Meditations Upon the Lords Prayer, Treatise · Petition 2

Meditations Upon the Lords Prayer · Treatise · Petition 2

p. 24The ſecond Petition.

Thy Kingdom come.

1. THis Petition conſiſts of but of three words; yet affords much to be conſidered: for, every word hath an emphaſis which makes their connexion to imply many obſervable Particulars, beſides that ſence which is plainly expreſſed; to wit, that there is a Kingdom yet to come, which we ought to pray for. The middle word, ſhews that there is ſuch an expectant Kingdom; The firſt word THY, that it is his Kingdom to whom we pray: The laſt word COME, that it is to be expected. I will begin with the word KINGDOM. A Kingdom is among men a Government belonging to a ſingle Perſon, whom the Latines called REX, à regendo, of governing, and implies one qualified for that Duty. We in Engliſh call him a King, which is a word derived p. 25from what is ſignified by theſe two Old Saxon words united, Kan and Ken, that is, to be Able, and to Know; or, Power and Wiſdom, thereby implying that a King who will Govern well, ought to be endowed with Prudence and Power. For true Wiſdom, whoſe Original is the fear of GOD, includes Juſtice, Mercy, Magnanimity, Sanctified policy, Conſtancy, Temperance, with all other virtuous qualifications; and by Powre, is intended all means whatſoever, whereby thoſe Virtues may be put into execution for diſcharge of his office; that, thereby the Kings of the Earth might officiate, as much as is poſſible, in imitation of their Soveraign, the Supream King of Heaven and Earth. I know no people under Heaven, except theſe Nations within our Brittiſh Iſles, who have a Word or Title, for their Supream Governor in their own Language, which ſo truely conſtitutes him a Regulated Monarch, and whoſe ſignification ſo mindes and obligeth him to Govern accordingly: For, theſe words, Emperour, Grand-Seignior, Prince, Duke, or ſuch-like, with thoſe words whereby in the Languages of other Countries they intend him who with us is called a King, ſignifie nothing but an abſolute Superiority and priority of Dignity, without intimating ought purpoſed thereby, for the welfare of their Subjects; as the common interpretations of ſo many of thoſe Appellations, as I know, do declare. Such Names were at firſt aſcribed either by baſe flatterers, or elſe aſſumed to themſelves, by thoſe who affected and uſurped an exorbitant arbitrary Power, in the exerciſe whereof the ſignification of their Tiles were an incouragement, ſeeming to oblige them to no more then to Govern by p. 26their will and pleaſure only. Whereas the word King in our tongue implies that our Soveraign ſhould be both Wiſe and Powerful, and as wiſe as powerful; (Wiſdom comprehending Juſtice, Mercy, and all other Virtues) and our Law preſuppoſing him alſo, ſo to be at all times (becauſe to be otherwiſe, deſtroys the eſſentiality of Kingſhip) hath in it, this fundamental Maxime; A King can do no wrong. Such as the king is, ſuch is the Kingdom, or Government; and ſuch will be the people; as we find it to have been in all the Kingdoms of the Earth. But, the King and Kingdom for whoſe coming we pray, are ſtabliſhed by Wiſdom and Power ſo perfect, that no wrongs can be done by the King thereof, nor any ſuffered by thoſe who are under him, by any unrighteous Law in that Kingdom; and happy are thoſe Kings and the Subjects of thoſe Kingdoms who endeavour to Govern and Obey according to the righteouſneſs of that King, and the Conſtitutions of his Kingdom, ſo near as they ſhall be able. To that end, the ſame Kingdom is partly come into thoſe in this Generation, who belong thereunto, to ſhew it forth to Kings and Subjects, in the Kingdoms of this wold by their Doctrine, Life and Converſation, that the Contemners thereof may be inexcuſable: For though it ſeems to be a Kingdom not now in being, but to come hereafter, it is an Eternal Kingdom, which now is, always was, and ever ſhall be, without beginning or ending; and, is termed a Kingdom to come, in reſpect of that more full manifeſtation which it ſhall have, here upon Earth, and within the Saints, who are and ſhall be ſharers therein, reigning together with Chriſt. Some call it the fifth Monarchie (as it is, in relation to thoſe Monarchies propheſied p. 27of by Daniel) but it is the firſt that ever was, and the laſt that ever ſhall be in Heaven or Earth; and is ſuch a Kingdom as we are not able (in the ſtate wherein we yet be) to conceive, much leſs to expreſs, in that mode wherein it ſhall be manifeſted, though we have many metaphorical deſcriptions of it, whereby we may apprehend ſo much of the Glory of it, as may make us believe and expect it with joy.

2. The Soveraignty of this Kingdom was eternally in the Deity before all worlds, and after the Creation was joyntly and diſtinctly exerciſed by the Father, Son and Holy Ghoſt, according as the Manifeſtations thereof, were decreed before time, and evidenced by occurrences in the progreſs of Time, Thereof, I will declare ſo much as God hath revealed unto me by his Word and Spirit. During that, intelligible point of Time which was called Beginning (being the firſt of thoſe five Notions, wherein I conceive all things to be included, to wit Eternity, Beginning, Time, End and Everlaſting) even in that Moment of Beginning, and immediately after the Angels and Adam were created and Fell; the Prince of the Spirits elapſed began to Uſurp a part of Gods Kingdom, by that permiſſive Power which he ſtill retained; and he forthwith practiſed upon innocent Man, on whom God had conferred a Vicegerency under himſelf over all ſubceleſtial Creatures: And Adam being compounded of thoſe Elements, which rendred him ſubject to mutability, the Devil, prevailing by ſubtlety, drew him to diſobedience and rebellion; which, God foreknowing might (had he ſo pleaſed) either have prevented it, or in a moment deſtroyed the Vſurper with all his Confederates. p. 28But this conſiſted not with his Eternal Decree, whereby mankinde was to have experience in a natural way of that Good and Evil which our Firſt-Parents deſired to know. Therefore, according to the ſame Decree, God ſuffered that part of his Kingdom which was to be viſible on Earth, to be for a while ſhared between two contradictory Powers: the Devil, to continue in poſſeſſion of what he had Uſurped, and his Eternal Son (to whom the whole Kingdom by right appertained) to exerciſe alſo his Kingly Office therein, ſo far forth, as neither his Intereſt, with that which is really good might be totally deſtroyed, not the Devils power ſo limited, that the utmoſt extent of evil might not be fully known; ſo here hath been ever ſince, two Militant Kingdoms upon the Earth, contending for Superiority.

3. The Incarnate Son of GOD was firſt externally inaugurated, when it was ſaid, that The ſeed of the Woman ſhould break the Serpents head, and the Meſſiah was then ſpiritually conceived by Faith in the hearts of Adam and Eve, and there began this Kingdom to be firſt in the earth, though the ſeed of the Serpent, did alſo fructifie by that ſeminal corruption which he had injected to make entrance for his Kingdom: And when their two firſt Children being born into the world, Had attained ability to demonſtrate unto which Kingdom they adhered, the Conteſt which hath ever ſince been maintained between them, did preſently begin: Cain ſlew his Brother Abel upon that quarrel; and the conſequence thereof, together with Cains male-contented Demeanour, gave occaſion of GODS declaring ſomewhat unto him, which I conceive to be pertinent p. 29to their conſideration whoſe Faith and Patience were to be exerciſed under tyrannous Governments in all future Generations, until his Son ſhall bring them to an end, by aſſuming the whole Kingdom: For, before Cain had ſlain his Brother, God ſaid, That he ſhould Rule over him, and his deſire be ſubjected unto him. Moreover, after the murther was committed, and when GOD had ſo curſed Cain for it, (who was the firſt Tyrannous abuſer of his Authority) that by the judgement of his own conſcience, he ſeemed worthily expoſed to ſlaughter by every one who met him; God nevertheleſs affirmed, that, whoſoever ſlew him, his blood ſhould be avenged ſevenfold upon the ſlayer; and it is written that God ſet a Mark upon him, to prevent his ſlaughter; from whence it may be inferred (as I think) that all Private perſons ought to be wary they lay not violent hands upon thoſe to whom God hath ſubjected them, how wicked ſoever they be, leſt, that Mark be fouud upon them, which renders them liable to a ſevenfold Vengeance.

4. The viſible Kingdom of GOD our Father, How it was conferred upon his Son; What oppoſition it ſhould have in the world by Kings and Nations; The Vanitie of their Reaſons of State; the fruitleſneſs of the Plots, Counſels and confederacies of the people: The eſtabliſhment of his Throne upon his holy Mountain the ſpiritual Sion, in deſpight of oppoſition; The proclamation of what was eternally decreed concerning it; The Vniverſality and powerfulneſs of his Domion; How it will beſeem all earthly Kings, and their ſubordinate Judges, and Officers to demean themſelves under him; VVhat will befal to them p. 30who ſhall be rebellious or refractory, and the happineſs of all thoſe who ſhall do homage unto him, and be obedient as they ought to be: All this was foretold in the ſecond Pſalm, which is a Literal, not a Typical Prophecy of the Kingdom of Chriſt, the true David; Yet, this Kingdom had for a long time, a very ſlow increaſe, was confined to a very narrow circuit, and hath been from that time hitherto alſo, of ſmall eſtimation in reſpect of the Kingdoms of this World; except onelyonly in the days of Enos and Noah; for in the days of Enos it is recorded, that men began to call upon the Name of the Lord: and in the time of Noah, this King of kings, aſſumed the ſole Government of his Kingdom into his own hands; proclaimed his fore-intended Judgements to all his Subjects for their cruelties and rebellions; and, at the time appointed, executed his ſentence of Condemnation to the Deſtruction of all the Oppreſſors, Tyrants, and Kingdoms of the Earth, by VVater; as he will after Chriſts laſt coming, by Fire▪ and what will then become of his proud and malicious Enemies, it may eaſily be foreſeen.

