Reign of Christ's Kingdom. But this I mean, that Chrift will reign by the great Effufion of the Spirit amongft his People, before he will perfonally appear, in order to the fulfilment of many Scripture Prophecies, which have a peculiar Relation unto that time, as before proved.

Therefore when all thofe latter Day Promises relating to the wonderful pouring down of the Spirit, in its firft Branch, hath had its Accomplifhment; which I look upon to be antecedent unto his perfonal reigning; then it is, and not till then, that I expect the Lord Jefus Chrift will come in the Clouds with Power and great Glory, attended with an innumerable Company of Angels and glorified Saints; and that then the Dead being raifed, all that fleep in Jefus fhall God bring with him; the living changed into the fame State of Immortality, hall both be caught up together in the Clouds, to meet the Lord in the Air: Then it is that the Lord our God fhal come, and all the Saints with him. And then will he take unto himself the actual Poffeffion of his Kingdom; because it is not faid to be given unto him until he comes in Clouds Heaven. Dan. vii. 13, 14.

Again look into Ifaiab lxv. 17. For behold, I create new Heavens and a new Earth: and the former shall not be remembred, nor come into mind. This Text comes in with a behold, as fomething that is wonderful! Therefore it fhould be took the moreNotice of by us; and that is the Creation of New Heavens and a new Earth: It is the Lord Jehovah who only can do this: Behold I create, &c. by creating of new Heavens and Earth, I do not understand the Subftance to be meant, but the Fafhion, Form, and

Figure of thefe that now are, which will at this time fuffer a great Change: And fo far as this is to be understood litterally by the Heavens, muft mean the aerial Heavens, which will be changed, and purged by the Fire of the last Day from all its Noifome Mifts, Fogs, and Vapours, that now it is fo much filled withal. As for the Imperial Heavens, we have no Ground, nor Reafon to believe, will ever fuffer any Alteration or Change; and therefore it must mean thefe aerial Regions. Secondly, by the new Earth, I do underftand it to be spoke of this Earth on which we now tread; which will fuffer fuch a great Change alfo, at the time of Chrift's coming,and the Curfe taken off, that will make this Earth appear new, as far, if not more glorious, than it was in its firft Creation, for the Entertainment of the fecond Adam, the Lord Jefus Chrift, and his Spiritual Seed.

Secondly, in a more myftical Confideration; by the Heavens is oftentimes meant, the Churches of Chrift, as they are frequently called in the Scriptures; and if fo, then by the new Heavens, doth refpect the glorious Change, which will be made upon the Saints at the time of the Refurrection; when they fhall be fashioned like Chrift's glorious Body, and made conformable unto their blessed Head. The 18th and 19th Verfes favour this Interpretation; where you read thus; but be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create for behold I create Jerufalem a rejoicing, and her People a Joy. Then it is that they fhall be filled with Comfort, and Joy unexpreffible; and not only fo, but the Lord himself will rejoice in Jerufalem, and for ever take Delight in his Chil

dren;

dren: So that the Voice of weeping shall no more be beard in her, nor the Voice of Crying. Wherefore this must be the perfect State, at the perfonal Appearance of our Lord Jefus Chrift; when fuch a wonderful Change fhall be upon the Church, with the Earth made new, and reftored unto its primitive and Paradiffical Excellency: Here will be new Heavens, in respect of these new Inhabitants, (Chrift and the Saints) and a new Earth in refpec of the Place where they are to inbabit. Thefe new Heavens and Earth, will not take Place until the old are destroyed or refined, by that Fire or Conflagration in burning up of this World that now is; as may eafily be feen, by what the Apoftle Peter faith in his fecond Epiftle, Chap. iii. where he informs us, that the Elements fhall melt with fervent Heat; the Earth and the Works that are therein fhall be burnt up. Yet tell us, with a nevertheless, that we according to his Promife, look for new Heavens and a new Earth, where dwelleth Righteousness. Verse 12, 13. And therefore this must be in the time of the Ferfonal Reign, and Kingdom of Christ, as may be farther obferved from Rev. xxi. 2. where the Apostle John gives us fo large a Defcription of the Holy City, New Jerufalem, coming down from God out of Heaven; he makes mention of thefe New Heavens and the New Earth; in the fame Place, to fhew that this will be a bleffed State and time upon the Earth; when the Tabernacle of God fhall be with Mex, and he will dwell (by the Glory of his Divine Perfon, God, Man, Mediator) in the midst of them.

Again, in fer. xxiii. 5. we have a great Promise as to the Reign and Kingdom of Chrift, Behold the Days.

come

Come, faith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a Righteous Branch, and a King fhall reign and profper, be fhall execute Fudgment and fuftice in the Earth. Surely none that bear theName of aChriftian will deny, but that this was prophetically spoke ofChrift. Here be five things very confiderable in the Words; firft, that Chrift, with Respect unto his Human Nature, fhould be born, or fpring from David's Loins, as is very full in that Expreffion, I will raife unto David a righteous Branch; this hath had its Fulfillment now for above 1700 Years; but fecondly, that Chrift is to reign and profper as a King, (in that Day, when the Kingdoms of this World fhall be given into his actual Poffeffion) for so it is in the Text, a King fhall reign and profper, which will not be (according to the full Extent of this Text) until his perfonal coming in the Clouds of Heaven. Thirdly, here we have the manner of his Government, how he fhall reign; and that will be a righteous Administration; fignified by thefe Words, and he fhall execute Fudgment and Juftice: Here will be no Oppreffion, nor Caufe of Complaint in Chrift's Kingdom. Fourthly, The Place where Chrift Thall thus reign, in his righteous Administration; and that is in the Earth, as plain as Words can be expreffed; and therefore this Prophecy muft have its Fulfillment in this World. Fifthly, The glorious Effects of Chrift's Reign, which will be wonderful, in compleating the Salvation of his People; as the following Text does fhew in his Days fhall Judab be faved, and Ifrael hall dwell in Safety; free from all Harms, Dangers, and then it is, that a King, (which is Chrift the King of Kings) fhall reign in Righteousness; and

Princes

Princes (or the Saints) hall rule in Judgment. Ifaiah xxxii. 1.

Then it fhall more gloriously appear, that this is the Child Jefus, who unto us is born; this is the Son of God, that unto us is given: And the Government shall be upon his Shoulders; his Name fhall be called, firft, Wonderful, fecondly Counfeller; thirdly, the mighty God; fourthly, the Everlasting Father; Fifthly, the Prince of Peace. Each one of which Names will have their Particular Difplays in the Kingdom Glory, fo as to fill the Hearts of all the Saints with ravishing Joy of eternal Wonders. Ifaiah ix. 6. This is the time, that the Government, (which is to be upon Chrift's Shoulders) fhall increase over all the Earth, and of his Peace there fhall be no End: Upon the Throne of David in his Kingdom he fhall fit, that he may order and establish it with Judgment and Justice, from benceforth and for ever: The Certainty of the whole appears in this; for the Zeal of the Lord of Hofts will perform it, v. 7. Surely then, this Text doth preach unto us, that the Reign and Kingdom of Chrift must be in this World; as will yet more fully be demonftrated, if you compare this with what is expreffed in the firft Chapter of Luke; where thefe Words are again made use of, and applied by the Angel unto Chrift, to fhew that this Text was prophetically fpoke of him, v. 31. Behold thou fbalt conceive in thy Womb, and bring forth a Son, and shall call his Name Fefus. He fhall be great, and fhall be called the Son of the higheft, and the Lord God fhall give unto him the Throne of his Father David. And he hall reign over the House of Facob for ever, and of his Kingdom there shall be