The Two Personal Comings of Christ, Representation

The Two Personal Comings of Christ · Representation

p. 38A brief repreſentation of the Doctrine of Chriſts Kingdom of Power to come upon Earth, together with an endeavour to remove unjuſt prejudices from it: To prevent the great ſin and danger of being aſhamed of Chriſt and his Truth, even that great Truth of his Kingdom, Joh. 18.37. Before a ſinful and an adulterous generation: of both which we are warned. Mat. 8.38.

True Chriſtian Friend, &c.

THE great and precious Truths reſpecting Chriſt Jeſus our Saviours glorious appearance to deſtroy Antichriſt, to convert the Body of the Jewiſh Nation, to begin his glorious Reign with his raiſed Saints on Earth for a thouſand years, &c. And all this probably ſhortly to be manifeſt in the World, which God hath been graciouſly pleaſed to diſcover unto me a poor weak and an unworthy inſtrument, in ſuch remarkable wayes as he hath led me, according to his Word, and by the guidance and operation of his holy Spirit, and hath ſo ſtrongly evidenced to my own ſoul (and which hath been by ſundry learned men and judicious Chriſtians acknowledged) and I doubt not will be owned more and more, I am well aſſured are of ſo high concernment, both for the glory of God and our p. 39Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and for the edification and comfort of his People in the laſt times, that I ſhall be ready by his Grace upon all fitting occaſions, to warn all ſuch as truly fear God, to take heed either of ſlighting or rejecting of them; for though they are of that nature that God hath in his moſt wiſe counſel reſerved to be more eſpecially known for his true Churches benefit in theſe laſt dayes, when his ancient People the Jews are ſhortly to be converted unto Chriſt their Saviour (as the Apoſtle Paul ſaith, Rom. 11.) and all Iſrael ſhall be ſaved; that even as the Myſtery of the Gentiles Converſion was hidden to the Jews, and even, for a time, to the Apoſtles themſelves, when it was to take place, until by Miracles, Word, Spirit, and Viſions, they were powerfully taught to acknowledge it: So theirs is like in great part to be hid to the Gentiles. And as Antichriſt was to come to be revealed to reign, to be conſumed with the breath of Chriſt's mouth, uttered by his Witneſſes, but all to be fulfilled in a great Myſtery all along to the moſt in the World, ſaving unto ſome few perſons and places, unto whom by degrees God in ſpecial wayes of mercy hath been pleaſed from time to time to manifeſt theſe things; and yet (I ſay) but by degrees (for the accompliſhment of God's Myſteries) have in all times been very wonderful, and above mens reach ordinarily to diſcover. And as the Apoſtle Paul was greatly honoured and imployed by the Jewiſh Rulers and learned Rabbies of his time, whilſt he perſecuted the Chriſtian Faith, yet when afterward he preached that Goſpel of Chriſt crucified, and that unto the Gentiles, was as much by thoſe Jews perſecuted and oppoſed himſelf, and by all of their way: ſo in a degree may it be expected of ſuch as God manifeſteth ſuch things unto, as he will accompliſh in the end of the dayes (as Daniel's phraſe is) which ſhall appear to be againſt the intereſt of men in the world, or above the ordinary ſtrain of the times, that many (though not all) will ſlight and oppoſe them, even until God fulfils them; and ſuch their ſlighting and oppoſing is like to be (as to the Jews of old) the occaſion of ſuch his fulfilling of them, Dan. 12.10. But then many ſuch, will they, nill they, muſt give glory to God, as Rev. 11.13. for ſo it pleaſeth God uſually to hide great things from the wiſe and prudent, and to reveal them unto babes, Luke 20.21.

But to prevent and remove prejudices:

Firſt then, Let all ſerious Chriſtian Spirits take notice that in thoſe two firſt Books I have endeavoured to vindicate the true Doctrine of Chriſt's Kingdom on Earth to come, from thoſe unjuſt aſperſions of Diſloyalty to Kings and Magiſtrates, as moſt oppoſit thereunto; which though haply it hath been unpleaſing to ſome, yet otherwiſe I had p. 40not therein ſo approved my ſelf unto God, ſatisfied mine own conſcience, done right to many ſorts of men, nor to the Doctrine which I have been taught (as I ſaid before;) and this may three times be ſeen in the ſaid Books; in the firſt, pag. 15. ſomewhat largely; and pag. 41 & 42. reckoning ſuch deluſions among Satans Vials on Chriſt's Kingdom: and in the ſecond Book, in the Preface of it, towards the end of the ſecond leaf, &c.

Secondly, Let all ſuch obſerve, that thoſe things which (as I believe) I have by God's ſpecial guidance publiſhed, are (for the ſubſtance) nothing but the true Scriptural explications of the old Articles of the Faith (as Learned-men had before manifeſted from the beſt Antiquity) and owned in great part in the moſt pure Primitivetimes; But yet, upon a better ground for us, are now to be owned from the moſt pure and infallible Word of Truth, that more ſure Word of Prophecy (as 2 Pet. 1.19.) whereunto all Chriſtians are bound to take heed. For as we profeſs to believe that Jeſus Chriſt will come from the right hand of the Father to judge the quick and the dead, and likewiſe to believe the Reſurrection of the Juſt, and the Life of the World to come, (as the Nicene Creed, according to Heb. 2.5.) And how theſe things ſhall be fulfilled, our Saviour (who beſt knew) hath himſelf inſtructed his Church (together with the time when, in ſome good meaſure, as Rev. 11.18.) at his glorious appearing, both beginning to judge the quick, then by deſtroying of them that deſtroyed the Earth, (i.e. Antichriſt and his Accomplices) with the appearance of his coming, as 2 Theſſ. 2.8. and 2dly, by giving reward unto his Servants the Prophets, and unto his Saints, and to all that fear his Name both ſmall and great; which is then to be done in the Reſurrection of the Juſt, as is further explained, Rev. 20.4, 5, 6. when alſo begins the Reign of the Saints with Chriſt on Earth the ſaid thouſand years, while Satan alſo ſhall be bound, as ver. 1, 2, 3. during which time our Saviour ſhews that the Apoſtles ſhall ſit upon twelve Thrones, judging the twelve Tribes of Iſrael, Mat. 19.28. concerning which Period he more fully explains himſelf, Luke 22.29. I appoint unto you a Kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; where his Throne muſt be diſtinct from his Fathers, where he ſate on his right hand in Heaven, as Rev. 3.21. is clearly explained: which Kingdom, appointed to him by his Father, the Apoſtle ſhews, 1 Cor. 15.24. at the end the ſame ſhall be delivered again to his Father, when ends the ſaid Kingdom that the Father had appointed to him with his Saints on Earth, which began at his beginning to judge the quick and the dead, at his firſt appearing (as was ſhewed) which continued p. 41all the ſaid thouſand years, and the finiſhing of the Judgment of the Juſt and Wicked, concerning which there are ſo abundant and evident proofs in Scripture that (when Antichriſtian prejudices ſhall once be removed, even that ſpirit that confeſſeth not that Jeſus Chriſt is come in the fleſh, as 1 John 4.3. which ſuch do not in the Apoſtles ſenſe, that acknowledg not the fulfilling of all Chriſt's Offices in their ſeaſons, as the Scripture holds them out, till his Mediatorſhip be conſummate, which the ſpirit of Antichriſt hath all along oppoſed, &c. Then (I ſay) I confidently believe thoſe glorious Truths will evidently be manifeſt and received in the true Church of Chriſt.

