Adam in that state in the world 2. And for the bringing on of this Kingdome of Christ the Son of David with his raised Saints God hath ever since the fall of that Tabernacle overturned all the Gentiles States and Kingdoms successively in their orders as in Nebuchadnezzars Image Dan. 2. and Daniels Visions of the four Beasts destroying each other Dan. 7. was signified and will still do so till the God of Heaven set up this Kingdom as the top of these Mercies that should never be destroyed but as the Kingdome of the Stone should destroy all others in the world till it became a Mountain filling the whole Earth which Christ hath now almost fulfilled and which will be that state thereof in the 1000 years of the reign of Christ with his Raised Saints for which the said Restitution of all things will be accomplished which was spiritually and powerfully begun at Christs first coming upon his Resurrection and Asoention when he led Captivity Captive tryumphing gloriously over all the powers of Darkness Col. 3.15 and though ever since the Prince of the power of the Aire that ruleth effectually in the Children of Disobedience hath prevailed in all the suffering times under the Dragon and Beast now almost for 1700 years to bring on Persecutions and Sufferings of the Saints who notwithstanding by Christs Divine and Powerful Grace have been carryed on to suffer with him or for him yet in that state approaching he will not only free them from all such Miseries and Evils now in the world through Sin but bring them into that happy state of Reigning in the world with himself as his Spouse that with him shall then in her it all things with their sure Mercies of David in this Univer salo and perpetual Kingdome in the world in reserence unto which the Renovation of all things will then be made by God himself as in the Text. The third Question But how doth it appear that such a coming and Kingdome of Christ shall be above 1000 years in the world before the last general Judgment when he will descend with a shout c. 1 Thes 4.16 Answ It will most manifestly appear not only from our Saviours Table of the good times which we spake of but now and from the litteral sense of the 1000 years which we spake sufficiently of pag. 38. of the Saints bodily Resurrection which is constantly granted by all sound Expositors to be litterally so understood neither is it other vise taken in the Beasts 42 months nor are the Prophetical dayes of the two Witnesses Rev. 11. or Sons of Oyl Zech. 4. standing before the Lord of the whole Earth ver 14. to which that Prophesie seems chiefly to have reference c. understood otherwise than for 1260 dayes of years and there is much less reason to pervert Christs words of his own and his said Saints Reign from their litteral sense when he most plainly saith they are 1000 years and where are any numbers of years in Scripture to be found but for that individual number they are set for the lives of all Antients Patriarks and Fathers the times of Judges Reigns of Kings continuance of States are set down by their peculiar number of years without which nothing could be resolved of and in ch 20. as Mr. Mede observed that Christ set down things more plainly there than in all that book before because men have been averse to think so of these last parts there have come up many mistaken conceits of anticipating Satans binding in the primative times of Persecution the Saints reigning under their greatest sufferings but not in the sence here intended which will also be performed and the taking the New Jerusulem state for the Kingdom of Heaven and the New Heavens and New Earth to be after the last Judgment and the like which being resolved by the Scripture Foundations to which this part of the Revel hath particular referonce they will upon due consideration appear very evidently to belong to this set time of the 1000 years us by our 15 Reasons why they shall be in the world may also be manifest and by our first Convincing Arg. of 36 Particulars to be according to Scripture before in after the said 1000 years and by our many distinctions of Christs appearance or coming at Antichrists destruction and of his descending above 1000 years after with a shout and the voice of an Arch-angel and the Trump of God at the Saints General Rapture and Resurrection of the wicked peruse them seriously they have Scripture warrant c. And as Mr. Mede observed it to be the usual Errour of the Jews to confound the first and second coming of Christ overlooking the Humility of the first which was not often before clearly distinguished except by Daniel and in some few places so Christians do much in these times over look the Mercy of the Jews at Christs second coming little regarding Christs irrefragable resolutions of many things of the last times which were given to him alone by the Father to instruct his Church in yea though they be founded upon many other parts of Scripture and refer unseasonably to what concerns both Jews and all promised Mercies to the raised Saints to the times of the last General Judgment above 1000 years most evidently after their set times Object But many Learned men have conceived that gloriouss City decyphered Rev. 21. and the Paradise of God to be the Kingdome of Glory in the highest Heavens Answ Besides our former said approved Reasons that it will be in the World the Apostle Paul Gal. 4. calls that the Jerusalem that is now above the Mother of all Saints being the peculiar Mansion at present of all the Spirits of Just men made perfect where they remain in happy Security Peace and Blessedness in their present state expecting the time of the said first Resurrection of their bodies which when Christ comes and brings them with him to raise and unite their Spiritual Bodies with them will be the Jerusalem here said then to come down from God out of Heaven which glorious place and City is prepared by God for the Fathers then and all such as the Apostle teacheth Heb. 11.16 40. that without us shall not be made perfect or perfect in one as our Saviour prayed John 17. which are called the Lambs Wife of the solemnity of whose Marriage the Kingly Prophet David foretold Psal 45. when that Bride instead of Fathers shall then have Children whom she may make Princes in all Lands and as Solomon in his most excellent Song in the book of Canticles divinely illustrateth it of the return of the Shulamite and the like which will be the fulfilling of the Covenant to Abraham and his Spiritual Seed by that one Divine Seed Christ in that state and time and for the Paradise of God annexed to that state which Christ will then restore instead of that lost before in the world by the first Adam it will
