Tidings of Peace

GOd saith by the Prophet Isaiah, Behold! I create a New Heaven and a New Earth &c. in the 56 Cap. & the 17 verse: And from thence in the 18: 19: & 20 verses. The Prophet proceeds to describe the happiness of the Jews in this promised state; And in the 21: verse further Saith, And They shall build Houses, and inhabit them, and They shall plant Vineyards, and eat the fruit of them &c. Now in Heaven there is neither building, nor planting, so that this New Heaven and New Earth can mean nothing else but a New and happy state of affairs here upon Earth. Further in Heaven our Savior saith that there is neither eating, nor drinking, marrying nor giving in marriage, but that men shall be there, as the Angels of God. So that I am sattisfied there will be no Cities there. If we are to have Cities then, we must have them on Earth, Now I find two Cities, one in the Proph: Ezek. The other in the Revelation of S ^t . John. I shall leave speaking of the first to the Jews, and only treat of this latter, which indeed is very glorious. Without all doubt the meaning is certain. For in the 22 cap. & 6 verse. tis said. These sayings are faith full and true. And the Lord God of the Holy Prophets sent his Angel, to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done, But how and where these things are to be done, and what the meaning of this Holy City should be, is the subject of my present Enquiry. Some will have it to be Heaven, and when ever this New Jerusalem is spoaken of, that is Heaven say They; Others will have it a representation of the Church purely, and others of a new Condition and happy state of the Church. But there is not one thinks in the least of it's being a Citty to be built upon Earth. First then, as to those that think it Heaven, I answer that without all doubt Heaven in a Spiritual sense is the New Jerusalem, but it doth not at all follow that the New Jerusalem is Heaven, espetially this New Jerusalem, for it may be a Citty built in the Place where the old Jerusalem was, or another Citty built in another place like the old Jerusalem either in the Model, or Serving the Same Ends and designs, and for any of these reasons may be called the New Jerusalem. Besides this New Jerusalem is said to come from God out of Heaven, therefore cannot be Heaven it self. This is a plain confutation of all those who think it Heaven. Further it is said, that the Nations of them w ^ch . are Saved shall walk in the light of it, And that the Kings of the Earth shall bring their Glory and honor unto it, Now it is certain that the Kings of the Earth can bring no Glory or honor into Heaven, but rather receine glory from thence, from God Who is the Fountain of all honor and Glory; It seems plain therefore that this New Jerusalem is not Heaven it self, and at best can only be something that is a Type of Heaven, What can it then be? it cannot be only a bare representation of the Church, The comparison, and Circumstances will not in the least quadrate, it has toomuch order and beauty in it, to represent anything we at present have, or hitherto have had, in the Church: The Church hitherto is rather represented to us by a Woman in the Wilderness persecuted by the Dragon Then by such a Glorious Citty as this is. Nor can We Suppose that Such a Glorious Citty can be built upon Earth in a Literall Sense with such costly Materialls. What therefore can the meaning and import of This Citty be, only to represent to us the beauty and glory of Heaven and of the Church Triumphant? No, not this only. Yet I must acknowledge in part it doth represent the Same but not wholly. for It is attended with too many particular Circumstances relating to things here below, then wholly and entirely to signify that; it must be something which at the first appearence in the World must seem to Strike and make impression on the Sences of Men. For S ^t . John saith, And Isaw the Holy Citty The New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband. That my Model is such I will not say. But This is my Sence of the Whole matter. That The New Heaven and the New Earth mentioned by S ^t . John doth represent a New and Glorious Condition of Church and State, And That this New and glorious Condition will be procured by means and influence of this New Jerusalem, And that This New Jerusalem is a Citty to be built upon Earth, after the Same Model and Form as The Angel hath described, except the costlynesse, which as Isaid before cannot be fulfilled here on Earth; And This Citty seems to me by the Angel to be represented soe costly and Magnificent in part to Typifie to us the Glory of Heaven and of the Church Triumphant; and in part to instigate us to build it in the best manner we can; And in part to insinuate to us, those Glorrious Effects which This New Jerusalem will produce in the World, introduceing a New and most happy OEconomie: Its Inhabitans are to be Angeli Evangelizantes Preachers of the Gospel, and every Monrh, are to go out and Heale The Nation, for Proof hereof peruse the following Texts of Scripture And He That sat upon the Throne said Behold, I make all Things New. Johns Revel the 21 cap. & 5 