The aforesaid appearing of Christ is here said to be the second appearing. This1 hath reference to a former appearing mentioned, v. 26. §. 130. That was his […] appearing, when he took flesh▪ upon him. Never did Christ conspicuously, and •sibly in his own humane nature manifest himself, till the fullness of time when he […] made flesh. At sundry times before he gave some representations of himself in […] shape: as when he appeared to Abraham, Gen. 18. 2, &c. and to Moses, Ex. •. 2. and to Joshua. Josh. 5. 13. 14. but in the forenamed fullness of time, he took […] unto the unity of his deity, whereby he was God manifest in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3. […]. From that time he continued about thirty three years and an half on earth, and there finished all matters of service and suffering, requisite for mans redemption, be ascended into heaven, and there abides, never to come from thence, till the restitution of all things (Acts 3. 21.) which will not be before the end of the world. This appearing therefore, which is be at the end of the world, ot is said to be athe second 3[…], so as from Christs ascension to the last day, he will appear no more on earth. Indeed he did appear to Stephen in his humane nature (Acts 7. 56.) and also to Paul, 1 Cor. 15. 8.) but both those were in heaven. He did extraordinarily enable the visive faculty of Stephens eye to see his bodily shape, as far as heaven, and Paul knew not whether he was wrapped into heaven or no, 2 Cor. 12. 2. but the appearing here mentioned is a general appearing unto all men into some eminent place, where he shall gather all men and Angels before him. This phrase of God the father unto4 him, Sit thou at my right hand, unto I make thine enemies thy footstool, Psal. 110. 1. giveth proof, that he shall remain in heaven till death be utterly destroyed, for death is the last enemy, 1 Cor. 15. 26. But death shall not be destroyed till the last day. And this phrase, The heavens must receive him until the times of restitution of all things intends as much. bThe word translated, receive, signifieth also to retain the thing received, as where it is said, they received the word, Acts 17. 11. and receive the grace of God, 2 Cor. 6. 1. The word of God and his grace must be retained.
THe aforesaid appearing of Christ is here said to be the second appearing. This1 hath reference to a former appearing mentioned, v. 26. §. 130. That was his 〈…〉 appearing, when he took flesh▪ upon him. Never did Christ conspicuously, and •sibly in his own humane nature manifest himself, till the fulnesse of time when he 〈…〉 made flesh. At sundry times before he gave some representations of himself in 〈…〉 shape: as when he appeared to Abraham, Gen. 18. 2, &c. and to Moses, Ex. •. 2. and to Ioshua. Josh. 5. 13. 14. but in the forenamed fulnesse of time, he took 〈…〉 unto the unity of his deity, whereby he was God manifest in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3. 〈…〉. From that time he continued about thirty three years and an half on earth, and there finished all matters of service and suffering, requisite for mans redemption, be ascended into heaven, and there abides, never to come from thence, till the restitution of all things (Acts 3. 21.) which will not be before the end of the world. This appearing therfore, which is be at the end of the world, ot is said to be athe second 3〈…〉, so as from Christs ascension to the last day, he will appear no more on earth. Indeed he did appear to Stephen in his humane nature (Acts 7. 56.) and also to Paul, 1 Cor. 15. 8.) but both those were in heaven. He did extraordinarily enable the visive faculty of Stephens eye to see his bodily shape, as far as heaven, and Paul knew not whether he was wrapt into heaven or no,
- 1Of Christs last coming, see Chap. 10. v. 37. Sect. 139.Of Christs last comming, see Chap. 10. v. 37. Sect. 139.
- a[Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉
- 3Christs second appearing is his last.
- 4Christ abids in heaven till the last day.
- b[Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉
