Articles of Faith p. 90 91. of Iren. c. 2. Observe in general that from the varietes of the Discoveries in the said three books were by a special hand of Providence those 8 comprehensive convincing Arguments deduced in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Word Written which as strangly was published as might be shewed whereunto likewise very many upon like account might be added as being in like manner couched in such mysterious Discoveries and observable passages upon many occasions therein contained and many from the 31. Useful observations to understand mystical Prophesies after the Tract on Rev. 22 20. I might here add others from the nature and end of these Doctrines as that they are Homogeneal Harmonious and uniform with all other Christian Doctrines p. 50. to the end not new but only Scriptural explications of the Old Assert eight of the Key and from the end of them viz. the fulfilling of the promised mercies to the Fore-Fathers p. 5 6 7 8 9 10. I have observed 4 places in Scripture Divinity wherein these Doctrines naturally fall in otherwise there will be a Chasme and void place from Scripture grounds observable First the Consideration of the general Execution of Christs 3 Offices is to precede the particular as being the chief part of that well grounded distinction in the 11 and 12. Divine Thesis in p. 5 6. of the Irenicon 2dly Sacred Scripture teacheth that after Christ hath satisfied for sin risen again ascended and sitten the appointed time at the right hand of God on his Fathers Throne till he make his foes his footstool then he will begin to sit on his own Throne at his coming the 2d time without sin only for Salvation to all his People to perform that Adoption to the raised Sts. even the Redemption of their Bodies Rom. 8.23 by freeing them from the corruption of the grave c. And 2dly all those alive from all their enemies both Men and Devils to serve God without so much as fear of them all the dayes of their lives Luke 1 71. Rev. 20 c. and to redeem even the inferiour creatures from the bondage of corruption from Men or other Creatures into the glorious c. viz. in their capacity in that state of the restitution of all things Rom. 8.22 Acts 3.21 See for this in the Everlasting Gospel on Gen. 3.19 p. 8. the 6. particular there 3dly From the Scripture explication of the Lords Prayer that his Name may be then hallowed in earth as it is now and till then in heaven and so his Kingdom may come and will be done in earth then as in heaven now which will be perfectly done upon the coming of that Kingdom by Angels and raised Sts. in that world and by others then alive in a very great measure See p. 90 91. of the Iren. and New Jer. p. 4 15 the first Vse 4thly It is in part the end of that state both of the faith and hope of many of Gods servants who now groundedly both believe and hope for such their interest in that state of the promised mercies to the Fore-Fathers as we shewed largly in our Key being a part of Csts Purchase and of the Sts. inheritance for so long a time of which much is said in Scripture c. See the Key of the covenanted mercies to the Fore-Fathers and their spiritual seed as we here touch but that which in gnneral we shall only here farther set down as to the former Argum. is this one most comprehensive Foundation of Multitudes of particular Arguments in several kinds from several sorts of Subjects considered in the whol work namly That Doctrine is Divine truth which hath not only clear Scriptures for the nature and substance of it and for all useful and profitable parts and branches of it but also for the distinct and clear handling of both it them from Scripture foundations and this farther which is yet of very great waight where the faith thereof is wrought that these Doctrines are only in substance the promised mercies to the Fore-Fathers Ab. Is and Jacob and all their spiritual seed both circumcised and uncircumcised for that state in special through that one Divine seed Christ Gal. 3. to be fulfilled in that world to come Heb. 2.3 Luke 20.35 36. in the time of the New Heavens and New Earth c. which is the time of Christs great day of Judgment and of his Davidical Kingdom which is another strong foundation of the same promised mercies of all the spiritual Sons and Daughters of David through and with Christ himself then in that world I might add many others c. But now for the first said members viz. the substance and main branches of these Doctrines that have clear Scripture grounds that he that runs may read in the whose work but for the 3d which is the distinct handling of those things some may question therefore amongst the many distinctions in our Key whereof many were not before this work observed that I knew of I shall instance in the two New Jerusalems one the immediate work of God to be made by himself their for the Saints raised after Christs appearance or coming Heb 11.10 16. and described gloriuosly Rev. 21. which is not the future glory of heaven as formerly mistaken for fifteen reasons c. See New Jeru◠p. 9 10 11 12 c. The other made by men for the converted Jews and Gentiles as the Prophet Esay saith expresly by Strangers and their Kings Esa 