Thirdly, Now for the Subjects of that Kingdom of Chriſt on Earth (that we may give a little further taſte of the Doctrine thereof, before we proceed to the removal of the prejudices againſt it) They will be firſt the Body of the Nation of the Jews, &c. for the moſt part miraculouſly converted upon Chriſt's glorious appearance, and probably his ſpeaking to them (as in that pattern of St. Paul's Converſion, and of many Jews, about three hundred years after Chriſt, as in Mr. Mede's Anſwer to Dr. Twiſſe's ſecond Letter) See Zech. 12.10, 11. with Rev. 1.7. Iſa. 66.8. & Iſa. 60. with many other Texts of Scripture. 2dly. Another ſort of ſubjects then, will be, Converted Heathen Gentiles then to come in, Iſa. 60.5, 6, &c. Iſa. 19. who ſhall be then Chriſt's Inheritance, and the utmoſt parts of the Earth his Poſſeſſion, as Pſal. 2.8. which the Apoſtle reckons the greateſt riches of the Gentiles. Rom. 11.12. If the caſting off the Jews was the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fulneſs! And afterwards, v. 25. he reveals it as a Myſtery (to humble us Gentiles in the mean time) that blindneſs was in part happened to the Jews, until a firſt fulneſs of the Gentiles was come in: which our Saviour expreſſeth, by the fulfilling of the times of the Gentiles, Luke 21.24. for ſo long was the Jews calamity and miſerable Captivity to endure from Jeruſalems deſtruction, as is evident from the context. 3dly. Chriſt's chief and beſt Subjects, or Aſſeſſors and Deputies then in that his Kingdom, will be the bleſſed raiſed Saints in the New Jeruſalem come down from God, Rev. 21.2. who is ſaid to be the Maker and Builder of that City, Heb. 11.10, 16. which are they, our Saviour ſaith, that are counted worthy of that World, and the Reſurrection of the Juſt, called there alſo the Children of the Reſurrection, Luk. 20.35, 36. even in that habitable World, as the Apoſtle calls it, Heb. 2.5. And at that time when God brings his Son again into the World, Heb. 1.6. Where thoſe which God gave him before, ſhall ſee his own Glory given him, as Mediator, by the Father, as a manifeſtation of his eternal love to him, who he knew p. 42would perfectly fulfill that Office; and (therefore in his laſt Teſtament-Will) he bequeatheth it to them in the preſence of his Father and his Diſciples, ſaying, John 17.24. Father, I will that they, &c. Obſerve well both the words and the context, they are very weighty, all full to this purpoſe, that thoſe raiſed Saints ſhall there be where Chriſt is in his own Kingdom, as Dan. 7. there beholding his Glory, and many other Texts to the like purpoſe. Conſider in the Books, wherein many other excellent and ſweet points of Chriſtian Doctrine to ſerious ſpirits may be obſervable bordering upon theſe, which to ſuch may (by God's Grace) be exceeding available to promote Grace and Piety, and that from a great advantage above what uſually hath been taught, or is yet expected by moſt Chriſtians, namely, from the weighty conſideration of the happineſs of the whole man both in ſoul and body together, and that upon Earth, where thoſe Saints were formerly deſpiſed and ſuffered, when their enemies ſhall not live in body, Iſa. 26.14. but they ſhall live with Chriſt in a triumphant ſtate of Glory, Rev. 20.4, 5. and that above a thouſand years ſooner than is ordinarily expected; and this happy eſtate will be a ſure entrance into the poſſeſſion of eternal bleſſedneſs in the higheſt Heavens. Men uſe too greatly to prize, and very dearly purchaſe (many times with the loſs of their precious ſouls) their earthly falſly ſuppoſed perpetuities; and when they have done all, know not that they or their heirs ſhall poſſeſs (I will not ſay enjoy them) for a thouſand dayes on Earth; but ſuppoſe a lawful acquired purchaſe, and left ordinarily with the greateſt hope of bleſſing by a Godly Parent to a gracious Chriſtian Poſterity, yet how ſoon do ſucceſſions many times here degenerate, and in ſome few hundreds of years how are Eſtates and Nations turned up-ſide down, as ſacred and other Hiſtories abundantly evidence! and the beſt mens beſt eſtate is here full of evil as well as good, bitter ſweets at the beſt; yea, they and every man in his beſt eſtate is altogether vanity, Pſal. 39. And doth Chriſt by his own peculiar teaching (and his evidence muſt needs be beſt) aſſure his faithful Servants he hath procured and appointed unto them not a ſmall pittance, but a Kingdom, and one that cannot be ſhaken; not for a life here, or a few ſucceſſions, but for a thouſand years on Earth; free not only from outward enemies, but in the judgment of the beſt Chriſtians from far worſe, ſcil. from Sin and Satan, with all their retinue, Shame, Sorrow, Death, Hell, with all that black Regiment that guards them, &c. On the other hand; What bruitiſh madneſs do wiſe men reckon ſuch to be poſſeſſed with that caſt away a great Eſtate with the caſting of a Dye, or by any other ſinful earthly frenzy? but p. 43what is it for any worldly vanity, with a curſe hereunto entailed, and ſometimes, purſuing it cloſe at the heels, to caſt away a ſure Chriſtian Intereſt in ſuch a Kingdom, as Chriſt's is ſure to be on earth; ſo glorious, ſo ſatisfying (as every condition of the faithful after death is ſatisfying fully) ſo ſecure, every way bleſſed in what they enjoy at that period, and in what they know they ſhall enjoy to all eternity! For as evil men are made to know all the degrees of their curſed eſtate, both of ſoul and body; likewiſe to come to their exceeding horror, from the very moment of their death, when their Conſcience being let looſe, is their accuſer, witneſs, judge, executioner and continual tormentor; ſo godly men appear to know from the very moment of their departure hence, every happy condition they are to paſs through to eternity: therefore of this ſtate, ſaid the repreſentatives, Rev. 5.10. almoſt one thouſand ſix hundred years ago, we ſhall reign upon earth; ſo that on the one hand, upon this ſaid great advantage, Chriſtians may be urged by the Apoſtles argument (a fortiori) more ſtrongly, as the good is ſo great and near approaching: wherefore, Beloved brethren, ſince theſe things are ſo, what manner of men ought we to be, in all holy manner of converſation? &c.

