In pursuance of an Order, bearing date the sixth instant, for my perusal of a Treatise by Dr. N. Homes, and to report my opinion concerning the same, I certify as follows :

That all the saints shall reign with Christ a thousand years on earth, both in a visible and spiritual glorious manner, before the time of the ultimate and general resurrection, is a position, which (though not a few have hesitated about and opposed it) has gained ground in the hearts and judgements of very many, both grave and godly men, who have left us divers essays and discourses upon this subject. And (having perused the learned and laborious work of this author) I conceive, that the Church of God hath not hitherto seen this point so clearly stated, so largely discussed, and so strongly confirmed-not only by the testimony of ancient and modern writers of all sorts, but by the holy Scriptures throughout as it is presented in this Book. Wherein also divers other considerable points are collaterally handled, all tending to set forth the catastrophe and result of the troubles and hopes of such as fear God, as the preface to their eternal bliss. And whereas some have been, and still are, apt to abuse this doctrine, by making it an occasion to the flesh, and of heating themselves in the expectation of a carnal liberty and worldly glory; I find that this author hath cautiously forelaid and prevented all such abuses, by shewing the exceeding spirituality and holiness of this state: to which, as none but the truly holy can attain; so, having attained it, they shall walk in the height of holiness. And therefore I judge this book very useful for the saints, and worthy of public view.

October 13, 1653.

B

JOSEPH CARYLL.

In obedience to an order dated October the sixth, I have (as my present weakness will give me leave) perused that which hath been brought unto me, written by Dr. Homes in several Books, concerning the Kingdom of Christ on Earth; and do return this as my sense of it.

The subject (which is the reign of our Saviour with his saints on earth) is of a transcendant glory in itself, of universal importance to all persons and states, and very seasonable for the present times. Like a piece of rich coin, which hath been long buried in the earth and lately dug up again, it begins to grow bright with handling, and to pass current with great numbers of saints and learned men of great authority. As the same star at different seasons is the evening-star, setting immediately after the sun, and then the morning-star, shining immediately before it; so was this truth the evening-star to the first coming of Christ, setting together with the glory of that day in a night of antichristianism; and now it appears again in our times, as a morning-star to that blessed day of the second effusion of the Spirit, and the second appearance of our Saviour in the glory of the Father.

The manner of handling this subject appears to be with pious and modest learning, judgment, industry, and variety; a variety of divine matter, excellent reading, choice Scriptures and expositions of Scripture;-out of all which ariseth much present light, many hints for more, with quickening occasions for further searches and discoveries: so that this Book is, at once, a well grown orchard and a nursery of truths.

The opinions, which the Doctor holds forth in this book, cannot expect to have the concurrence of all gracious and judicious spirits, or a clearness in all particulars; the subject being a prophetic truth, approaching indeed, but still at some distance: yet they all move upon a hinge of three principal points, which seem to lie fair and uppermost in the letter of divers Scriptures, and have been stamped with the authority of men eminent in holiness and learning. These three points are such as cut off all pretence to sensuality and contention from the reign of Christ;-such as instruct the saints to a peaceable, patient and joyful waiting for Him; "that when He appears, they may appear with him in glory; "-such as, being rightly understood, confirm the letter and heighten the spirituality of Scripture, giving a distinct and joint accomplishment to letter and Spirit, each in the other; the letter having its fulness in the Spirit, and the fulness of the Spirit taking in

the letter. These three principal points of testimony and entrance to Christ's kingdom are, First, the indubitable evidence of our Lord's appearance in his own person, for the several purposes of conviction to the world, conversion of the Jews, glorification to the saints, and renovation to the creature: whether his appearance shall be miraculous; (the Lord condescending to veil for a season his glorified body under a meaner form, that it may be fitted to our natural sense ;) or whether his appearance shall be mysterious; (the Lord in the instant of it transfiguring the dead and living saints into a conformity to his glorified body, that in the twinkling of an eye they may see their King and he may see them in beauty ;) or whether both these, according to Matt. xxiv, 30; 1 Cor. xv, 51; and Phil. iii, 20, 21. Secondly, that the state of the saints' kingdom shall be the resurrection from the dead and the change of the living saints, equivalent to the resurrection of the bodies of those that sleep in the dust. Thus each particular saint and the whole church, being predestinated to be conformed to the likeness of his image, shall answer to the state of Christ between his resurrection and ascension; and which seems to have been his paradisiacal state; - his soul entering into paradise at his death, and his body at his resurrection being re-assumed into the same state with the soul. The last head is, that there shall be a new earth to be the seat of this new kingdom. For if the earth, being made new with the newness of the Spirit, be also spiritualized, then will it be fit for glorified inhabitants. The streets of the new Jerusalem are said to be as gold and glass, which describe its spirituality; -as gold, for its solid simple substance, and for its shining glory: and as pure glass, for its transparency, clearness, and thorough lightsomeness.

PETER STERRY.

October 19, 1653.