First Epistle of John Applied Part 1, Lecture 24

First Epistle of John Applied Part 1 · Lecture 24

p. 545THE FIRST EPISTLE OF S^t. JOHN.

CHAP. 2. 18, 19. VERS.

Little children, it is the laſt time, and as yee have heard that Antichriſt ſhall come, even now are there many Antichriſts, whereby we know that it is the laſt time.

They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us, but they went out, that they might be made manifeſt that they were not all of us.

THis preſent World is not without juſt cauſe branded as one of the greateſt enemies of our Salvation, and that eſpecially upon a double account; in as much as the things of this World by alluring our wills lead us into vice, and the men of this world by perverting our judgements draw us into errours: Both of theſe are ſo dangerous that it is hard to determine which is the worſt. S^t. Pauls Epithites of luſts are fooliſh and hurtful, S^t. Peters character of1 Tim. 6, 7. 2 Pet. 2. 1.1 Tim 6:72 Pet 2:1 Here ſie is damnable; theſe as well as thoſe drowning men p. 546in perdition and deſtruction, no wonder if this holy Apoſtle caution thoſe to whom he wrote, of both theſe Rocks; and as in the fore-going verſes hee warneth them of being defiled with the mud of worldly luſts, ſo in theſe he taketh care that they might not be infected with the veno…e of Antichriſtian doctrins; Little children, it is the laſt time, &c.

The ſubſequent part of this Chapter, from the eighteenth verſe to the nine and twentieth, hath a ſpecial reference to, and dependance on the exhortation which is mentioned in verſe the four and twentieth, iterated, verſe the eight and twentieth, and is in order the ſeventh ſtep of that light ſome walk which our Apoſtles chief deſign is to delineate in this Epiſtle, namely a ſtedfaſt perſeverance in the Doctrin and faith of Chriſt, in order to this it is that here are three things diſcuſſed.

1 Periculum, the great danger they were in of being with-drawn from the truth, by reaſon of the many Antichriſts, which (this being the laſt hour) were now among them, who taught abominable lyes, denying both God and Chriſt, and this is handled in the eighteenth, nineteenth, and again in the two and three and twentieth, and again in the ſix and twentieth verſe.

2 Auxilium, the chief help which God had afforded them againſt this danger, that ſacred unction which did inform them fully of the truth, and thereby was able to preſerve them from errour, and this is in the twentieth and one and twentieth, and again inculcated in the ſeven and twentieth verſe.

3 Motivum, The ſtrong inducements to perſwade their conſtancy in the faith, that hereby their fellowſhip with God and Chriſt might bee continued, the promiſe of eternal life obtained, and their confidence at the comming of Chriſt ſtrengthened, and this is enlarged in the four, five, and eight and twenty verſes.

In theſe two verſes which I have now read, the ſcope p. 547of our Apoſtle is double, namely,

To diſcover a danger, that they might not be enſnared by,

To prevent a ſcandal, that they might not he offended at thoſe falſe teachers which were among them, the former in the eighteenth, and the latter in the nineteenth verſe.

In handling the eighteenth verſe, which is the diſcovery of the danger, that we may proceed according to the order of the words, be pleaſed to obſerve theſe three parts:

An Appellation, Little children.

An Affirmation, It is the laſt time.

A Confirmation, in the reſt of the verſe, And as you have heard, &c.

A word of the firſt, the Appellation, or Title here uſed, Little children. It is ſometimes uſed as a word of imperfection, whether in regard of age, denoting ſuch as are not come to maturity of years, or in regard of grace, ſuch as are weak in faith, and in this ſence Beza Beza in Loc.here conſtrueth it; indeed this Caveat is very needful for ſuch, who being children are apt to bee toſſed to and fro with every wind of doctrin, but yet not only for ſuch; and when I finde the Apoſtle commending (and thatVerſ. 21. doubtleſſe without flattery) thoſe to whom he writeth, for their knowledge of the truth, I cannot imagine that he intends the word Children in this notion. Rather with Danaeus, as I conceive, Omnes cujuſcun que atatis hic monet, Dan. in Loc.he ſpeaketh to all of all ages in Chriſtianity, not only to children, but young men, and Fathers, and ſo the foreign here is of the ſame notion with foreign in the beginning of the Chapter. Suitable whereunto it is that the Syriack uſeth the ſame word in both places; and as Grotius well obſerveth, it is blanda appellatio, a word ofGrot. ibid. affection, by which our Apoſtle would let us ſee, that Parents are not more deſirous of their little childrens ſafety, p. 548and ſtudious of their welfare, than he was of theirs, and that tender love and parental care which hee had over them, induced him to warn them of thoſe Antichriſts, which would infeſt and infect them; but having once and again handled this Title in this notion, I ſhall inſiſt no longer upon it, but paſſe on to the

2 Affirmation, as it followeth in the text, It is the laſt time.

The only Queſtion here to be reſolved, is in reference to what our Apoſtle aſſerts the time, in which hee lived, to be the laſt.

1 The general opinion of Divines referre it to the world, and ſo this clauſe ſeemeth to bee a proof of what is aſſerted in the former verſe, The world paſſeth away, Probat quod dixit. Lap.for even now is the laſt time of the worlds duration, beyond which it ſhall not continue.