And on the other hand, in reſpect of evil men (a fortiori) they will not only loſe ſuch happineſs, which they wil not now believe, but they will preſently know they have loſt it, and that it will from thenceforth be irrecoverable; and which ever will make them miſerable, they will find they were taken hence in wrath, from the tenders of mercy which they had, & ſhal never have tenders thereof again made before Chriſt's ſecond coming, or at his coming, nor after the laſt reſurrection: ſo that whether thus taken away in particular-diſpleaſure, or in the common deſtruction of the wicked, they will throughly know each miſerable eſtate which ſhall abode them, privatively, poſitively, as well their poenam damni, as poenam ſenſus; as well what they have irreparably loſt, as what in every eſtate to eternity will be inflicted upon them.

Qu. But here by the way is one great Queſtion; How will this Doctrine be proved; for many great and learned men do not aſſent to it?

Anſw. Whether any Doctrine that is founded evidently and ſtrongly on Gods Word, is owned by learned men, or eminent men in the world, will not be the queſtion at laſt, in foro Conſcientiae, at leaſt if thou hadſt pauſedly read with due attention, or heard the ſound of ſuch Doctrine of Chriſt, thou oughteſt to ſearch, whether thoſe things are ſo. Men on both parts are to be heard more in regard of their Scripture evidence, for what they affirm, than in any other regard, in the things of God and the ſalvation and happineſs of ſouls. But for this p. 44Doctrine, it hath been, and is abundantly proved, if men would ſeriouſly ſeek information, and ſo as never will be refelled; and I doubt not but will more and more with many of Gods People be owned and improved; but it will in this be found (as in all other branches of Chriſtian Faith) it muſt be Gods Spirit muſt perſwade men to believe it, though they know it, for none can believe what they know not; therefore it will neceſſarily follow, when they have the knowledge of it, they muſt earneſtly pray, and meditate, and conſider, and importune the Father of Mercies, to know in this reſpect his will; yea, and though they be reckoned wiſe and prudent, and learned too in ſuch matters, they muſt go to Chriſt as babes, to be taught by his Spirit: Parts, Learning, Authority of men, may work conviction, but cannot perſwade men to own and apply unto themſelves any divine and precious truths of God in Scripture, for the benefit of his Church. And therefore (Chriſtian) if this Doctrine held out to thee be of God, thou art bound carefully and diligently to enquire after it, for if thou beeſt faithful, it is part of thine inheritance, and exceeding uſeful and needful for thee too in the laſt dayes, that the evil conſequences of rejecting of it, may not inevitably fall upon thee. On the other hand, there are degrees of glory to be obtained of the Saints, For one ſtar differeth from another ſtar in glory. For any through the rejecting of ſuch Doctrine of the Goſpel, but to loſe the happineſs, in the more ſpeedy reſurrection of the Juſt ſome few hundreds of years, may well be deemed a great loſs. And as the Ancients judged there will be (mora) a deferring of ſome (probably) upon ſuch an account, how ſhould men therefore ſeek to be ſtrengthened in all kind of Goſpelconſolation, &c.

Object. But thoſe Scriptures have been otherwiſe interpreted by many able and good men in an other ſence, only for ſpiritual conſolation, &c.

Anſw. That many able and good men have ſo underſtood them, hath been becauſe of the unjuſt ſcandals, &c. that a long time have been caſt upon this Doctrine of Truth by the ſubtilty of Satan and vanity of men, or at leaſt for want of diſcovery; but how weakly and inſufficiently ſome who might of later times have had more light ſet before them, have gone about to evade the Truth, may to a diſcerning impartial eye, eaſily appear; that while they have gain-ſaid the Truth, have many times laid down evident proofs and confirmations thereof, ſo that their own Writings might ſufficiently manifeſt their miſtakes; beſides, God hath raiſed many able and judicious perſons of later times, that have both vindicated theſe Truths, and ſufficiently anſwered what by others (though otherwiſe men of good account) p. 45have unwarrantably been ſet down to the contrary, as hath been ſhewed, &c.

Object. But ſome may happily ſay, they are ſatisfied with the knowledge of what is and hath been accounted neceſſary to ſalvation, and think it not needful to trouble themſelves with things dark and myſterious, though they be truths, &c.