60.9 See New Jerus 6 7. and for the 4th member that for those promised mercies to the said Fore-Fathers and David will then be accomplished to all the Elect that have lived before or suffered with or for Christ before that his 2d coming in the clouds of Heaven and that they shall have their rest with the Apostles 2 Thes 1.7 and be rewarded then Rev. 11.18 19. and all such have their part in all that promised mercy in that state our grounds of those covenanted mercies after the preparatorie 21 assertions laid down in the Key may sufficiently if well considered I conceive satisfie all serious unprejudiced understanding Christians which I doubt not to such may much more be made evident from divine Authority and these things would be greatly enquired into if Christians but compently knew and believed such their own mercy and interest in that state with Christ in that long continued excellent holy and happy condition which he hath purchased for them and gives them interest in with himself being joynt heirs thereof with himself A large volume might be written and to good effect on these 3 Articles to this end 1. of Christs coming to that first judicial act of Judgm Dan. 7. above 1000. years before the last trump and raising of the wicked suddainly as probable after the faithful that departed in the 1000 years as Esa 65.20 2dly of the communion of Sts. both raised and living 3dly of the resurrection of the just only
11. saw their own particular interest as was said in Canaan a far of at the Resurrection where their bodies Josephs bones lay reposed till they arise then to take their possession of it and reign with Christ when at that his last day he will raise them up Joh. 6. 9. Lastly God confirms unto Jacob his personal interest in the land of Canan and to his immediate natural seed the 12 Tribes here again said to be as the dust of the earth and hence faith God in conjunction with his Divine spiritual seed Christ again v. 14 in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed in that respect probably with his blessings given to the several Tribes Gen. 49. and to Esau his blessing also being his immediate seed which went very far but what might be wanting in him was made up in that one seed Christ therefore he adds and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed who will at the first blessed resurrection raise all his Saints who in their measure have suffered with him as members of his mistical body to reign then with him 2 Tim. 2.12 and saith he Rom. 8.17 We are made by Christ heirs of God and joynt heirs Christ viz. in his Mediators Davidical Kingdom bequeathed to them by our Saviour himself in his last will a little before he died after his divinely propherical Prayer Joh. 17.24 said he Father I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me And lastly c. 32. Jacob as a Prince wrastled with God and prevailed whence the name of Israel was given to him retained by all Gods people since to shew them how to prevail with God for promised mercies viz. by Faith Prayer and New obedience c. See of these covenanted mercies Prodrom or Forerun page 37 38. and God was so mindful of both the everlasting Covenants which Noah and Abraham c. as he calls that Gen 9.16 that by the experience of the former witnessed by the Rainbow many hundred years after he teaches the Prophet Esau thereby to confirm his covenanted mercies to all Israel with the beloved City Es 54 9. This saith he shall be as the waters of Noah unto me c. as I have sworn c. so will I not be wroth with thee yea all that promised grace v. 17. is said to be the heritage of the servants of the Lord even from that time whose Righteousness is of him c. 4. We proceed to the promised and covenanted mercies of David for ever through the whole state of Christs Davidical Kingdom who stands in divers relations to David as his Antitype Seed and Saviour wherein consisted the sure mercies of David in and by him who was the root of David Rev. 5 as well as the branch Zac. 3.8 who was owned to be the son of God at his Resurrection Ps 2.7 and returned not to corruption whereby was manifest the sureness of his mercies Act. 13.32 33. wherein all the faithful partake Es 55.3 by a covenant ordered in all things and sure 2 Sam. 23.5 though chiefly respecting Christs said Kingdom as in Nathans message may appear 1 Chr. 17. 2 Sam. 7.8 c. which we have largly considered in our 7th Foundation of Faith when the heathen and the uttermost parts of the earth will not only be given to Christ for an inheritance but for a possession Ps 2.8 when God sets his King upon his holy hill of Sion and though he is the Fathers Commissioner to execute the contents of the book which he received Rev. 5. from his ascention to the ruine of the Roman Empire viz. during Gods spiritually powerful Kingdom of the Stone said to be set up by the God of heaven Dan. 2.28 yet when the Kingdom of the Mountain comes all opposite Kingdoms will becom like the chaff of the summer thrashing-flore v. 35. for at his ceasing to sit at his fathers right hand his foes will eminently be made his footstoole Ps 110.1 and that man of his right hand will appear to be made strong for himself Ps 80.17 