In this ſenſe the whole ſpace of time from Chriſts firſt to his last coming is the laſt time; thoſe are the laſt days concerning which Joel propheſieth, that in them God Joel 2. 28.Joel 2:28would pour out his Spirit on all fleſh, for in the very beginning Acts 2. 17.Acts 2:17of the Evangelical times the Apoſtle telleth us, that Prophecie was fulfilled; theſe are the laſt days in which the Author to the Hebrews ſaith, that God who ſpake toHeb. 1. 1, 2.Heb 1:1Heb 1:2 the Fathers by his Prophets, hath ſpoken to us by his Son, who coming in our fleſh, revealed his Fathers will to the world; and in this notion the aſſertion is true, that even in S^t. Johns days it was the laſt time of the world. This being taken for the meaning of the clauſe, it would rationally be enquired, upon what account this ſpace of time (which hath already continued ſo long, and when it ſhall expire is unknown) may be called the laſt.

Oecumenius giveth a double anſwer, but neither ſatiſfactory.Oecumen. in Loc.

1 He ſaith, it is called the laſt, becauſe the worſt, as lees and dreggs are in the bottom of the liquor: but though poſſibly the laſt time may be the worſt, yet is it not therefore p. 549the laſt becauſe the worſt, or the worst becauſe the laſt.

2 He addeth, that if we divide time into the firſt, the middle, and the laſt, whatſoever time is after the middle is the laſt, and accordingly all the time before Chriſt may be called the firſt, and ſince his coming the laſt. But though we read that God ſent his Son into the world in the fulneſſe of time, yet not that it was in the middle of time, and whether the world ſhall not laſt longer after, than the time of its continuance before the Meſſiahs incarnation is a queſtion, which though ſome have raſhly undertaken, yet I am ſure none can juſtly reſolve. As for that opinion, that as the world was ſix days in making, ſo it ſhall be only ſix thouſand years in laſting, it is but a Rabbinical conceit, and a groundleſs dream; nor doth S^t. Peters aſſertion, that a thouſand years is with 2 Pet. 3. 10.2 Pet 3:10the Lord as one day, at all favour this opinion, ſince it ſeemeth rather to bee uttered on a contrary deſign, namely, to let us know, that how many thouſand years ſoever the world ſhall laſt, yet God is not therefore ſlack, ſince with him they are but as ſo many days.

That indeed which ſeemeth the moſt rational account of this phraſe in this notion is, that it is the laſt time, becauſe it is the laſt period of time, and the Meſsiah being come, there are now no more changes or alterations of the external adminiſtrations in Religion to be expected. The life of man, the little world, is a fit embleme of the duration of this great world, and look as there are three ages of mans life, Youth, Manhood, and Old Age, ſo the world hath three periods, from Adam to Moſes, from Moſes to Chriſt, from Chriſts firſt to his laſt coming; and as Old Age (though it many times be as long as either, nay it may be as both) is called the laſt age, becauſe death is that which next ſucceeds after it, ſo this period of the Evangelical time how long ſoever it may bee, is the laſt time, becauſe that which cloſeth it is the Day of Judgement: p. 550in which reſpect S^t. Auſtin ſaith truly, Ipſa noviſſima Aug. in Luc.hora diuturna eſt, ſed tamen noviſſima hora, the laſt time is long, but yet it is the laſt time. Look as theJob 42. 12, 16Job 42:12Job 42:16 time of Jobs continuance upon earth after his reſtitution to a prosperous eſtate, which was an hundred and forty years, and ſo a large part of his life, is yet called the latter end of Job, ſo may this of the Evangelical adminiſtration, though of a long durance, be ſtiled the latter end of the world.

And upon this account it may ſerve to diſcover the folly of that Generation of Seekers, which among the numerous brood of Hereſies hath ſprouted forth amongſt us; in vain doe they expect a new Church, new Ordinances, new Adminiſtrations, when as this is the laſt time. S^t. Paul plainly tells us, that the Chriſtian Church by adminiſtring the holy Sacrament muſt ſhew forth the Lords death till he come, that is, to judge the quick and the dead, and ſurely by way of Analogy it holds true of all the Evangelical inſtitutions; there is nothing to be expected but the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt in the end of the world.

2 But though this interpretation may be true, it is very harſh, eſpecially conſidering that the word which we tranſlate, Time, ſignifieth that which is one of the ſhorteſt durations of time, an hour; and it may be very well looked upon as incongruous, that ſo large a ſpace of time ſhould be called an hour. I know Expoſitors endeavour to ſalve this, by telling us, that it is but an hour, Comparatione futuri ſaeculi (ſo Carthuſian) in compariſon ofCarthuſ. & Calv. in Loc. the duration of the other world; and to the ſame purpoſe Calvin, Siregni Dei …ternitas, &c. If we revolve in our minds the eternity of Gods Kingdom, the longeſt continuance will ſeeme but a moment; but though this be in it ſelf an undeniable verity, yet it is not any more a reaſon why the time from Chriſts first to his laſt advent ſhould be called an hour, than why the whole time of the world p. 551from the firſt to the laſt man ſhould be ſo called. Upon this conſideration perhaps it was that Cajetan conceiveth S^t. Johns meaning might be, that the time wherein hee lived was like to the laſt hour, and as it ſhould be at the end of the world, ſo it was then: but this conſtruction is too forced, nor is it rational to imagine that when S^t. John ſaith, it is, and again, by this wee know it is the laſt hour, he meaneth only a reſemblance.

