Christs personall reigne on earth, one thousand yeares with his saints the manner, beginning, and continuation of his reigne clearly proved by many plain texts of Scripture, and the chiefe objections against it fully answered, explaining the 20 Revelations and all other Scripture-prophecies that treat of it : containing a full reply to Mr. Alexander Petrie ... who wrote against ... Israels redemption / by Robert Maton.

Answer.

Beloved in the Lord, you are told here by Mr. Petry [that this historical Narration of the original of the Millenarian Tenet, and his refutation of my booke, are for your good.] And had it been so in∣deed, I had not now answered the one or repli'd unto the other; yea I had rather laid my hand upon my mouth; or empoly'd it about the publique retractation of mine own opinion. But I find not in either, ought of that sincere and upright dealing, as is pretended in these words. That which I finde is this, that Mr. Petrie, is too much of the minde of the Lawyers in the Gospel, of whom our Saviour said, Luk. 11. verse 52. that they had taken away the key of knowledge, that they entred not in themselves, and them that were entring in, they hin∣dred. And, that as the Pharisees best project to discountenance our Saviours miracles, was to say, that he did cast out Devils through Beelzebub the Prince of the Devils: and their most prevalent motive to disgrace his doctrine, was to say, that he was a glutton, and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners: So Mr. Petrie's chiefest sleight to disparage the truth we hold, is to say, [that it hath no o∣ther Father, nor abettours, but heretiques: that it is preacht by such as have in their Congregation, grosse Anabaptists, and are friends to whatsoever Novellers. And that it teacheth the voluptuous & car∣nall living of the raised Saints, and their dying againe after they are raised.] And doubtlesse, beloved, if you should be as ready to receive these tares into your hearts, as Mr. Petrie is to sow them there; your eares would be stuffed with prejudice, and your hearts choakt up with indignation against us: but as we wish better things unto you, so we hope better things of you, even such things as ac∣company salvation. We hope, I say, that you are as wise as the Bere∣ans,

of whom the Apostle saith, that they were noble, in that they re∣ceived the word with all readinesse of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. And if you examine our words by this rule, by which the Bereans examined S^t. Paul's (and were so highly commended by him for it) we doubt not but you will with one consent affirme, That in the point in Question, we, and not our adversaries, doe say as God saith. And that we make not the meate that perisheth, but everlasting life, the reward of the glorified Saints, although we truly affirme, that these Saints may, and shall eate & drinke after their resurrection. As it is said, Mat. 26. verse 29. and Luk. 22. verse 16.18. And that you will affirme too, that we truly hold, that the Kingdom of God is not yet come, although our Sa∣viour Luk. 17. verse 20. answered the Pharisees, who demanded, when the Kingdom of God should come, that the Kingdom of God was within, or amongst them. For that which our Saviour there cal'd the Kingdom of God, is not meant of the Kingdom it selfe (of which the Pharisees inquired) but of the outward meanes by which that Kingdom is obtain'd. As it is Mat. 21. verse 43. and thus also Rom. 14. verse 17. righteousnesse and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, are cald the Kingdom of God, because these things doe intitle men to that Kingdom, and manifest unto others, that they doe belong unto it: neither of which the observing, or not observing of difference in meats and drinks can doe. And in the 1 Cor. 4. verse 20. it is said, The Kingdom of God, is not in word, but in power, that is, our interest in the Kingdom of God, is neither obtained, nor attested by our discoursing, preaching, and professing of the truth onely, but by our carefull and conscionable performance of those things which wee are commanded. And therefore, beloved, that you may not mistake the meanes and evidences of God's Kingdom, for the King∣dom it selfe; but may by the injoyment and effectual use of these, be assured in your selves, and make knowne unto others, that you are heires of that; that you have an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ, and of God; we beseech the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that the word of Christ may dwell in you richly in all wisdom; and that our Lord Jesus Christ himselfe, and God even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace, may comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word, and worke.