verse, This relates to the New Administration, which I hereafter prove in those things that are changeable, in this world. And it came to pass that he went throughout Every Citty and Village, preaching and showing the Glad Tideings of the Kingdom of God, and the Twelve were with him. Luc. 8. verse 1. And Jesus went about all the Cittyes and Villages, teaching in their Synagogues, and Preaching the Doctrine of the Kingdom &c. Mat. 9 cap. verse 35. Lo; this was the Method Our Savior took when on Earth, And can the Disciples imitate a better Copy then their Masters? And tis certain that Doctrine will be best nourished and perserved by the way, and Method it was first planted. I Have Set Watchmen upon Thy Walls which shall never hold their Peace day nor night. Isaiah 62. & 6. Thy Watchmen shall Lift up the voice, with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall See Eye to Eye when The Lord shall bring again Zion the 52 Cap. 8 verse. And I will set Shepherds over them that shall feed them, and they shall fear no more nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking saith the Lord Jer. 23: 4: Then again God saith by his Proph: Jer. 3 & 15 verse. And I will gine you Pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with Knowledge and understanding. The Pastors of this Administration which are to go out of the City every month to heal the Nation, seem to me to be the Pastors here mentioned. The Proph. Zac. the 14: & 8. saith thus, And it shall be in that day that Liveing waters shall go out from Jerusalem, half of them towards the former Sea, and halve of them towards the hinder Sea in summer and in winter shall it be. Can anything more plainly chalk out the Method of this new Administration then this Text? The liueing waters are Preachers, which are to go out of this Citty in their courses, Some one way and some another both in Summer and in Winter, that is forever to the worlds end, for so long will Summer and in Winter last. But as to these liueing waters these Evangelical Preachers hear what the Prophet Ezek. in the 47 cap. beginning at the 6: verse. Then he brought me and caused me ro return to the brink of the River. Now when I had returned, Behold at the Bank of the River were very many Trees on the one side, and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the East Country, and go down into the desert, and go into the Sea, which being brought forth into the Sea, the Waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that everything that Liveth that moveth, whither soever the Rivers shall come, shall live, and there shall be a very great multitude of Fish, because these Waters (These Preachers) shall come thither: for they shall be healed, and everything shall live where the River cometh. And it shall come to Passe, That the Fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim: There shall be a Place to spread forth Nets, Their fish shall be according to their Kinds as the Fish of the Great Sea exceeding many. But the miry places thereof, and the marishes (That is Private standing Churches that will not hear or admit of these Public Preachers) shall not be healed but given to Salt. And by the River on the bank thereof, on this side, and on that side, shall grow all Trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade neither shall the Fruit thereof be consumed: (that is These Preachers shall not fail to make their constant monthly circuits out of their Citty) it shell bring forth new fruit according to his Months, because the waters issued out of the Sanctuary, and the fruit thereof shall be for Meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. Here The Gospel very propely is Typefied by a River and by waters which cleanse and purifies and heals all places, and makes everything fruit full wherever they go, Alsoe the Preachers are Typefied by Fishers, and by Trees, whose fruit serves both for food and Physic, in further confirmation of which, Hear what S ^t . John sairh, And he shown me a pure River of water of life clear as Christ all proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it; and of either side the River was there the Tree of life, which bare Twelve manner of Fruits, and yielded her fruit every Month, and the leaves of the Trees were for the healing of the Nations. This seems to be plain in all the Circumstances thereof, And therefore I have taken the Model and delineation of the Citty there from. But may be some may doubt whether The Throne of God be Jerusalem. To which the Prophet Jerem: will answer for me, in the 3 cap & 16 & 17 verses. And it shall come to pass when ye be multiplied and increased in the Land; in those days saith the Lord, they shall say no more — The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come to mind, neither shall they Remember it, neither shall they Visite it, neither shall that be done anymore. At that Time they shall call Jerusalen The Throne of the Lord, and all the Nations shall by gathered unto it, to the Name of the Lord to Jerusalem. As to the Fountain I have put in the middle to give source to the Rivers. See what the Prophet Zach. saith the 13 cap. verse 1. In