Tidings of Peace, Text
GOd ſaith by the Prophet Iſaiah, Behold! I create a New Heaven and a New Earth &c. in the 56 Cap. & the 17 verſe: And from thence in the 18: 19: & 20 verſes. The Prophet proceeds to deſcribe the happineſſe of the Jewes in this promiſed ſtate; And in the 21: verſe further Saith, And They ſhall build Houſes, and inhabite them, and They ſhall plant Vineyards, and eat the fruit of them &c. Now in Heaven there is neither building, nor planting, ſo that this New Heaven and New Earth can meane nothing elſe but a New and happy ſtate of affaires here uppon Earth. Further in Heaven our Saviour ſaith that there is neither eating, nor drinking, marrying nor giveing in marriage, but that men ſhall be there, as the Angells of God. So that I am ſattisfied there will be no Citties there. If wee are to hauehave Cities then, wee muſt hauehave them on Earth, Now I find two Cities, one in the Proph: Ezek. The other in the Revelation of St. John. I ſhall leave ſpeaking of the firſt to the Jewes, and onelyonly treate of this latter, which indeed is very glorious. Without all doubt the meaning is certaine. For in the 22 cap. & 6 verſe. tis ſaid. Theſe ſayings are faith full and true. And the Lord God of the Holy Prophets ſent his Angell, to ſhew unto his ſervants the things which muſt ſhortly be done, But how and where theſe things are to be done, and what the meaning of this Holy Cittie ſhould be, is the ſubject of my preſent Enquiry. Some wil hauehave it to be Heaven, and when ever this New Jeruſalem is ſpoaken of, that is Heaven ſay They; Others will hauehave it a repreſentation of the Church purely, and others of a new Condition and happy ſtate of the Church. But there is not one thinkes in the leaſt of it's being a Citty to be built uppon Earth. Firſt then, as to thoſe that thinke it Heaven, I anſwer that without all doubt Heaven in a Spirituall ſence is the New Jeruſalem, but it doth not at all follow that the New Jeruſalem is Heaven, eſpetially this New Jeruſalem, for it may be a Citty built in the Place where the old Jeruſalem was, or another Citty built in another place like the old Jeruſalem either in the Modell, or Serving the Same Ends and deſignes, and for any of theſe reaſons may be called the New Jeruſalem. Beſides this New Jeruſalem is ſaid to come from God out of Heaven, therefore cannot be Heaven it ſelfe. This is a plaine confutation of all thoſe who thinke it Heaven. Further it is ſaid, that the Nations of them wch. are Saved ſhall walke in the light of it, And that the Kings of the Earth ſhall bring their Glory and honour unto it, Now it is certaine that the Kings of the Earth can bring noe Glory or honour into Heaven, but rather receine glory from thence, from God Who is the Fountaine of all honour and Glory; It ſeemes plaine therefore that this New Jeruſalem is not Heaven it ſelfe, and at beſt can onelyonly be ſomething that is a Type of Heaven, What can it then be? it cannot be onelyonly a bare repreſentation of the Church, The compariſon, and Circumſtances will not in the leaſt quadrate, it has toomuch order and beauty in it, to repreſent any thing wee at preſent hauehave, or hitherto hauehave had, in the Church: The Church hitherto is rather repreſented to us by a Woman in the Wilderneſſe perſecuted by the Dragon Then by ſuch a Glorious Citty as this is. Nor can Wee Suppoſe that Such a Glorious Citty can be built uppon Earth in a Literall Senſe with ſuch coſtly Materialls. What therefore can the meaning and import of This Citty be, onelyonly to repreſent to us the beauty and glory of Heaven and of the Church Triumphant? No, not this onelyonly. Yet I muſt acknowledge in part it doth repreſent the Same but not wholly. for Tis attended with too many particular Circumſtances relating to things here below, then wholly and intirely to ſignifie that; it muſt be ſomething which at the firſt appearence in the World muſt ſeeme to Strike and make impreſſion on the Sences of Men. For St. Iohn ſaith, And Iſaw the Holy Citty The New Ieruſalem comming downe from God out of Heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband. That my Modell is ſuch I will not ſay. But This is my Sence of the Whole matter. That The New Heaven and the New Earth mentioned by St. Iohn doth repreſent a New and Glorious Condition of Church and State, And That this New and glorious Condition will be procured by meanes and influence of this New Jeruſalem, And that This New Jeruſalem is a Citty to be built uppon Earth, after the Same Modell and Form as The Angell hath deſcribed, except the coſtlyneſſe, which as Iſaid before cannot be fullfilled here on Earth; And This Citty ſeemes to me by the Angell to be repreſented ſoe coſtly and Magnificent in part to Typifie to us the Glory of Heaven and of the Church Triumphant; and in part to inſtigate us to build it in the beſt manner wee can; And in part to inſinuate to us, thoſe Glorrious Effects which This New Jeruſalem will produce in the World, introduceing a New and moſt happy OEconomie: Its Inhabitans are to be Angeli Evangelizantes Preachers of the Goſpell, and every Monrh, are to goe out and Heale The Nation, for Proofe herof peruſe the following Texts of Scripture And He That ſate upon the Throne ſaid