JE LE TIEN: The general RESTITUTION. Who then is a faithful and wise Servant, whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his household to give them their meat in due season. Printed in the year, 1646. Of the general Restitution. AS no few deceiving themselves, because of the day and hour no man knows, not Angels of the very day of judgement: conclude or conceive therefore the time unknown of the Lords coming, not possible to be revealed to any, in regard of a watchword given out, to keep such on their guard: otherwise, which would fail; or like the unwise Virgins, should let their lamps go out, etc. So this other mistake, upon parables or proverbs unnecessary now to be continued any longer, such sour sauce out of season: The say of old time (namely) That out of Hell is no redemption: Of which heavy sentence here revoked, the deadly pottage healed as follows; this stone (the evening come of Time) from the well of Life its mouth rolled away, held not unuseful heretofore; but like the back parts, beheld in comparison of his reserved countenance, so full of grace and glory, first making known only, I will be gracious to whom I will, etc. And such passages or straits, setting forth his prerogative, as with the potter's power over the clay compares his: Though in another place thus, As wide as East is from the West, so far sets our sins from us; and not ours only, but the sins of the whole world; knows whereof we be made, remembers we be but Dust. And where Mercy and Goodness so immeasurable, and we but a grasshopper, a shadow, etc. how stands it with so much equity, to make such bare near measure, even world without end, without compassion, out of remembrance to cast the world, the workmanship of his hands. As by this attainder of Adam's house supposed irrevocable, O far be it from him, after such deep protestations of old, and Heaven and Earth promised to be renewed; so to forget him, Man, for whom they were made, to have dominion over them, for the first offence of our first parents deceived, no better knowing good from evil in their minority. Through a sleight of the evil angel, by his subtlety beguiled, not of dust made, as man, whose doom to eat dust, yet believed they forsaken, who without number, like as the sand of the Sea, so many millions of Legions, because overreached in state of Innocency, not only utterly cast out of sight, but left to exquisite torments, such as no pen able to express them, or tongue to utter, much less to number or measure, the bounds of that so far beyond all Ages and Times. Even this proverb yet continued, The children's teeth set on edge for the father's default, so expressly prohibited; as supposed impossible for God to change or alter it, as it were the Decree of the Medes and Persians, whereas the Lion's mouths stopped, and the sevenfold heated furnace its furious flames of no force qualified. And in that manner also forewarned, how incredible soever in the sight of men, as for a Camels going through a needle's eye: that very point no more difficult with God in his appointed time, then for them to third a packneedle, or to cast a wedge of Iron into the fire, taken forth again, and the like, all things with him as easy. Whereas intolerable sinful Sodom, for so few their sakes had been spared pressed, Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? As by such a qualification admitted, which may be merciful as he pleases, rather than unjust in the least. And pardoned Niniuches great City, where like Hell out of the belly of that great fish, he was heard and delivered: Also in tender consideration because of so many, the right hand not knowing from the left, for the children's cause the fathers preserved, lucky Babes, the state of Innocency, such respect had thereunto. And here spreading his bleeding hands and arms, extended from paradise to hell, a greater than Jsaac or Abraham either, saying, Before Abraham was I am: His only begotten offering up himself, so did no Isaac, saying, Here's the fire and wood, but where's the Lamb? And to be so well pleased in him, and so exceedingly displeased with them, The world, for whom he here prays; not for those given him out of the world, saying, Father, forgive them, they know not what they do: But all them in state of Ignorance, they who do they know not what. And therefore between them crucified, as it were, those two Thiefs in paradise, which robbed the garden of God, even forgave all the world at his death; that before knowing the power given him over all flesh, made that solemn prayer to his father, and thanksgiving for them which believed, etc. whose prayer Steven borrowed, Lord, lay not their sin to their charge, and fell asleep. Who them told afore, If I be lifted up, I shall draw all men to me; so to the one as saying, This day thou be in paradise with me; another day infers for the other: Howsoever, the contrary passes for currant, like that mistake touching that Disciple, that He should not die: from some reserved meaning of our Saviors, misunderstood by the standers by. As