that Day shall there be a Fountain opened to the House of David for sin and for uncleanness. And and a Fountain shall come Forth of The House of the Lord, and shall water the Valley of Shittim Ioell 3 & 18: and Our Savior saith in S ^t : In ^o . y ^e 4 Cap. & 14 verse, Whosoever shall drink of the Water that I shall give him, shall never thirst. But the Water that I shall give him, shall be in him a Well of water springing up into everlasting life. The Watet which Christ will give, is the Water of the Gospel, out of this Holy Fountain, this holy Citty, And see how by the Prophet Isaiah he inviteth all to these waters in the 55 cap. & 1 verse. Ho, Everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the Waters, and he that hath no money: come ye buy and eat, yea come by wine and milk without money and without price. Many have paid very dear for a draught of these Waters, But old things are passed away, and all things are become New. These Evangelical Preachers shall go from Town to Town and from Citty to Citty, and are to offer these Waters of the Gospel Gratis, inviteing all to come, and drink, and will not in the least be chargeable to any one, being sufficiently provided for from their Citty, with all things, necessary for their Function and voyage, If any man Thirst let him come unto me and drink saith our Savior John the 7. & 37. and in the Rev: the 21. & 6. I will give him that is a thirst of the Fountain of the water of Life freely. And in the 22 cap. & 17 verse. And let him that is a thirst come, and who soever will let him take the water of life freely. But then again as to the Preachers going to and fro, the following Texts seems to be very favorable Gen. 28. & 12. And hedreamed and be hold a Ladder set upon the Earth, and the Top of it reached to Heaven. And behold the Angels of God ascending and descending: These Angels of God seem to represent these Evangellicall Angels who from Heaven this New Jerusalem are to go to and fro, to do God's message and to dispence his word and blessing among the sons of men in each Land. And in Dan. the 12. & 4. And thou ô Daniel shut up These words, and seal up this, writing to the Time of the End: What are These words and this writing which are to be sealed up to the Time of the End? To me it seems to be the ensuing sentence which is a sentence entire and independent of it self, having no Relation either to the words going before or after viz ^t . Many shall go to and fro and Knowledge shall be increased. That is from this New Jerusalem many Preachers shall go to and fro, instructing and preaching to the People, where by Knowledge shall be increased. But the Proph: Zacha seems yet to be plainer both as to the manner of These Preachers going out, as also to the happy Effect of Theit Doctrine in the 1 cap. & 7 verse, He saith thus, And I saw by night and behold a man rideing upon a red horse, and he stood among the Myrtle Trees, that were in the Bottom, and by him were red Horses speckled and white (for these Preachers to ride on) then said I ô my Lord what are These? And the Angel that talked with me, said unto me I will show thee what these be, And the Man that stood among the Myrtle trees, answered and said these are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro thorough the Earth (And now observe the happy Effects of their preaching,) And they answered the Angel of the Lord, that stood amongst the Myrtle Tees & said We Have walked to and fro thorough the Earth; And behold all the Earth sitteth still and is at Rest. But least it should be doubted the office of these Walkers is not to settle peace and quietness in the world, but only to pass through and view the World, my sense herein seems to be confirmed in the 6 cap. & 7 verse, where speaking of Four Chariots sent out From God, in the first of which were Red Horses, in the second Black, in the third white, in the fourth grizzled and Bay Horses, tis said, And the Bay went forth, and sought to go, that they might walk to and fro thorough the Earth: And he said get yet hence, Walk to, and fro, thorough the Earth. Then cried he upon me and spake unto me, saying Behold These that go toward the North Country have Quieted my spirit in the North Country, soe that it seems plain to me that the office both of those that rode on the Horses, and in the Charrets, was to quiet the Earth. The Earth at Present hath much need of being quieted, Pray God of his mercy send and Establish These To and fro Walkers. When they come We shall say as tis in the Proph. Isaiah cap. 52. & 7 vesse. How Beautiful upon the Mountains are the Feet of thim that bringeth good Tideings that Publisheth Peace, that bringeth good Tideings of Good, that Publisherh Salvation, that saith unto Zion thy God Reigneth. I hope These Arguments and Texts of Scripture carry such a Face of probabillity upon them as to persuade any Person disengaged from prejudice, to believe that a Holy Citty is to be build upon Earth, which is to Give birth to a New Administration. And Why may we not believe that God may use the same OEconomie in His Church as he doth in the World, since what conduces to the good of one will