Behold, I make all Things New. Johns Revel the 21 cap. & 5 verſe, This relates to the New Adminiſtration, which I hereafter prove in thoſe things that are changeable, in this world. And it came to paſſe that he went throughout Every Citty and Village, preaching and ſhewing the Glad Tideings of the Kingdome of God, and the Twelve were with him. Luc. 8. verſe 1. And Ieſus went about all the Cittyes and Villages, teaching in their Synagogues, and Preaching the Doctrine of the Kingdome &c. Mat. 9 cap. vers 35. Lo; this was the Method Our Saviour tooke when on Earth, And can the Diſciples imitate a better Coppy then their Maſters? And tis certaine that Doctrine wil be beſt nouriſhed and perſerved by the way, and Method it was firſt planted. I HaueHave Set Watchmen uppon Thy Walls which ſhall never hold their Peace day nor night. Iſaiah 62. & 6. Thy Watchmen ſhal Lift up the voice, with the voice together ſhall they ſing, for they ſhall See Eye to Eye when The Lord ſhall bring againe Zion the 52 Cap. 8 vers. And I will ſet Shepheards over them that ſhall feed them, and they ſhall feare no more nor be dismayed, neither ſhall they be lacking ſaith the Lord Jer. 23: 4: Then againe God ſaith by his Proph: Jer. 3 & 15 verſe. And I will gine you Paſtours according to my heart, which ſhall feed you with Knowledge and underſtanding. The Paſtours of this Adminiſtration which are to goe out of the City every month to heale the Nation, ſeem to mee to be the Paſtours here mentioned. The Proph. Zac. the 14: & 8. ſaith thus, And it ſhall be in that day that Liveing waters ſhall goe out from Jeruſalem, halfe of them towards the former Sea, and halve of them towards the hinder Sea in ſummer and in winter ſhall it be. Can any thing more plainely chalk out the Method of this new Adminiſtration then this Text? The liueing waters are Preachers, which are to goe out of this Citty in their courſes, Some one way and ſome another both in Summer and in Winter, that is for ever to the worlds end, for ſo long will Summer and in Winter laſt. But as to theſe liueing waters theſe Evangelicall Preachers heare what the Prophet Ezek. in the 47 cap. beginning at the 6: verſe. Then he brought me and cauſed me ro returne to the brink of the River. Now when I had returned, Behold at the Banke of the River were very many Trees on the one ſide, and on the other. Then ſaid he unto me, Theſe waters iſſue out toward the Eaſt Country, and goe downe into the deſert, and goe into the Sea, which being brought forth into the Sea, the Waters ſhall be healed. And it ſhall come to paſſe, that every thing that Liveth that moveth, whither ſoever the Rivers ſhall come, ſhall live, and there ſhall be a very great multitude of Fish, becauſe theſe Waters (Theſe Preachers) ſhall come thither: for they ſhall be healed, and every thing ſhall liue where the River commeth. And it ſhall come to Paſſe, That the Fiſhers ſhall ſtand uppon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim: There shall be a Place to ſpread forth Netts, Their fish shall be according to their Kindes as the Fish of the Great Sea exceeding many. But the myrie places therof, and the mariſhes (That is Private ſtanding Churches that will not heare or admit of theſe Publick Preachers) ſhall not be healed but giuen to Salt. And by the Riuer on the banke thereof, on this ſide, and on that ſide, ſhall grow all Trees for meate, whoſe leafe ſhall not fade neither ſhall the Fruit thereof be conſumed: (that is Theſe Preachers ſhall not faile to make their conſtant monthly circuits out of their Citty) it ſhell bring forth new fruit according to his Months, becauſe the waters iſſued out of the Sanctuary, and the fruit thereof ſhall be for Meat, and the leafe thereof for medicine. Here The Goſpell very propely is Typefied by a River and by waters which cleanſe and purifies and heales all places, and makes every thing fruit full wherever they goe, Alſoe the Preachers are Typefied by Fiſhers, and by Trees, whoſe fruit ſerves both for food and Phyſick, in further confirmation of which, Heare what St. John ſairh, And he ſhewed me a pure River of water of life cleare as Chriſt all proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midſt of the ſtreet of it; and of either ſide the River was there the Tree of life, which bare Twelve manner of Fruits, and yeilded her fruit every Month, and the leaves of the Trees were for the healing of the Nations. This ſeemes to be plaine in all the Circumſtances thereof, And therefore I hauehave taken the Modell and delineation of the Citty there from. But may be ſome may doubt whether The Throne of God be Jeruſalem. To which the Prophet Jerem: will anſwer for me, in the 3 cap & 16 & 17 verſes. And it ſhall come to paſse when ye be multiplyed and increaſed in the Land; in thoſe dayes ſaith the Lord, they ſhall ſay no more — The Arke of the Covenant of the Lord: neither ſhall it come to mind, neither ſhall they Remember it, neither ſhall they Viſite it, neither ſhall that be done any more. At that Time they ſhall call Jeruſalen The Throne of the Lord, and all the Nations ſhall by gathered unto it, to the Name of the Lord to Jeruſalem. As to the Fountaine I hauehave put in the middle to giuegive ſource to the Rivers. See