unto the stock of thy Companions, Return, O back-slidden Israel; for God will heal thy back slidings, for the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come unto Zion, Isa. 35. ult. O hasten into the way of righteousnesse, and get thee out of all filthinesse both of flesh and spirit, before that word come out, He that is filthy, let him be filthy still, vers. 29 He which testifieth these things saith, S••••ely I come quickly, Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus. I had thought here to have concluded all: but my thoughts being altered, I have desired to speak a word unto all, whether Saints or sinners. And first, unto the poor sin∣ner: Alas, what is all this unto thee? I will tell thee what it may be likened unto, it may be likened unto a man that tells a poor Captive bondslive of a glorious Kingdom, with the Liberties and Priviledges of the Subjects, and the good∣nesse of the Prince, but all this while this poor man is in his Chains and Fetters, and may cry out, What is all this to me? Why, it may be that thou wilt say that thou doest believe all this, and thou doest believe that Christ shall have a King∣dom; this thou mayest believe, and believe no more then the History of the Gospel: and what will it profit thee to know the History of Christs reigning without thee, and not be acquainted with the mystery of Christs reigning, with∣in thee? it is only such as have followed Christ in the regene∣ration, such onely as have here been made partakers of the spirit and grace of this Kingdom, that shall hereafter be ta∣ken

into the fruition of it. Wherefore well it is to be no∣ted, that Christ said, Straight is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth unto life, and few there are that finde it. Truely, we may say, few there are ••hat seek it, and of the a few ma∣ny shall strive to enter in, which shall not be able. Should we then make this Atheistical conclusion, To what purpose should we strive? (God forbid) but as Christ saith, strive therefore. There are many that will bid fairly for the King∣dom, but will not come to the set rare: some there are that bid too little, and others there are that bid too much, and the last are worse then the first. They that bid too little, are they that would give Christ a part of their hearts, but would keep the other part for the world; they would cut off a left hand sin, but not a right hand sin: but let such know that Christ will either have all, or none at all. The second sort which bid too much (not that any can either bid, or give too much upon a right account) are they, that when the Gospel saith, He every one that thirsteth, let him come without money, and without price; yet these will bring some∣thing of their own, and so from some qualifications within themselves, would set up a Saviour of their own, which is directly opposite to the minde of God, in his revealed word: and Oh that such would consider these two ••criptures, Act. 4.12. 1 Cor. 3.11. Alas, were we but made sensible with the Church in Isaiah, that all our Righteousness were but filthy Rags, we would never willingly appear so before The King of Glory.

Truly poor sinners may be likened unto a company of stran∣gers, unto whom a Prince resorting, makes Proclamation of a precious Pearl that is to be had, onely for coming & recei∣ving it: Now these strangers not believing the proclamation, either first neglect to come, or else further questioning his faithfulness, bring with them their Country Coin, which is but stones and rubbish. Truly the comparison is rather too short to hold forth the free-Grace of God in Jesus Christ, who hath made Proclamation, Let him that will, come, and take of the water of Life freely. Christ Jesus is both Prince and Pearl,

who hath made Proclamation by himself, and by his Saints, of himself, unto poor sinners; they are the strangers (for so are all sinners) that questioning his faithfulness, will not come; as Christ himself saith, Ye would not come unto me, that ye may have life; and this is that, when the Spirit of God comes, it will convince the sinner of this great sin of not be∣lieving in Christ.

The second sort are they that undervaluing the worth of this Pearl, will bring something of their own to pur∣chase it: If God the Father had set a price upon Christ, for every one to pay, before he should receive him, ah! wo had been to all poor sinners: but now Christ is to be given, he is not to be bought.

Object. In Mat. 13.45, 46. it is said, The Merchant BOUGHT the Pearl.

The Parable is very significant, but doth no way contra∣dict what hath been affirmed.

First, if we consider the Merchant in his seeking condition, he is seeking goodly Pearls: the young man in the Go∣spel comes to Christ, saying, Good Master, What good thing shall I do to inherit eternal life? and being directed, but not carryed forth thereunto, by the power of the love of Christ, he uttrely failed: but now this Merchant being directed to seek for Christ, and finding of him, is enlightened from above to see him to be the Pearl of great price, & so sells & hates, & forsaketh all for Christ. Now in his finding of him, it is plain that Christ first found him, as he saith, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, Mat. 4.18, 32. Lord, (saith Peter) We have left all, and followed thee; and Paul counted all things dung and dross, and was willing to suffer the loss of all things that he might gain Christ; which was onely the working of the love of Christ dwelling in him: O poor sinner! what is it that stands in thy way? is it hills or moun∣tains? all the opposition that either sin or Satan can make a∣gainst thee? why behold, He comes leaping over the mountains, and skipping over the hills; even He whom thou hast made thine Enemy, first seeks for a Treaty; O give Him entertain∣ment