also conduce to the happiness of the other. The Earth is at it were passive, acted on by the Heavenly influences, the Sun the Moon and stars and all the Heavenly spheeres make Their continual and constant circuits round it, administering their Light and heat, making day and night and differing seasons, and impregnateing the dull matter soe as it may bring forth food both for man and beast in due season. And we find that God's OEconomie in the Little World man, is the same as tis in the Great one. He makes his Blood and Spiritts to make their constant circuits, and thereby Keepes his Body in due frame and temper. This Spiritual OEconomie would procure the like effect, For this Citty would be as the Sun in the Firmament, or the Heart in Mans body, for as the Heart by continual sending forth blood and Spirits into all the Members of the Body procureth a perfect health; So These Heavenly Preachers acting on the Dull minds of men, dispersing their Heavenly influences as they go, in a continual ltineration and circulation through all the Cittyes and Villages of each Nation, would settle each Nation in perfect peace and Tranquillity. I have said each Nation, because I believe that a Holy Citty will be built in each Nation. For though I believe that the Citty which the recalled Jews will build in the Holy-Land will be the most Glorious Citty and more honored by God then the Rest, yet I believe not that she is to be built and no other, Nor that she is to have superiority or Command over the Rest, this would be to run back into Egypt and into the old Babylonish Captivity, and we should not better ourselves, by the change of Administrations having only changed Rome for Jerusalem; Besides to confine all power & Dominon to one Citty or Nation, would be a weakness that would fall much short of that Perfection we say this New OEconomie is to have, for one Citty or Nation cannot send out such speedy orders and commands as to serve the present necessityes and exigencyes of the whole World, especially to the remotest Nations: The fall of Rome's both Temporal and spiritual power, will convince such a Government of Weakness, soe that Jerusalem I believe will only have the honor of an Elder sister but no more power then the Rest. The Rest Isaiah, for I supose others, and that she is not to be built alone, for that she would not be able send out preachers to serve the necessityes of the whole world: I know very many promises are made to Jerusalem, and I acknowledge that many are made to her in a particular manner, which she alone shall enjoy. Yet notwithstanding this, tis certain, that most of the Promises made to her are made as to a part for the whole, and that the whole Church is interressed therein, there fore When the Proph: Zach ^a . saith. And it shall be that who so will not come up of all the Familyes of the Earth to Jerusalem to Worship the King the Lord of Hofts even upon them shall he no rain, I cannot understand the meaneing of this to be, that all the World should go up to Jerusalem in Palestine once a year, For some live soe remote that they cannot go thither and return back in a years Time, Nor do I think that God would oblige all the world to so painful a voyage. Yet I believe that when the Jews are settled in their Land and have built their Citty, zeal will draw up Persons of all Nations to visit their Land, I say zeal, to see that Land and People whom God hath blessed and not obligation will draw them up. And as to the obligation, When God saith that All Nations shall go up to Jerusalem to worship him there, I rather believe that Persons of every Nation shall go up once a year to their own Jerusalem, I say some persons and not all. For all must not be admitted to enter in it, only such as bring good Testimonialls of their Christian Conversation and holy liueing. For David alludeing to this Holy Citty saith. Lord Who shall abide in thy Tabernacle? and who shall dwell in thy Holy Hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness and speaketh the truth in his heart. An S ^t . John saith There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth &c. Blessed are they that do his commandments ehat they may have Right to thee Tree of Life, and may enter in thorough the Gates into the Citty, For without are Dogs &c. so that when God saith that all Nations shall come up to worship him at Jerusalem, I understand by Jerusalem all other Jerusalem's, as a part for the Whole, And by All Nations I understand Some of Every. Nation to represent all, And these Figures are very common in holy writ. But some will say that What the Proph. David and S ^t . John speak of, is Heaven; in the ultimate degree and scope I allow it is heaven. But I contend earnestly that we must first have the Types upon Earth. And what can Typifie Heaven better then a Holy Citty whose Inhabitans are to be God's servants and Ministers, representing the Angels, and into which no impure thing, no unholy man shall enter, but such as are of an unblemished life and Conversation. But suppose it was Heaven absolutely, I see not, but that the imitation of Things done in Heaven, here on Earth is very commendable.