what the Prophet Zach. ſaith the 13 cap. verſe 1. In that Day ſhall there be a Fountaine opened to the Houſe of Dauid for ſin and for uncleaneſſe. And and a Fountaine ſhall come Forth of The Houſe of the Lord, and ſhall water the Valley of Shittim Ioell 3 & 18: and Our Saviour ſaith in St: Ino. ye 4 Cap. & 14 verſe, Whoſoever ſhall drinke of the Water that I ſhall giuegive him, ſhall never thirſt. But the Water that I ſhall give him, ſhall be in him a Well of water ſpringing up into everlaſting life. The Watet which Chriſt will give, is the Water of the Goſpell, out of this Holy Fountaine, this holy Citty, And ſee how by the Prophet Iſaiah he inviteth all to theſe waters in the 55 cap. & 1 vers. Ho, Every one that thirſteth, come ye to the Waters, and he that hath no mony: come ye buy and eat, yea come by wine and milke without money and without price. Many hauehave paid very deare for a draught of theſe Waters, But old things are paſſed away, and all things are become New. Theſe Evangelicall Preachers ſhall goe from Towne to Towne and from Citty to Citty, and are to offer theſe Waters of the Goſpell Gratis, inviteing all to come, and drink, and will not in the leaſt be chargeable to any one, being ſufficiently provided for from their Citty, with all things, neceſſary for their Function and voyage, If any man Thirſt let him come unto me and drink ſaith our Saviour John the 7. & 37. and in the Rev: the 21. & 6. I will giuegive him that is a thirſt of the Fountaine of the water of Life freely. And in the 22 cap. & 17 verſe. And let him that is a thirſt come, and who ſoever will let him take the water of life freely. But then again as to the Preachers goeing to and fro, the following Texts ſeemes to be very favourable Gen. 28. & 12. And hedreamed and be hold a Ladder ſet uppon the Earth, and the Top of it reached to Heaven. And behold the Angells of God aſcending and deſcending: Theſe Angells of God ſeeme to repreſent theſe Evangellicall Angells who from Heaven this New Jeruſalem are to goe to and fro, to doe Gods meſſage and to diſpence his word and bleſſing among the ſons of men in each Land. And in Dan. the 12. & 4. And thou ô Daniell ſhut up Theſe words, and ſeale up this, writeing to the Time of the End: What are Theſe words and this writeing which are to be ſealed up to the Time of the End? To me it ſeemes to be the enſueing ſentence which is a ſentence intire and independent of it ſelfe, haveing noe Relation either to the words goeing before or after vizt. Many ſhall goe to and fro and Knowledge ſhall be increaſed. That is from this New Jeruſalem many Preachers ſhall goe to and fro, inſtructing and preaching to the People, where by Knowledge ſhall be increaſed. But the Proph: Zacha ſeemes yet to be plainer both as to the manner of Theſe Preachers goeing out, as alſoe to the happy Effect of Theit Doctrine in the 1 cap. & 7 verſe, He ſaith thus, And I ſaw by night and behold a man rideing uppon a red horſe, and he ſtood among the Myrtle Trees, that were in the Bottome, and by him were red Horſes ſpeckled and white (for theſe Preachers to ride on) then ſaid I ô my Lord what are Theſe? And the Angell that talked with me, ſaid unto me I will ſhew thee what theſe be, And the Man that ſtood among the Myrtle trees, anſwered and ſaid theſe are they whom the Lord hath ſent to walke to and fro thorow the Earth (And now obſerue the happy Effects of their preaching,) And they anſwered the Angell of the Lord, that ſtood amongs the Myrtle Tees & ſaid Wee Have walked to and fro thorow the Earth; And behold all the Earth ſitteth ſtill and is at Reſt. But leaſt it ſhould be doubted the office of theſe Walkers is not to ſettle peace and quietneſſe in the world, but onelyonly to paſſe through and view the World, my ſence herein ſeemes to be confirmed in the 6 cap. & 7 verſe, where ſpeakeing of Four Charriots ſent out From God, in the firſt of which were Red Horſes, in the ſecond Blacke, in the third white, in the fourth grizzled and Bay Horſes, tis ſaid, And the Bay went forth, and ſought to go, that they might walke to and fro thorow the Earth: And he ſaid get yet hence, Walke to, and fro, thorough the Earth. Then cryed he upon me and ſpake unto me, ſaying Behold Theſe that goe toward the North Country have Quieted my ſpirit in the North Country, ſoe that it ſeemes plaine to me that the office both of thoſe that rode on the Horſes, and in the Charrets, was to quiet the Earth. The Earth at Preſent hath much need of being quieted, Pray God of his merey ſend and Eſtabliſh Theſe To and fro Walkers. When they come Wee ſhall ſay as tis in the Proph. Iſaiah cap. 52. & 7 vesſe. How Beautifull uppon the Mountaines are the Feete of thim that bringeth good Tideings that Publisheth Peace, that bringeth good Tideings of Good, that Publisherh Salvation, that ſaith unto Sion thy God Reigneth. I hope Theſe Arguments and Texts of Scripture carry ſuch a Face of probabillity uppon them as to perſwade any Perſon diſengaged from prejudice, to believe that a Holy Citty is to be build upon Earth, which is to Give birth to a New Adminiſtration. And Why may wee not beleeve that God may uſe the ſame OEconomie in His Church as he doth in the World, ſince what conduces to the good of one