5. A while after the Deluge, during the Paternal Kingſhip of Noah, the Kingdom of our Father prevailed: but within a few years after the Flood, the kingdom of the Devil begun to be again inlarged; and, that of GOD, to be thruſt into a little Room, and for ſome Generations to be viſible in a few Families onelyonly, ſo obſcured, that, the world took ſmall notice thereof, uutil the times of Moſes and Joſuah, in whoſe days the judgements executed upon Pharaoh, and on the Cananites made it evidently manifeſt, that there was a more Powerful King, then thoſe who uſurped the Kingdoms of the Earth. p. 31And though this Kingdom was again after that, obſcured ſeveral times, by their wickedneſs who profeſſed obedience thereto; yet, the power of it appeared more and more, eſpecially, during the Reign of David, Solomon, Jehoſophat, Ezekias and other Kings of Judah; yea, and was much heeded by the prevalency which it had, in ſome degree, upon Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus and Darius, three of the greateſt; Earthly Monarchs, who were conſtrained to confeſs the power of their Supream Soveraign; and, it had ſome other manifeſtations thereof before the true King thereof appeared in the Fleſh: But, then it began to ſhew it ſelf, in another mode, ſo differing from all temporary Kingdoms, that it ſeemed to the men of the world, to have nothing in it like a Kingdom, and the King thereof to be nothing leſs then a King. For, a mean Carpenter was his reputed Father; a poor Virgin was his true Mother; when he was born, ſhe had no Pallace, but a deſpicable Inne to give her entertainment; No Chamber to lodge in, but a Stall with Beaſts; No Cradle under a rich Canopy to lay this King in, but a Manger; No Heralds, but Shepherds to proclaim his Birth, and call him a high and mighty Prince, as is uſuall at the Birth of Kings; But, that defect was recompenced with a Complement more Magnificent then the Nativity-Ceremonies, of all other Kings put together: For, a glorious Angel brought them a Commiſſion to publiſh it; A Celeſtial Army celebrated his Birth, with a Nativity-Song; and the kings of the Eaſt came to do him homage, and brought him preſents, being directed unto him by a Star.

6. When years had rendred him fit to exerciſe his Kingſhip, according to what was proper to the p. 32Initiation thereof; he had no great Pallace to dwell in; no not a place wherein to reſt his head. He had no Princes, Dukes; Marqueſſes or Earls to attend him, but a few deſpiſed Fiſher-men; inſtead of a triumphant Chariot, he rode through jeruſalem, upon the ſilly Foal of an Aſs; and inſtead of a Footcloth, the people put their Garments under him. When he came to be Inthroned, with his Title in three Languages written over his head, his Royal Apparel, was a Purple Robe contemptuouſly caſt upon him; he was ſcornfully ſaluted as King in mockage onelyonly, reviled and ſpit upon; To be a Septer, they gave him a Reed; inſtead of a golden wreath beſet with pretious Stones, they Crowned him with ſharpe Thorns; his Throne was a Croſs, whereto they nailed his hands and his feet; There he gave up his Ghoſt, and having no Sepulchre of his own, was buried in another mans Grave. This is quite contrary to the mode and pomp, of the Kings and Kingdoms of this world; yet, even then, (as at his Birth) his dignity was extraordinarily evidenced; for by the power of his Almighty God-head, he, to the affrighting of his Enemies, obſcured the Sun by a a ſupernatural Eclipſe; he rent the Vail of the Temple, ſhook the whole Globe of the Earth; raiſed the Dead but of their Graves, and himſelf again to life; conquered Death and Hell; ſhewed himſelf alive to his Diſciples, aſcended up to Heaven in their ſight; and, when the Devil and his confederates ſuppoſed his Kingdom to be everlaſtingly at an end; it became ſo ſignally powerful, in that external weakneſs and contempt whereby it ſeemed to be diſabled, if not annihilated; that, it deſtroyed, all the ſumptuous Temples of the Gentles, with thoſe gods which p. 33they therein worſhipped; yea, the Temple and Religion of his Crucifiers, who boaſted and truſted in the holineſs thereof; and this King and Kingdom will at laſt, utterly root out of the world, that myſtery of iniquity, which hath been raiſed up ſince the ſubverſion of heatheniſh and Jewiſh Oppoſers thereof; even that great Malignant Kingdom (with all the ſupporters and vaſſals thereof) which hath now tyrannized in ſeveral forms over the Saints, and Subjects of the King of kings almoſt ſix thouſand years. But notwithſtanding all this, Chriſts now pretended Vicar, though he calls himſelf the ſervant of the ſervants of God, and makes counterfeit ſhews of humility (as many others do) is not contented with ſuch a Kingdom; and therefore, hath reduced his into ſuch a one, as makes it apparent he hath accepted of as much as he could get, of that offer with Chriſt refuſed, when the Devil tendered unto him the Kingoms of the world, with all the glory of them, on condition he would fall down and worſhip him.

7. It ſeems by what is recorded of the Tribe of Iſſacher to their commendation, 1 Chro. 12. that we are to take notice of what concerns the times wherein we live, and perhaps it will not be impertinent to the Kingdom here mentioned, to add what I am inclined to expreſs, by occaſion of Letters and Reports much credited concerning an Army of Iſraelites repairing toward the Ancient Habitation of their Fore-fathers, which, was heretofore a viſible Province of that Kingdom, until the Inhabitants for their Treaſon and Murther committed againſt their Soveraign Lord, (or the greateſt party of that Nation) were thereupon rejected, and ſcattered p. 34through the world, to wander as Vagabonds like Cain (their Type) without any certain abiding place. That is, the condition of thoſe who at this day are called Jews; but whether they are aſſuredly the Off-ſpring of the Patriarks Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob, neither I nor they know, as I believe: For, I underſtand not how they in theſe parts of the world commonly reputed to be of the Tribe of Judah, and of thoſe other Tribes which adhering thereto, continued in their own Country, until about forty years after the Crucifying of their Meſſiah, can poſſibly know whether they are Jews or not ſo, conſidering that throughout Europe (as Hiſtories inform us) they were not onelyonly baniſhed and expelled from place to place, but the Records of their Genealogies taken away alſo, and burnt. A great number likewiſe (if not the greateſt number) of thoſe whom we term Jews, are probably ſuch Natives of the Countries wherein they have long lived, who imbracing the Jewiſh Hereſie, made themſelves liable to that heavy curſe, which they imprecated upon themſelves and their Poſterity, who, when they crucified Chriſt, wiſhed his Blood might be upon their heads, and the heads of their Children. Theſe therefore, I ſuſpect to be in no better eſtate, then they, of whom it was ſaid, Revel. 3. 9. They ſhall be made of the Synagogue of Sathan, becauſe they ſaid they were Jews, but were not ſo.

8. They, who are now reported to call themſelves Iſraelites, and to be the Poſterity of thoſe who were carried out of their own Country before the Babyloniſh Captivity, and ſaid to have been ever ſince obſcured, as it were, from the world, and p. 35now repairing to poſſeſs the inheritance of their Fore-fathers, are not to us aſcertained to be ſuch as they are famed, or to have made that egreſs, and progreſs lately reported; For, we have yet received no Letters, that I hear of, from any of our Merchants or Factors trading in or near thoſe parts; (but all ſeems to come from one root) I ſhall therefore believe neither matter of Fact, nor what ſome conjecture will be the conſequence of that Rumour, till better evidence thereof; nor will miſcenſure their charitable hope, who already believing what they hear, conceive it may poſſibly be a Preparatory, to that Converſion of the Jews which is by them expected. I confeſs I have heretofore ſtagger'd to and fro, between my hope and fear concerning that people; For, there are ſeveral places in the Old Teſtament, ſo variouſly interpreted by Learned and Pious men, that I dare not peremptorily conclude one way or other, becauſe thoſe Prophecies are not yet unqueſtionably unſealed to me; And perhaps left Ambiguous for Probation of our Faith and Conſtancy, who were to live in this laſt Age of the World, wherein there would be ſo many great Impoſtures and falſe Miracles, as have been foretold. We buſie our ſelves in matters which little or nothing belong unto us, out of a vain curioſity; and by miſtaking the true meaning of what we read in Holy Scripture, ſuppoſe that which was never intended, neglecting the mean while our duties in that which is plainly declared, and more concerns us. As in ſeveral places of S. Pauls Epiſtles, particularly touching the Jews, Rom. 9. which (as wiſer men then I, underſtand it) did principally relate to that Nation in the Apoſtles time, p. 36and to abate the Gentiles preſuming on themſelves, as alſo their miſcenſure of the Jewiſh total Apoſtacy and Rejection, rather then to infer ſuch conſequences as many ſuppoſed.

9. I will look to my own calling, and ſeek to ſecure my ſafe ſtanding, as God by his Grace enables me, praying for the Calling and Converſion of Jews, Turks, Heathens, and for all Heatheniſh and Jewiſh Chriſtians in Gods time and mode; thinking of them as I find they are, until I more plainly perceive what God and they will do. I believe the Viſion of dry Bones, which received Fleſh and Life, concerns both Jews and Gentiles; And know, if God ſo pleaſeth, a Nation may be born and regenerated in a day; and that a people may be kept hidden from the reſt of this wide world, in ſome part thereof, till he may thence bring them forth again in his appointed time, none knowing how, or from whence, as he doth Swallows and other Birds in their ſeaſons; which yearly come we know not from whence, and go we know not whither. Nevertheleſs, I do not think he will do all that he can, or that we are bound to believe, what Interpreters of dark places in Holy Scripture, ſhall conjecture to be the meaning wherein the wiſeſt of them contradict each other; eſpecially when it concerns not our ſaving Faith, but the Temporary Reſtoration of the Jews, to an earthly Poſſeſſion; Who, for ought I yet hear, have given us ſo little ſhow of a Repentance preparatory to their Converſion, that this may be a temptation to a further hardning of them, and of Apoſtacy in ſome among us, if God prevent it not. For, it ſeems not to me improbable (conſidering the near approaching p. 37of Chriſts Kingdom) but that, the grand Antichriſt, and all other petty Antichriſts with their confederates, will improve their ſeveral Myſteries of iniquity to the utmoſt, that their Supream Prince the Devil, may gather together a Rabble pretending to be Jews extraordinarily congregated, by Divine Providence, to delude thoſe who profeſs a belief in the true Meſſias already come. We were by our Saviour forewarned to take heed we were not then deceived, in regard many Deceivers would come in his Name, to the deluding even of the Elect ſo far as poſſible: And when he had foretold the ſignes and wonders which ſhould precede his ſecond coming (being ſuch as have been more frequent in our dayes then in any one Age (nay, I think more then in many Ages) ſince Chriſts Aſcenſion, he added, that in the dayes he ſpake of, falſe Chriſts and falſe Prophets ſhould ariſe, ſhewing ſuch ſignes and wonders that it would hazzard the Elect as aforeſaid. Therefore ſaid he, Whoſoever ſhall ſay, Loe here is Chriſt, loe there is Chriſt, believe it not. If they ſhall ſay unto you, He is in the Deſert, go not out: Or, if they ſhall ſay he is in the ſecret Chamber, believe it not: For, as the Lightning cometh out of the Eaſt, and ſhineth into the Weſt, ſo ſhall the coming of the Son of Man be. It is ſaid in another place, that, the Kingdom of GOD is within thoſe who belong thereunto; which, if we find it to be in us, we ſhall be able to diſcern Impoſtures; and if it be not ſo with us, the Iſraelites who are now famed to be come into the Deſerts of Arabia, will nothing avail us, to what purpoſe ſoever they come.