from this doubtfully given out, likewise of no inferior quality or consequence, concerning the fire not extinguished; where it follows not, their pains of like nature to be endless: the punishment, though granted inevitable, not avoided to be, yet the perpetuity thereof in suspense, uncertain how long to continue: as indeed the word For ever signifies but during pleasure, & so Go ye cursed into everlasting fire, in the original, to wit, length of days, or a long time. Which mystery of their restitution, The world's general pardon, inferior not to their being made fellow-heirs the Gentiles, these Sacred Olive boughs (sayings of the Prophets and Apostles) make bold to go over them again, for the going forward with it, how impossible held soever, any such glean or multiplied Fragments belongs to them, because long lay hidden, as taken here from the Tree of Life. Proclaimed, Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world; also the Angels first salute, Behold, tidings of great joy to all people: and of like healing nature, that He the propitiation of our sins not only, but of the whole worlds: and thus as at the first, Behold the world made whole; as, God saw every thing, and behold it was very good that he made: so returns to their former or first estate; as, Dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return: confirmed by the Apostle Paul, If the first fruits and root holy, also the lump and branches. And again, Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time: of which time Peter not unmindful gives command, Therefore gird up the loins of your minds, and hope to the end for the grace to be brought unto you, at the revelation of Jesus Christ; in whose Sermon, Act. 3. Whom the Heavens must receive at the restitution of all things. And concerning which grace of general Redemption, and the Lords second coming to be revealed, as expressly showed from good witness, to be waited for, and to prepare for it; moreover our Saviors charge, Therefore be ye ready also, for in such a time as ye think not the son of man cometh, (Matthew 24. Mark 13.) And as to the days of the unexpected flood, points to the same time, three periods and a half, a time and times and half, sworn in Daniel and the Revelation, as it were with him but evening, midnight, cock-crowing and morning, for his coming, then to expect it, saying, Truly Eliah the Prophet first shall come and restore all things, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, in whose sight a thousand years as yesterday. According to Malachi, Behold I will send you Eliah, etc. And in another place bears date thus, Behold your house is left unto you desolate: and ye shall not see me till ye say, Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord, namely Eliah so called, one after his spirit; for convincing them of their hard say and opinions; Who shall render them meat in due season, Mat. 24. and by the same token how then it fares with them, even the priesthood; And in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of Hosts, I shall leave them neither root nor branch (to wit) the Gentiles Church also cut off departed from the Faith, except a remnant that have not bowed the knee, or have declined their Antichristian Tenants, as this for one, That the gift of Prophecy is extinguished; and that for another, the root of Heresies, That there is no restoration from the second death, which begat the popish purgatory, which begat the Manichees error which begat Arrianism, Pelagianism. Besides the abominable eating of blood authorised, against that so solemnly enacted by the apostles, Acts 15 after such deliberation, & a thing observed for a long time after, verily procreating that inhuman opinion of Transubstantiation of the very Blood communicated in the Sacrament; otherwise which never had been broached such an Abomination, standing on the Lord's Table adored: So Rev. 16. Worthily ye drink of the bloody Vials your fill, poured out now if ever. Now unto the aforesaid, what more may be said or added, than this, If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me; Though our Doctors prophesying out of their own Envious Spirit, would have it, as if the number of them to be healed, stung by the old Serpent, in comparison of the rest: But as those in the last age which taste not Death, such a handful to the dead since the world began, or as some Eight persons as it were saved by Faith: Or like her household spanned alive, destroyed not with the accursed City; yet Jericho built again, its foundation laid, and gates set up that lay waste. Though granted shadows forth, how few the number of the faithful to others going the broad way, whose Antichristian plots prosper not, shall not be able to stand in the judgement that hold, Notwithstanding the root our first Parents frankly forgiven, Luke, yet for their offence their posterity cut off; the branches suffered never to grow again, against Law and justice, whereas recorded of that King concerning the murderers of his Father, the children not put to