will alſoe conduce to the happineſſe of the other. The Earth is at it were paſſive, acted on by the Heavenly influences, the Sun the Moone and ſtarrs and all the Heavenly ſpheeres make Their continuall and conſtant circuits round it, adminiſtring their Light and heat, makeing day and night and differing ſeaſons, and impregnateing the dull matter ſoe as it may bring forth food both for man and beaſt in due ſeaſon. And wee find that Gods OEconomie in the Little World man, is the ſame as tis in the Great one. He makes his Blood and Spiritts to make their conſtant circuits, and thereby Keepes his Body in due frame and temper. This Spirituall OEconomie would procure the like effect, For this Citty would be as the Sun in the Firmament, or the Heart in Mans body, for as the Heart by continuall ſending forth blood and Spirits into all the Members of the Body procureth a perfect health; So Theſe Heavenly Preachers acting on the Dull minds of men, diſperſing their Heavenly influences as they goe, in a continuall ltineration and circulation through all the Cittyes and Villages of each Nation, would ſettle each Nation in perfect peace and Tranquillity. I hauehave ſaid each Nation, becauſe I believe that a Holy Citty will be built in each Nation. For though I beleeve that the Citty which the recalled Jewes will build in the Holy-Land will be the moſt Glorious Citty and more honoured by God then the Reſt, yet I beleeve not that ſhee is to be built and no other, Nor that ſhee is to have ſuperiority or Command ouer the Reſt, this would be to run backe into Aegipt and into the old Babyloniſh Captivity, and wee ſhould not better our ſelves, by the change of Adminiſtrations haueing onelyonly changed Rome for Jeruſalem; Beſides to confine all power & Dominon to one Citty or Nation, would be a weakneſſe that would fall much ſhort of that Perfection wee ſay this New OEconomie is to have, for one Citty or Nation cannot ſend out ſuch ſpeedy orders and commands as to ſerve the preſent neceſſityes and exigencyes of the whole World, eſpecially to the remoteſt Nations: The fall of Romes both Temporall and ſpirituall power, will convince ſuch a Government of Weakneſſe, ſoe that Jeruſalem I believe will onelyonly hauehave the honour of an Elder ſiſter but noe more power then the Reſt. The Reſt Iſay, for I ſupoſe others, and that ſhee is not to be built alone, for that ſhe would not be able ſend out preachers to ſerue the neceſſityes of the whole world: I know very many promiſes are made to Jeruſalem, and I acknowledge that many are made to her in a particular manner, which ſhe alone ſhall enjoy. Yet notwithſtanding this, tis certaine, that moſt of the Promiſes made to her are made as to a part for the whole, and that the whole Church is interreſſed therein, there fore When the Proph: Zacha. ſaith. And it ſhall be that who ſo will not come up of all the Familyes of the Earth to Jeruſalem to Worſhip the King the Lord of Hofts even uppon them ſhall he noe raine, I cannot underſtand the meaneing of this to be, that all the World ſhould goe up to Jeruſalem in Paleſtine once a yeare, For ſome liue ſoe remote that they cannot goe thither and returne backe in a yeares Time, Nor doe I thinke that God would oblige all the world to ſo painefull a voyage. Yet I beleeve that when the Jewes are ſettled in their Land and hauehave built their Citty, zeale will draw up Perſons of all Nations to viſit their Land, I ſay zeale, to ſee that Land and People whom God hath bleſſed and not obligation will draw them up. And as to the obligation, When God ſaith that All Nations ſhall goe up to Jeruſalem to worſhip him there, I rather believe that Perſons of every Nation ſhall go up once a yeare to their owne Jeruſalem, I ſay ſome perſons and not all. For all muſt not be admitted to enter in it, onelyonly ſuch as bring good Teſtimonialls of their Chriſtian Converſation and holy liueing. For David alludeing to this Holy Citty ſaith. Lord Who ſhall abide in thy Tabernacle? and who ſhall dwell in thy Holy Hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteouſneſſe and ſpeaketh the trueth in his heart. An St. John ſaith There ſhall in noe wiſe enter into it any thing that defileth &c. Bleſſed are they that do his commandments ehat they may hauehave Right to thee Tree of Life, and may enter in thorow the Gates into the Citty, For without are Dogges &c. ſo that when God ſaith that all Nations ſhall come up to worſhip him at Jeruſalem, I underſtand by Jeruſalem all other Jeruſalems, as a part for the Whole, And by All Nations I underſtand Some of Every. Nation to repreſent all, And theſe Figures are very common in holy writ. But ſome will ſay that What the Proph. Dauid and St. John ſpeake of, is Heaven; in the ultimate degree and ſcope I allow it is heaven. But I contend earneſtly that wee muſt firſt hauehave the Types upon Earth. And what can Typifie Heaven better then a Holy Citty whoſe Inhabitans are to be Gods ſervants and Miniſters, repreſenting the Angells, and into which no impure thing, no unholy man ſhall enter, but ſuch as are of an unblemiſhed life and Converſation. But ſuppoſe it was Heaven abſolutly, I ſee not, but that the imitation of Things done in Heaven, here on Earth is very commendable.