10. Their Temporal Kingdom concerns them only, p. 38and not us who claim intereſt in a better, and know that the moſt glorious earthly Kingdoms are but Vanities and Snares in reſpect thereof; And if there be any Propheſie in the Old Teſtament thereto relating; and unſealed to them and others, it is not ſo to me, and until it ſhall be ſo opened) that I may be aſſured thereof (and till I ſhall think it alſo more pertinent to Gods glory then yet I do) my belief will be ſuſpended. That midnight is very near, or not far off, of which it was ſaid, Matth. 25. 6. Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go forth to meet him; But, this is not ſuch an Outcry, but made by the Voices of men only, which are ſo deceitful, that we ſee cauſe almoſt every day, to believe the contrary of that which we believed yeſterday. I therefore cannot believe it will be any other Voice, then that of the anointing Spirit within the Children of Chriſts Kingdom, which muſt prepare them for that whereof no outward Intelligencers can give a certain Information; becauſe the evidence of Chriſts Kingdom depends not upon external Obſervations, but upon that evidence within us, which is confirmed by the Word infallibly interpreted by the Spirit, and cheriſhed by that Anointing Oyl which the fooliſh Virgins never had in their Veſſels; nor they, who pretend they have it to ſell. I heartily pray we may be found among thoſe wiſe Virgins who were watchful, that we may diſtinguiſh the Bridegrooms voice from Impoſtors, leſt we be ſhut out from entering when he cometh.

11. I hereby intend nothing in oppoſition to them who believe the Rumors aforementioned, but leave them to credit them as they are perſwaded, until they find cauſe to the contrary, expecting p. 39from them the like indulgence to me: For, if I hear unqueſtionably, that ſuch a remainder of Iſrael, by Miracles and Divine inſtinct, are come into their antient Inheritance, ſhall there be ſetled by way of preparation; Then having Repentance wrought in them, ſhall have their eyes opened to ſee by Faith, and confeſs with their mouthes, that Jeſus Chriſt whom their brethren betrayed, ſold and crucified, was their promised King, I ſhall know it is of God, and rejoyce in it as much as any: But, till then, I ſhall be warie of giving credit to what I, hear, and wiſh all other men ſo to do, leaſt they be deluded, by miſtaking the meaning of thoſe Prophets, who foretold the bringing back the Captivated Iſraelites to their Country, thinking thoſe Predictions which were fulfilled before, and at Chriſts firſt coming, are ſtill expectant, as relating to their Temporal Kingdom. For, I believe that the gathering together of the diſperſed Iſraelites preſaged by the Prophets, intended not thoſe only which were Jews according to the Fleſh, but thoſe Jews and Gentiles who are the ſpiritual ſeed of Abraham, by Faith, diſperſed throughout the World, and ſuch Jews as Paul meant, Rom. 2. 28, 29. where he ſaith, He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumciſion, which is outwardly in the fleſh; but, he is a jew who is one inwardly, and Circumciſion is that of the heart, and in the Spirit, not in the Letter; which being ſo, we may juſtly ſuſpect they have miſtaken the meaning of the Prophets who apply their predictions to ſuch a carnal Reſtauration of the jews as is now expected. That miſtake, as I believe, might be cured by obſerving, that immediately after ſuch Prophecies as foretold p. 40their temporal Reſtauration, the coming of Chriſts Kingdom is frequently preſaged in the Texts following in the ſame Chapters. If there ſeem to be any Propheſie which predicts ſuch a returning of the jews, as is now looked for after the Birth, Death, and Aſcenſion of our Redeemer; Let it be well conſidered, whether it means any more then a returning to their Countrey by way of Preparation to their Spiritual returning unto the Kingdom of their rejected King; or whether (as I rather believe) the main intent of all the Prophets who Propheſied ought in relation to what ſhould be after Chriſts Aſcention (when the Partition-Wall was broken down, and Jews and Gentiles made one people) had not reſpect to Chriſts Kingdom only on Earth, as it ſhould be manifeſted at his firſt coming, or at the ſecond, till the end of the World. Iſaiah in his 60. Chapter and to the end of his Propheſie; and Daniel in the laſt of his Propheſie; concur with St. John in the laſt of his Revelation, in predicting the glory of that Spiritual Kingdom; which, though it be upon Earth, will not be an Earthly Kingdom, nor ſo inglorious as that will be at beſt, in reſpect thereof, which ſhall be confined to Sion, and Jeruſalem, in the Land of Canaan; For, When the new Heaven and the new Earth ſhall be created, the old Name ſhall be left as a curſe, and the Servants of the Lord called by a new Name, Eſa. 65. This, and other Propheſies concerning Chriſts Kingdom to come upon Earth, are (as I underſtand him) well conſidered, by my good friend, Mr. T. M. of W. Senior, in a Tract of his which I have lately ſeen, with reſpect to the Jews temporary condition and Country, ſo far forth as they ſeem to concern them by way of p. 41preparation to what ſhall be hereafter: For, their antient Country, being (as I think) a part of that Garden which God planted Eaſtward in Eden, ſhall no doubt, when Chriſts Kingdom more viſibly appears, have many Propheſies there locally, and literally, as well as ſpiritually fulfilled; and my intent is not to contradict what other men believe of that Myſterie, but, rather to prevent ſuch miſtakes as may be repugnant to the Eſſentiality thereof. When I contemplate the ſaid Kingdom of Chriſt, and his perſonal Reign here on Earth, looking backward, and forward, upon that Experimental knowledg of good and evil, which Mankind is likely to acquire, in the Six days of a 1000 Years apiece; and the Knowledg alſo, which will be gotten in that ſeventh part of time wherein Chriſt ſhall come, both to the full Illuſtration, and deſtruction of all that is Evil, and to the plenary Demonſtration and Perfection of all that is Good, for reſtoring the Saints who ſhall live and reign with him, to that Paradiſical Eſtate, out of which our firſt Parents were excluded: When (I ſay) I contemplate this, I have ſuch a ſtrong deſire to expreſs what I glimmeringly apprehend of it, that, being unable to perform it, it makes me ſo ſick and faint in Body and Spirit, when I attempt it, that I am forced to deſiſt from thoſe contemplatings to recover ſtrength, leſt diſtracted by the variety of Notions; I might in that weakneſs, either extend my expreſſions to more then this Generation can yet bear; or, to that which may be miſapprehended; being forced to cry out in my heart with St. Paul: Oh the depth of the riches both of the Wiſdom and Knowledge of God! How unſearchable are his Judgments! And his Wayes paſt finding out!

p. 4212. I ſet no bounds to Gods Mercy, nor am hopeleſs of the extent thereof to any whilſt they are in the fleſh, until they have utterly excluded themſelves by wilful malicious and final obſtinacy, and who they are I cannot certainly know; Therefore, neither judge peremptorily of any, or neglect to pray for them: No not to pray for the perſons of Antichriſtian Prelates, who have perverted the true intent of Evangelical Epiſcopacy, which I reverence: For, I believe it poſſible for ſome of them to repent and be ſaved, though they are the worſt of all men who ſeem to be Members of Chriſts Viſible Church: Nor am I incredulous that there are, were, and ſhall be, in every Age, a Remnant of thoſe called Jews (though the worſt of all men without the Viſible Church) preſerved according to the Election of God, and brought into Chriſts Fold: But, whether there ſhall be ſuch an Vniverſal return as ſome think, I am yet doubtful, it being nothing pertinent to my perſonal ſaving Faith. For, though it was expedient (as David Prophetically prayed in the 59 Pſalm) that they ſhould be ſcattered and not utterly rooted out, to preſerve Gods people mindful both of his Mercy and Severity; yet by the words of Chriſt to the Phariſees, and chief Prieſts (the Repreſentatives of that Nation) John 7. 34. Ye ſhall ſeek me and not find me, and where I am there ye ſhall not come (as alſo by what David preſaged of their diſtempered compoſure when they ſhould make ſhew of preparing to a Return in the Evening of the World) we may have cauſe to be jealous that the preparations now rumoured, are but a Preludium to ſome deſigne of the Devil, to ſtir up and bring together GOG p. 43and MAGOG, all open and ſecret Enemies of Chriſts Kingdom, to proſecute their laſt Attempt againſt it; For, I hear not of, any change, in thoſe Jews or Iſraelites, from their Apoſtacies and Malicious Blaſphemies; but only, a ſeeking after their old earthly Inheritance, and things merely pertinent to this life; whereof there is no promiſe to them who firſt ſeek not the Kingdom of Heaven. We are not, as ſome imagine, to depend on the Jews Vniverſal calling, as if the Kingdom of Chriſt ſhould not be compleated until then: For, our dependancy is not grounded upon what they or any other ſhall do. We were of thoſe Nations, who ſate heretofore in darkneſs, and in the ſhadows of Death; but have now a Light ſhining upon us to the increaſe and confirmation of our Joy. A Son is born unto us, upon whoſe ſhoulder the Government is impoſed: his Name is Wonderful, Councellor, the Mighty GOD, the Everlaſting Father, the Prince of Peace, of whoſe Government there ſhall be no end. The Kingdom of David is already ſetled upon him, and the Jews do ſeek in vain to bring to paſs what they hope for, as appears, Iſa. 9. who affirms they ſhould ſay in the pride of their hearts, The Bricks are fallen down, but we will build it with hewen ſtones; But, They turn not, ſaith he, to him who ſmote them, nor ſeek the Lord of Hoſts; and for that cauſe, ſaith the ſame Prophet, They ſhall be cut off, head and tail, root and branch, in one day, even their Leaders, and they that led them. Moreover he preſaged what horrid confuſions ſhould come upon them; and that GODS hand after ſeveral viſitations, ſhould be ſtill ſtretched out againſt them; That, but a Remnant of them ſhould return, p. 44though they were as numerous as the Sea-ſands; and that a paſſege ſhould be made for that Remnant as miraculous as when they came out of Egypt, Iſa. the 9, 10, & 11. Chapters. Theſe Prophecies conſidered with what ye find, Iſa. 75. and in other Scriptures, incline me to believe that whatſoever is predicted concerning the Iſrael of God, after the Aſcenſion of Chriſt, relateth not ſingly to Jews or Gentiles, but to both as they are united and made one People in him; and I leave them who think otherwiſe to their own Judgment, till they ſee cauſe to the contrary, as freely as I deſire upon the ſame terms to enjoy my own; For, be it ſtill REMEMBRED, that this is cautionarily intended, without purpoſing, ought in oppoſition to what is believed by others upon better information then I have yet had.