when all the Dominions of the world will be given to him under the whole heavens Dan 2.13.14 27. and God will give him his right in Davids Diadem Ez. 21.27 and all the faithful before stiled the Sons of David as well as the seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob being the meek like David whose soul was as a weaned child Ps 121. shall all then inherit the renewed earth and delight themselves in abundance of peace Ps 37.11 and be blessed in that state Mat. 5. ◠at the first resurrection Rev. 20.6 for then he will actually personally as we shewed take to himself his great power before committed or permitted to others who had abused it and will then himself reign with his Saints upon the earth Rev. 5 10. Rev. 20.4 Rev. 11.14 15. when the Angels of God shall worship him Ps 97. Heb. 1.6 and all knees in heaven earth or under the earth now shall then bow or be subject to him Phil. 2.9 10. and all creatures adore him Rev. 5.8 9 10 c. when not only as the son of David he shall have that Kingdom but also as the son of God he will be actually Gods heirof all things by his Triple right of creating ordering and redeeming all things for that purpose as Heb. 1.2 3 6. when Abraham by him and under him will be actually heir of the world Rom. 4.13 who before was only by faith so and this Kd. Dan 7.13 14. seems also to be setled upon Christ as Gods obedient son and faithful servant by his own Donation as a boon or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that he had fully done all Gods wills and so he as the captain of the Salvation of his suffering members upon the like account gives his Kingdom to them 2 Tim. 2.12 making them joynt heirs with himself Rom. 8.17 bequeathed the beholding of his glory to them as by his last will Joh. 17.24 Father said he I will c. through whom Davids seed living in the world then will probably be blessed in a special manner Es 61.9 Then will kingdom power and glory all be his from his coming in the clouds not only in his own glory but also of the father and his holy angels Mat. 25. which he will resign back unto the father when the last enemy death shall be destroyed that God may be all in all and the son also himself be subject unto him when perfect reconciliation is made Christ having so conducted all his Saints from their general rapture to meet him at their glorious change to enter upon those things for ever that eye hath not seen c. besides thee O God saith Esay c. 64.4 and Oh what things saith David with an holy admiration Ps 31.19 of which an excellent improvement is made by our
and all from good scripture warrant if those obstacles mentioned in Asserâ— 10. of the Key were not too evident in the world c. but these hints may here suffice in general Now we come to the particular consideration of the parts and parcels with things observable and profitable to be pointed out to those wise specified Dan. 12.10 and to endeavour to remove such hinderances in their way though from many others it seems not to be expected 1. The Irenicon or peaceable consideration of Christs Kingdom was at first the only book intended as by the method thereof set down chap 1. p 2. may appear which being perused by many judicious persons in those studies and especially by that one well known and well approved Mr. Tho Pecke whose Test is set at the end of it after many incitements thereunto was Printed with the Prodromus An. Dom. 1665. which Prodr much consisting of many occasional useful matters after put together and the Printting thereof being much encouraged was as a porch to the house afterwards joyned to the Iren. and usefully there quoted The first mainly remarkable matter therein is the 16. divine Thoses p 9 10 11. introducing that great foundation of distinguishing from scripture warrant the consideration of Christs execution of his 3 great Offices in respect of his Universal Church under the old and new Testament and world to come from the particular in respect of every believing soul the first as the work the Father gave him to do the other as the improvement or application of that work by his holy Spirit upon which great Scripture ground that first Practical Treatise on Gen 3 15. was composed in which much may be observed of very great weight c. though I found nothing written before of that matter c. The next Paper p. 14 15 c. of the New Jerusalem c. being more fully handled in our next practic Tract on Jer. 3.17 therefore I say here no more of it where the distinction of the New Jerus the immediate work of God provided for the Fore-Fathers Heb. 11.10 16. is explained in which the Elect that died before shall have their part as differing from those of the nations that are saved who shall walk in the light thereof Rev 21. so Assertion 14. in the Key of which little before found The 3d is the letter to Mr. Cal. shewing the order and times in a latitude of the Seals Trumpets and Vials in the Rev. as a preparative to the Parallel c. p. 22 23 c. and then there was added unto the former as a supplement to it for both joyntly give much light to the book of Rev. the larg Paper of Dec 7 64. p. 26 27 c. concerning two defects in Mr. Durhams otherwise good book of Scotland wherein many material things are couched c. and p. 44 procedure is made to finish the 16 Theses in the 3d period c. Lastly was added the Paper of Sept. 27. 