For the better Strengthening of the Propoſition of this my Holy Citty and New OEconomie I would further ſuggeſt the enſueing Conſiderations, That the Jewes as yet hauehave had no benifit of Our Saviours Death And are at Preſent a wretched miſerable People, under Gods diſpleaſure, diſperſed over the Face of the whole Earth. That the Chriſtians as yet hauehave had noe Settled or laſting Peace amongſt them ſince their embraceing ſo peaceable and holy a Religion: ſo that I think it will be eaſily granted me that the Religion of the Holy Jeſus has not as yet had it's proper and Naturall Effects upon Earth. And that all thoſe glorious promiſes of Juſtice, peace, and Truth, made by God to the Jewes in the old Teſtament, and to the Chriſtians in the New are not yet accompliſhed: And as I take it for granted that they are not yet accompliſhed, ſo I more certainly take it for granted that they will be; for all the promiſes of God are Yea and Amen. It cannot enter into my Mind that the Son of God ſhould come into the world, and take upon him humane Nature and preach unto Mankind. And that the World ſhould remaine in the Same unhappie circumſtances of War and miſery as it was before. Tis true I know he ſaith that he came not to ſend peace into the world but a Sword. But this he ſpeakes of the accidentall effect of his doctrine and not the naturall. His doctrine has noe ſuch innate propenſity in it ſelfe, but ſuch Evill Effects come ab extra Wee may with great Juſtice therefore Expect the naturall Effects of Chriſts doctrine upon Earth. God hath promiſed it, and very pathetically deſcribes the ſtate of its accidentall Effects, and its Naturall in the 8 cap. of Zacha. and beginning at the 10 verſe. ſaith He. Before Theſe dayes (ſpeakeing of this New OEconomia) there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beaſt, neither was there any Peace to him that went out, or came in, becauſe of affliction: for I ſet all men every one againſt his Neighbour. But now I will not be unto the Reſidue of this People, as in the former dayes ſaith the Lord of Hofts. For the ſeed ſhall be proſperous: The vine ſhall giuegive her fruit, and the Ground ſhall giuegive her encreaſe, And the Heavens ſhall giuegive their dew, and I will cauſe the Remnant of this Teople to poſeſſe all theſe things. It has beene the Expectation of many devout and Pious Chriſtians for this Laſt hundred yeares, to ſee the Propheſyes and Promiſes of God fullfilled, to ſee the Jewes converted, the Church in a moſt Flourishing condition, and Peace Truth and Juſtice Eſtablished upon Earth: But their Expectations hauehave failed them; and wee are ſtill in the darke: ſo that the Preſent Times ſeemes to be that Dunkell Day Spoaken of by the Proph. Zacha. Knowne onelyonly to the Lord, in wch. it ſhould be neither Day nor night but ſaith that in the Evening there ſhould be Light: which is of great …freſhment to al thoſe good Soules who waite for this bleſſed evening. It muſt be confeſſed, that tis neither Day nor night with us, Wee hauehave waited and looked up and calculated, and all our calculations hauehave bene Erroneous But notwithſtanding wee hauehave erred yet God cannot miſtake, he is true▪ and will certainly ſend forth his Light and his Truth in due Time; For the Writeings of the Prophets are not as waſt paper, or the Fables of Poets, but the reall dictates of the Spirit of God. Men There fore may with great reaſon Expect Glorious and happy Times becauſe God hath promiſed them, their Expectation is good and commendable but nothing elſe. For they neither rightly enquire into the Nature of thinges, Nor are fitted to receiue any ſuch Mercyes. Firſt Iſay they make not right Enquiry into things. Tis true they may depend wpon God to fulfill his owne promiſes, Yet they ought a little to inſpect into the meanes, For God workes all his purpoſes, by juſt and propper Mediums; Glorious Times are expected, But wee ought to ſay How? by which wayes? and methods, and from what ſpring will they hauehave their originall? the naturall Anſwer hereto will be by changeing ſomething, this ought next therefore be enquired into vizt. on what Bottom and Ground the Naturall and Pollitical Conſtitution of this World ſtands: And ſince Theſe Happy Times are to come by Changes, Wee ought dilligently to find out Thoſe things which will admitt of a change, and thoſe things which will not, And this will facilitate the worke and make us more eaſily comply with thoſe Mediums and Propoſitions which are amongſt the changeable predicaments. The Things the refore here below that are unchangeable for brevitys ſake I shall comprehend under Seaven Heads as folls.