13. I will a little more enlarge my ſelf as touching thoſe Prophecies relating to the Jews: for when my heart inclines me to expreſs what I think pertinent to Gods Glory in my Generation, it will be required at my hands if I neglect it, though my Cautions and Remembrances be little regarded. The foreſaid Rumour ſeems but a trifling occaſion, yet, that impreſſion which I perceive it hath upon many, and the event which it may have if there be any truth in it, makes that very conſiderable which I offer to be heeded. He, whom we believe to be the Antichriſt, hoping to divert us from taking him to be that Myſtical man, hath a long time pretended, and cauſed it to be written and preached that Antichriſt muſt be a Jew; And now, perhaps, the Devil (who firſt laid the foundation of his kingdom, and myſterie of Iniquity) is hatching ſomewhat p. 45to improve that Fallacy by a Jewiſh deſigne, and by cheriſhing an Opinion that the Jews are to have their Temporary Kingdom eſtabliſhed again in the Land of Canaan; And many Prophecies (which I am perſwaded never intended it) are interpreted to that purpoſe, by ſome who would not have made ſuch interpretations, if they had heeded what evil conſequences it may produce. Let therefore my Caveats be well heeded (though I am worth little regard) leſt we concurring with the Jews, in miſunderſtanding their Prophets, invalid the Interpretations which the Apoſtles and all Orthodox Primitive Chriſtians, made of thoſe Predictions which foretold the ſpiritual Kingdom of Chriſt; and ſtrengthen the Jews in their Judaiſm and infidelity, to the deſtroying alſo of our ſaving Faith. For, if we grant thoſe Scriptures ought ſo to be interpreted as they are by ſome among us; then, the Jews will affirm that thoſe Scriptures alſo, ought ſo to be underſtood whereby we are confirmed in believing the true Meſſias is come: Yea, this they will then ſay, notwithſtanding all we ſhall alledg to the contrary, if we varie from that ſenſe in which they were applied by Chriſt and his Apoſtles; and we ſhall thereby ſhake the Foundation of Chriſtianity, in regard thoſe Prophecies now interpreted to signifie the Jews recovering a Temporal Kingdom, after the Aſcenſion of Chriſt, are ſome of thoſe Prophecies upon which our Belief is grounded. Much is expreſſed of GODS love and reſpect to Jeruſalem and Sion, in Paleſtine; and no doubt, they being the Seats of Gods onward worſhip, and the moſt eminent Places of their Habitation, who were then his choſen people, he had reſpect unto them for p. 46their ſakes, and loved them more then all the dwellings of Jacob. But, after the Meſſias was rejected and by them crucified, it were a very low and miſ-beſeeming Opinion of GODS love and regard, to imagine he had any reſpect thereunto, after he had made it a Deſolate and Ruinous heap. For my part, I do not believe that he hath any more regard of that City and Hill, then of our City of London, and Tower-hill annexed; or that the glorious things, which were to be fulfilled after Chriſts Incarnation and Aſcenſion, and predicted by the Prophets, had relation any otherwiſe then to the Spiritual Sion, and that Jeruſalem, which is to deſcend from Heaven. It is ſaid, Iſa. 60. 19, 20. (to the Church of Chriſt Typified by Sion) The Sun ſhall be no more thy Light by day, neither for brightneſs ſhall the Moon give Light unto thee; The Sun ſhall no more go down, neither ſhall the Moon withdraw her Light, for the Lord ſhall be thine everlaſting Light: To the ſame effect, it is ſaid thus, Rev. 21. of the New Jeruſalem, The City had no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon to ſhine in it, for the glory of God doth enlighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof. This is not likely to intend that Earthly Sion and Jeruſalem, which is in Paleſtine, where there will be need of the Sun and Moon, whilſt they are in Heaven, even in a literal ſenſe, in which ſenſe, that Scripture had no relation to the Jews; nor many other things which were predicted by the ſame Prophet, but in a Myſtical ſenſe onelyonly, With reference to Jews and Gentiles united in the Kingdom of Christ, after the partition-Wall was broken down; according to that interpretation which I believe our Saviour made of them when he p. 47opened the Book of Iſaiahs Prophecie, and finding theſe words, Iſa. 61. 1. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, becauſe the Lord hath anointed me to Preach good tidings unto the meek, he hath ſent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim, liberty to the Captives, and opening of the Priſon to them that are bound, &c. And a little after it is ſaid, They ſhall build the old Waſts, they ſhall raiſe up the former Desolations, and they shall repair the waſt Cities, the Deſolation of many generations, &c. And after all this, he added, that, this Prophecie, was that day fulfilled in their ſight; and if then fulfilled, there is not ſuch a fulfilling to come as is expected in a Carnal mode; But, a compleating of that Spiritual Kingdom which was then begun. Meditate ſeriouſly the Prophecies of Iſaiah, beginning at the 60 Chapter, to the laſt, and they will evidence that though there be ſome hints particularly relating to the Kingdom and Nation of the Jews, whilſt they were under the Law, their principal intent, was the Eſtate of Chriſts Kingdom, both at his firſt coming, and afterward, until his ſecond coming to Raign more viſibly upon Earth; and to demonſtra… unto his Church, conſiſting both of Jews and Gentiles, made one Flock, what ſhould befall them by reaſon of their many prevarications after his firſt coming; which have ſince that time, been equivalent to the Jewiſh Apoſtacies before, and at his firſt Advent. For, I will be bold to tell this Generation, that the Chriſtians have followed the Jews ſince the coming of Chriſt, in all their former Deviations, as, if they had taken them for their Pattern, yea, juſt as they did from the day wherein Moſes gave unto them the Law, until their Meſſiah p. 48came: And if he come not again quickly, the Profeſſors of the Goſpel will be as much corrupted as they, and fall by degrees into an Apaſtacy and Obduration parallel to theirs; But, I hope God will prevent it, by making the Apoſtacies, Impoſtures, and wickedneſſes of depraved Jews and Gentiles now called Chriſtians, to be at laſt as Advantageous to the Kingdom of Chriſt, as the Perverſneſs of the Jews was to the Gentiles at his firſt coming. That which firſt occaſioned ſome (who ſeem to inſiſt on it as an Article of our ſaving Faith) to believe there will be ſuch a Reſtoration of the Jews to their Temporary Kingdom as is now expected, was the vain curioſity of thoſe Chriſtian Doctors, who, to be reputed Learned in Rabbinical Myſteries followed the Interpretations of the Jewiſh Rabbins, who lived ſince the Aſcenſion; Some of whoſe malicious falſhoods in perverting the Interpretations made by their Rabbies before Chriſts firſt coming, I long ſince diſcovered, in my Expoſition of the ſecond Pſalm; particular the falſhood of Rabbi Solomon, who in his Expoſition of that Pſalm(written in a Language known then to few but themſelves) confeſſed it was by their Predeceſſors expounded literally of Chriſt to come; But, then was, as he ſaid, to be expounded literally of David, to anſwer Hereticks, meaning the Chriſtians This Expoſition of mine upon the ſecond Pſalm, with nine other Pſalms, was loſt in Manuſcript when my Houſe was plundred, not likely to be recovered. What might be ſaid more to this purpoſe, would fill a Volume by it ſelf and take up more time then I can ſpare at preſent, All therefore which I profeſs to believe touching the p. 49Calling and Converſion of the Jews, is this; That as David ſaith, In the Evening they shall return, &c. Pſal. 59. That is, they having, notwithſtanding the Preaching of the Goſpel, now almoſt 1700 years, run rambling and ſnarling like Dogs round about the City in their impenitence, grumbling and unſatisfied, ſhall return in the Evening of the world, in the beginning of that ſeventh day of a thouſand years, in which Chriſts perſonal Raign is to begin; (at leaſt ſo many of them whoſe incredulity, as Pauls did, proceeded from ignorance onelyonly, and not from malice) For, then he, who at his firſt coming ſaid unto them who believed not, VVhere I am, thither cannot you come, ſhall come again to them; and they ſeeing him whom they crucified and pierced in his Glory ſhining round about them, as Paul ſaw him at his Converſion, ſhall with hearty penitence mourn over him, as one lementing for his onelyonly Son; and then ſhall the Joy of Jews and Gentiles, and the Kingdom of their Chriſt begin to be at full upon earth, and be full in perfection at the cloſe of that day.