64. p. 47. of the personal appearance of Christ Of which see much more to prove both that and the personal reign Asser 7 of the Key where much is said thereof in a little room c. In the Iren. forenamed observe in the begining the useful table of Chronology with the Preface and the Advertisment showing the occasion of the answers to the reasons against Christs personal reign in c. 3. p. 35 36 c. but in c. 1. p. 2. is the method of that book and in c. 2. with the 16 forenamed divine Theses are joyned 6 inferences drawn from them from p. 3. to p. 9. unto which were subjoyned in the same chap. many profitable discoveries of Mysteries from Rev 4 5. chap. with 7. inferences from the same from p 9. to p. 35. of c. 3. as we have a little before shewed In c. 4. p. 41 42. are the 6. several senses of Christs comings in Scripture well approved of by the said Mr. Tho. Peck to which 2 other are added in our Key Assert 6. in the fift sence many texts of the Apostles are applyed p. 44 45. to 38. but the 6th is explained in the note page the last of the Word Written also many Testimonies of the last times from the Apostles Peter James John and Paul to all which 4 Christ appeared gloriously as p. 49 50 51 52 c. In c. 5. are Satans three Babels defeated in order by God and all which Christ in his reign will bring to utter confusion not observed else where Threien also is shewed according to that Foundation he spake by all the holy Prophets Act. 3.21 how God spake by Enoch Jude 14. by Jacob Gen 49. by Moses Deut. 32 33. Lev. 26 c. and by Balaam Numb 24. of the latter days The rest of the Prophets Testimonies are contained c. 6. and the larg evidences from the book of Psalms c. 7. according as our Saviour said in Moses the Prophets and Psalms it was written of me c. Unto these are added the concurring testimonies in the Gospel and Acts c. 8. the Apostles witnessings were spoken of before c. 4 p. 44 45. to 48 49 50 51 52. which general Argument being our third in the Word Written I have not found else where explained as for Jonah besides his being a Type of Christ and foretelling the destruction of Niniveh as Christ will destroy the Assyrian i. e. he who shall be in his place at that time as we have here to our purpose most remarkably spoken of 2 King 14. and in p 90 91 c. are the Arguments from the Lords Prayer and Articles of Faith to p. 97. where lastly is adjoyned the Appendix of the first bodily resurrection concerning which I having made enquiry What was written of it before but finding nothing considerable drew up that Appendix to that effect And so we briefly come to the 3d part containing also Principles or Foundations namely the Parallel of the witnessings of the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel and of John the dearly beloved Disciple Evangelist and most Seraphical Dr. of Divinity and also a Prophet largly endued with the spirit of Prophesie in his double book of the Rev. containing the Seal Prophesie of the civil affairs of the Roman Monarchie and 2d the little book Prophesie Rev. 10. of the Ecclesiastick affairs of the Roman Monarchie from both whose double Testimony Gods spirit hath laid down though divinely mistical the most strong and many waies wonderful and excellent evidence and confirmation of these Doctrines of the world to come above all others and left on purpose to be the inquiring Christians Key of Prophesies and for the profitable using of the same Key we have endeavoured in an untraced path to manifest the book of Rev. to be a Divine mystical comment upon the hidden part of Daniel sealed and shut up till the times of the end when in the Rev. Christ so unsealed them and commanded John to leave them unsealed c. 22. 10.
made thereof now you may make God your debtor by his promise and your selves temporally more blessed by giving than by receiving If men did but cast in a tenth of what they receive or but even of what many vainly consume c. into Gods treasury for such charitable uses or any other like for the world abounds with objects of that nature there is no question but they would find a better return yea haply many better returns of that tenth which they gave or some others out of their estates vainly consume and that with advantage above all the nine parts that they or such others detained from such offerings to God besides the prayers praises and thanksgivings from men thereupon which God will observe and reward Let me only add this comprehensive consideration for all at present That your final sentence of approbation or condemnation will by Christ himself be passed mainly upon that account See Everlast Gos p. 19 20. where Mat. 25. is expounded Obs it well Mat. 25. as carrying it well or ill in that kind to such little ones or disciples of his in relieving visiting cloathing them which saith Christ is done to himself but if men injure and persecute them how heavy will their judgment be but if in them Christians relieve Christ they must labour to do it for Christs sake in faith in obedience out of love out of