Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

§ 8 Sixthly, It must be observed, that what ever is to be done and effected by the Spirit, Grace, or Power of the Messiah during the continuance of his Kingdom in this world, it is mentioned in the Promises, as that which was to be accomplished, at, or by his coming. But here, as we before observed, lieth the mistake of the Jews; what ever is spoken about his Work and Kingdom, they expect to have fulfilled as it were in a day, which neither the nature of the things themselves will bear, nor is it any way suited unto the Glory of God, or the duration of this Kingdom in the world. The Kingdom of the Messiah is prophesied of, to be set up in the room of the other great Kingdoms and Monarchies that are in the world. And if we take an instance in the last Monarchy of Daniel, namely the Roman, it is spoken of, as that which came forth as it were all at once into the world, and did all its work immediately; when we know that from its first rise to the end of the things there spoken of, there passed above the space of a thousand years. But yet all the things ascribed unto it, are mentioned as attending its rise and coming; and that because they were in process of time affected by its power. And in like manner, all the things that are foretold about the Kingdom of the Messiah are referred unto his Coming, because before that they were not wrought, and they are produced by his Spirit and Grace, the foundation of them all being perfectly and unchangeably wrought in what he did and effected upon his first coming and appearance. It is no wonder then that many particular promises seem as yet to be unfulfilled: for they were never designed to be accomplished, in a day, an year, an age, one place, or season, but in a long tract of time during the continuance of his Kingdom; that is, from his coming unto the end of the world. And as the care of the accomplishment of those promises is upon, so the ordering of the time and season of their being effected belongs unto, the Counsel and Will of the Father; who as unto his Children and Servants, hath engaged unto him, that he should see of the travail of his soul in all Generations: and as unto his Adversaries hath said, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

§ 8 Sixthly, It must be observed, that what ever is to be done and effected by the Spirit, Grace, or Power of the Messiah during the continuance of his Kingdom in this world, it is mentioned in the Promises, as that which was to be accomplished, at, or by his coming. But here, as we before observed, lyeth the mistake of the Jews; what ever is spoken about his Work and Kingdom, they expect to have fulfilled as it were in a day, which neither the nature of the things themselves will bear, nor is it any way suited unto the Glory of God, or the duration of this Kingdom in the world. The Kingdom of the Messiah is prophesied of, to be set up in the room of the other great Kingdoms and Monarchies that are in the world. And if we take an instance in the last Monarchy of Daniel, namely the Roman, it is spoken of, as that which came forth as it were all at once into the world, and did all its work immediately; when we know that from its first rise to the end of the things there spoken of, there passed above the space of a thousand years. But yet all the things ascribed unto it, are mentioned as attending its rise and coming; and that because they were in process of time affected by its power. And in like manner, all the things that are foretold about the Kingdom of the Messiah are referred unto his Coming, because before that they were not wrought, and they are produced by his Spirit and Grace, the foundation of them all being perfectly and unchangeably wrought in what he did and effected upon his first coming and appearance. It is no wonder then that many particular promises seem as yet to be unfulfilled: for they were never designed to be accomplished, in a day, an year, an age, one place, or season, but in a long tract of time during the continuance of his Kingdom; that is, from his coming unto the end of the world. And as the care of the accomplishment of those promises is upon, so the ordering of the time and season of their being effected belongs unto, the Counsel and Will of the Father; who as unto his Children and Servants, hath engaged unto him, that he should see of the travail of his soul in all Generations: and as unto his Adversaries hath said, Sit thou on my right hand, untill I make thine enemies thy footstool.