1. Life and Death.
2. Pleaſure and paine.
3. Buiſneſſe under which may be comprehended the inequallity of Perſons and Differing Intreſts of Men.
4. The Faculty of Chooſeing, under which may be comprehended the paſſions and affections of Men.
5. Diuine Worship and Love to our Neighbour.
6. Juſtice.
7. Power. Theſe are all Eſſentiall and perpetuall, conſtituting the naturall and Politicall Adminiſtration of this World, And to take a way any of theſe is to pull downe the pillars of the Earth. It muſt therefore be granted me that what ever things are changed in order to pocure the Expected Times Theſe muſt continue in ſtatu qno. Then 2dly.
The things that are changeable are onelyonly Three vizt.
1. The Minds and opinions of Men.
Theſe are Accidentalia and mutable, And whatſoever changes may be expected in order to the produceing of Happy Times can onelyonly be in theſe Three.
2. The Outward Adminiſtration of Juſtice and Power.
3. The Outward Adminiſtration of Diuine Worship.
Firſt I need not Prove that the opinions of Men are changeable, it being ſufficiently Knowne, And ſince the World in a manner is Governed by opinion, and it has ſo great power & influence over men, It muſt of neceſſity follow that the abolition of many corrupt and bad opinions which at preſent diſturb the peace of the World, and the admiſſion of new ones, more conduceing to its welfare and happineſſe; will make up a great part of that felicity which is expected in the change of affaires. Secondly I need not prove that the outward Adminiſtration of Juſtice and Power are changeable. The Names of Deſpoticke, Monarchick, mixt, Ariſtocraticke, Democraticke, being the preſent Inſcriptions on theſe Soveraine Metalls will eaſily convince this. Nor will I mention which of theſe Methods of Government is beſt, Severall Nations haueing beene happy under all of them. And laſtly I shall hauehave as Little occaſion to prove that the outward Adminiſtration of Diuine Worship is changeable, for nothing is more apparent in holy Scripture then this; There has beene a ſeries of mutations, from Noah to Abraham, from Abraham to Moſes, from Moſes to Soloman, from Solomon to Our Saviour, and from Our Saviour to this day: And Theſe things being well conſidered I hope the New way of Eccleſiaſticall Adminiſtration propoſed will be more eaſily admitted: The Preſent Adminiſtration in all Countryes is differing, and very unhappy, eſpecially in England God he Knowes! But this moſt exquiſite and uniforme Way I HaueHave propoſed will cure all Evills the World Labours under on this accott. But more of this hereafter. I ſaid before that I found men Expecting to receiue the Benifit of happy Times, but noe way willing to comply with any Reaſonable propoſitions that might introduce them. The Greek, the Roman, the Lutheran, the Reformed, the English, and all other private and particular Churches, would have their owne opinions, and particular Method of Adminiſtration be eſtablished Throughout the World. And Iam ſattisfied that when God shall begin to worke his deſignes and fullfill his promiſes made to the Sons of Men, that they will not be more content Then the Jewes was with Our Saviour, they will think it should be ſomething elſe, And thinke all should be done after their owne way. But alas! they are mightily miſtaken, For heare what God ſaith by his Prophet Iſaiah. For my Thoughts are not your Thoughts, neither are your wayes my wayes ſaith the Lord, For as ths Heavens are higher then the Earth ſo are my Wayes, higher then your wayes, and my Thoughts then your Thoughts. The Jewes ſent the Prophet Jerima. to enquire of God for them what they should do, and made a Proteſtation to obey what ever should be commanded them, yet when the command came they refuſed to be obedient, and cleaved to their owne wayes and to the imagination of their owne heart. So it is with us Wee ſay in our Prayers thy Kingdome come thy will be done in Earth as it is Heaven, And pray and Expect Glorious Times, yet for all our hopes, and Prayers Wee would have our owne Kingdoms, Our owne will, and our owne wayes be done upon Earth notwithſtanding whatever wee may ſeeme to wish or deſire. Great was the hopes and Expectation of the Jewes of a Saviour, And when they had him they crucified him. And Iam ſattisfied should he come againe in the flesh to the Chriſtians, in the ſame humble manner as he did to the Jewes and preach againſt Some of their evill Cuſtomes and Conſtitutions, The Chriſtians (Notwithſtanding their preſent adoration of him in heaven) would as certainly crucifie him as did the Jewes: for the Nature of mankind is in all places and at all times much the Same, Whoever croſſes their humour or intreſt or ſpeak againſts any thing in which they have beene educated shall certainly find ill treatment. Our Saviour pulled downe the Jewish OEconomie but it coſt him his Life, And the Apoſtles and Martyrs extinguished the fire on the Heathen Altars, but it was with their Blood, And whoever ſpeakes againſt the bad cuſtomes and conſtitutions of the Chriſtians no doubt but will find his share of miſery. But Gods will be done. But then further ſince Every Denomination of Chriſtians, hauehave a differing way of Adminiſtration, And ſince there are many partyes, and that every party would hauehave their owne way be preferd and to be eſtablished in the world before all others; What Remedy is there for theſe things? to ſet up any particular way before the other will not do well, for that will inflame and provoke the oppoſition of all the Reſt. The onelyonly remedy therefoe is to ſet up a way differing from all, whereby all being pulled downe and none in particular ſet up or preferred before the other, None will have reaſon to complaine. And ſuch is the way of Adminiſtration I propoſe, tis different from all their wayes, nay and it is Gods way to, as I plainely prove by Scripture, and then no wonder tis differing from Mens wayes. For as I ſaid before, God ſaith my Wayes are not like your wayes. But in order to conclude I shall ſpeake a little of the advantages of this Adminiſtration.