death, 2 Kings 14. and Deuteronomy, etc. He then which much more pardons, leaves not so much as a hoof in Egypt, the very Beast the old Serpent sets him at liberty: Satan in process of time unbound, reserved until the last day in chains of despair, though supposed Sodoms captivity and her sisters never returns from endless exile, much less those infernal spirits. Because before the Tree of life tasted of, their future happiness made known, gives them a touch of the tree of knowledge, the Law. Let's them know what he is able to do, as the Apostle Paul shows, What if God willing to show his wrath, and make his power known etc. So after joseph's way, before making himself known, saying I am joseph to his unnatural Brethren: who notwithstanding foreshowed how they should all bow before him: yet possessed with such spirit of misbelief, whom they sold into Egypt knew him not. Lest presumption, which knows no measure, take advantage of unlimited mercy, a main point, for a long time permits them to wander in like ignorance, Having sworn in his wrath, first suffers fieryserpents to vex them. Much like the mist cast before their eyes, because their task increased who mutined (Exodus) answerable but to that in the Gospel, by his Disciple being desired to send her away, answered, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Jsrael. Where she called dog, the Canaan woman, which would not take it for an answer, but after him still cries out, partakes of the children's bread, afterward the devil cast out of her daughter; The Gentiles forerunner and figure not only, but those gone into perdition. And this his Kingdom, like david's, reduced by degrees, made wait for his promises; and that every one may come to the knowledge of the Truth. Which Army a refuge for the distressed and discontented, as Solomon's kingdom a pattern, after judgement executed according to his father's command, of our expected rest. The peaceable new Heavens and Earth, who though commanded a sword to be brought him, thought not to take the Infant's life; the standers by put in a doubt notwithstanding, and the mother of it much more. But leaving him, that knew what he had to do with Joab and Shimei, who excused not his own Brother Adoniah in such a nice point, for the first fault, which was winked at by the Father. For prosecuting of this nicety of the word For Ever and Everlasting, such a stumbling block to them so blockish, that make us believe, beyond these pillars or periods there is no passing or going farther, not as much as a possibility of it will allow for this new Wine to drop down, or to be drawn forth, reserved till the last, Joel the third and 18. v. such a gift in misconstruing of Mysteries, have attained unto, with the jews, so stumbled about their abolished Ceremonies and Ordinances, because said they, Stand fast for ever (Psalms &c) do not un●●●st●●●●●●ch way God is able to disavow or disannul them for the better: for example, because Circumcision called an everlasting Covenant, Gen. together with the promised Land passed or given unto his seed for an everlasting possession: And yet so long kept out of possession, strangers there: no more strange than that for another, where such an express Deed cancelled (saying) I said indeed, Thou and thy Father's house should walk before me for ever, but now far be it from me. So farther now for the aforesaid, in the Original signifying but for Ages, and likewise for Ever and Ever, for Ages and FARTHER, or Et cetera, as it were (to wit) with God during pleasure: The burden of that gracious Psalm, For his mercy endures for 〈…〉 And yet this burden continued, supposed out of Hell there is no Redemption or Restauration, which also signifies The Grave (Psalm 16) one word expressing both. Though elsewhere, as the Holy Ghost where he pleases able more abundantly to express it: In our Saviors being parareld with Melchisedeck, Heb. 7. mentions an endless life; in the Original (to wit) indisolvable; And again, But this man because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable Priesthood (or) which passes not away to another; And to that end such passages. So concerning the ability of our Saviour, inferior not to Adam, with whom he is paralleled too; with Adam the first man, Rom. 5. As sin entered into the world by him, and death by sin, which passed upon all men, for that all hrve sinned. And by one man's obedience much more came upon all, Justification to life, so much pressed by the Apostle. And if ye will receive it, Rev. 14. resolves it, ordered by a voice from Heaven to be written, where shows as there smoke ascends For Ever and Ever, that day and night that have no rest: so they that die in the Lord from Henceforth rest from their labours or pains: The which besides useful for demolishing the aspiring walls of Purgatory, for any Saints ever coming there, to be partakers of such sulphurous smokes. This Text of the Angels commanded to be preached upon, farther informs, styled The Everlasting Gospel, that the true meaning of it, even For Ever and Ever, it