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(when Chrift hath reigned) be taken up into the Kingdom of Eternal Glory.

3dly, The Time when they expected this Kingdom to be restored; and that was then when they put thisQueftion untoChrift,Wilt thou at this time refore the Kingdom unto Ifrael? Herein they were indeed mistaken, and therefore were by Chrift reprehended for being too curious to enquire into that which was to be kept fecret in the Father's Power, and for limiting the Reftoration of the Kingdom to their Time; whereas there were many Ages to pass out firft,wherein the Gospel was to be preached for a Witness unto all Nations, before the End fall come, Mat. xxiv. 14. and many other things to be fulfilled. I fay it was for this, and only for this, that they were by Chrift rebuked, and not for the Reality of a Kingdom to be restored; which otherwife is confirmed (as before) by the Anfwer of Chrift, in saying, It is not for you to know the Time or Seafon which is kept fecret in the Breaft of the Father.

Fourthly, The Perfons unto whom this Kingdom is to be reftor'd; and that is unto Ifrael: Wilt thou at this time refere the Kingdom unto Ifrael? By the Word Ifrael the People of the Jews are generally understood, they being frequently call'd fo, from Ifrael their Father. Therefore I understand when this Kingdom comes to be reftored unto Ifrael, in the First Part and Branch of that Kingdom, the Fews will be converted by the Pouring down of the Spirit And the converted Gentiles gathered out of all Nations, will be joined with them. But the Latter Part or Branch of that Kingdom reftored to Ifrael, will take in and comprehend the whole Eletion or Myftical Body of Chrift, at the time of

his perfonal Coming from Heaven with all the Saints, Zec. xiv. 5. So that from the whole we may fee, that here is a Kingdom to be restored by Chrift, and to be poffeffed and enjoyed, by the Saints in this World, or as it is in Heb. ii. 5. that World to come. For when I fay Chrift will have a glorious Kingdom in this World, I mean only in refpect of Place, and not in refpect of the prefent State and Condition that it is now in. Again,

The 1ft Epift. of Cor, iv. 8. does hold forth fomething for the Proof of this bleffed Time. Now ye are full, now ye are rich; ye have reigned as Kings without us, and I would to God ye did reign, that we also migl rign with you. The Apoftle Paul, in this Chapter, fpeaketh by way of Reproof, to the Church of Corinth, for their Pride and Highmindedness, lif ing up and extolling themfelves above others; is if their Paftors and Teachers exceeded the Apoftles. Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as Kings without us. That is not in outward Riches or worldly Wealth I do not fuppofe they exceeded, or that they thought they exceeded others; but in their Gifts, Parts, Wifdom, and Learning. They looked upon themselves not to come fhort of, but to exceed other Churches and Paftors, yea the very. Apostles. In this refpect they were full, and reigned as Kings, by lording it over their Brethren not that they did really exceed all others in thefe things, but in their own Conceitedness; for if they had exceeded their Brethren, Churches, or Teacliers, in Grace, and fpiritual Gifts, they would have been fo far from being lifted up, as that it would have kept them humble; for this is a certain Rule, The more Grace, the more Humility. It does further appear, that they were fo filled with fpiritual X Pride,

Pride, as that they looked upon it their Wifdom not to expofe themielves to thofe Croffes and Troubles, as other Churches and the Apoftles did for Chrif's fake, Therefore does the Apoftle lay themunder this Reprehenfion; for ye are full, ye are rich, ye have reigned as Kings without us; not confidering our Trials, our Troubles, our Sufferings, Afflictions, Reproaches, and Perfecutions, which we are daily expofed to: Te are rich, we are poor; ye are full, we are empty; ye are at cafe, we are in trouble; ye have reigned as Kings without us. We are liable to all Dangers and Hazards for "Chrift: Yet he wifheth their Happiness, as well as their own; and therefore adds immediately (when he had been fhewing how they reigned as Kings without them) and would to God ye did reign, that we might reign with you. What does the Apoftle I mean in this Wifh, And would to God ye did reign? Surely this was not an idle, vain, and foolish Wifh; but it must be from the Impulfe of the Spirit of God, that he thus fpeaks; And would toGod ye did reign! The Apoft e knew well enough, but more efpecially the Spirit of God by which he fpcke, that there was fuch a Time promifed, and and fuch a Time coming when they and all the Faithful fhould reign as Kings; which Time the Apoftle had in his eye, when he faith, Ard would to God yo did reign! The Reafon is given why he fo wifhes; which is, that we might reign with you. As if he fhould fay, I know that there will be a time when you who are interefled in Chrift, fall reign as Kings: And I heartily wish and earnefly defre, that the Time of your reigning were come; that we, not only we Apofles, but all the Saints might reign with

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you: For when the Time of the Saints Reigring is come, neither you nor we shall reign alone, but we fall all reign together with Chrift. This is promifed, that if we juffer, we all alforeign with him. 2 Tim. i. v. 12. Now if this be not the Senfe of the Words, what is it that the Apoftle can mean when he faith, And I would to God ye did reign, that we might reign with you. What other Senfe can the Words fairly be taken in, if he does not mean the Reigning of all the Saints with Chrift in his Kingdom. And certainly the Apostle would never have wifhed nor fo earneftly defired, the Corinthians Reigning, that we might reign with them, if there was not fuch a Time to be, wherein they fhould reign as Kings And if fo; where is it that they Jhall reign, if not in the Kingdom of Chrift.

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CHAP. XIII.

This glorious Kingdom of CHRIST will be the Time ofthe Reftoration of the Creation into its Paradifical State.

1. The high Privilege of the Saints appears from their relation unto God as Children. 2. Tho their Sufferings be great in this World, yet the Glory which is to be put upon them, will be infinitely greater. 3. All the Creatures that were for the Ufe of Man created, are waiting for the Manifeftation of the Sons of God. 4. The Lord over-rules the Vanity which is in the Creatures, by a fecret Hope that is in them of being delivered. 5. There has been, and is fill a Groaning in all thefe Creatures for this bleffed Time. 6. When the Wicked are cut off for their Wickedness, then it is that the Saints shall inberit the Earth.

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N the next place I fhall give a few hints upon fome Verfes in the 8th of the Romans, which des wonderfully hold forth the Glory of Chrift's

Kingdom

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