Anſw. As God hath works to fulfil in all Ages of his Church, ſo hath he needful Truths to be owned and believed in ſeveral conditions and eſtates his People are to paſs thorow in this world; but theſe great Truths concerning the right underſtanding of what God doth and is about to accompliſh in theſe laſt times, are now more in their proper ſeaſon (as was ſaid) are his more diſtinct and clear explications of ſome Articles of Chriſtian Faith; and though the Scriptures, however they have been plentiful, yet have formerly of old been more dark in ſetting them down (according to the divine wiſdom and pleaſure of the incomprehenſible God) and yet in much grace to his true Church, in theſe laſt times, hath made them very evident, that we may by no means conceive thoſe plentiful portions of ſacred Scripture, reſpecting theſe things, are now in their ſeaſon to be overlooked; ſince God hath ſuch excellent ends in revealing them to his People, both for his & our Saviours glory, and his Peoples ſeaſonable and needful conſolation; for there is no word of Grace written for believing ſouls, but they know it in its due ſeaſon and uſe, to be more of worth than all the world: and therefore this general charge Wiſdom gives her Children, Prov. 2.4. To ſeek her as ſilver, and ſearch for her as hid treaſures; verſ. 5. whereby they may underſtand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God; with many like encouragements. And our Saviour, the wiſdom of the Father, enjoyneth men for ſeaſonable Truths, in his Life-time, to ſearch the Scriptures (then) the ſame charge lies upon all his People now, which whoſo endeavours faithfully, ſhall find his bleſſing accordingly in ſo doing; and then myſteries before, are no longer myſteries to them to whom God reveals them for the good of others.

Obj. But ſuch as ſeek into ſuch Myſteries do often miſtake and differ one from the other, &c.

Anſw. The great things of God are ſometimes ſo high that he is pleaſed but to reveal them by degrees, and in their proper ſeaſons; yet every degree (of ſuch he imployes to ſeek into them) really promotes his end, and when his time is come, either by ſearching, or revelation, or both (or as he pleaſeth) he makes them known; and when they are ſo they are highly to be prized, and duly to be improved; p. 46and though in ſome things leſs eſſential ſome miſtakes may be amongſt ſome good men, and differences of apprehenſions, yet ſtill by ſuch ſearching, the Word will reſolve them. I muſt acknowledge to God's glory, before men and Angels, I have to my own great ſatiſfaction found the experience thereof, which I have therefore in order ſet down ſincerely and faithfully, with the ſenſe of mine own weakneſs, for other mens profit and advantage, (though the intent of that Treatiſe (called The Irenicon) was to prove ſuch a Kingdom of Chriſt was to come:) yet, as I found a remarkable hand of God upon me, many wayes leading me to diſcern and acknowledge a perſonal appearance of Chriſt, after I had laid down ſome reaſons of my former apprehenſions of a myſtical, which I likewiſe ſufficiently anſwered, ſo, as may make much for the advantage of ſuch as will duly weigh that work of God upon me, by whom with my ſeeking (with ſmall help of men) I deſired to be guided ſo, as ever to have an eye and an ear open to the directions of his Word and Spirit, of the proceedings, wherein I have endeavoured in ſundry places, on ſeveral occaſions, to give an account advantagious to ſerious Chriſtian ſouls, and greater than if it had been otherwiſe, as upon ſundry conſiderations might be made to appear; and though in ſuch ſubjects (for divers reaſons) men that write of them cannot well be much in explications and applications, leſt they be too voluminous, in laying down the principles and confirmation, as the foundation of them, in the firſt place neceſſary, yet afterwards it will be eaſie (by God's aſſiſtance) for all ſorts of underſtanding Chriſtians to do it for their own benefit, and the edification of others. And to which purpoſe I ſhall likewiſe, by God's Grace, be ready upon any call of his to approve my ſelf to all mens conſciences in the clearing and improving of ſuch needful Truths, according to my meaſure, and as he may give me opportunity, (which haply I conceive may be the chief work remaining to me in this world) though haply they may find reſiſtance from Satan, the end of whoſe Kingdom they hold out; or from ſeveral ſorts of men, either upon prejudice or want of ſearching and trying them by the Scriptures, or from ſome evil diſpoſition of ſpirit or other, or worldly engagements to the contrary, &c. as it hath uſually been with the Witneſſings of other Truths of God in their ſeaſons: but this is the comfort in ſuch caſe, Truth ſhall prevail, and Gods Word ſhall ſtand when all is done; for he that is with ſuch as witneſs for it, is Almighty, and will ſuffer no Truth of his utterly to fall to the ground (though for a time it may ſuffer an eclypſe) but in the mean time the work of his Witneſſes is with him their Lord, and their labour with their God. And as no p. 47Truth of God is in its ſeaſon to be rejected, ſo concerning theſe there ſeems to be leſs reaſon in this regard; becauſe the Spirit of God ſeems in all times of his Meſſengers to be ſo abundant in giving teſtimony thereunto, that men may not onelyonly find much in Moſes, and the Prophets, and the Pſalms (as our Saviour (then) directed to ſearch for his firſt coming in his Kingdom of Patience, Vide Irenicon, p. 81, 82, 83 &c.but concerning his ſecond coming and Kingdom of Power then to be ſet up in the World) they may have abundant evidence beſides, from his Apoſtles, Evangeliſts, and many ſorts of perſons, there recorded, to have been divinely inſpired; and, after all, our Saviour's moſt ſure Explications and Applications of all the former ſtrongly aſſerted, and ſent by his beloved Diſciple St. John, unto the Churches for their Edification and Comfort, unto his ſaid Coming again, as all along by the quotations in the ſaid two Books (by his remarkable hand ſent abroad of late) may more fully appear to ſuch as duly weigh the Scriptures.