while He knocks at the door of thy heart; and say, Welcom Jesus, Rule and Reign in the midst of thine Enemies, and let all thine Enemies be made thy Foot-stool. But thou wilt say, I am a very bond-slave unto my sins and corruptions: why of a captive slive Christ will redeem thee, and make thee his servant; and canst thou desire a greater dignity then to be a servant of Jesus Christ? and that Faith may have a ground for this, see Isa. 61.1. Paul the chiefest of the A∣postles glorieth in this, that he was the servant of Jesus Christ, Rom. 1.1. and when once thou art the servant of Jesus Christ, it will no longer then be thy complement unto men [Your Servant, Sir] for Saints are bought with a price, that they might not be the servants of men, 1 Cor. 7.23

Another it may be, will say, I have been an Enemie unto Christ, and to his Wayes, and to his People: truly this is a very bad condition, yet Christ makes Friends of Enemies: all sinners are Enemies, but God commended his love unto us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us; therefore it is high time for thee to see that thou lovest a∣right, and hatest aright: if thou lovest rightly, thou lovest God; if thou hatest rightly, thou hatest the world. See what James saith, Jam. 4.4. Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity to God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God. And John saith, Love not the world, nor the things of the world. If any man love the world, (either the lusts of the flesh, or the pride of life, or the lust of the eyes) the love of the Father is not in him. Saints do not thus learn Christ, who hath said, If any man will be my Disciple, let him take up his Cross, and follow me. Of a vagabond stranger, thou mayst be an adopted Son; of a Begger, a King; and there∣fore seek not after the Kingdoms of this world, but rather profess (as once the Captain of our Salvation did before Pi∣lat) My Kingdom is not of this world.

I shall conclude all that I have to say, with that good word of the Apostle Peter, in Act. 2.36. Therefore let all the House of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Peter so prea∣ched

Christ, that he got three thousand souls at that time, in the Net of the Gospel: a good example for the Ministers of the Word to take pattern by. And we shall finde that he preached unto them of the visible Kingdom of Christ, as you may see vers. 30. Knowing that God had sworn with an Oath, to him, that of the fruit of his loynes, according to the fl••sh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his Throne. A Scripture it is, so full to the truth, that neither all the Sathan-like transform∣ed Angelical light, on the one side, or all Political, Philoso∣phical light on the other side, shall be able to deceive the truly-enlightened Soul.

Now therefore I intreat you, unto whom this shall come, that ye receive it in the love of it and marvail no•• that ye cannot hear these things from the Great Doctors, and Rab∣bies, and Clergy men of this our age; for it is the Fathers good pleasure to hide these things from the wife and from the prudent But wo unto them, for their judgment is at band, (as it is written) The wisdom of their wise men shall pe∣rish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid, Isa. 29 14.

The Lord give thee an understanding heart, to try whe∣ther these things be so or no. AMEN.

I would now willingly also commend something unto such as are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints, even unto as many as are preserved in Christ Jesus, which have received the White Stone, which none knowes but he that re∣ceiveth it: That you would shew forth the Vertues of Him that hath called you, and hath transl••••ed you out of the king∣dom of darkness into the Kingdom of his marvellous light. I cannot but cry out with the Apostle, What manner of per∣sons ought we to be in all holy c••nversations, and Godliness? O it becomes us that look for Christ from heaven, to have our conversation in heaven: certainly the knowledg of this truth should makeus to trample upon the world, & the glory there∣of, as base & contemptible; and to content our selves in the worst of conditions, in the quiet hope, & patient waiting of our Lord from heaven. Surely the coming of Christ cannot

but yield very much comfort unto the soul that is assured of its interest in Christ.

Are Saints the Stewards of Christ? then let them know that their Lord and Master will return and call them to an account: and blessed is the servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall finde so doing.