If then there be ſomething elſe▪ to which this laſt hour may upon a more juſt account bee referred, doubtleſſe that muſt needs be the moſt genuine interpretation, and this we ſhall finde to bee not the world, but the Jewiſh Church and ſtate, whoſe end was then at hand; I confeſſe Socinus is the firſt in whom I meet with this conſtruction, Socin. in Loc.but I ſhall not refuſe to take up a Pearl though I finde it in a Dunghil, and as I ſhall never receive, ſo neither will I reject any expoſition becauſe of the perſon that bringeth it. Beſides him, that learned Mr. Mede occaſionallyMede Apoſtacy of latter times. ſpeaking of theſe words, conceiveth it to bee the laſt hour of Daniels ſeventy weeks, and ſo conſequently of the Jews Common-wealth; Suitable whereunto is the Annotation both of H. Grotius, and Dr. Hammond, to whom for their excellent illuſtrations of many Scriptures, this age is, and future will bee much beholding. The only objection that can lye againſt this interpretation is, that this Epiſtle was written after the deſtruction of Jeruſalem, but this can only be ſaid, not proved. True, S^t. John out-lived that deſolation, but this Epiſtle might bee written before it, yea this text renders it very probable, and accordingly Mr. Mede conceiveth it might be written in the laſt of Daniels weeks, aboutJoſeph. Jud. Bell. 1. 7. which time Jeſu Ananiah began that woful cry, Woe to Jeruſalem, woe to the Temple.

Taking the clauſe in this conſtruction, the emphaſis of this word Hour will prompt two things to our meditation, That the time of the Jews ruine was a ſet time, and a ſhort time.

p. 5521 An hour is a meaſured part of time, conſiſting of a ſet number of minutes, whereby is intimated, that the time of Jeruſalems ruine was fixed, and her years numbred, it is that which would be conſidered in a double reference; to wit, as the Jews were a Nation, and a Church.

1 Conſider them as a Nation and People, and wee may ſee in them this truth exemplified, That to all Nations, there is an appointed time how long they ſhall continue; heeJob 38. 11.Job 38:11 that ſets bounds to the Sea, hithert… ſhalt thou paſſe and no further, ſets periods to all the Kingdoms of the earth, thus long they ſhall flouriſh and no longer. The ſignification of that word Mene, which the hand wrote upon the wall concerning Belſhazzar, God hath numbred thy Kingdom Dan. 5. 26.Dan 5:26and finiſhed it, carrieth in it a general truth concerning all Monarchies, Kingdoms, States, the number of the years for their continuation, and the term of time for their expiration, is determined by God. What is become of the Aſſyrian, Perſian, Grecian, and Roman Empires, whoſe glorious ſplendor in a certain ſpace of time vaniſhed away? Indeed according to the Poets expreſſion, Momento permagna ruunt, ſummiſque negatumClaud. Stare di…— Though ſome Nations flouriſh longer than others, yet all have their Autumn as well as Spring, Winter as well as Summer, and when the time regiſtred in Heaven is accompliſhed on earth, the moſt potent Politick Kingdoms moulder away in a moment.

2 Conſider them as a Church, and Gods people, it lets us ſee, that as Kingdoms, ſo Churches have their periods; indeed the univerſal Church ſhall not fayl, God will have if not in one place, yet in another, an Orb wherein the light of his truth ſhall ſhine (though not always with the ſame clearneſſe) to the Day of Judgement, but ſtill p. 489particular Churches have their doleful eclipſes, yea their diſmal ſettings, by the removing of the Sun of the Gospel from them. Thoſe ſeven Churches of Aſia are deplorable inſtances of this Doctrin, who though once golden candleſticks holding forth the word of life, are now inveloped in Mahumetan darkneſſe.

Oh ſee my Brethren, what ſin will doe to Nations, to Churches, for though it is God who determineth, yet it is ſin which deſerveth their ruine. That which moveth God to remove the Candleſtick from a Church, is their contempt of the light; That which provoketh God to put a period to a Kingdoms proſperity, is their heightned iniquity: and therefore when we behold (as wee of this Land at this day ſadly doe) a flouriſhing Church withered, a goodly Kingdom overturned; oh let us ſo acknowledge Gods hand, as to blame our own demerits, ſince it is upon fore-ſight of a peoples tranſgreſſion, that God prefixeth a time for their deſtruction.

2 An hour is a ſhort ſpace of time, there are many parts of time longer, days, weeks, moneths, years, Jubilees, Ages, but there is only one ſhorter, to wit, minutes, nay the ſhorteſt time by which men commonly reckon is the hour, with its ſeveral parts, ſo that where our Apoſtle ſaith it was the laſt hour, he intends that it was but an hour, that is, a very ſhort time, and Jeruſalem ſhould be deſtroyed. Look as when the duration of an affliction is ſet forth by an hour, it noteth the brevity of its continuance; ſo when the coming of an affliction is meaſured by an hour, it noteth the celerity of its approach; in the former ſenſe we read elſewhere of an hour of temptation, andRevel. 3. 10Rev 3:10 here in the latter, that it is the laſt hour.