For the better Strengthening of the Proposition of this my Holy Citty and New OEconomie I would further suggest the ensuing Considerations, That the Jews as yet have had no benefit of Our Savior's Death And are at Present a wretched miserable People, under God's displeasure, dispersed over the Face of the whole Earth. That the Christians as yet have had no Settled or lasting Peace amongst them since their embraceing so peaceable and holy a Religion: so that I think it will be easily granted me that the Religion of the Holy Jesus has not as yet had it's proper and Natural Effects upon Earth. And that all those glorious promises of Justice, peace, and Truth, made by God to the Jews in the Old Testament, and to the Christians in the New are not yet accomplished: And as I take it for granted that they are not yet accomplished, so I more certainly take it for granted that they will be; for all the promises of God are Yea and Amen. It cannot enter into my Mind that the Son of God should come into the world, and take upon him human Nature and preach unto Mankind. And that the World should remain in the Same unhappy circumstances of War and misery as it was before. It is true I know he saith that he came not to send peace into the world but a Sword. But this he speaks of the accidental effect of his doctrine and not the natural. His doctrine has no such innate propensity in it self, but such Evil Effects come ab extra We may with great Justice therefore Expect the natural Effects of Christ's doctrine upon Earth. God hath promised it, and very pathetically describes the state of its accidental Effects, and its Natural in the 8 cap. of Zach ^a . and beginning at the 10 verse. saith He. Before These days (speaking of this New OEconomia) there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast, neither was there any Peace to him that went out, or came in, because of affliction: for I set all men everyone against his Neighbor. But now I will not be unto the Residue of this People, as in the former days saith the Lord of Hofts. For the seed shall be prosperous: The vine shall give her fruit, and the Ground shall give her increase, And the Heavens shall give their dew, and I will cause the Remnant of this Teople to posesse all these things. It has been the Expectation of many devout and Pious Christians for this Last hundred years, to see the Prophesyes and Promises of God fulfilled, to see the Jews converted, the Church in a most Flourishing condition, and Peace Truth and Justice Established upon Earth: But their Expectations have failed them; and we are still in the dark: so that the Present Times seems to be that Dunkell Day Spoaken of by the Proph. Zach ^a . Knowne only to the Lord, in w ^ch . it should be neither Day nor night but saith that in the Evening there should be Light: which is of great • freshment to all those good Souls who wait for this blessed evening. It must be confessed, that tis neither Day nor night with us, We have waited and looked up and calculated, and all our calculations have been Erroneous But notwithstanding we have erred yet God cannot mistake, he is true▪ and will certainly send forth his Light and his Truth in due Time; For the Writeings of the Prophets are not as wast paper, or the Fables of Poets, but the real dictates of the Spirit of God. Men There fore may with great reason Expect Glorious and happy Times because God hath promised them, their Expectation is good and commendable but nothing else. For they neither rightly inquire into the Nature of things, Nor are fitted to receive any such Mercyes. First Isaiah they make not right Enquiry into things. It is true they may depend wpon God to fulfill his own promises, Yet they ought a little to inspect into the means, For God works all his purposes, by just and propper Mediums; Glorious Times are expected, But we ought to say How? by which ways? and methods, and from what spring will they have their original? the natural Answer hereto will be by changeing something, this ought next therefore be inquired into viz ^t . on what Bottom and Ground the Natural and Pollitical Constitution of this World stands: And since These Happy Times are to come by Changes, We ought diligently to find out Those things which will admit of a change, and those things which will not, And this will facilitate the work and make us more easily comply with those Mediums and Propositions which are amongst the changeable predicaments. The Things the refore here below that are unchangeable for brevitys sake I shall comprehend under Seaven Heads as foll ^s .

• 1. Life and Death.
• 2. Pleasure and pain.
• 3. Buisnesse under which may be comprehended the inequallity of Persons and Differing Intrests of Men.
• 4. The Faculty of Chooseing, under which may be comprehended the passions and affections of Men.
• 5. Divine Worship and Love to our Neighbor.
• 6. Justice.