signifies but From Henceforth, a time determinable, and not infinite or unlimited, if credit may be given to the holy Spirit (Revelations the fourteenth, saying, Yea or Content saith the Spirit; so what spirits soever resists it, or says No, touching those disobedient Spirits cast out of his presence, as if for those prisoners, ringleaders of rebellion, remains no hope or mercy; whereas Lucifer not excepted, confined though to extreme darkness, of whom Judas shows, The Archangel Michael DURST NOT bring railing accusation against him, being against the Law of prisoners to revile them, as indeed Hell no other than a prison, implying a Release thence, like as death called sleep in respect of the Resurrection, to which end is showed by Peter (3.) He went and Preached to the Spirits there imprisoned; and therefore saying, If I go down to Hell thou art there also, Psalm, etc. That each in his order; The first fruits redeemed from among men, for so The everlasting Gospel informs us: Then the latter Fruits or Harvest which follows, reserved for the hour of his judgement, even 1600. bearing date, paced forth by time; howsoever expressed by the space of so many Furlongs for Centuries (Revel. 14.) As hereof (Luke 16.) testifies where that distance between them termed a space fixed (or a Gulf) so much by our Adversaries insisted on; whereas the verity of it, a space of time prefixed, because otherwise (since time moves not) but an improper or unnecessary Speech; with that of Abraham's Bosom concurs, or like those Corn Ears interpreted so many years to come: Likewise his own Dream of The Sheafs of Corn doing obeisance, and the like. Where touching his pedigree the RICH (man) SON, styled by Abraham, some PARSON'S SON, as is probable by that Reply, They have Moses and the Prophets; so without contradiction bids beware of lying, by his scorched tongue inflamed, testified Psalm 120. Thou false tongue, etc. So again a material point from Abraham's calling him SON, even points or refersus to her Story, after the Bottle spent, who had her eyes opened, saw a well of water, bidden Fear not, called unto from Heaven, lift up the Lad Ishmael, named so of the Angel, namely, God shall hear, when she again, Thou God seest me. Where farther of what profession or Fraternity, he lifting up his eyes saw afar off Lazarus in his Bosom: whom he again calls, Father, whose last motion, that Lazarus then might be sent to his Father's house to testify and and forewarn them (Lest his Brethren, etc. (to wit) Besides Arch. B. other Bishops, 25. in number, how they come there to have a care, as here in their formalities, that Brotherhood not alone, but those of the Law, their Coat displays herewith a chief judge, who call Brothers too: This Stone or Bone cast amongst them, saying, They have the Law and the Prophets, let them hear them. So then no ordinary Beggar taken up into Heaven, but one of the Prophetical order granted, who was to persuade them, coming in the Spirit of Eliah the Tisbet, DOUBTLESS, whom they did not or would not know: And since he in Hell received no absolute denial, who knows but that it was obtained (to wit) a line of mercy from his finger top, as it were never so little of the water of life. And herewith the Prophetical Date shall proceed, which belongs to the preceding Parable to unfold, containing his discharge, showed, he might be no longer Steward, accordingly whose Stewardship was resigned; where the measures of Oil anointing him, for no common Steward either, but how it shall come to pass in some wasteful unjust reign, for his pass given him serves. And so much for the testified present evil time, with the quaif degree, and those of the Lawn sleeves, their fine Linen, without doubt visited, holding it enough to have Moses read and the Prophets, though understand them not at all, so all watching thus with one consent, stopping their ears as their forefathers. And thus it fares with this Lazarus whose ulcers Allegorical, those evil things received in his life time, viz. Imprisonments, Excommunications, and such like entertainment, by some forlorn suitors only licked or visited, of whom well the blessed Virgin prophesying, shows how it shall far with them in those rebellious days, He hath showed strength with his Arm, and he hath put down the mighty from their seat; with whom the Apostle accords, Corinthians 15. Puts all his foes under his feet before his coming: And as this no news to him that hath ears, so this opinion as strange, for which serves the parable of that envious elder Brother that would not be persuaded either to see his lost Brother, or enter the house; of like evil nature bids others beware, lest like that Servant that obtained mercy himself, yet so unmerciful showed none at all to his fellow Servant, they be also rewarded with him (till the debt discharged, every farthing accounted for.) And for the same purpose as Peter forbidden such remission by measure, Not to pardon until seven times, but until Seventy times seven,; likewise in Luke 17. Seven times a day to