Indeed if wee look upon the Jewes at this very time, we ſhall find they were very ſecure, not dreaming of ſo neer and great a deſtruction. The Characters which St. James giveth of the rich Jewes are, that they heaped treasure Jam. 5. 3. 5Jas 5:3Jas 5:5together, they lived in pleaſure, were want…n, and p. 490nouriſhed their hearts as in a day of ſlaughter, they indulged to their covetous and voluptuous luſts, putting the evil day farr from them, and yet thoſe were the laſt days, as that Apoſtle calls them, nay the laſt hour in our Apostles language. In this reſpect it is that our Saviour Matth. 24. 37Matt 24:37ſpeaking of this deſtruction, fore-telleth it ſhould be then as it was in the days of Noah, when they ate and drank, married, and gave in marriage, till the day that Noah entered into the Ark, as being over-whelmed with a general ſecurity, when ready to bee over-whelmed with the floud.

Thus may Judgement be at hand, when men think it farre off, and the Judge ſtand at the door, when the thief imagines hee is many miles diſtant; when they ſhall ſay peace and ſafety, then ſudden deſtruction comes upon them, as travel upon a woman with child, and they cannot eſcape,1 Theſſ. 5. 31 Thess 5:3 is the ſad threatning which Saint Paul utters againſt preſumptuous ſinners; wicked men are never more ſecure than when deſtruction is neareſt, and deſtruction is never nearer than when they are moſt ſecure. Indeed when men through infidelity contemn, it is high time for God to execute his threatnings, that by haſtening his wrath he may juſtifie his truth. It is but reaſon that they who will not beleeve ſhould feel, and what they would not learn by the Word, they ſhould finde in their own ſad experience; take we heed therefore how wee look at the wrong end of the Perſpective, which makes the object ſeem at a greater diſtance than it is. Alas, how ſoon may the brighteſt skie bee over-caſt. Voluptuous Epicures, Job 21. 13Job 21:13(ſaith Job) ſpend their dayes in wealth, and in a moment they goe down to the grave. When Judgement cometh, it cannot be avoyded, and too often it ſurprizeth men before it is expected. Whilſt the wicked Jewes were encompaſſed with plenty, and promiſed themſelves tranquillity, St. John fore-tells their miſery, and that as approaching, It is the laſt hour.

p. 491To cloſe up this clauſe with a moral application. M…net hoc verbo Apoſtolus, ut omnem horam veluti noviſſimam reputemus, ſaith Ferus piouſly; our Apoſtle dothF…r. in Loc. here admoniſh every particular man, that he ſhould ſtill think every hour to be his laſt; indeed the time of every mans life is fixed in Gods eternal Councel, it is Jobs Divinity, and that not only in regard of himſelf, but man indefinitely, or rather univerſally conſidered; is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? and again, his dayes Job 2. 1. 14. 5Job 2:1Job 2:14Job 2:5are determined, the number of his moneths are with thee, thou haſt appointed his bounds that he cannot paſſe; nor is it any long time which is allotted, and therefore the ſwiftneſſe of mans life is elegantly ſet forth by ſeveral metaphors, both in the Book of Job, and other places of Scripture; indeed if the longeſt life be conſidered in reference to the eternity of that other life, it is but a day, nay an hour, a minute; that it cannot be long we are ſure, and yet when it will expire we are not ſure, and becauſe wee know not how ſoon, we ſhould make account of it continually, and though we cannot ſay of every hour, this is or ſhall be, yet to ſay, this may be my laſt hour; and if you mark it, this is prompted to little children, who (as Grotius well obſerveth) are apt to think they have time Gr…. in Loc.enough before them, and yet even with them it may be the laſt hour, ſince though the old muſt, the young may dye; no wonder if he ſpeak to children (ſaith Saint Auſtin)Aug. ibid. Ut festinent creſcere, that they make haſte to grow in grace. That word in the Chaldee which ſignifieth an hour, is derived from a verb, which ſignifieth to have regard to, ſo ought every man to obſerve the hours of his life how they paſſe, there being none which might not be his laſt. And truly this conſideration would have a great influence upon the precedent dehortation of not loveing the world, as Oecumenius obſerveth; A dying man Occumen. ibid.is not at all taken with the choyceſt dainties, richeſt treaſures, higheſt dignities, no more would wee if wee did p. 492ſtill look upon our ſelves as dying. Hee will not trifle away his hours in purſuing worldly vanities, who conſidereth how quickly they paſſe away, and how ſoon they may be at an end. In one word, happy is that man who ſo thinketh of his laſt hour, as that hee doth that every hour, which he would be found doing in his laſt, at leaſt who doth nothing in any, which hee durſt not be found doing in his last hour. And ſo much for the Second general part, the Affirmation, It is the laſt hour. I now haſten (leſt I ſhould exceed the hour) to the

3 Laſt part of the text, the Confirmation, as it followeth in the reſt of the verſe, and as you have heard that Antichriſt ſhall come, even now are there many Antichriſts, whereby we know that it is the laſt time.

