Some would have it in the year 6000. from the beginning of the world: this was the sentence of Elijah (say the Jews) whose prophecy thus runs, two thousand years before the Law, two thousand under the Law, and two thousand under the Gospel: how untrue this sounds, any one may guess that considers: in the first number he fails because it was too little; in the second number he errs, because it was too much: and if Elijah say amiss for the time now past, how should we believe him for that yet to come? Others, besides testimony produce reason, that as God was creating the world six days, so he must be a governing it six thousand years, here's a seeming proportion, but upon what reason? Every day, (say they) must be a thousand years with man, because a thousand years, are but as one day with God. 1It were too frivolous a pains to repeat any more, or to answer these: Is not this sacrilege, 2to break into Gods place and pry into his Sanctuary? Why should we presume to know more then God would have us? Look at the Apostles, were they not Gods Secretaries? Look at the Angels, are they not Gods Heralds? Look at Christ himself, is he not the Son of God? and yet as he is the Son of man, he speaks of all, Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no Angel, neither the Son, but the Father only: Mark 13.32.3 It is not for us to seek where the Lord hath not a tongue to speak Why should we know more then other men, then all men, then Angels, then Christ himself, who (as man) was either ignorant of it, or (at least) had no commission to reveal it. It is not for you to know the times and seasons, ⟨p. 92⟩which the Father hath put in his own power, Act. 1.7. It is a better use which our Saviour makes, Take heed, watch, and pray, for ye know not when the time is, Mark 13.33.4 As a thief in the night, so is Dooms-day, it come suddenly, it will come shortly: would you needs know when? why then when you least imagine such a matter, then when worldly honours profit nothing, then when kindred & acquaintance fail, then when the world shall be set on fire, then] then] he shall reward every man according to his works.
Some would have it in the year 6000. from the beginning of the world: this was the sentence of Elias (say the Jewes) whose prophesie thus runs, two thousand years before the Law, two thousand under the Law, and two thousand under the Gospell: how untrue this sounds, any one may guesse that considers: in the first number he fails because it was too little; in the second number he erres, because it was too much: and if Elias say amiss for the time now past, how should we believe him for that yet to come? Others, besides testimony produce reason, that as God was creating the world six days, so he must be a governing it six thousand years, heres a seeming proportion, but upon what reason? Every day, (say they) must be a thousand years with man, because a thousand years, are but as one day with God. 1It were too frivolous a pains to repeat any more, or to answer these: Is not this sacriledge, 2to break into Gods place and pry into his Sanctuary? Why should we presume to know more then God would have us? Look at the Apostles, were they not Gods Secretaries? Look at the Angels, are they not Gods Heralds? Look at Christ himself, is he not the Son of God? and yet as he is the Son of man, he speaks of all, Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no Angell, neither the Son, but the Father onely: Mark 13.32.3 It is not for us to seek where the Lord hath not a tongue to speak Why should we know more then other men, then all men, then Angels, then Christ himself, who (as man) was either ignorant of it, or (at least) had no commission to reveal it. It is not for you to know the times and seasons, ⟨p. 92⟩which the Father hath put in his own power, Act. 1.7. It is a better use which our Saviour makes, Take heed, watch, and pray, for yee know not when the time is, Mark 13.33.4 As a thiefe in the night, so is Doomes-day, it come suddainly, it will come shortly: would you needs know when? why then when you least imagine such a matter, then when worldly honours profit nothing, then when kindred & acquaintance fail, then when the world shal be set on fire, then] then] he shall reward every man according to his works.
- 1Psal. 90.4.
- 2Salviarus de guber. Dei, l. 3.
- 3Mar. 13.32. Ne nos addamus inquirere, quod ille non addidit dicere. Aug. epist. 146. Acts 1.7.
- 4Mar. 13.33. 1 Thess. 5.2.
