be ashamed of a crucified Jesus, or of his truths, ordinances or people, but shall openly profess him, glory in him, and whatever belongs to him; and also bear testimony against every thing that he hates or forbids; and when a spirit of reformation shall be poured upon all ranks and degrees of men; so as every one in their several stations and capacities shall do their utmost to suppress sin, and recommend Christ and his ways to all around them: then is it that Christ's kingdom and glory will increase in the world.

HEAD II. I proposed next to enquire into the times and seasons of this glorious increase. God hath his set times for Zion's increase and glory, which none can stop, Psalm cii. 13. The apostolic age was the most remarkable set time for it that ever was, when every sermon made new conquests and additions to the church, till every city and corner of the vast Roman empire was stored with christians. But, besides this, we have promises of a more full and ample increase of Christ's kingdom in the latter days, or towards the end of the world; of which Daniel speaks in his prophecy, Dan. ii. 28, 44. and Dan. vii. 27. There he tells us that in these latter days God will set up a great, large, and flourishing kingdom, which will break all others in pieces, and stand for ever. That he means the flourishing state and glorious increase of Christ's

kingdom towards the end of the world, is clear from this, that he makes the latter days he speaks of, to be the days of the kings which should divide the south monarchy, or Roman empire, among them. This empire was to be divided into ten kingdoms, called in the Revelation ten horns, and represented in Dan. ii. 41. by the ten toes of the feet of the image. Now, the stone cut out of the mouth, which is the kingdom of Christ, is said to smite the image upon its feet, and brake them in pieces, ver. 35, which signifies Christ's conquering the Roman empire, when divided into ten kings, or kingdoms, called ten horns, Rev. xvii. which division hath happened in the latter days. And these horns, or kings and kingdoms, being joined to-1 gether in giving their power to the beast, or Roman Antichrist as their head, do preserve some shadow of the ancient Roman empire or monarchy, seeing Antichrist's power is almost as extensive as the emperor's once was. Hence Antichrist is sometimes called the image of the beast, and is said to exercise the power of the first beast, Rev. viii. 12. 14. as being set up at Rome in place of the Roman empire in the west, and as bearing the likeness of the then emperor that reigned there. For at the time the said emperor lay dead and wounded by the sword, or invasion of the Goths and Vandals, and in effect

was not, the Pope got up and mounted the beast, which the emperor had rode upon before him, namely, the Roman state, for that is the body of the beast, and so set up a new image of the old Heathen empire at Rome. The papal power may be well called its image, as being like it in largeness of dominion, in form of government, and in tyranny and idolatry.

When Christ's kingdom was first set up in the apostles time, the Roman empire was on its iron legs, as represented in Nebuchadnezzar's image, that is, it was in its greatest strength. But in the latter days, which Daniel speaks of, Dan. ii. 28. 44. when Christ's kingdom is wonderfully increased, the empire is in its feet and toes, that is, in ten kingdoms subject to the beast, as they are explained. Rev. xvii. 12, 13, 17, 18. Now, as Daniel tells us, it is upon these that the stone smites, and so it is among them that Christ will make his glorious conquests in the latter days. For it is said, These kings shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, not only their power and armies, but he shall at length overcome their hearts, so that they shall be brought to hate the whore, and make her desolate, Rev. xvii. 14, 16. which time is yet to come.

Then it is that Christ's kingdom will receive a glorious increase, and the kingdoms of this

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become his, as Rev. ii. 15. Then the great river Euphrates will be dried up for preparing the way of the kings of the east, Lev. xvi. 12. Then the blindness of the Jews shall be removed and the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, Rom. xi. 1, 25, 26. These and many other famous prophecies about the increase of Christ's kingdom and glory do remain to be accomplished in the latter days, at least in the extent; such as those that foretel, That every thing in Jerusalem shall be holy: the people shali be all righteous: the sanctuary shall be cleansed, and purity be both in the worship and worshippers in the temple, and no more a Canaanite in the house of the Lord: all nations shall be gathered to see his glory: there shall be no more war betwixt nations: the Jews shall be gathered out of all the countries where they are dispersed and brought to their own land: they shall be no more separate kingdoms, &c. For which see Isa. ii. 2, 3, 4. Isa. xxvi. 2. Isa. lii. 1. Isa. Ix. 5, 10, 12, 13, 21. Ezek. xxvi. 24, 28. Ezek. xxxv. 21. to 28. Dan. viii. 14. Zech. xv. 21. Rev. xi. 1. &c. Now, what a glorious increase must it bring to the Mediator's kingdom and glory, when all these prophecies and promises shall be fulfilled concerning the overthrow of Babylon and Antichrist, the destruction of the Turkish empire,

B

the in-bringing of the Jews, with the fulness of the Gentiles?

In regard to the fall and destruction of Antichrist, or the papal power, is the great mercy promised to the church in the latter days, and with which all the other blessings promised are connected; and that the scripture is more particular about the time of its being fulfilled, than any other; it is fit to enquire what is there said about it. And, first, let us view the foregoing signs and forerunners of Antichrist's fall, and of Christ's coming to deliver his people from his tyranny, which points out the times as near; such as,

First, Previous thereto, there will be a great defection among all the churches of Christ. Among God's people deadness and formality shall so increase, that all the virgins shall seem to fall asleep. Errors and false doctrines shall greatly abound, the luminaries shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. Many ministers shall suck in corrupt principles about the glorious doctrines of the gospel, particularly that of justification; by which means the earth shall be turned into blood and slaughter. Yea, in these last days, there shall be false teachers, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them. There shall be many infidels, and pro