Before I enter upon the ſeverals of this General, it will bee needful to ſpend a little time in clearing the ſenſe of foreign, the Antichriſt here ſpoken of. The generality of Interpreters obſerving the Article prefixed before the Noun, conceive that the Apoſtle intends by this foreign the ſame with S^t. Pauls foreign, him who is tranſcendently Antichriſt; and ſhould I trace this expoſition, I muſt fall upon another inquiry, in the ſolution of which Divines are of various opinions, namely who is this, The Antichriſt.

The Ancients generally conceive that Antichrist ſhallIren. Greg. M. Hierom. come towards the end of the world, whom Chriſt ſhall deſtroy by the brightneſſe of his coming.

Some late Writers imagine that the Antichriſt cameGro…. D^r Ha…. ſoon after the plantation of Chriſtianity in the world, and fix it, ſome on Simon Magus, others on Barchocebus, others on Claudius, and Nero, Emperours.

A great part of the Reformed aſſert the ſucceſſion of Popes from the time that the Biſhop of Rome uſurped theCal. Jun. Polan, &c. title of univerſal, to bee the Antichriſt, which began about ſix hundred years after Chriſt, and according to that Prophetical account of one thouſand two hundred p. 493and forty days, they ſuppoſe the continuance to bee ſo many years.

Did I conceive that our Apoſtle deſigned this foreign to ſignifie an Antichriſt which is ſo above all other Hereticks and enemies of Chriſt whatſoever, yet poſitively to determine who he is, I ſhould not undertake, only thus much I look upon as rational, that according to the definition which our Apoſtle himſelf giveth of Antichriſt a little after, he who moſt directly, expreſly, vehemently denieth Jeſus to be the Chriſt, and accordingly denieth both the Father, and the Son, hee is the Antichriſt.

But that I may ſpeak my thoughts freely, I can by no means be induced to beleeve that foreign, the Antichriſt, is here to bee taken ſingularly, and determinately, but indefinitely, and collectively; for the clearing whereof, obſerve,

1 That it is very uſual for a word of the ſingular number to denote a multitude, yea not only without, but with the Article; take one inſtance among many, that2 Tim. 3. 162 Tim 3:16 of S^t. Paul, where he ſaith, The Scripture is given by inſpiration of God, and is profitable, &c. that foreign, the man of God may be perfect, whereby is not underſtood ſome one that was ſo eminently, but indefinitely any, or rather univerſally every man of God, and it ſeemeth our Tranſlators underſtood this foreign no otherwiſe, ſince both here and in other places they renderVerſ. 22. & 23 it not The, but An, as alſo foreign, a Lyar, ſuitable to which it is that foreign is preſently explained by foreign, he, that is, whoſoever denieth.

2 That our Apoſtle in the very next clauſe enlargeth this ſingular foreign, the Antichriſt, by that plural foreign, many Antichriſts, as in the next Epiſtle at the ſeventh verſe, he contracts the plural, foreign, many deceivers, into the ſingular, foreign,John Ep. 2. 8. a Deceiver, and an Antichriſt.

p. 494I well know, that the Antichriſt, and many Antichriſts are by moſt Interpreters ſeverally referr'd, but withall in ſo doing they force the ſenſe, whereas if both bee referr'd to the ſame, the conſtruction is plain, for by this means the foreign, even now there are, anſwereth fitly to the foreign, as you have heard, the latter clauſe teſtifying the impletion of the prediction alledged in the former; nay more, the foreign that followeth, by which we know it is the laſt hour, can have no ſolid ſtrength in it, if the former be not thus interpreted, ſince unleſſe that which our Apoſtle alledgeth as fore-told, that Antichriſt ſhould come, to wit, (before the laſt hour) were then accordingly accompliſhed, and ſo atteſted, when he ſaith, even now there are many Antichriſts, it could have been no ſymptome by which they could conclude that it was then the laſt hour; That which ſerves further to juſtifie this conſtruction is, that our Apoſtle, as here he aſſerteth the fulfilling of the Prediction by the plural, there are many Antichriſts, ſo in this Epiſtle elſewhere he affirmeth in the ſingular foreign, This is that ſpirit of Chap. 4. 3Antichriſt, which you have heard, ſhall come, and is now already in the world; I ſhall only adde, that this foreign which you have heard, is, if not only, yet without doubt principally to be referrd to that of our Saviour in the Gospel, wherein we find nothing concerningMatth. 24.Matt 24 the great Antichriſt, but only thoſe Antichriſts which either were to precede, or elſe immediately to follow the deſtruction of Jeruſalem.

No doubt then the plain deſign of this part of the verſe is this, our Apoſtle having before affirmed, that it was the laſt hour of Jeruſalems ruine, hee confirms it by this ſtrong medium, that which our bleſſed Lord fore-told as an immediate fore-runner of that deſtruction (to wit, the coming of Antichriſt) was now already fulfilled in the many Antichriſts which were among them.

p. 495According to this conſtruction there are three things obſervable in this part of the text.

A Prediction, whereof they are minded, you have heard that Antichriſt ſhould come.

An impletion of that Prediction aſſured, even now there are many Antichrists.

