Supplement to Christs Peaceful Kingdom on Earth to Come, To the reader
To the Chriſtian Reader.
Reader,
THE Penman of the preceding parcels, aiming therein next to the glory of Divine Grace and Truth, at this double benefit to all ſorts of perſons in the Church of God in theſe dayes, to prevent their evil, and promote their good, whether they be Independant, Prelatical, or Presbyterian, as to Diſcipline, provided they be truly Chriſtian, as to Principles of Doctrine. Yea, and yet further, Though Seas bear the names of their diſtinct Coaſts, it is all the ſame kind of Water.even aiming at the true good of ſo many inviſible members of Chriſts Church, as yet remain to be called out of great Myſtical Babylon it ſelf, that they may not partake of any of her Plagues, Rev. 18. And this for all ſuch the rather, however differing in the Modes, Forms, and Wayes of ſeeking, ſerving, and worſhipping of the great God in Spirit and Truth, and ſo being real members of Chriſts myſtical Body do love him in ſincerity; and conſequently muſt love one another as ſuch (though the ſelfiſh perſons of all thoſe ſaid wayes love themſelves only in reality, and all or any others only for ſelf-reſpects) But let ſound Chriſtians of all ſorts know, Though Rivers fall fiercely into the Seas, yet ſuddainly become one with it: there is one Faith, one Hope, to Gods People: one God and Father of all: who by ſuch graces in Chriſt makes his all one in Spirit and ſoul: We muſt therefore beware of Diſunion, &c.that herein is Satans Maſter-piece in theſe divided, and ſadly ſtill dividing times, to work what diſ-union he can amongst thoſe which he knows (though few yet believe it) ſhall ſhortly be one, or made perfect in one, as our Saviour prajed, John 17. Therfore to prevent Satans deſign, all ſuch have great need to pray and labour earneſtly for Unity; and this cannot be without putting on the Apoſtles bond of perfection, true Chriſtian charity, ſo excellently decyphered 1 Cor. 13.4, 5, 6, 7. whoſe Office is not ſo much to find what fault ſhe can, as to hide what faults ſhe may in others; and is not ſo ſollicirous about the cutting off or ordering the hair of Chriſts Spouſe, or paring her nails (which nature will teach) as to preſerve her body and perſon ſafe and ſound; and yet this Charity will not be without her inſeparable companion alſo Purity, but ſhe muſt keep cloſe to her three neceſſary attendants, Holyneſs, Righteouſneſs, and Sobriety, according to Gods pure Word, Pſal. 12. and 19. for without theſe, all pretences of Purity, Piety, or any thing reſpecting Religion, how ſpecious outwardly, or otherwiſe ſoever they may appear, are but meer vanity at the beſt, lut alſo leſides that, may have many abominations in them, &c. That one Rule for edification, 1 Cor. 14.26. would regulate all ſuch things amiſs: for what reſpects Order and Decency, verſ. 4. would ſo in their natural courſe fall in of themſelves.
The ſaid Penman apprehending theſe Doctrines of Chriſts Kingdom, very pertinent to improve and encreaſe theſe needful Graces, gives thee, Chriſtian Reader, this direction, to uſe this his prefent help to thoſe ends. Firſt, That thou mayeſt find the Key of ſuch Doctrines by ſome light of the Book of the Revelations of Jeſus Chriſt: uſe that ſhort cornpriſal in the Fore-runner, dated May 20. 1664. pag. 22, 23, 24, &c. And that Summary of the ſaid Book, given to the Lamb, Rev. 5. In the Irenicon, pag. 26, 27, 28, 29, &c. which, together with the Paper of December 7. 1664. In the Forerunner, pag. 26, 27, 28, 29, &c. Which may ſerve for many perſons as an A. B. C. to ſpell the meaning, in ſome uſeful meaſure, of that divine Book; and reckon likewiſe the Abridgment on Daniels Viſions, a like A. B. C. to ſpel out ſome things of that Book alſo: and by the help of both thoſe A. B. C's. thou art like to make a more profitable uſe of the enſuing Parallel, which contains again, a Summary of the main matters of both thoſe Books; joyntly witneſſing unto the ſame divine Truth (though the Revelation is the ſure Key to unlock Daniel's (before ſhut up) Viſions in great part) by which means, with Prayer, &c. thou mayeſt by Gods bleſſing find much light come into thy ſoul, reſpecting many other portions of holy Scriptures, &c. I ſuppoſe thy reaſon wil ldirect thee to turn to pertinent quotations: Firſt, Of Scriptures, only pointed out for brevity. And Secondly, Of any other of theſe parcels referred unto for thy advantage; and theſe latter parts after the Irenicon, being attentively ſo peruſed, will much enable thee to get a diſcovery of the ſubſtance of all matters contained in the whole work.
FINIS.
Pag. 19. line 22. read ſheltered, not ſhattered.
End of the text · William Sherwin, Supplement to Christs Peaceful Kingdom on Earth to Come (1674)