Are Saints the Spouse of Christ, the Bride of that blessed Bridegroom? then let them know, that whatever their affli∣ctions may be in this world, yet their loving husband will return from his long journey, and put an end to all: and let not the Saints expect their full deliverance until he come, but rather persecution and suffering while the world stands; for he hath said, In the world re shall have trouble, and, through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom; and there∣fore it is our duty to arm our selves with the same minde: For if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him: Christ Himself hath shewn us the way, and we are called by His Name, O let u foll w his footsteps. And surely it doth highly concern us to look to it that as Christ fore warn'd us, we be not overtaken with surseiting, and dru••kenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon us unawares; we shall hardly win the race, if our hearts be loaded with the things of this world; and they will so lull us asleep, that we shall endanger our selves to be found sleeping at Christs coming, and therefore how doth it become the Saints at this day to be provoking one another to love, and to good works, exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. O let us consider that our Lord is a Person of such Highness and Excellency, that he deserves our waiting for Him: for he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

It is but bring faithful unto the death, and enduring unto the end: the battel is but once to be sought, and the race is but once to be run; but yet the Lord knows, that without his sufficient grace, we shall not overcome: and therefore how doth it concern us to take the oyl of the grace and spirit of God into out Lamps, lest when the bridegroom cometh, we

should be found wanting, but rather to shine as lights set up∣on an hill, and as Bees, sucking Honey from this precious flowery Truth, from which so many spiders have suck'd poi∣son, as (if History may be believed) some out of a notion of this Kingdom, to be but meer earthly, and for sensual de∣lights, have run out into all manner of licentiousness, and the devil hath made great use of it against the truth, and no doubt but he will do still: but what faith the Apostle? We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth; but truly (with shame let it be confessed) we do much in these dayes against the truth, because we do not walk as becomes the truth, but God hath promised (and we do believe it) that the Redeemer shall come out of Zion, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob, Rom. 11.26. And then the inhabitants shall not say, I am sick; for the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their inquity, Isa. 33.24.

Oh how greatly now is Unity to be desired amongst the Saints! Truly I have for a long time been running to and fro, and now I will give you the report of all: but I may truly say, All seek their own, and none the things of Jesus Christ; yea even the Saints themselves in their several Forms, are so zealous about shadows, and are not so careful in the sub∣stantial commands of Jesus Christ, that as for poor Way-fa∣ring souls, they may cry out and say, Lord where are thy Dis∣ciples, which are to be known by their love one to another? but may also come upon Jesus Christ again, and say, Tell me, O thou whom my Soul loveth, where thou feedest. VVell, let the way-faring man be encouraged, and let the lambs of Je∣sus Christ be comforted; for yet a little while, and there shall be but one Shepherd andone sheepsold: and in the mean time, see, that ye are walking in the way that ye should go, even in the way of holiness, wherein the way-faring-man, though a fool, shall not err, but be seeking the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward.

And Oh that the Lord would put it into the hearts of his people, according to that Isa. 57.14. Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my

people: Surely if ye did but know how the mouths of the wicked are opened against you all, you would quickly shut your mouths that ye have so opened one against another.

There are many (I fear) that are ready to say, with the fool, in his heart, There is no God; but it were to be wished that the people of God would continually remember this, that whatever comes to pass, it is that the Scripture might be fulfilled: if a Judas betray Christ, it is because the Scripture might be fulfilled, Act. 1.16. compared with Psa. 44.9. If pe∣rillous times come, wherein men shall be lovers of them∣selves, covetous, and the like; if because iniqui••y shall a∣bound, the love of many shall wax cold; or if we should see one servant smiting his fellow-servant, or eating and drink∣ing, building and planting (which so abound in our dayes, in the excess of them) come what will come, we may say of all, The Scriptures must needs be fulfilled: and herein is to be admired the faithfulness & truth of Him who is Truth it self, who hath fore-told us all things that shall come to pass unto his second coming.

If many should come in His Name, saying, I am Christ, it is that the Scripture might be fulfilled: but believe it Chri∣stian, whoever thou art, no true Christ comes until Jesus comes, who shall come in the glory of his Father, and of his holy Angels. So that thou shalt not need to follow Lo here, or lo there; for (if thou art indeed a Christian, one that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God) thou shalt appear with him in glory, Col. 3.4. Again, it is written, That he shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather together his Elect from the four windes, that so the prayer of Jesus Christ may be fulfilled upon all his servants, Father, I will that they also which thou hast given me, be with me where I am, Joh. 27.24.

Wherefore (as the Apostle faith) comfort one another with these words: and certainly hereby will the saints be distin∣guished in the latter dayes, from all others. Because that when such as are but men shall have their hearts fail them in the sight of those Judgements, Earthquakes, Famines and

Pestilences, which shall come upon the earth, then shall the Saints of the most High lift up their he••ds, as knowing that their Redemption draweth nigh: Unto which duty I will also resolve, in the strength and Spirit of the Lord, with the Prophet, In Isa. 61.10, 11. I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath cloathed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteousness, as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments, and as a Bride adorneth her self with jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord will cause Righteousness and Praise to spring forth before all the Nations.

Notes

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  Mr. K••••llys