The ſignificancy of that impletion expreſſed, whereby we know that it is the laſt hour.

1 Our Apoſtle mindes thoſe to whom hee writeth, of our Saviours prediction, that Antichriſt ſhould come, whereby the great care of this chief Shepheard of the ſheep appeareth, in fore-warning them of thoſe Wolves which would devour them; it was that which Chriſt was pleaſed to doe upon a double account.

1 The one in regard of his Apoſtles, who were to be the Leaders of his Church, that they might bee ſo much the more vigilant in obſerving the riſe of Seducers, and diligent in confirming the people in the orthodox faith▪ for this reaſon no doubt it was that S^t. Paul gathered the Elders ofActs 20. 30.Acts 20:30 the Epheſian Church together, and minded them of thoſe perverſe Teachers which would ere long infeſt the Church, and accordingly the inference hee draweth thence is foreign, therefore watch.

2 The other in regard of the whole Church, and every member, that they might not be too much troubled when falſe Teachers ſhall ariſe, Tela pr…viſa minus feriunt, Darts fore-ſeen are leſſe terrible and hurtful. All evils are then moſt grievous when unexpected; that danger whereof we are fore-warned, may either bee more patiently ſuſtained, or prudently avoyded. For this reaſon Chriſt fore-tells his Diſciples of thoſe Perſecutions which would befall them in particular, that they might not think ſtrange at the fiery trial; for this cauſe he foretold them of thoſe Seducers which would endeavour to pervert Chriſtians from the faith, that they might be leſſe offended at them▪ and the more carefully take heed of p. 494duplicate page p. 495duplicate page p. 496them. Thus after Chriſts example, let all who are Spiritual Watch-men bee vigilant in giving notice to the Church Militant of the approach of her enemies, that being fore-warned ſhee may bee fore-armed to encounter with them.

2 What was thus fore-told by Chriſt is accordingly come to paſſe, even now there are many Antichriſts.

Before I goe further it will not bee amiſſe to ſtay a while in this general meditation, to wit, the verity of divine Predictions, as you have heard, it is now come to paſſe; it is that which is, and ſhall be true of whatever Matth. 5. 18Matt 5:18hath been fore-told by God, by Chriſt, and his Prophets, Till heaven and earth paſſe, one jot, or one tittle ſhall in no wiſe paſſe from the Law, till all be fulfilled, ſo ſaith our bleſſed Saviour; where the ſtability of the Laws prediction is compared with, and exalted above the ſtability of the heaven and earth, for the heaven and the earth though laſting in their duration, ſhall paſſe away at laſt, but whatever is threatned or promiſed in the Law ſhall infallibly receive its ſuitable accompliſhment. Among thoſe many glorious attributes whereby God hath made known himſelf to the Sons of men, that of his truth and fidelity is not the leaſt, which then ſhineth forth in its brightneſſe, when he fulfilleth what hee hath ſaid, ſince as the prediction giveth teſtimony to his praeſcience, ſo the impletion to his faithfulneſſe.

Oh then with what fear and reverence ſhould wee receive his threats? with what hope and confidence ſhould we embrace his Promiſes? with what faith and credence ſhould we adhere to all his Praedictions? you have heard, that God will come in flaming fire, taking vengeance on 2 Theſ 1. 8 1 Cor. 6. 9, 102 Thess 1:81 Cor 6:91 Cor 6:10them that know him not; That neither fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abuſers of themſelves with mankind, nor theeves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, ſhall inherit the kingdom of God; That at the laſt day Chriſt will ſay to p. 497all the workers of iniquity, Depart from me yee eurſed; oh …eleeve, and tremble, for the time will come that all impenitent ſinners ſhall ſay, As we have heard, ſo we find; wee ſadly feel the execution of that vengeance which wee proudly contemned when denounced. Again, you have heard that ſweet voyce, Come unto me all you that travel Matth. 11. 28. Joh. 3. 16.Matt 11:28John 3:16and are heavie laden, and I will give you reſt; that Evangelical Charter, God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever beleeveth in him ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life; that comfortable promiſe, unto them that look for him, hee ſhall appear the ſecond Heb. 9. 28.Heb 9:28time without ſin unto ſalvation. Oh be not faithleſſe but beleeving, for the day will come, when all beleeving Penitents ſhall ſay, As wee have heard, ſo we have ſeen. Pſal. 48. 8.Ps 48:8Indeed it were eaſie to multiply inſtances of this truth, how not only the ſubſtance, but the circumſtances of Scripture Predictions have been exactly accompliſhed, as well in regard of the time as the thing; but what need we goe further than the text, wherein wee have the punctual impletion of our Saviours Prophecie, concerning the riſe of Antichriſts before Jeruſalems fall aſſerted? Even now there are many Antichriſts.

More particularly in this aſſertion, wee are to take notice of the quality, and the quantity, the temper, and the number of thoſe Seducers which were in S^t. Johns time.

1 For quality, they are deſcribed to bee Antichriſts, a word which according to a double acception of the Prepoſition foreign, may admit of a double conſtruction, the one reſtrictive, the other extenſive.