forgive; where the Apostles replying, Lord increase our Faith, being by our Theologers termed a certainty for an uncertainty, what they please, yet not only points to very Easter, those weeks be-before it, when sent forth that first pardon, The. Messiah offered, proclaimed Lord of Sabbaths; but as gives notice of this last pardon for the space of 1700. years hidden, so shows by the 70. times seven which amounts to the sum of Four hundred and ninety, the set time between the Prophet daniel's Visions and our Lord the Son of God his tasting death for every one, The Lamb slain, etc. without exception praying for all, a greater than Daniel praying then. Which Four hundred and ninety years, seventy weeks, of years that fulfil, by seven years allotted to a week, after daniel's computation agreeing with jacob's, said to accomplish her week too, (Gen.) in his seven years' service for her. And so the sum of the matter since by Scripture confuted this erroneous opinion, by breaking open Hell gates, or opening the meaning of such an intricate case, beyond any case in Law ever reported, consisting of such niceties, where since proved to be but prison, follows their remaining there no longer, but till the Debt satisfied, according to all Law and justice imposed: As to him belongs only the mystery of Times and Seasons, reserved in the power of the Father, revealed to whom he pleases, (Acts 1.) Therefore what he appoints determinable, let none extend it to be without limitation, since Rev. 14. declares it; where the everlasting Gospel clears the mistake of the word Everlasting, viz. so long as day and night lasts. And now moreover of the Book of the Revelation too, a word or two more, such an eye-soar to the Clergy; where too manifest what rottenness & Antichristian Abuses of late crept in, requisite to be purged out; as first, in our Bibles, where like Jeroboams policy, who made Jsrael to sin, in this sinful Age have under colour of disburthening the congregation, testified and ordered by like Authority, That the New Testament shall be read over every year once, with this proviso, Except certain Books which be least edifying, and may best be spared, and therefore left unread, as the Revelation. And if he that shall think little of any jot or tittle of the Law, was to be least in the Kingdom of Heaven, what shall they be worthy of that have cast such a flood of Iniquity out of their mouth, as the days of Noah not guilty of the like. Having excluded that blessed book directed to the Churches, with Blessed is he which reads, and they which hear the words of it, and as thus opened, so closed with these, For the time is at hand, Behold I come quickly. Doubtless the days of the flood pointing unto, by the seven Vials poured out, filled with the seven last Plagues, in the seventeenth Century, so long after the creation, when as the world drowned. And so seven times cried, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith. And last of all, He that shall take away from the words of that Book, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life. Also, he that shall add (as much to say) shall say in his heart, The Lord delays his coming, not remembering the Flood time, God shall add to him the plagues of Egypt, the waters turned into blood, etc. (Revel. 11.) And yet this Book by name cast out of the Church, under colour of being obscure, though assured nothing so covered or hidden which shall not be proclaimed or preached on house tops: And thus his promises waited for, the Holy Ghost knocking at the door, made to wait and stand without: which Antichristian Scoffers (in our days) without doubt peter testifies comes not short of them, 2 Pet. 3. in their proper colours of unbelief displayed, saying, Where is the promise of his coming, etc. Even of the breed of the lawless sevenheaded Beast with the Ten horns (to wit) in his head or Frontispiece, Anno Dom. 1700. who have annexed such open Blasphemy to the Bible. Nor this done in a corner, for a second of these unsufferable do against the third Commandment, although all Heathenism Repetition forbidden, Notwithstanding by a noise of Boys, that name rend in so many pieces in Churches where the Schools kept, indeed better much deserving to be whipped out then those defiling but the Temple, where that dreadful name taken in vain so, babbling at every word, I pray God, and God grant, and Would to God we love, etc. or have this or that, etc. upon any lascivious Lines of Heathen Poets their amorous Poems, when those children unlucky ones, not held guiltless, so lessoned for their mocking of him, by unshorn Bears torn so many of them in pieces. And moreover for a third course or piece of unsavoury service; witness Paul's Churchyard, under the Noses of those reverend Masters, how close stools, those seats sir-reverence lined clean through with the Bible, from Genesis to the Revelation, those precious leaves for the healing of the Nations, polluted in that most base unmannerly manner, worse far than if burnt by the hangman: More sacred than saul's