14. I have been ſo large in this ſeeming digreſſion▪ becauſe I fear there are many Profeſſors of Chriſt ſo weak and wavering, that if they ſhould ſee a temporal prevalency wrought out by the Jews, whilſt they perſevered in their malitious Judaiſm, they would be more prone (as it ſeems intimated by one of the Prophets) To take them by their garments, and ſay, We will go with you, and take ſhare with them in a ſuch temporal King and Kingdom, as they look for; rather then continue conſtant (in perſecution) to him whom they have profeſſed. Pardon this fear, for, I have ſeen too many cauſes of it, as well p. 50in other reſpects, as by the miſapprehenſions of ſome who tranſported beyond ſobriety, have raiſed preconjectures from the Rumors aforementioned, of accompliſhing that thereby, which they had formerly reſolved within themſelves, to be the fore-determined Decree of God. For, they ſeem to believe that it will ſhortly ſucceed in the mode by them fancied, and as they themſelves wiſh it might be. Indeed, If (as the Proverb is) whiſhes were Thrushes, we might all eat Birds: But, I believe it will not ſo fall out. The digging for a Trumpet, in a great Mountain, by the ſound whereof (as the Report goes) the Nation muſt be gathered together, may be a long work; and it is ſufficient to diſcover that the whole matter may be fabulous, on juſtly ſuſpected ſo to be; or that (if it be not a Jeer or a device to befool ſome) there is an Impoſture as aforeſaid hatching, to a worſe end. For, what uſefulness is there of a Mat…rial Trumpet, digg'd out of the Earth, to proclaim the approach of the Eternal King and his Kingdom; or to call a Nation out of every nook in the wide world? Such whimſies I am not taken withal, nor can believe the perfecting that Kingdom, which we look for upon the earth, depends on ſuch Abſurdities, as are fancied by many, in other modes. To gain credit to the aforeſaid Rumour, it is written, that they who call themſelves Iſraelites have a wiſe and holy Prophet among them to be their Conducter, by whom their Deſign is carried on; and ſome with us do ſuppoſe him to be Elias, though Chriſt himſelf hath told us he is come already: And ſome other think him to be that beloved Diſciple, mentioned in the 21 Chapter of St. Johns Goſpel, where our Saviour preſaging in what mode Peter ſhould p. 51ſuffer, and he then asking, What that Diſciple ſhould do? was thus anſwered, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me: Whereupon ſome inferred, that Diſciple he ſhould not die, though (as was then averred in the words following) Chriſt ſaid not ſo; nor (as I believe) intended it ſhould be ſo underſtood; yet, that interpretation is retained by ſome to this day, and now (as I hear) made use of to countenance the forementioned Rumour, whereof; I confeſs my ſelf incredulous, for the reaſons afore expreſſed. Doubtleſs, when ſuch an occaſion was given to have it explained, Chriſt would not have left that ambiguous which was miſunderſtood; and ſo l believe of every myſterious expreſſion, which is neceſſary to be known by all men as pertinent to their Salvation; unleſs it be to make us wary by what Spirit we interpret holy Scripture; leſt that which leads into all Truth may by our negligence, or vain curioſity lead us into errors if miſapprehended. If there be any point mentioned in holy Scripture, relating to the Kingdom to come, which is topical, or national, let them look to it whom it concerns; for, I conceive not that it any otherwiſe concerns us, then as it ſhall have an Univerſal Locality upon earth, without reſpect to any Nation or Place in particular, as appears to me, by the words of our Saviour to the woman of Samaria, John 4. 21, 22, 33. Woman, ſaid he, believe me, the hour cometh when ye ſhall neither in this Mountain, or in Jeruſalem worſhip the Father. Ye worſhip ye know not what, &c. But, the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worſhippers ſhall worſhip in Spirit and Truth, &c. VVhence I collect, that if Place were not eſſential to the true VVorship of God, p. 52when Chriſt firſt came into the world, it will be leſs eſſential thereunto at his ſecond coming, or to have it limited to a narrower extent, then to the whole Earth and all Nations.

15. I am not doubtful, but that in the laſt times there will be ſome extraordinary and eminent tranſactions, (and ſome in the next year after this 1665. and during four or five and thirty years after 1666.) in relation to the approaching Kingdom of Chriſt; and to thoſe who have been ſo many Ages reputed the Off-ſpring of the Patriarks ſcattered throughout the world; and I believe God will in his own time fulfil all his Judgements threatned for their Apoſtacies and obſtinacies; as alſo his gratious promiſes made unto their Fore-fathers; but when that will be accompliſed, that or in what manner will be done, which is expected concerning the Jews, I leave it to Gods good pleaſure, and unto them, to ſearch in what mode it will be, who think it concerns them, more then I do; who am contented with thoſe manifeſtations which I finde in the Word of God, not repugnant to each other, or above my underſtanding. There will be ſuch Signs, VVonders and Miracles, as have been fore-told; as alſo, extraordinary preparations by Divine Providence before Chriſts ſecond Advent, which the Elect ſhall have ſufficient means to know, and make ſuch uſe of, as moſt tends to Gods Glory, and to preſerve them faithful to the end. Yet, unſafe it may be, and an occaſion of multiplying needleſs fears, and troubles upon our ſelves, to make ſuch Ideas of Chriſts Kingdom and Raign upon Earth, or ſuch ſigns of its approach as are not plainly warranted by the VVord of God, whoſe hidden wayes are paſt our finding out; and p. 53ſo much as is revealed will be obſcure to them, whoſe unſanctified hearts ſeek after it in curioſity onelyonly; or, with more deſire to finde them ſutable to their, own imaginations (that they may have ſomewhat wherein to glory) then to make their ways conformable to Gods. VVe are much taken with Novelties, eſpecially when we our ſelves firſt bring them to light; and very apt ſuperſtitiouſly to repute things holy or unholy, which Have neither holineſs or unholineſs in them, except by our abuſe. VVe eſteem ſome unholy which are ſanctified; ſome other to be holy, which have no holineſs in them, but rather, that which is moſt contrary: For Example; That is ſaid to be the Holy-land, which hath been during many Ages the moſt accurſed of all Lands: That to be a holy War, which was but a wicked-politick divertiſement of Antichriſt to prevent the Interruption of his growing Grandeur, by the Kings and Princes, whom by that Engine, he fool'd into an employment far from home. That is ſaid to be a holy Nation, which hath had a long time, no more holineſs in it, them Judas who betrayed Chriſt; They are invocated and hallow'd as Saints, and holy Martyrs, who were Traytors both to God and men; and whilſt they lived, not reputed ſo holy aſ ſome of their Neighbours. And that Croſs whereon our bleſſed Saviour was crucified, is not onelyonly called holy, but reputed worthy of Divine honor alſo, and hath many coſtly buildings dedicated thereunto, and the chips of it ſold for precious Relicks at dear rates; though in truth it is not ſo holy as the Gallowes at Tibourn, becauſe that was intended for the execution of Juſtice upon Malefactors only, though perhaps innocents do ſuffer thereupon, otherwhile p. 54while. We have many Inventions of our own. The Devil hath ſo many deceitful Wiles alſo, whereby to make falſe ſhows, that he is promoting, Gods VVork with him, in every Diſpenſation, that, I ſuſpend my belief of new Apparitions, until I am fully convinced by a better Light then mine own, bearing witneſs thereunto; and therefore, have here thruſt in ſuch Caveats as came into my heart, to be a memorandum both to my ſelf and others; believing that, whenſoever Gods Kingdom comes openly into the world, or inviſibly into my heart (where I feel it to be in ſome degree) it will always evidence it ſelf without deluſion: For, it is the Kingdom of our heavenly Father, which we are taught to petition for in this Prayer, and nothing like the Kingdoms of this world.

16. This is that Kingdom whoſe coming the Saints have long expected; and though I miſ-judge not of their ſo doing, who call it the Fifth-Monarchy, I think that Title too mean an Appellative, in regard it is an Eternal Kingdom, having no relation to Earthly Monarchies in reſpect of their precedency or otherwiſe; but an Abſolute Kingdom depending on it ſelf and on him onelyonly, who is the Supream King thereof. And when it comes into the World, it will be little available to thoſe who ſhall not find it to be in ſome meaſure come (or ſo coming) into their hearts, that they may be made one with it, and with the King thereof, by Faith and Love. This is not a Kingdom like that of the Nations ▪ which the Iſraelites fooliſhly deſired when GOD raigned over them; nor is this King ſuch a one as many other have as ſottiſhly coveted, and when they had him cried out to God to be delivered from him, becauſe p. 55of thoſe oppreſſions and ſlaviſh burthens, which his ignorance, wilfulneſs, pride, luxury and vanities brought on them; not conſidering, that their own baſe flatteries, and the much wickedneſs which is in themſelves, had perhaps occaſioned thoſe defects and exorbitances, which were in him; nor heeding that they perpetuate a reciprocal increaſe of deſtructive ſins and miſchiefs in and upon each other; But, each Party ſo blames, and is ſo jealous of the other, without obſerving what is amiſs in it ſelf, that neither take care of amendment; nor is ſo diligent to get, and exerciſe the means of doing what is good, as to be Maſters of power enough to do what evil they liſt, and to whomſoever they pleaſe. With this King and his Kingdom, it is not ſo; the Soveraign and Subjects thereof are inſeparably one in Love; the ſervices to them belonging are perfect Freedom; and they are Juſtice and Mercy in the abſtract: the Kings of this world neither love to hear of this Kingdom, nor believe it will ever come; yet they are often in much fear of it, and for the moſt part enemies to them who profeſs the belief and expectation thereof; yea, very jealous (how innocently ſoever they behave themſelves) that, under pretence of Devotion, they plot and proſecute Deſigns to the ſubverſion of their Dominions, or Royal Prerogatives. And, we lately had experience that ſome conſci entious perſons may be deluded, and miſled to the deſtruction of their own perſons, and other mens, (or of their peace, at the leaſt) by taking into their hands that Sword, which belongs not to private men in that mode, as if they thought the coming of this Kingdom were attainable as well by the activity of the Saints in Fighting, as by ſuffering, p. 56patience and praying; whereas, they who are guided by ſound and ſober Principles, do believe and wait for that which they call the Fifth-Monarchy, in Gods own VVay and Time, according to his own good pleaſure, and with that patience which becometh Saints, without preſuming peremptorily, to determine in what manner CHRIST ſhall appear and Raign upon the Earth, otherwiſe then is plainly revealed in the holy Scriptures; and contenting themſelves with ſuch glimmerings thereof in myſterious Figures, as may be ſufficient to raiſe contemplative Souls, above that which they hear and ſee; For, theſe know that their frail, narrow, earthen Veſſels are not able to comprehend the Glory of it at full. They who have not attained to this moderation and prudence, do ſometimes give juſt occaſion of offence or ſuſpition to the Civil Powers, as aforeſaid, by miſunderſtanding holy Scriptures and Prophecies, concerning the Kingdom here prayed for, ſuppoſing it is to be conquered by the temporal Sword in their hands; and that the binding of Kings in Chains, and Princes in fetters of Iron, with ſuch like expreſſions, are to be underſtood in a groſs literal ſence; whereas, if the temporal Sword, ſhall be any way uſeful toward introducing of this Kingdom, it will be but preparatorily onelyonly, in the hands of the Enemies thereof to do execution upon each other, according to that Prophecie of Haggai, Their Riders ſhall come down, every one by the Sword of his brother, Hag. 2. 22.