• 7. Power. These are all Essentiall and perpetual, constituting the natural and Political Administration of this World, And to take a way any of these is to pull down the pillars of the Earth. It must therefore be granted me that what ever things are changed in order to pocure the Expected Times These must continue in statu qno. Then 2 ^dly .

The things that are changeable are only Three viz ^t .

• 1. The Minds and opinions of Men.
  • These are Accidentalia and mutable, And whatsoever changes may be expected in order to the produceing of Happy Times can only be in these Three.
• 2. The Outward Administration of Justice and Power.
• 3. The Outward Administration of Divine Worship.

First I need not Prove that the opinions of Men are changeable, it being sufficiently Knowne, And since the World in a manner is Governed by opinion, and it has so great power & influence over men, It must of necessity follow that the abolition of many corrupt and bad opinions which at present disturb the peace of the World, and the admission of new ones, more conduceing to its welfare and happiness; will make up a great part of that felicity which is expected in the change of affairs. Secondly I need not prove that the outward Administration of Justice and Power are changeable. The Names of Despoticke, Monarchick, mixed, Aristocraticke, Democraticke, being the present Inscriptions on these Soveraine Metalls will easily convince this. Nor will I mention which of these Methods of Government is best, Several Nations having been happy under all of them. And lastly I shall have as Little occasion to prove that the outward Administration of Divine Worship is changeable, for nothing is more apparent in holy Scripture then this; There has been a series of mutations, from Noah to Abraham, from Abraham to Moses, from Moses to Soloman, from Solomon to Our Savior, and from Our Savior to this day: And These things being well considered I hope the New way of Ecclesiastical Administration proposed will be more easily admitted: The Present Administration in all Countries is differing, and very unhappy, especially in England God he Knowes! But this most exquisite and uniform Way I Have proposed will cure all Evils the World Labors under on this acco ^tt . But more of this hereafter. I said before that I found men Expecting to receive the Benifit of happy Times, but no way willing to comply with any Reasonable propositions that might introduce them. The Greek, the Roman, the Lutheran, the Reformed, the English, and all other private and particular Churches, would have their own opinions, and particular Method of Administration be established Throughout the World. And I am sattisfied that when God shall begin to work his designs and fulfill his promises made to the Sons of Men, that they will not be more content Then the Jews was with Our Savior, they will think it should be something else, And think all should be done after their own way. But alas! they are mightily mistaken, For hear what God saith by his Prophet Isaiah. For my Thoughts are not your Thoughts, neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord, For as ths Heavens are higher then the Earth so are my Ways, higher then your ways, and my Thoughts then your Thoughts. The Jews sent the Prophet Jerim ^a . to inquire of God for them what they should do, and made a Protestation to obey what ever should be commanded them, yet when the command came they refused to be obedient, and cleaved to their own ways and to the imagination of their own heart. So it is with us We say in our Prayers thy Kingdom come thy will be done in Earth as it is Heaven, And pray and Expect Glorious Times, yet for all our hopes, and Prayers We would have our own Kingdoms, Our own will, and our own ways be done upon Earth notwithstanding whatever we may seem to wish or desire. Great was the hopes and Expectation of the Jews of a Savior, And when they had him they crucified him. And I am sattisfied should he come again in the flesh to the Christians, in the same humble manner as he did to the Jews and preach against Some of their evil Customs and Constitutions, The Christians (Notwithstanding their present adoration of him in heaven) would as certainly crucify him as did the Jews: for the Nature of mankind is in all places and at all times much the Same, Whoever crosses their humor or interest or speak againsts anything in which they have been educated shall certainly find ill treatment. Our Savior pulled down the Jewish OEconomie but it cost him his Life, And the Apostles and Martyrs extinguished the fire on the Heathen Altars, but it was with their Blood, And whoever speaks against the bad customs and constitutions of the Christians no doubt but will find his share of misery. But God's will be done. But then further since Every Denomination of Christians, have a differing way of Administration, And since there are many parties, and that every party would have their own way be preferred and to be established in the world before all others; What Remedy is there for these things? to set up any particular way before the other will not do well, for that will inflame and provoke the opposition of all the Rest. The only remedy therefoe is to set up a way differing from all, whereby all being pulled down and none in particular set up or preferred before the other, None will have reason to complain. And such is the way of Administration I propose, tis different from all their ways, nay and it is God's way to, as I plainly prove by Scripture, and then no wonder tis differing from Men's ways. For as I said before, God saith my Ways are not like your ways. But in order to conclude I shall speak a little of the advantages of this Administration.