Obj. But it may be alledged againſt theſe things, as it was at our Saviours firſt coming, Have any of the Rulers believed on him? So, Do the Great, and Learned, or Eminent Men in the World, of many Ages paſt, acknowledge theſe things?

Anſw. It was a great ſtumbling-block to many ſorts of the People of the Jews, that their Rulers did not; But were they not both by our Saviour (therefore) characterized by Blind leaders of the blind, &c. and the ſame obſtacle hath many times ſince, and ſtill is, like to fall in the way of many. But the Scripture informs men on the other hand, Not many Wiſe, not many Learned, not many Noble, &c. though ſome of all thoſe, &c. So neither are theſe Truths without ſome Witneſſes of all ſuch ranks; and many in the pureſt primitive times, beſides more late ones (as hath been abundantly not long ſince publiſhed) but while men (as we hinted before) have more reſpect to Men, than God's Word, it is no wonder they are in ſome great matters miſled: Therefore (in a word) they are to be warned that they pin not their faith on other mens ſleeves, but with the Noble Bereans ſearch by the holy Scriptures, whether theſe things be ſo, if they would ſtand upon a ſure foundation, &c. It matters not to thee (ſaithful Chriſtian) who are the perſons that plead for or againſt any divine Truth, whilſt thou mayeſt find the Word of God evidently to give witneſs to it; and if in this thou follow any ſort of men rather than Chriſts truth, thou wilt certainly be miſled above what thou mighteſt in other things; for our Saviour hath in theſe things forewarned thee, Luke 18.8. Their Faith will be wanting when he cometh, as in the latter part of the foregoing p. 48Chapter is particularly deſcribed; wherefore they ſhould pray and not faint, &c.

Object. But there is one dangerous ſhifting here comes on to be avoided. i.e. Many good men, able, faithful and well approved, do not at all own ſuch Doctrines, and ſome reckon them to be little better than fancies, &c.

Anſw. No good men, however qualified or approved in this world, are perfect. Who better, or equal to the Apoſtles of Chriſt? yet the chiefeſt of them ſhewed their infirmities. Peter and Paul were ſo at difference, that they parted from each other; and Barnabas was far carried away with the diſſimulation of a miſtaken party; and there was much adoe among ſome of them, before the believing Gentiles could be received, though the Word and Will of God was for it, till God made the buſineſs out of queſtion (but the evidence of the Jews converſion, and things contemporary with them, have much more clearneſs that they ſhall be accompliſhed: and though good men in many things have been upheld in upright wayes, pleaſing unto God, yet they may fail in others; and what ſorts of good men have not had their failings? and is not that vanity in many able, approved and learned men, that they are apt ſo to conceive of their light, or parts, or learning, or experience, that nothing is to be owned and received, that is not ſuited to their own ſtandard? and all is but fancy that is not comprized within the ſummary of their Faith, although they have not ſearched and tryed them by the true touch-ſtone of the Word? But let all ſuch, be they who they will, either in their own eſteem, or in the eſteem of others, take heed of being in ſuch regard reſiſters of any divine Truth. God hath more Truths yet to reveal, than any times paſt have been hitherto capable of receiving, or that theſe times we are in can attain to; but will be revealed and received too, at the time when his Temple ſhall be opened in Heaven; and when men ſhall ſee in his Temple the Ark of his Teſtament, Rev. 11.19. But he hath now in our times revealed ſome things which he would have owned by us, which have not of many years paſt been ſo manifeſt and clear, but are now very ſeaſonable to be many ways improved in theſe laſt days.