17. The VVeapons of our VVarfare are not carnal but ſpiritual; and the little heed taken thereof, inclines me often to mention it: For, it is the two-edged ſword of the VVord and Spirit proceeding out p. 57of his Mouth, whom John, Rev. 1. 16. ſaw ſtanding in the midſt between the ſeven Golden Candleſticks, which muſt overthrow the ſtrong holds of Antichriſt, and his confederates, obſtructing the Advent of this Kingdom; toward the exaltation whereof, our Saviour might have obtained when he was upon the Earth, a more powerful aſſiſtance then that Sword (had he ſo pleaſed) by praying for it to his Father, even more then twelve Legions of Angels. But, ſo far was he from approving the uſe of Temporal Swords, or outward violence to propagate his Kingdom, that when a Diſciple of his drew ſuch a Sword in defence of his perſon being betrayed (and thereby cut off the ear of Malchus, a confederate in the Treaſon) he healed the wound, commanding the Sword to be put up, and ſaid; that Whoſoever made uſe of the Sword (to the purpoſe aforeſaid, as I conceive) ſhould periſh by the Sword. This we have ſeen fulfilled upon ſome, who ſeemed zealous of Chriſts Kingdom; and I believe it hath often heretofore, and may hereafter be fulfilled upon many to their deſtruction in the fleſh, to whoſe ſouls GOD will be merciful, if their zeal were not a cloke for ſecret pride and malice unrepented of. For, God otherwhile permitteth, even ſome who are true Children, and Subjects to his Kingdom, to be tranſported into ſuch Extravagancies as their natural corruption inclines them unto, and to be thereby liable to open ſufferings in the fleſh; and to be nevertheleſs partakers in ſecret of his Everlaſting MercieMercy; partly, to make other Children of the Kingdom, the more watchful and careful to examine by what ſpirit they are moved; and partly (as I conceive) to bring ſomewhat pertinent p. 58to their conſiderations alſo, who are as over-zealons another way, in ſeeking more to eſtabliſh their own Kingdoms then Chriſts.

18. This laſt Clauſe, I have inſerted, to prevent ſuch miſtakes as may occaſion the giving juſt offence, or of infringing the Civil peace, or of ſcandalizing our Chriſtian Profeſſion, by imprudent Deſignes or uncharitable Actings; and I hope it will have ſome good and ſeaſonable effects: For, the Spiritual Adverſary is cunning, and ſo well knows how to work upon our Melancholy Diſtempers, that, even in thoſe things whereof our Natural ſences are moſt capable, we may be much deluded, as by many Experiments may be Demonſtrated. (For example) A Divine Preaching in a Cathedral Church, one of the Auditorie ſuddenly cried out, as if he had been afrighted with fire, whereupon a great part of the Aſſembly (they themſelves not knowing why) apprehending the Church to be on fire, ſuddenly and haſtily tumbled out of their ſeats one over another to get out of the doors, and ſo obſtructed the paſſage, that ſome were troden under foot, and ſome ſtifled in the throng; in which fright, one thought he ſaw the fire, another that he heard it crackle, another, that he felt the molten Lead drop upon him, with ſuch like miſapprehenſions, whereof there was no cauſe at all by fire or otherwiſe. Likewiſe, an Acquaintance of mine being at Sea, (where a ſuppoſition in the night, that the Ship had ſprung a leak, put them into a general pannick fright) he ſitting in his Cabbin, fancied that he felt the cold water come up to his feet, then to his knees, ſoon after to his belly; which (as it uſually fates with them who ſeldom go into cold p. 59water) made him pant, and ſo think his breath taken away thereby, that, he ſhould immediately expire his ſoul; Yet, there was no water entred into the Ship. This he told me in ſuch a manner, as if he had been then ſenſible of that diſtemper by his miſapprehenſion. Much more therefore, may our Fancies delude us by Spiritual miſapprehenſions, if we be not watie of ſurprizes; eſpecially when ſuch. imaginary Objects, and falſe Repreſentations of our frail deluded ſenſes are heightned by that which is cunningly ſuggeſted by the Devil. Perhaps, it will be thought by ſome, that in this and ſome other Expreſſions, I ramble from the matter in hand: But be it known, that the way of a Contemplative Soul, being like that of an Eagles in the Aire, (which is the Hieroglyphick thereof) tends directly toward what it ſeeks, though it appears not ſo to the beholders; and to what quarter ſoever it flies, minds that Carkas which is the true nouriſhment thereof.

19. Having declared what Kingdom that is which we pray for, I will now ſhew unto whom it belongs, which is evidenced by this pronoun THY. It may be collected from what I have already expreſſed: Yet, that whereunto my Meditation thereupon leads me, will not be uſeleſs. The word THY, implies, that this Kingdom is our Fathers to whom we pray: Not a Kingdom to be poſſeſſed by a ſingle Perſon whom we know not, who perhaps may be a Stranger and a Tyrant, or ſuch a one who will ſuppoſe (as moſt earthly Kings do) that it was conferred upon him, meerly for his own ſake, without reſpect to the welfare of the people under his Juriſdiction; as if the Commonalty of all Nations p. 60had been born to no other purpoſe, but to be inſlaved to their Will, or to be Servants at beſt, to advance their Pomp, and to be ſerviceable to their Luſts. But, this is not to be feared, when this Kingdom ſhall come. We know whoſe the Kingdom is, and who shall Reign over it. It is our Fathers Kingdom, and that aſſures us (as is before hinted) that in praying for it, we petition for that which tends not only to our Fathers Honor, but to our own Preferment alſo. We have no poſſibility to be totally freed from the Tyrannies of Temporary Governments and Governours, but by the coming of this Kingdom; For neither Democracy, nor Ariſtocracy, nor a Monarchy regulated, nor any other humane Form of Government, how often ſoever we change Perſons, is free from corruptions, or the increaſe of them likely to have a ſtop, until this Kingdom comes, which (were it but in reſpect of that alone) will make us partakers of the greateſt Temporal Mercy that may be enjoyed upon the Earth next to our deliverance from Sin: For, ſo intolerable are the Deficiencies and Oppreſſions of Supream Governours, throughout moſt Kingdoms of the World, in relation both to Temporal and Spiritual Intereſts, that ſome Nations care not who comes to Reign over them, ſo they may be delivered from their preſent Tax-maſters; Yea, are contented to be invaded by Strangers, to be beaten by their Enemies, and to adventure whatſoever they will impoſe upon them, becauſe, they believe it cannot be worſe with them then it is, or probably will be; though they have had, long time, experience, that, Seldom comes a better. This ſad condition, the Subjects of this expected Kingdom p. 61ſhall be delivered from, when it comes. Our Father hath made us free Denizens thereof; Co-heirs with his Eternal Son, and given us Thrones with Him, by an unqueſtionable, unrepealable Decree, written and ſigned with the precious Blood of our Eldeſt Brother, whoſe Love did voluntarily purchaſe it for us at that dear Rate. It cannot be expreſſed in words, to ſet forth how much he tendred our Welfare, in preſcribing this Prayer; or how ſtrongly it obligeth us to make a thankful and right uſe of it.

20. Thy Kingdom COME. The laſt word in this Petition is not ſo to be ſo underſtood in the Future Tenſe, as if the Kingdom thereby prayed for, had not a being heretofore, and at this preſent upon Earth; For, it is in part already Demonſtrated to be otherwiſe. All therefore, which will be further neceſſary to be inſisted upon to that purpoſe, reſulting from this word COME; is to mind us, that this Kingdom, is not yet ſo perfectly manifeſted as it ſhall be when that long Day is begun, in which the great Aſſize will be holden, wherein the King of this Kingdom ſhall come to Judge the quick and the dead. I do already contemplatively behold it approaching by the Eie of my Soul; But, that Eie is ſo dim, and my Body ſo frail, that my Heart is unable to comprehend (much leſs my Tongue or Pen to expreſs) that little which I conceive thereof: But, of that unutterable mystery, I can truly ſay this, that, whoſoever endeavours to declare in what manner Chriſt ſhall come and Reign upon Earth, undertakes a work like his, who ſtrives to put the whole Ocean into a Nut-ſhel, and that, if the glory of this Kingdom were comprehenſible; by us, p. 62in this eſtate wherein we now are, it would not be anſwerable to the expectation I have of it: For the moſt excellent External things which we can either enjoy or know in the fleſh, are inſufficient to illuſtrate the perfection of it by way of alluſion; For, the cleareſt Notions of ſuch ſpiritual Objects, which we may attain unto, will be diſſatisfactory to the Soul until it is in a glorified Body. Nevertheleſs, we may be made ſo apprehenſive by Grace and Faith of the Kingdom to come, that, we may by Patience, Meekneſs, Humility and Love, wait contentedly for what is promiſed; and be preſerved in a conſtant expectation thereof until it comes; whatſoever Clouds are evaporated from Humane Ignorance; and whatſoever Miſts may be raiſed by the Devil, to make us doubtful thereof: And this we are to Communicate to each other, ſo far forth as it is revealed by the Word and Spirit of God, to confirm the belief and expectation of this Kingdom: For, though they were reputed Hereticks termed Millenaries, who profeſſed the perſonal Reign of Chriſt upon Earth, and that (according to St. John) Rev. 20. 4. the Saints ſhould Reign with Chriſt a 1000 Years: Yet, after the Teſtimony of the two Witneſſes was finiſhed; which (as I conceive) was when the two Teſtaments were compleated, with a Malediction upon them, who ſhould take from, or add ought thereunto, Rev. 21. 18, 19. that Opinion was received for Orthodox by the Primitive Chriſtians, till the Beaſt, which roſe out of the bottomleſs pit, made war againſt them, and ſlew them. For, many of the eminent Doctors and Martyrs in the firſt Ages were of that Judgment (to wit) Ireneus, Juſtine Martyr, Tertullian, Origen, p. 63Cyprian, and divers other Chriſtians, both Learned and Unlearned. And, I find by examining it, that moſt Hereſies ſprung from real Divine Truths, miſunderſtood by humane Ignorance and raſhneſs; Such Myſteries, being like the moſt excellent ſtrains of Muſick in this reſpect, that, as when the Voice or a String, is under or overmuch ſtrained, though but a little, it makes a harſh diſcord; So, a little varying from the Truth, makes a damnable errour. Now, perhaps, that which I have here caſually inſerted concerning the two Witneſſes, being my private Judgment, wherein I know no Antient or Modern Interpreter concurring, may ſeem a preſumption. But, I have given ſuch Reaſons of what I believe concerning them, in a Tract intitled Parallelogrammaton, whereof part was imprinted when I was cloſe Priſoner in the Tower, and the reſt taken out of my Chamber by the Gentleman Jaylor, there (amounting to almoſt a 100. pages) that, I conceive it will make it more probable that thoſe Witneſſes are both ſlain and riſen again, then any thing yet alledged to the contrary; and therefore if thoſe papers be not freely reſtored, I will revive them, God vouchſafing me time and enablement. And, if what I have thereby, and hereby expreſſed concerning the ſaid two Witneſſes, and the Nation of the Jews, with what might be added, were well conſidered, it would not (as I believe) be ſo generally believed as it is, that, Chriſts coming perſonally into his Kingdom upon Earth, is deferred, either becauſe the Jews are not yet called, or the Witneſſes not yet ſlain and raiſed up again.