Supposeing therefore in Each Kingdom and Nation a Citty built in the midst thereof, Blessed God! What a Glorious change should we Sudenly See in the World? What a Blessed Harmony would there be betwixt these Holy and chaste Sisters? The Blessed Effects of this OEconomie is almost unspeakable, All those Evils the World Labors under on Account of Religion, would speedily vanish like the morning dew before the sun. Upon the building of these, all the old ill built Fabrics would fall to the ground. First the Man of Sin would tumble from his Throne like Dagon before the Ark, And how Happy and easy would the Princes of Christendom find themselves, when rid of all his Ecclesiastical pretensions. They and their Kingdoms have tomuch Suffered by his grievous yoke and unjust usurpations (I need not Quote old stories We have a certain King at present struggling in the Ecclesiastical Net) But this OEconomie would absolutely free them forever from all the Scourgeing of the Ecclesiastical whip: And we should hear no more of Popes Kicking down of Emperors Crowns, Thundering out Curses, forbidding the Subject to pay his Homage to his Lawfull Prince: All the Doleful noise of Persecution would be no more heard of in the World. All sects and parties, would speedily vanish, And we should have no more Flying for Religion, from one Country to another the Protestants from France or Papists from England; No Kingdom or Country turned upside down by Religious Men, contending to get or keep their parties in, and to turn others out of the Government. For these preachers being Sufficiently provided for in thir respective Cittyes, all Temptation of acting irregularly would be taken away. And by this means Temporalls would be absolutely Seperated from Spiritualls A thing much hitherto wished for but never yet effected, And we should hear no more of Kings imprisoning Bishops, or of Bishops dethroneing Kings, nor of this or that Party being upper or under in the Government, For these Spiritual preachers should have nothing to do in any Government, Nor should Princes or Temporal Power have anything to do in spirituals, for this has been the occasion of many Evils in the World, and has corrupted the purity of the Christian doctrine, And a certain King hath said, so long as it was in his power so choose Bishops he could have what Gospel he pleased, Therefore these spiritual Men, in respective their Cittyes, (as in another place I have said) are to be chosen by Lot as was Matthias, And hereby God as is most Just and fit will choose his own Ministers and Servants, and then no doubt but we shall have the Stream to run pure. And these Streams coming out from this Holy Citty every Month, how will they cool and refresh each Nation, there will be no dry or barren Corners therein But all things will live, and all places be Green and flourishing where these liueing waters come. At present by the unhappynesse of the presenr Administration, many are the Darke Corners of the World, where the Light of the Gospel shines not, and no provision is made for Preachers. But These Gospel Angels, these Rayes of the Sun, will illuminate all the Darke Corners of Each Land, so that The Earth will be full of the Knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea; No dry or barren corners will want watering by these ever Flowing Fountaines And no Dark corners want the Rayes of these glorious and evershinning Ligbts. But I am not able to describe all the advantages of this most Excellent OEconomie but must send you to the Prophets who do it very largely and pathetically.

These things we Suppose will come to pass to make up the fullness of the Gentiles which S ^t . Paul speaks of, But then as to the Jews may I speak in the Termes of the Angel, in the 12 verse of the 1: cap. of Zacha. who when the men had brought in their Report That all the Gentiles were Still and at Rest, said, O Lord of Hosts how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem &c. Without all doubt God will Remember his promises made to the Jews by the mouth of all his Prophets, and will bring them and Establish them in their Owne Land, Where they will build also a Citty holy to the Lord, out which will flow Liueing Waters (viz ^t . Peachers) half of them toward the Former Sea and half of them toward the hinder Sea, both in Summer and in Winter, as both the Proph: Zach ^a : and Ezek: mention: And Palestine being placed in the midst of the Earth, (as some Writers affirm) And Jerusalem built in the midst of Palestine, And a Jerusalem or Holy Citty built in the midst of Each Kingdom, How will everything answer one another? Ye Admirers of order, Ye Sons of Uniformity, Where can there be greater order and Uniformity then in such an OEconomie? What a glorious Harmony will there be betwixt These Holy and chaste Sisters Jerusalem in Palestine being the first borne? How Glorious will the Spouse of Christ be in such Days? Let us be glad and Rejoice, and give honor to him: For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. I dare not affirm with what particular presence and manner God will Honor these Cittyes, But it is said that the Lamb will be the Light there of. And what if God should Honor these Cittyes of the Gentiles, with the same honor with which he honored the Tabernacle and Temple of the Jews? Who can tell? Great are his mercies to his unworthy creatures. In our Daily Prayers We beg of God that his Kingdom may come and that his will may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven, But I pray you tell me, was there ever a Kingdom without Cittyes? will a Few Houses make a Kingdom? God has Houses in the Earth, tis true, but as yet has no Cittyes Therefore if we would have his Kingdom come We must build him Cittyes. And when in Each Kingdom he has a Citty built, they all together will make him here on Earth a Kingdom, or at Leastwise by their influence make the whole Earth his Kingdom.