Garment, when he covered his Feet, (the modest Scripture phrase also worthy the observing) and was but cut off by David, that man after Gods own heart, if his heart smote him for so doing: And Moses bidden to put off his shoes, because the very ground was sacred: And Josuah likewise: How comes it to pass no scruple made, by these Scorners, who fleeing Superstition, run upon gross contempt such profanation: questionless then privilege of Parliament being subverted, or infringed more material these which endure for ever, purchased with his Blood, any thing destructive thereto: a liberty far from that preached by our Saviour, in observing his severe stile, who styles himself The Preacher, (Eccles.) that well blesses the day of death before the day of ones birth and mourning. So where a rash word and a look awry extended to Murder & Adultery: referring us to the blessed Prophets before us Antipodes to the world in such contempt ever held, even blesses such and no other, who chooses the foolish things, and the weak, the Base, to confound and confute the Mighty. But returning now to the former matter of his abundant love to all; by these men, how much so ever envied, beheld with such an evil eye this light extraordinary: So then for proving the Affirmative, (to wit) there is redemption for the Damned; confirmed though sufficiently by the Apostles Spirit, Rom. 2 Cor. 15. showing as all dead in Adam, so all made alive again, etc. yet this for an addition, Rev. 20. touching those that lived not again, being not unbound until such a space fulfilled of time, as known times bounds set also; where they that lived and reigned with Christ, whose part in the first Resurrection, as with them Antichristians no partakers; but of the second Death, implying a second Resurrection for those Children of Perdition; so shows like the lost Son, styled so but in respect of being found. Lastly notwithstanding the dreadful word for Ever and Everlasting, as mentioned by Jacob at his death, Unto the utmost bound of the everlasting Hills, etc. (Gen.) and Ionas in that danger, crying, The Earth with her bars was about me for ever; So for the doubling of it for ever and ever, howsoever may serve sometimes to show the thing established, as Pharoahs' Dreams, or where he in stead of smiting five or six times, because came short, was showed lost his pains by the coming shortly again of the Enemy. Yet the truth of it, but like a Key that opens and shuts, serves also to give warning of some remarkable passage appertaining to the future for the most part, by him having the keys of Death and Hell, in due time made known: And hereof being ignorant unobserved, because of the unknown day and hour only mentioned, hold themselves not bound to wait for that time to be revealed. Like as in the days of Noah, observe neither signs nor forerunners of it. As not without some mystery included (Rev. 20.) where several times a Thousand years sufilled, repeated no less than six times; like that of the inextinguishable fire (Mark 9) translated, Shall never be quenched, with the worm, etc. only (as much to say) Better there to endure any pain a long space, then to have had no being at all; where compared to some gangrened member, Better cut off then the body perish: Instanced though in the case of the Kingdom of Heaven, & as explained that place here for the sin against the Holy Ghost, punished here and hereafter, where a possibility of escape, as the word Danger imports, He shall be in danger, etc. so concludes even Judas, though good had he been unborn, yet extends not to annihilate him. Otherwise no such abounding blessing added to Abraham, without number to have a Seed or Generation as the Stars above, and the Sand of the Sea, if his mercy exceeded not much his justice, Merciful unto Thousands; whereas but to a few, the third Degree, or fourth Generation, showing hatred. And as this relation thus concluded of the whole creation, accompanying the present Age, in the sufferings of late, groaning for so many Ages under the burden of the word signifying but for Ages, or from Henceforth; so let this Amoveas manus serve: This Olive leaf for sinister constructions, such illegal extent of unwarrantable words to make them accursed and void. Forasmuch as should it repent God he had made man, etc. yet that ever he should reverse his own judgement, God forbidden, which no ordinary judge can or will do, without a Writ of Error brought, since nothing but confusion brings; which Writ either upon any terms not feisible now as the state stands, a thing observable; so having pronounced every thing created and made was very good; then he which is the Word, not to make good his word, far be it from the judge of all the Earth, the God of all Gods, and let every one say to this confession, Amen; yea saith the Spirit, by reason of the Law and several Statutes, since the world hath fallen in DANGER of such penalties and forfeitures: The King of Kings, the grand Creditor, sends forth his Pardon, yea to the whole Creation. Je Elen: Ti: I hold it. FINIS.