21. That, there is ſuch a Myſterie to be manifeſted as the Kingdom to come, there need to be p. 64no better evidence thereof, then the Witneſs which the Spirit of God beareth unto it in our hearts, by concurring with that rational faculty in our Souls, which diſtinguiſheth us from brutiſh Animals. Common Reaſon dictates, that whatſoever a friend of whoſe true worth we have had long experience in all changes, ſhall warrant us to ask in his Name of another perſon, in whom he hath an undoubted intereſt, we may confidently petition for it; and it were a great injury done to his Love and Dignity, if we ſhould ſuſpect he did adviſe to ask for that which was not grantable, or unlikely to be obtained. The ſame Reaſon tells us, that if a gratious earthly Prince, hath been openly Scorned, Diſhonored, Reviled, Betrayed, and every way inhumanely abuſed; It is juſt he ſhould in the ſame place, be as openly and as much as is poſſible vindicated, and glorified, to the ſhame of his malitious impenitent Enemies: How much more juſt then is it, that the Eternal Son of God, Lord of lords, and King of kings, ſhould be glorified in his own Kingdom upon Earth, in the fight and preſence of his Saints, Angels, and all thoſe by whom he was cauſleſly diſhonoured, betrayed, and moſt cruelly and ingratefully recompenced with evil for good; with hatred for Love, and with all manner of Indignities, for incomparable well deſervings? If this be juſt with men, ſhall the righteous Judge and King of Heaven and Earth do leſs Juſtice on the behalf of his only Son? If herein we diſtruſt not our own Reaſon, we ſhould leſs ſuſpect it, when we have a Warrant above Reaſon to aſcertain it, which we likewiſe have out of the Word of God. As for the witneſs, which ſome conceive, the Spirit of God, p. 65beareth to the Light which is within them by extraordinary Revelations, I muſt leave it to the ſoul and conſcience of every individual man to try and examine them, as they are enabled: For, that cannot be known or judged of by any, but by them to whom they are revealed, and by that Spirit which reveals them, if they proceed from God. VVhere he ſpeaks not, it will be in vain for any other to ſpeak; and until the Revelation of that aforementioned, ſhall in ſome meaſure come into mens hearts; We do but caſt pearls to Swine, and shall be in danger to be torn by them, or elſe reputed madmen and Phaenaticks, babling we know not what. This alſo is to be conſidered, that, though the perfect manifeſtation of this Kingdom be not come down Univerſally upon earth; yet it is come, or ſhall come in a degree toward perfection, firſt or laſt, explicitely or implicitely, into all to whom that Kingdom belongs, before they depart out of this life. He that ſhall come will come, and not tarry beyond his time (bleſſed be his Name) and he hath given us ſufficient earneſts thereof.

22. It is ſaid, Acts 1. 11. Ye men of Galilee, Why ſtand ye gazing up into heaven? This ſame Jeſus, who is taken up from you into heaven, ſhall ſo come in like manner as ye have ſeen him go into heaven. There is alſo a cloud of other Teſtimonies bearing witneſs to this Kingdom, particularly in the laſt Chapter of Daniel, in the three laſt Chapters of the Apocalypſe, in the twentieth of Matthew, in the Pſalms, and in well-nigh all the Prophets, which I cannot now enumerate or inſiſt upon, left I ſhould interrupt or diſtract the Meditations of my ſoul, by Withdrawing my heart from thoſe inflowings which p. 66now preſs upon it; and perhaps conſume that little time which I have to finiſh what I have begun. In thoſe Scriptures, that which concerns this Kingdom and the King thereof; the manner of their approach, the ſigns fore-ſhewing it; the effects of it, and many particulars and circumſtances pertinent to thoſe Myſteries, aſſiſting us to obtain cognizance of them ſo far forth as will be needful, both by literal and allegorical expreſſions, are ſufficient to evidence their eſſentiality to all thoſe who obſerve and conſider them with diligence and meekneſs to the right end. Yea, it will reſolve their ſcruples, whom an over-curious prying into the manner of Chriſts future perſonality upon the earth, have made doubtful what to believe, if they ſhall in humility well conſider the difference which is between Spiritual and Natural Bodies, or of what our future change will make us capable, when that time cometh. VVe have a dim glimmering demonſtration thereof, helping us to diſcern much beyond and above our Natural expectations, by the transfigurations of our Saviour upon a Mountain in the ſight of Peter, John and James, to whom Moſes and Elias appeared to be talking with their Maſter, For, though the Natural ſtate wherein his Diſciples then were, was not fully capable of that Myſtery, which they heard and ſaw, they perceived enough to make them very well pleaſed with what they apprehended, as appeared by their words. And, if we had no other Argument whereby we may be aſcertained that there will be ſuch a Kingdom upon earth, then the Petition next following. Thy will be done in earth as it in heaven, it will ſuſtice, for it is impoſſible Gods will ſhould be ſo done upon earth, unleſs Chriſts Kingdom ſhould p. 67come hither as we believe; nor would Chriſt have taught us to pray for that which ſhould never be, or impoſſible to be performed.

23. The Adminiſtration of this Kingdom upon earth, was always in part viſible ſomewhere, and to ſome, ever ſince the time of Chriſts Aſcention. And though it was much obſcured ſoon after, when the myſtery of iniquity began to work; and more when it was at higheſt; yet, even then it was very powerful by ſecret operations, through the Adminiſtration of the Holy Ghoſt, the third Perſon in Trinity, and ſhall be, until the King of that Kingdom appears again to perſonate his diſtinct Office, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, who have, always an intrinſecal co-operation with him. What I further apprehend concerning their joynt-acting in, and concerning this Kingdom; I will offer to conſideration, though ſuch ſpeculations may perhaps appear Novelties: For, ſometimes great Fires are kindled by little obſcured ſparks, and my Ruſh-candle may perhaps occaſion the enlightning of many Torches hereafter, when my ſnuff is burnt out. There is an Interweaving of many dark expreſſions in the Apoculypſe of St. John concerning this and other ſublime Myſteries, to him delivered; wherein, things preceding have relation to things following; and ſome things following to thoſe which precede, by way of ſupplement, as I conceive; and ſome alſo having reference, both to what was precedent and ſubſequent. Thus, under correction, I apprehend; and that, among ſuch, the binding of Sathan for a thouſand years, is one; having reſpect as well to the reſtraining of him, from ſetting up his Myſtery of Iniquity until the LET ſhould be taken away (which p. 68was before the Bottomleſs Pit was opened) as a relation unto the time wherein he ſhould be reſtrained a thouſand years from deceiving the Nations, after the BEAST, the falſe Prophet, and the whole Myſtery of Antichriſtianiſm ſhould be deſtroyed, by the coming of Chriſt to perſonate his Kingſhip upon earth: For, it was a thouſand years after our Saviours Aſcention, and after the Roman Empire was at higheſt (and began to decline) before the Beaſt which aroſe out of it could aſcend to his height; which conſumed all the number of years alotted to that Empire, until the Beaſt laſt mentioned, aroſe. This time was enigmatically preſignified by M. the firſt and greateſt Numeral belonging to that Empire; the remainder of their Numerals, to wit, DCLXVI preſaged the time alotted to the ſecond Beaſt (the laſt Relick of that Monarchy) myſtically repreſented, by that part of Daniel's Image, which was compoſed of Iron and Clay. For, though I muſt confeſs I have no Precedent for what I declare my Judgement to be, nor any other warrant but what hath been ſpoken to my own heart in private; I do conceive (which I have heretofore publiſhed effect upon ſeveral occaſions) that God, though it ſeems they took no notice of it, gave that Empire a Myſterious hint, in their own Numerals, how long it ſhould laſt after it was at higheſt, both in the main of its firſt Inſtitution, and in that which ſhould ariſe out of it, until the total extirpation thereof branch and root. All the ſaid Numerals joyned together in order, beginning at the greateſt and ending at the leaſt, being theſe, M.D.C.L.X.V. and I, make one thouſand ſix hundred ſixty ſix. The thouſand years were conſumed before the ſecond p. 69Beaſt which is the Myſtery of Iniquity, was compleated, and then that uſurped the whole power of his Predeceſſor; and the remaining Numerals make up DCLXVI, which is the number of a Man: to wit, the Myſtical man of ſin; and will be the whole time limited, as I conceive, for his wicked Raign, after he came to his higheſt exaltation; and, as I take it, we are to begin to reckon this double number, from Chriſts death and paſſion or Aſcention, not from his Birth; becauſe the Roman Empire was not at his higheſt till then; and declined not until it had Crucified the Lord of Life, And if ſo, we may gueſs within a ſhort time, how long that Myſtery may continue, if we knew certainly how many years Chriſt lived upon the earth; and if Chronologers have rightly computed preceding times, from his Birth till this year 1665, and that time as I have already ſaid, may be about four or five and thirty years yet to come. I will not ſo abſolutely determine it, as once heretofore I did (being, a little-over heated with Zèal) upon occaſion given to treat of that time: For, Chriſt having intimated that a compleat certainty of it, is not revealed to any man in the fleſh, I wave that peremptory expreſſion, though I ſtill believe it will be about that time; and perhaps, God ſometimes permitteth ſuch caſual ſlips (when they are not purpoſed) to keep his Children quiet, when they deſire things before they can be had, as we do our Children by ſuffering them to pleaſe themſelves with uncertain harmleſs hopes. When the number of the Beaſt is finiſhed, I do believe, there will be a ſpace of time, in which that which is truely Good ſhall be as well made known, at Evil hath now been almoſt ſix thouſand p. 70years, and that the time thereto allotted is that ſeventh Myſterious Day, or Sabbath which the Lord our GOd hallowed when he had finiſhed his ſix days works; and that the Jewiſh, ſabbathſ of dayes and years, were but Types of the great ſabbath ſeparated from the other ſix parts of time, and ſanctified by GOD for himself and his choſen people to reſt; in; and is called a Day by him, with whom A thouſand years is but as yeſterday; it being uſual in holy ſcripture, to ſignifie many years and times conſiſting of many ages, by the denomination of a day, or days; as in Daniel, a time of many Generations, then to come, by 1335 dayes, Dan. 12. 12. and in the Revelation, 11, by 1260 days; and in the ſame Chapter, by three day and a, half; and it ſignifies the whole time of Chriſts Kingdom upon earth, in that place where it is ſaid, Abraham deſired to ſee his day, and ſaw it; For, he fore ſaw it by Faith.