And so our Prayers of thy Kingdom come, will be fulfilled, both in a Literal and in a spiritual Sence. And as Other Kings of the Earth, amongst all their Cities do choose one for the Royal seat of their Kingdom, so God will choose Jerusalem, and put his Throne there, and make it as it were the Head of this spiritual Kingdom. The Prophet Ierem. saith at that Time they shall call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, And all Nations shall be gathered unto it. And the Proph. Mic ^a . saith in the 4 cap. & 8 verse. And thou O Tower of Flock &c. unto Thee shall it come, even the First Dominion, The Kingdom shall come, to the Daughter of Jerusalem. Here it is said that she shall have the First Dominion, And that the Kingdom (which we have so often beg'd for) shall come to her, We know tis the Custom on Earth, that the Eldest Son or daughter shall Inherite the Crown, Now God has here a spiritual Kingdom, And these Cittyes or Several Churches are his daughters, But Jerusalem is the Eldest: Now to which of the Daughters should the Kingdom come? God here answers, To Thee (as the Eldest) shall it come, even the First Dominion, the Kingdom shall come to the Daughter of Jerusalem. But These Words the First Dominion, may admit of a double construction, First they may imply that all these Cities, sisters, or Daughters, are to have Dominion But that the Holy Citty built at Jerusalem as the First and Eldest Daughter shall have The First or principal Dominion, or they may signify that all these Sisters, as God's Daughters may have a right to the Dominion and the Kingdom, But that the Citty at Jerusalem as eldest Daughter shall have the Dominion first, And the others afterward Successively, Whether of these are the more genuine I leave to the more Judicous to determine, But for the Reasons formerly mentioned I think not that the Nature of this Dominion is Imperial, or that the Lady at Jerusalem, should as a Queen Exercize an absolute command over the Rest, But I rather think that the nature of it relates more to order than command, And that she shall have a Priority of order and preeminence of Respect due to her on acco ^tt . of being Eldest Sister, and as enjoying more particular honors and favors from God.

I must confess I have found this Little Book in the inditeing or eating of it as Sweet as honey, I hope that no one hereafter will make it bitter in my Belly, For I have wrote Nothing but for what I have alleged the Word of God and Great probabillity. The Apostle saith there are different Administrations, but one Lord. The Lord is King of the Universe, And Christ is the Head Administrator, and can Governe his Family after what method and manner he pleases: What therefore if he first order an Altar, then a Tabernacle, then a Temple, and then a Citty, And then at Last bring us to Heaven the New Jerusalem it self. The Prophet David saith, They shall pass from strength to strength until they come to God in Zion: Heaven it self without a Type, To which Place God of his infinite mercy bring us all through the merits of Jesus Christ Amen.

Postscript.

The Julian and Gregorian Account of Time are both vicious and puts the world in no small confusion. I would therefore humbly propose that they both may be regulated by an exact calculation. It will not only be the greatest honor, but also the greatest Proffet and advantage to that King or Prince Who shall undertake so Honorable a Task. Since therefore all things are to be come New, And the Angel saith that Time shall be no more (which I understand to be the Time of the old Administation, as also of the Old Vitious calculation) I hope that this Proposition will also be considered, that with the New Administration, we may have a New account of Time That we may write Anno domi, & Anno ab Urbe conditâ.