Object. But the Teachers of ſuch or ſuch Doctrines have many of them had ſuch faylings, or given ſuch offence, as occaſion others to ſtumble, or they are ſo mean in eſteem as not much to be regarded, &c.

Anſw. Though perhaps ſome have been ſuch, yet not all: there are very ancient as well as modern Witneſſes thereof, and in moſt times ſome, and good and eminent men too, as well as meaner perſons, if men would impartially enquire; and much I doubt not might be fairly anſwered to particular exceptions (if things were duely p. 49weighed, but it hath been uſual to take up any vain pretences againſt what is really good; but the rule of old was non quis, ſed quid. Our Saviour hath two cautions in hearing; take heed what, and take heed how; but he reſerveth to himſelf liberty to ſend his meſſages by any ſort of men: As we muſt not have his Faith with reſpect of perſons; ſo not receive or own it in reſpect of perſons, but as founded upon the Scriptures of Truth. How oft hath the looking aſquint upon Gods Meſſengers, upon ſome appearing or pretended occaſion of diſreſpect or other, proved a ſad judgement unto many to whom they have come, and who have been ſent by him in great turnings of times, that have not been aſſaulted in ſome kind, reſpecting their perſons? Thoſe rebels of old excited one another to ſmite the Prophet with the tongue, that they might not give heed to any of his words, Jer. 18.18. However, notwithſtanding the worſt that can be pretended againſt mens perſons, men may conſider, that Gold that is found but in dunghills ordraughts, if by the touch-ſtone it be approved to be Gold, deſerveth to be laid up (when waſhed from the ſoil upon it) as well as that which had been kept cloſely before, in the Treaſury or Cabinet. Wiſdom will be juſtified of her Children, in all her Oracles, for this reaſon, becauſe they are her Oracles. Gods Servants here are to have their grain of allowance; but the vain World uſeth to preoccupate the judgment of the Saints unjuſtly by harſh cenſures and hard ſpeeches, as Antichriſt hath done their reign to come by wicked Idolatry.

Object. But theſe Doctrines, &c. ſhake the foundation of worldly intereſt and enjoyments: for if Chriſts glorious appearance will be ſo terrible, and work ſuch deſolations and changes, and that its approach is nigh, what will become of Poſſeſſors treaſures and their owners?

Anſw. Good to the good, and evil to the evil, Rev. 11.18. and therefore God ſeems to cauſe ſuch ſeaſonable Truths to be known and publiſhed in theſe laſt dayes, to looſen mens hearts from the world, and eſpecially from their wickedneſs, and as Daniel counſelled Nebuchadnezzar, when he was to be driven from his moſt ſtately Palace to feed among the Beaſts, Dan. 4.27. Let men break off their ſins by righteouſneſs, and their iniquities by ſhewing mercy to the poor (viz. Gods poor) &c. and like to our Saviours wiſe Steward, let them make themſelves friends with the Mammon of iniquity, whileſt time ſerveth, that they may receive them into their houſes, when they are out of their ſtewardſhips; even thoſe houſes and manſions which our Saviour went to prepare for his little little flock in his Kingdom; and at his return will give them poſſeſſion of them with himſelf.