24. Six days of a thouſand years apiece (as I conceive) was alotted for the men of this VVorld, to proſecute, therein, thoſe works which they thought they had to do; and were alotted both for their Probation, and to acquite (as aforeſaid) that experimental knowledge which was deſired by our First-parents. And in that ſpace of time, both good and evil men, who were Vicegerents or Subjects, either of the Kingdom of God, or of the Prince of this, world, were permitted to be active for their ſeveral Intereſts, according to their, diſtinct inclinations, and to purſue them ſo far forth, as that good or evel which was in them would extend. But, neither the Righteouſneſs, which was in the beſt, is ſufficient in it ſelf to perfect their deſired Kingdom, nor the p. 71wickedneſs which is in the worſt, enongh to eſtabliſh their Dominion; becauſe the reſtraining power of him, who is the Supream Governour of all things, would not permit the Adverſaries of his Kingdom to be ſo wicked as they would have been in acting deſtructively thereunto, though the wickedneſs of their Will, wanted nothing to compleat of demonſtrate their perſonal untighteouſneſs, of that perfection of Evil which was in them. But, when the great Sabbaths of years is come, in which the ſupream Kings of both, are to manifeſt and exerciſe their Powers, in another mode then heretofore, (or at this preſent) to wit, during the laſt thouſand years or ſeventh part of time, it will then evidently and univerſally appear whether of the two is moſt powerful; and that neither the Evil which is it the worſt men, or the Good which is in the beſt men, could thitherto, or ſhall at that day do any works of their own, which they think they had to do, that will be prevalent to thoſe evili or good endſ which they proposed to eſtabliſh their reſpect … Kingdoms: For, then will be the Day of his Power whoſe Kingdom was lirerally prophesied of in the 110 Pſalm: and the Will of his willing ones be accepted inſtead of working. Their King alone be the able to conquen all his Adverſaries, letting looſe the Devil to uſe the utmoſt of his Uſurped power, will break the Head of Malignity, together with all the Kings of the oppoſing Kingdoms; and then his Subjects the Spiritual ſeed of the true Abel and Abraham by Faith, (who for the moſt part of the former ſix thouſand years, have been ſubjected in their temporary concernments to Cain and his Succeſſors, and ever ſince his time been perſecuted in relation p. 72to their worſhip of God and their King) ſhall be totally ſet at liberty for ever; and reſt and Reign with him in that Kingdom, judging thoſe Kings and Nations by whoſe Tyranny they were oppreſſed; and againſt whom the Supream-Judg of that Kingdom which they deſpiſed, and we pray for, ſhall pronounce this ſentence of Condemnation, Depart ye curſed into everlaſting fire.

25. But though we believe there is ſuch a Kingdom to come; ſhall fully know the nature of it, whoſe it is, what advantages we may have by it, which are innumerable, (and intimated in this Evangelical promiſe, Seeſt firſt the Kingdom of God, and all other things ſhall be Miniſtred unto you) if we do our formally ſeek it, for carnal ends only, it will nothing avail us, when it comes openly into the Earth, until it comes into our hearts alſo. A Dominiou, is there to be exerciſed, and it is the firſt place into which the Kingdom of Heaven enters upon Earth. Every Saint hath a Kingſhip, there to be managed, whereby he muſt have a Probation, and be prepated for a Throne, in that which will Univerſally appear; that will be performed; by cheriſhing thoſe Vir… which may make his Microcoſme, or little World, a true Province of that large, Kingdom expected; and by ſubjecting to Reaſon, and to the Evangelical Laws, all thoſe natural Deſires, Paſſions, and Affections, which have been Rebellious and Repugnant to the Purity and Juſtice thereof, ſubduing, and keeping them under, by a ſpiritual Militia. We ought therefore, to endeavour it diligently, and to take heed that we let not, in the kingdom of the Devil inſtead of Chriſts, or, admit into us the Kingdoms of this world, For, moſt p. 73men are deluded with falſe appearances in this caſe, whereof I have had had experiments a long time in relation to my ſelf; and, if I ſhall be credited, may ſay much to prevent thoſe fallacies in others. Hear then with ſeriouſneſs, what I ſhall now expreſs to that purpoſe. I will begin with ſome of thoſe deceivable Marks whereby very many think they are made Children of God and Inheriters of his Heavenly Kingdom, before they have any evidences thereof, but ſuch as theſe enſuing; whoſe invalidity let them conſider. They had an Initiation into the Kingdom, by being Baptized with water in the Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghoſt, and had God-fathers and God-mothers, who, for obtaining that Priviledg, promiſed many things in their Names to be performed on their behalf: But, ſo were many thouſands, who being heedleſs of ſuch promiſes, ſeem by their Lives and Converſations, to be Children of the Devil, and belonging to this kingdom. They have been outwardly partakers of the Lords Table; ſo was Judas, by what ſeems a probability thereof, as well as the reſt of the Apoſtles, yet, we know he was reprobated. They have done Miracles; ſo did Simon Magus, Jannes, Jambres, and others, yet were Impoſtors. They have caft out Devils in Chriſts Name; ſo did ſome, to whom he will ſay I know ye not. They have Prophecied concerning him; ſo did Balaam and Caiaphas. They have builded goodly Temples; ſo did Herod, whoſe like was not in the world, yet he was a Tyrant, and murthered the innocent Children and John the Baptiſt. They have maintained many ſuch Prieſts and Prophets as they affected; ſo did Jezabel, yet was a Strumpet p. 74and became Dogs meat. They were frequent hearers of them who preached the Goſpel; ſo are many who are no Doers of what they hear: and ſome, who came but to intrap the Miniſters of God, as others did to inſnare Chriſt; or elſe, came to ſee and be ſeen, or more to be reputed Religious then with: ſincere Devotion. They have been Preachers of the Goſpel, and Aſſertors of the Truth; ſo have not a few been, who held and profeſſed it in unrighteouſneſs, or preached rather to uphold contention, then to edifie their hearers; and who, through neglect of endeavouring mortification in themſelves, have been Reprobates; when they preached Salvation to others. They have faſted much, given Alms, and ſaid many long Prayers; ſo do Hypocrites, and ſo did the hypocritical Scribes and Phariſees, oft devouring VVidows houſes under thoſe pretences. They have undergone ſevere penances, and grievouſly afflicted themselves; ſo did the Prieſts of Baal heretofore, and ſo do many ſuperstitious Romaniſts, and others at this day. They have been ſufferers; ſo have Malefactors been, Innocent Heathens; and in finite numbers, who probably … evidence within themſelves, or ſence of the Kingdom we pray for. Other ſuch-like Marks I could enumerate wherewith multitudes are deluded▪ VVe muſt therefore finde out better Marks to aſcertain us, That the Kingdom of God is within us; and theſe that follow will alſo be ſuch demonſtrations thereof, as if we be not Traytors to our ſelves, may make it unqueſtionably known to be within us.

26. If the Kingdom of Chriſt be within us, we ſhall feel, that we love him who is King thereof with all p. 75our hearts; yea, more then our ſelves; we ſhall be obedient to all his Commands and Laws to our utmoſt power; Zealous of his Honour, and of magnifying his Name, and maintaining all the Prerogatives of his Kingdom, even to the loſs of our lives, if need be, and ſorry when we fail therein, through infirmity: we ſhall love our ſelves no more, then to make it a true Rule whereby to meaſure out the love we owe unto our Neighbours and Brethren: VVe ſhall always have as well a charitable Love for our Enemies, as an affectionate love for our Relations; and ſquare out all Actions by the Evangelical Law of that Kingdom. VVe ſhall do good for evil; blesſ them that curſe us; pray for them, who perſecute us; forgive, as we would be forgiven; be merciful to all Gods creatures, according to their kinds; uſe them with ſobriety and thankfulneſs; and be afflicted for it in our hearts, when we are knowingly, or ignorantly defective in theſe of any other duties, as ſoon as we have cognizance thereof, or ſuſpect our ſelves to have been any way faulty: VVe ſhall arrogate nothing to our own endeavours, when we have done the beſt we can, but aſcribe all the honour and merit of what is performed, to our Heavenly Father and Creator, his Son our Redeemer, and to the Holy Ghoſt our Sanctifier; who are, as it were, the Triumvirate, by whom this Kingdom is governed. When we finde theſe marks upon us, the willingneſs of our hearts will be accepted as a compleat performance of the whole Law; and we ſhall have an undoubting aſſurance that this Kingdom is in ſuch a meaſure within us, as will ripen to perfection in due time. Al this, we may finde implicitely contained in thoſe Benedictions recorded in p. 76the Goſpel, with promiſes annexed, by our Saviour, to the qualifications there mentioned, Matthew 5. 3. &c. Bleſſed are the poor in Spirit: for their's is the Kingdom of heaven. Bleſſed are they that mourn: for they ſhall be comforted. Bleſſed are the meek: for they ſhall inherit the earth. Bleſſed are they who hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs: for they ſhall be filled. Bleſſed are the merciful: for they ſhall obtain mercy. Bleſſed are the pure in heart: for they ſhall ſee God. Bleſſed are the Peace-makers: for they ſhall be called the Children of God. Bleſſed are they who are perſecuted for Righteouſneſs ſake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Bleſſed are ye, when men ſhall revile you, perſecute you, and ſay all manner of evil againſt you falſly for my ſake: Rejoyce then and be glad; for great is your reward in heaven: ſo perſecuted they the Prophets which were before. Theſe are not my words, but his, (even the King of this Kingdom) who will make them good; and as I ſaid before, whoſoever ſhall finde theſe foreſaid marks upon him, may be confident that the Kingdom of Heaven is within him.