Suppoſeing therefore in Each Kingdome and Nation a Citty built in the midſt thereof, Bleſſed God! What a Glorious change ſhould wee Sudenly See in the World? What a Bleſſed Harmony would there be betwixt theſe Holy and chaſt Siſters? The Bleſſed Effects of this OEconomie is allmoſt unſpeakable, All thoſe Evills the World Labours under on Account of Religion, would ſpeedily vaniſh like the morning dew before the ſun. Upon the building of theſe, all the old ill built Fabricks would fall to the ground. Firſt the Man of Sin would tumble from his Throne like Dagon before the Ark, And how Happy and eaſy would the Princes of Chriſtendom find themſelves, when rid of all his Eccleſiaſticall pretenſions. They and their Kingdomes hauehave tomuch Suffered by his greevous yoke and unjuſt uſurpations (I need not Quote old ſtoryes Wee hauehave a certaine King at preſent ſtruggling in the Eccleſiaſtical Net) But this OEconomie would abſolutely free them for ever from all the Scourgeing of the Eccleſiaſticall whip: And wee should heare no more of Popes Kicking downe of Emperours Crownes, Thundering out Curſes, forbidding the Subject to pay his Homage to his Lawfull Prince: All the Doleful noiſe of Perſecution would be no more heard of in the World. All ſects and partyes, would ſpeedily vaniſh, And wee ſhould hauehave no more Flying for Religion, from one Country to another the Proteſtants from France or Papiſts from England; No Kingdom or Country turned upſide downe by Religious Men, contending to get or keep their partyes in, and to turne others out of the Government. For theſe preachers being Sufficiently provided for in thir reſpectiue Cittyes, all Temptation of acting irregularly would be taken away. And by this meanes Temporalls would be abſolutely Seperated from Spiritualls A thing much hitherto wiſhed for but never yet effected, And wee should heare no more of Kings impriſoning Bishops, or of Bishops dethroneing Kings, nor of this or that Party being upper or under in the Government, For theſe Spirituall preachers should hauehave nothing to do in any Government, Nor should Princes or Temporall Power hauehave anything to doe in ſpiritualls, for this has beene the occaſion of many Evills in the World, and has corrupted the purity of the Chriſtian doctrine, And a certaine King hath ſaid, ſo long as it was in his power ſo chooſe Biſhops he could hauehave what Goſpell he pleaſed, Therefore theſe ſpirituall Men, in reſpectiue their Cittyes, (as in another place I hauehave ſaid) are to be choſen by Lot as was Matthias, And hereby God as is moſt Iuſt and fit will chooſe his owne Miniſters and Servants, and then no doubt but wee shall hauehave the Stream to run pure. And theſe Streams comeing out from this Holy Citty every Month, how will they coole and refresh each Nation, there will be no dry or barren Corners therein But all things will liue, and all places be Green and flourishing where theſe liueing waters come. At preſent by the unhappyneſſe of the preſenr Adminiſtration, many are the Darke Corners of the World, where the Light of the Goſpell shines not, and no proviſion is made for Preachers. But Theſe Goſpell Angells, theſe Rayes of the Sun, will illuminate all the Darke Corners of Each Land, ſo that The Earth will be full of the Knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea; No dry or barren corners will want watering by theſe ever Flowing Fountaines And no Dark corners want the Rayes of theſe glorious and everſhinning Ligbts. But Iam not able to deſcribe all the advantages of this moſt Excellent OEconomie but muſt ſend you to the Prophets who doe it very largely and pathetically.
Theſe things wee Suppoſe will come to paſſe to make up the fulneſſe of the Gentiles which St. Paul ſpeakes of, But then as to the Iewes may I ſpeake in the Termes of the Angell, in the 12 vers of the 1: cap. of Zacha. who when the men had brought in their Report That all the Gentiles were Still and at Reſt, ſaid, O Lord of Hoſts how long wilt thou not hauehave mercy on Jeruſalem &c. Without all doubt God will Remember his promiſes made to the Jewes by the mouth of all his Prophets, and will bring them and Eſtablish them in their Owne Land, Where they will build alſo a Citty holy to the Lord, out which will flow Liueing Waters (vizt. Peachers) halfe of them toward the Former Sea and halfe of them toward the hinder Sea, both in Summer and in Winter, as both the Proph: Zacha: and Ezek: mention: And Paleſtine being placed in the midſt of the Earth, (as ſome Writers affirme) And Jeruſalem built in the midſt of Paleſtine, And a Jeruſalem or Holy Citty built in the midſt of Each Kingdome, How will every thing answer one another? Ye Admirers of order, Ye Sons of Uniformity, Where can there be greater order and Uniformity then in ſuch an OEconomie? What a glorious Harmony will there be betwixt Theſe Holy and chaſt Siſters Jeruſalem in Paleſtine being the firſt borne? How Glorious will the Spouſe of Chriſt be in ſuch Dayes? Let us be glad and Rejoyce, and giuegive honour to him: For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herſelfe ready. I dare not affirme with what particular preſence and manner God will Honour theſe Cittyes, But it is ſaid that the Lamb will be the Light there of. And what if God should Honour theſe Cittyes of the Gentiles, with the ſame honour with which he honoured the Tabernacle and Temple of the Jewes? Who can tell? Great are his mercyes to his unworthy creatures. In our Dayly Prayers Wee beg of God that his Kingdom may come and that his will may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven, But I pray you tell me, was there ever a Kingdome without Cittyes? will a Few Houſes make a Kingdom? God has Houſes in the Earth, tis true, but as yet has no Cittyes Therefore if wee would hauehave his Kingdome come Wee muſt build him Cittyes. And when in Each Kingdom he has a Citty built, they all together will make him here on Earth a Kingdom, or at Leaſtwiſe by their influence make the whole Earth his Kingdom.