But here to be ſhort: Let ſober and ſerious Chriſtians further conſider, p. 50that God hath not ſaid ſo very much of theſe things in his Word to no purpoſe, but every truth contained in his Word is uſeful in its ſeaſon to his Church, working (as all holy Scriptures do) Sanctification in his People: beſides take notice, that myſtical Truths may now from the Word be expected to be revealed in great meaſure, when that point of time is haſtening to us, wherein the Myſtery of God will be finiſhed, Rev. 10.7. And according to Mark 13.32. which Text many ſtumble at. Chriſt ſaith, (that as man) he knew not the day and hour of the laſt times (at leaſt not ſtrictly taken) yet even then, he being ſuch a perſon in whom the Godhead dwelled bodily, as Col. 2.9. did then to his Diſciples make known much of theſe things, Matth. 24. Luke 20, & 21. Mark. 13. and in other places (at leaſt in ſome latitude) although in a ſtrict ſenſe the day and hour of Chriſts comming may not be known to us, by means of incompleat or broken years, or ſome imperfection of Chronology, or the like, as God is pleaſed to over-rule, &c. So likewiſe when Chriſt tells his Diſciples, Acts 1.5, 6. It is not for you to know the times and ſeaſons (then in the ſtate they were in at preſent) which the Father hath put in his own power. Yet even then he tells them in the next verſ. of being endued with power from on high, on Pentecoſt, then near at hand; when they were not only fitted for the work of the Miniſtry, and to work Miracles, but to know the great Myſteries of holy Scriptures, and of Daniel in particular; as was ſeen in Peter, Acts 3.19, 20, 21. in James, Acts 15.15, 16, 17. In St. Paul abundantly, in his Epiſtles, and even in Jude's ſhort Epiſtle, verſ. 14. But above all, the beloved Diſciple, St. John, is taught to unlock all the formerly ſhut up Myſteries of the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel, even to thoſe times, and that by Chriſt himſelf, in the whole Book of the Revelations, thenceforward to be uſeful for his Churches ſucceſſively, for the time of the end, for which they were reſerved (as is obſervable, Dan. 8.17, 19. Chap. 11.40. & 12.4, 9. So that from that time they were unſealed by our Saviour and his holy Spirit, who through all times of the Seals, hath hitherto opened his Myſteries in their orders, Rev. 6. & Rev. 8. &c. much of this nature might be added, not only to remove the frivolous, and erroneous conceits of many reſpecting theſe things, whileſt they little conſider in what Glory and Majeſty Chriſt will then come in the Clouds of Heaven, or with Clouds, as Rev. 1.7. accompanied with all his holy Angels. And as Enoch long ſince propheſied, Jude 14. with ten thouſands of his Saints, who ſhall then come with him, 1 Theſſ. 1. ult. and 4.14. that he then uniting their Spirits to their Bodies, may make them alive and remain againſt his laſt coming (as verſes 15, p. 5117.) and may ſo make them capable to behold his glory in the New Jeruſalem the thouſand years, John 17.4. with Rev. 20.

In ſum then (Chriſtian) take notice of theſe repreſentations of the points of Doctrine, reſpecting Chriſts comings and Kingdom on earth.

Firſt, Theſe Points, as all other divine Truths, are Uniform, See this conſidered in many particulars in Obſer. 31.and bear an excellent harmony with themſelves, and all other true Doctrines, and no wayes twharting or diſagreeing in themſelves, or with any others, which ſound Chriſtians own or profeſs, as by comparing particulars will appear.

Secondly, There is nothing new in them in ſubſtance, being only fuller explications of divine Myſteries, before more darkly couched, yet contained in the Word of God.

Thirdly, They will more and more be manifeſt to have no greater enemies than ignorance of Gods Divine Counſels revealed, and ſinful unbelief or prophaneneſs, being of themſelves ſacred and ſanctifying Truths; which likewiſe is another evidence of their divine excellency.

Laſtly, That now they are in their due ſeaſon eſpecially made known by the eſpecial grace of God, to be publiſhed to and improved by his faithful People upon whom the ends of the World are coming.

And as for ſome miſapprehenſions of ſome good men to whom Myſteries of this nature are not yet diſcovered; whence not only a ſtrange ſlighting of theſe great things of God ſometimes proceeds; but likewiſe hard ſpeeches both concerning the things, and Chriſts own witneſſes of them according to his Word, who are therein to be pittied and prayed for with endeavours of information, if God afford opportunity, and ſhall be pleaſed to vouchſafe his bleſſing: However all men herein are to be admoniſhed, that they offend not any ſuch wayes againſt Chriſt more than they are aware of, by contemning or ſpeaking evil of thoſe divine matters they underſtand not, and therefore do not believe, yet will be fulfilled in their ſeaſon. Amen.

FINIS.

Errata's formerly omitted, though ſmaller faults be paſſed by.

IN the Forrunner. pag. 10. before line 26. add [of the eternal decrees] p. 34. r. Rev. 13. in the marg. In Irenicon, p. ult. Chron. Table, l. 18. r. 410. In the Preface, p. 3. l. 1. r. witneſſings. In the Advertiſement, l. 19. 1. ſupernal. p. 84. l. 27. r. Phariſees, not Diſciples. p. 100. l. 26. 1. Ideom. p. 101. l. 39. r. ſpecial, not ſpiritual. p. 109. l. 6. r. thy. In Parallel. p. 36. l. 9. r. incheate. Plain Diſcovery, p. 1. l. 4. r. new.

End of the text · William Sherwin, The Two Personal Comings of Christ (1670)