THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST'S SECOND APPEARING. BOOK VIII. THE DISPENSATION OF THE SECOND APPEARING OF CHRIST; CHAPTER I. REMARKS ON THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, RESPECTING THE ACCORDING to the predictions of the Prophets, many have been CHAP. I. 2. That such a day has long been foretold, and must necessarily take place, is clear from the whole tenor of scripture prophecy; but the time, and circumstances of that day, have been matter of reasoning and debate for many ages; while it was, in reality, out of sight of the most penetrating part of mankind, and was intended to remain so, until the work of the day should declare it. 3. But let it be understood, that these things cannot be instantaneously effected; and that they are the work of the principles which will operate in this Millennial day, progressively bringing forth increasing degrees of perfection, according to the order of the work, providentially and spiritually, until the whole purpose of God is accomplished. 4. This has been the manner of God's work, in all dispensations; it has ever begun small, and progressively increased to maturity, like the parable of "the seed cast into the ground, 26, 29. Mark, iv. THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST'S SECOND BOOK VIII. THE DISPENSATION OF THE SECOND APPEARING OF CHRIST; CHAPTER I. REMARKS ON THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, RESPECTING THE ACCORDING to the predictions of the Prophets, many have been CHAP. I. 2. That such a day has long been foretold, and must necessarily take place, is clear from the whole tenor of scripture prophecy; but the time, and circumstances of that day, have been matter of reasoning and debate for many ages; while it was, in reality, out of sight of the most penetrating part of mankind, and was intended to remain so, until the work of the day should declare it. 3. But let it be understood, that these things cannot be instantaneously effected; and that they are the work of the principles which will operate in this Millennial day, progressively bringing forth increasing degrees of perfection, according to the order of the work, providentially and spiritually, until the whole purpose of God is accomplished. 4. This has been the manner of God's work, in all dispensations; it has ever begun small, and progressively increased to maturity, like the parable of "the seed cast into the ground, 26, 29. Mark, iv. CHAP. I. which springs up and is brought forth, first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 5. Therefore, the "great chain" with which Satan was bound, signifies a long and important series of events, operating providentially in the natural and spiritual orders, by which the tyrannical and persecuting power of the dragon will be more and more bound, in such a manner, that his power (which has deceived the nations, by established antichristian and persecuting religions, by which the saints were swept from the earth, or scattered; so that they were not suffered to build any church according to the order of Christianity) will be gradually taken away. Thus, the liberty of conscience, and the rights of man, will become progressively established; so that all will be left & xxii. 17. free to choose the everlasting Gospel. Rev. xiv. 6. & 7 to 10. 1 Cor. xv. 23, 25. 6. Nevertheless, although the saints shall live and reign a thousand years, yet, it is evident that they will not then cease to live and reign, any more than Christ will cease to live and reign, when Rev. xx. 4, "all enemies shall be put under his feet." But, during this period, the "camp of the saints" will be formed, which is the Church built up in the Millennium, by the true Christian principles, revealed in Christ's first and second appearing. And when all nations led by Satan, shall compass this camp, and become overthrown, then will the saints live and reign, in triumphant power, with Christ, in his everlasting kingdom, which shall stand for ever. 7. God, who made the world and all things therein, determined the times before appointed, and fixed the bounds of man's habitation, ruled the heavens and the earth as he pleased, Dan. iv. 17. cast down, or exalted the nations according to his own wisdom, and permitted the basest of men to rule over them, until the times determined were accomplished, which he had reserved in his own power. Acts, xvii. 24. 8. It was, therefore, impossible in the nature of things, for the most upright men living, in their natural state, to comprehend, in its real and true nature, that which belonged to a future state of things. This belonged to God alone, and therefore could only be revealed to man, by such sensible signs, figures, and similitudes, as were adapted to his natural capacity, to excite his rational belief in what was yet to appear. 9. To say nothing here, particularly, on the different parts which compose the Scriptures; it is certain that, if any history of past events is to be credited, the historical part of the sacred writings claims the first and highest authority. 10. And it is equally certain, that many future events were revealed to those who were chosen of God for that purpose, under many and various similitudes, figures, and shadows, while the substances themselves were concealed from the penetration even of those unto whom the shadows were given. |