1 The Prepoſition foreign, ſometimes ſignifieth as much as in the ſtead or place of, thus, foreign is one that falſly calleth himſelf a King, and foreign, is one that ſets himſelf up in the Generals room; in this notion, foreign is one that pretends himſelf to bee Chriſt, and is the ſame with foreign, a falſe p. 498Chriſt. That ſuch ſhould be, our Saviour had told them, where he ſaith, Many ſhall come in my name, ſaying, I Matth. 24. 5. Acts 21. 31.Matt 24:5Acts 21:31am Chriſt. That ſuch were (as Theudas, whom Fadus diſcomfited, and that Aegyptian mentioned in the Acts, with many others) Joſephus teſtifieth in ſeveral places,Joſeph. Antiq. l. 20. c▪ 2. Bell▪ Iud. l. 2. c. 12. 2 Tim 3. 3.2 Tim 3:3 and to theſe our Apoſtle here might have an eye. It lets us ſee how prone men are to arrogate to themſelves that which they are not, whom the Apoſtle taxeth under the name of boaſters; yea, to what an height of impudence ſuch men ſometimes grow, as to aſſume to themſelves what is Gods, and Chriſts peculiar. But if it be odious for one who is of a baſe extraction to uſurp Dominion, and being born a Beggar, to make himſelf a King, it is no leſs than blasphemy, for baſe mortalls to take upon them the name and authority of the Meſſiah.

2 The Prepoſition foreign moſt properly ſignifieth as much as againſt, ſo foreign is an oppoſition, or one axiome ſet againſt another, foreign is one who ſets himſelf againſt another, and foreign is one who withſtandeth and oppugneth Chriſt; this ſort was alſo fore-told by Chriſt, where hee ſaith, many falſe Matth. 24. 11.Matt 24:11Prophets ſhall ariſe; and that our Apoſtle chiefly intends, theſe, appeareth by the definition he giveth of theſe Antichriſts, that they were ſuch who denied Jeſus to be the Chriſt, which many did, who yet did not aſſert themſelves to be Chriſts: and to that Apoſtolical definition I ſhall referre the larger proſecution of this ſubject; paſſe wee on therefore from the Quality,

2 To the Quantity, in that it is not ſaid, as you have heard that Antichriſt ſhall come, even ſo now he is come, but now there are many Antichriſts; indeed our Saviour ſpeaking of both ſorts, uſeth this very epithite, many falſe Chriſts, and falſe Prophets. There were ſeveral primipili, or anteſignani of theſe black Regiments, as Epiphanius, and S^t. Cyril have recounted them, Simon Epiphan. Haer. Cyr▪ Catech. 6.Magus, Cerinthus, Menander, Carpocrates, with many p. 499others▪ and each of theſe had many followers; for Chriſt like wiſe fore-told they ſhould deceive many, and S^t. Peter, that many ſhall follow their pernicious wayes. Indeed Hereſie is of a ſpreading nature, ſo much S^t.2 Tim. 2. 17.2 Tim 2:17 Paul intimateth, when he ſaith of Heretical teachers, their word will eat as doth a canker, or gangrene, which ſtops not till it have infected and deſtroyed the whole body. A thing ſaith Eſtius ſo well known by ſad experience,Eſto. ibid. that it need not many words to atteſt it. There is but one truth, but there are many errours; there is but one Chriſt, but there are many Antichriſts. Falſe Teachers are compared by S^t. John to Locuſts, a ſort of creaturesRevel. 9. 3. Prov. 30. 27.Rev 9:3Prov 30:27 of which Salomon obſerveth, that they goe forth by bands, yea the Hebrew word foreign which ſignifieth a Locuſt, is derived from foreign that ſignifieth to multiply, intimating the great multitudes of Locuſts, in which reſpect they are a fit embleme of falſe Prophets. OurMat. 7. 15, 16Matt 7:15Matt 7:16 bleſſed Saviour ſpeaking of ſuch, implicitly, reſembleth them to thorns and thiſtles, and the ſimilitude holds in this, that as thorns and thiſtles grow every where in great numbers, ſo doe theſe abound in every place; of old there were four hundred lying Prophets which deceived Ahab, to one Micaiah that told him truth▪ four 2 King. 18, 19. 22. 6.2 Kgs 18:192 Kgs 18:222 Kgs 18:6hundred and fifty Prophets of Baal▪ to one El…jab; in the Primitive times, there were a multitude of A…rian Biſhops to one Athanaſius, and thus ſtil, numerous pejor major, The Antichriſtian party is the greateſt.

Take we heed then how we doe, foreign (according to Gregory Nazianzens phraſe) define the Church of Chriſt by multitude, certainly if number may carry the cauſe, Antichriſts Synag…gue will farre out-vie the Chriſtian Churches, and therefore it is S^t. Hieroms ſaying to a Pelagian Heretick. Multitudo Hier l, 3. adv. Pelag.ſociorum nequaquam te Catholicum ſed Hereticum eſſe monſtrabit, The multitude of thy fellows doth not prove you a Catholick, but rather an Heretick; that way in p. 500which the moſt walk is for the moſt part, to be ſuſpected as a falſe path, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way (ſaithMatth. 7. 10.Matt 7:10 our bleſſed Saviour) which leadeth to deſtruction, and many there be that goe in there at. Indeed, when the number of the Orthodox increaſeth, and prevaileth, it ſhould be our joy, but if the number of the Heterodox be greater, it need not be our wonder, only let our care bee, that as (according to Moſes his precept) we doe not follow a multitude to doe what is evil, ſo neither to beleeve what is falſe; and ſo much for the ſecond particular.