And ſo our Prayers of thy Kingdome come, will be fullfilled, both in a Literal and in a ſpirituall Sence. And as Other Kings of the Earth, amongſt all their Cities do chooſe one for the Royall ſeat of their Kingdome, ſo God will chooſe Jeruſalem, and put his Throne there, and make it as it were the Head of this ſpirituall Kingdome. The Prophet Ierem. ſaith at that Time they shall call Jeruſalem The Throne of the Lord, And all Nations shall be gathered unto it. And the Proph. Mica. ſaith in the 4 cap. & 8 verſe. And thou O Tower of Flock &c. unto Thee shall it come, even the Firſt Dominion, The Kingdom shall come, to the Daughter of Jeruſalem. Here it is ſaid that shee shall hauehave the Firſt Dominion, And that the Kingdom (which we hauehave ſo often begg'd for) shall come to her, Wee know tis the Cuſtome on Earth, that the Eldeſt Son or daughter shall Inherite the Crowne, Now God has here a ſpirituall Kingdom, And theſe Cittyes or Severall Churches are his daughters, But Jeruſalem is the Eldeſt: Now to which of the Daughters should the Kingdome come? God here anſwers, To Thee (as the Eldeſt) shall it come, even the Firſt Dominion, the Kingdom shall come to the Daughter of Jeruſalem. But Theſe Words the Firſt Dominion, may admit of a double conſtruction, Firſt they may imply that all theſe Cityes, ſiſters, or Daughters, are to hauehave Dominion But that the Holy Citty built at Jeruſalem as the Firſt and Eldeſt Daughter shall hauehave The Firſt or principall Dominion, or they may ſignifie that all theſe Siſters, as Gods Daughters may hauehave a right to the Dominion and the Kingdome, But that the Citty at Jeruſalem as eldeſt Daughter shall hauehave the Dominion firſt, And the others afterward Succeſſively, Whether of theſe are the more genuine I leave to the more Judicous to determine, But for the Reaſons formerly mentioned I think not that the Nature of this Dominion is Imperiall, or that the Lady at Jeruſalem, should as a Queen Exercize an abſolute command ouer the Reſt, But I rather thinke that the nature of it relates more to order than command, And that shee shall hauehave a Priority of order and preheminence of Reſpect due to her on accott. of being Eldeſt Siſter, and as enjoying more particular honours and favours from God.
I muſt confeſſe I have found this Little Booke in the inditeing or eating of it as Sweet as hony, I hope that no one hereafter will make it bitter in my Belly, For I have wrote Nothing but for what I have alleadged the Word of God and Great probabillity. The Apoſtle ſaith there are different Adminiſtrations, but one Lord. The Lord is King of the Univerſe, And Chriſt is the Head Adminiſtrator, and can Governe his Family after what method and manner he pleaſes: What therefore if he firſt order an Altar, then a Tabernacle, then a Temple, and then a Citty, And then at Laſt bring us to Heaven the New Jeruſalem it ſelfe. The Prophet David ſaith, They shall paſſe from ſtrength to ſtrength untill they come to God in Sion: Heaven it ſelfe without a Type, To which Place God of his infinite mercy bring us all through the merits of Jeſus Chriſt Amen.
Poſtſcript.
The Julian and Gregorian Account of Time are both vitious and puts the world in no ſmall confuſion. I would therefore humbly propoſe that they both may be regulated by an exact calculation. It will not onelyonly be the greateſt honour, but alſo the greateſt Proffet and advantage to that King or Prince Who shall undertake ſo Honourable a Task. Since therefore all things are to be come New, And the Angell ſaith that Time shall be no more (which I underſtand to be the Time of the old Adminiſtation, as alſo of the Old Vitious calculation) I hope that this Propoſition will alſo be conſidered, that with the New Adminiſtration, wee may hauehave a New account of Time That wee may write Anno domi, & Anno ab Urbe conditâ.
End of the text · Thomas Beverley, Tidings of Peace (1692)