thankfulness to the first giver who made them large receivers first whereupon they are much in his debt should endeavour much to come out of some part of it for which God may discharge in full before death come which cuts off further opportunitie and imprisons all unbelievers for such debts Dan. 4.7 oh that men would consider it before the time of execution come for then all such interest is gone and they leave most likely a curse to their successors entailed on their estates to consume in sin or give them up to serve Satans interest or to make them become a prey to the devourer or a bootie to the supplanter one way or other c. And such persons should in these times lay to heart this consideration for two reasons 1. By how much the times are more provoking of Gods wrath so all estates are more tottering therefore it would be more wisdom to secure much whilst ye may by committing it to Gods safe insuring hands it may more likely rescue the rest or keep of vengeance the longer and so more time of well doing will be allowed Again Satan hath great wrath because his time is now very short and therefore he marcheth furiously with his hosts of evil men and devils to ruin all he can Christians should then likewise vi armis with all their might give him the repulse by laying out themselves in their persons possession parts posterity their all for Christ whence two encouragements 1. Christ will surely give them both victory and recompence and the devil being resisted as the greatest coward he will also flee Jam. 4.7.2 As the times are very bad so Christians help is more needful and the rather because we are fallen into the dregs of bad times when upon many weighty considerations we may expect Christs coming very shortly and the best that live now and lawfully enjoy plentiful estates know not whether they or theirs shall retain then any of the things which they now possess yet let such take this consolation that they and their posterity being faithful will gain by that change in this world when one in a bed in the field in the mill by the Angels will be carried â—n the 4 quarters of the earth to Christ as their arke or as the Eagles to the carkass Mat. 23.28 and planted in a better soile and much better estate to inherit the mercies promised to the fore-fathers See Obs 20. 〈◊〉 Tract on Rev. 20 22. c. I pray God sanctifie such as here them by these Divine truths thus briefly hinted and let me to that end offer this caution to all serious Christians to take heed lest as Israel of old entered not into Canaan because of unbelief that their unbelief if not their slighting of these Divine truths cause not Christ in displeasure to bring them late into the New Jerusalem state at the first blessed Resurrect when as some antients conceived there will be mora to some though I doubt not but all the faithful till then and not only actual Martyrs will have some part in that state longer or shorter it is dangerous to contemn or oppose any Divine truths such as these are and as I from good ground know these to be As for meaner Christians I only say this See Satans seven Vials Forerunner p. 41 42. which is much in few words let them walk in their general and particular callings wherein they are called with God faithfully they then will have this strong support that he wil not fail them nor forsake any of them and to that end consider what is said before concerning these last times c. Other improvements of these truths we briefly hinted in our Pract. pieces on Gen 3.15 Rev 22 20. Jer. 3.17 c. which with this Exhortation I leave to Christians use and Gods blessing praying at present after that ancients mode with some addition Domine Jesu si qua pro tenuitate mea in his scripsi quae mea sunt non tua tuipse in â—s ignosce mihi omnia autem quae tua sunt a me tam indigno hic prolata agnoscant etiamque tui Amen i. e. L. Jesus if I have in these things written any out of mine own meaness wch are my own but not thine pardon thou me therein but let thy serv also acknowledg all those things wch are thine own though here tendred to them by so unworthy a person as my self Amen FINIS ERRATA Tit. p. 1. K. for Χ p. 7 r. Tohu vabohu Word Writ r. 3. Vaus for 3. Zains in fold leaves r. reunited not recruted builder not redeemer vailed not railed in S. of Dan. 366. not 666. An account of the composing and Parcels contained in this Book with some Apologetical hints July 27. 1672. 1. FIrst in general observe from the beginning of the general Title page and the leaf next following where the nature and use of all parts is shewed that those books there called the Principles namely those first three of the four parts Printed before the burning of London An. Dom. 1666. of which neer 600. of several sorts were burnt and lost viz. the Prodromus the Irenicon and Parallel contain many things which are Essays of mysterious Discoveries containing much matter of Arguments as in the 16. Divine Thes p. 3 4 c. of the Iren. 6. Inferences following are deduced and from the 4 5. c. of Rev. p. 9. ensuing to p. 33. wherein many observable things are contained are 7. other pertinent Inferences drawn So also Arguments from the Scripture sence of the Lords Prayer and