3 Laſtly, by the coming of theſe Antichriſts, according as they had heard, they might know it was the laſt hour, and that Jeruſalems deſtruction was then at hand. To illuſtrate this briefly, know that there are three ſorts of Signs. Some are memorative, to mind us of what was long ago accompliſht, for which end God hath ſet his Bow in the clouds; ſome are demonſtrative, to diſcover ſomething that is newly exiſtent, ſuch was that of a Child lying in a Manger to the Shepheards, in reference to the Meſſiahs birth; finally, ſome are Prognoſtick…, to foretell ſomething which is to come to paſſe; now of this ſort ſome are only probable, as a red evening of a fair day; others are certain, as Jonahs coming out after hee had lain three days and three nights in the Whales belly, of Chriſts Reſurrection; by thoſe we only think and imagine, by theſe we know and are ſure that the thing ſhall be effected. Again, ſome are remote and at a great diſtance, ſuch was that which God gave Abraham, of deliveringGen. 15. 6.Gen 15:6 his ſeed above four hundred years after out of Aegypt. Some are nearer hand, and immediately preceding that whereof they are ſigns, as that to Hezekiah of his recovery; by thoſe we ſee it ſhall be, butIſa 38. 7.Isa 38:7 not yet, by theſe that it ſhall be ere long; of this latter ſort was the coming of theſe Antichriſts in reference to Jeruſalems ruine, for ſince Chriſt had fore-told it, as that which ſhould a little precede that great deſolation, it p. 501(being now come to paſſe) became not a probable, but a certain, not a remote, but an immediate ſign, by which they did not only rationally conjecture, but infallibly know, and that not only that there would bee ſuch an hour, but that then it was Jeruſalems laſt hour.

To wind it up, It is no ſmall mercy of God to a people, that when as he intends to bring ruine on them, before hand he giveth them warning. Among his many waies of warning, this is one, that hee fore-tells, and accordingly ſends ſuch ſigns which are fore-runners of their deſolation, his deſign in which is, partly in regard of the wicked, that if poſſible their ſleepy Conſciences may bee awakened to ſee, and by repentance to prevent that approaching ruine; and oh how happy might Jeruſalem have been, had they made uſe of theſe ſigns, partly in regard of the good, that they being hereby admoniſhed might bee the better fitted to undergoe the temporal calamity, or (if Godopen a way) provide for their own ſafety, as the Story tells us, many of the godly Jewes did, by flying toJoſeph. Antiq. Pella, before the City was ſacked by the Romans.

And now (my Brethren) though we have not, nor muſt expect particular Predictions, or Signs given us of deſtructive Judgements, yet a wiſe obſerver and comparer of Gods Word and works together, may bee able to diſcern what is likely to come upon the place wherein he liveth, it is Solomons general aſſertion, The prudent man foreſeeth Prov. 22. 3.Prov 22:3the evil, this being that which every Spiritually wiſe man may attain to in ſome meaſure, and accordingly ought to endeavour after. Now the best means of obtaining this fore-ſight is to obſerve what have been the ſigns and fore-runners of Gods Judgements on other Nations, eſpecially thoſe in Holy Writ, as in particular concerning Jeruſalem, and if we finde the like to befall in our dayes, we may thence, if not undoubtedly, yet rationally, conclude our own deſtruction to bee at hand. Among others, there were two very obſervable ſigns of p. 502Jeruſalems deſtruction, the one great warrs and rumours of warres, the other multitudes of falſe Chriſts, and falſe Prophets; and as we have for many years felt the one, ſo who doth not ſee the other? wee need not goe to Rome to find out Antichriſt, wee have ſwarms of Antichriſts among our ſelves, ſo that this Age, and Land, and City of ours, is become a ſink of filthy and loathſome Hereſies, yea which is the worſt kind of Antichriſtianiſm, Pſeudochriſtianiſm is the brand of our Times, whilſt all theſe Antichriſts pretend themſelves to bee the only Chriſtians, yea ſome of them aſſert themſelves to be Chriſtified and Deified, nay one of them is ſo ſacrilegiouſly impudent, as to ſtile himſelf the Chriſt. What Chriſtian heart bleeds not to hear of theſe Hereſies, Blaſphemies? James Nayler.and that as chiefly becauſe of the diſhonour done to Chriſt, ſo ſecondarily of that ſad preſage which they give of the mournful down-fall of this once flouriſhing Church, Kingdome, and City; But I would not bee a Prophet of miſery to my Native Country, yea I ſhould be glad to prove a falſe Prophet, and therefore inſtead of a doleful Prediction, I ſhall cloſe up with an earneſt ſupplication, that all theſe Antichriſts may be either reclaimed, or ſuppreſſed, that the Orthodox Faith may be maintained, the Church reſtored, our warres ended, our ſins reformed, and ſo our ruine prevented.

Amen.