therein in that method set down ch 1. which was after altered by the discovering that Christs Reign being in the great day of Judgment would be personal c. For in searching such Mysteries it was hard to keep any set Method then and all parts after were occasional not first intended to which I first added those occasional Letters and Papers in the Prodromus to give light to the order of Revelation Prophesie to supply the want of which and of the Abridgment of the Rev. on ch 5. in the Irenic we framed the Scheme of the whole Rev. and Summary of Dan. in one sheet of very great use when many hundred of both Prod. and Irenic were burnt An. Dom. 1666. and of the Parallels from which with the Abridgment of Daniel was the Book of Parallels framed suiting to the 5th ch of the Irenicon which I found to be of exceeding great use both to ground and regulate all such studies ever since After these I was divers years stopped in my proceeding by the loss of two Coppies of the two first Practicals on Gen. 3.15 Rev. 22.20 until I was forced by an unexpected Law-sute to continue some time in London about An. Dom. 70. I then again as I had formerly found so much encouragement and engagement both from God and many Honorable Learned Religious and Worthy Persons of several Ranks and Conditions to proceed in these Studies that thereupon I drew up the 12 said foundations of Faith and published the same with the said 8 Convincing Argument containing the substance of the chief Argumentative parts of all the former Unto which the Tract on Jer. 3.17 was added to explain the Distinction from Scripture of the two New Jerusalems or the two fold state of New Jerusalem then for the raised and then converted Saints of one happy Communion on Rev. 21. gloriously described the Great Holy and Beloved Jerusalem which as the Apostle saith Heb. 11. God is the Maker and Builder of which hath Foundations upon its Inhabitants coming down from God out of Heaven which will by the immediate hand of God be made for the Fore-fathers then which Abraham expected and for all that die in the Faith till Christs second coming without sin to Salvation v. 10 16 39 40. Secondly The other that Jerusalem to be built by men whose Walls Strangers and their Kings saith the Prophet Esay shall build probably that described in the 9 last ch of Ezekiel for the then Converted and Reduced Jews Israelites and Gentiles coming in in the natural life which Rev. 21. are called the Nations of them that are saved walking in the light of the other said great holy and beloved new Jerusalem wherein are those fifteen well-approved Reasons why it will be then in the world suited wonderfully to the condition of the then raised Saints And lastly from those gradual Discoveries in all the other parts and parcels by the superaboundant Grace of God to so weak and unworthy an Instrument we more lately obtained that great Discovery of the main Scope of all Revelation-Prophesie in the 4 last Chapters of the Revelation as the Divine Key left by Jesus Christ for his Church opening that state of the 1000 years to be the fulfilling of the most antient Promises Mercies and Covenants made to the faithful Fathers and their spiritual Seed then in both their said conditions c. which we have here according to Grace received endeavoured further to open and explain in this last Treatise also commending the same with all the former in our Prayers to his blessing for the benefit of all true Believers who only have interest in all Gospel-consolations whether laid down in Holy Scriptures more evidently or more mysteriously whose Servant I more especially profess my self to be in this their so great concernment and of the Great Lord and Master of us all the Lord Jesus Christ William Sherwin Revel 21.5 And he that sate upon the Throne said Behold I make all things new And he said unto me write for these words are true and faithful WE now being to consider in our present proceeding that great gracious and glorious work of God's renovation of all things in reference to the said Kingdom of Christ to fill up those times reserved for those mercies belonging to that state and world We shall still therefore refer the Reader to the serious perusal of our said Comprisal and System in reference to this also as being a Subject standing upon the same foundations as was said The Declaration whereof is so gloriously illustrated by him that is said to sit upon the Throne as in the Text. As our blessed Saviour did first in his life-time doctrinally teach many things concerning that state and world which the children of the Resurrection should then be counted worthy of as we shewed from Luke 20.35 36. and afterwards very punctually explained his said Doctrine in many particulars in the Revelation respecting the same in the order of accomplishment 1. Even so the Spirit of God guided the Apostle Peter Acts 3.19 20 21. to teach divers things concerning the times of restitution of all things which our Saviour here hath as punctually in this Revelation of the renovation of all things also explained concerning that time in the order of accomplishment when God as in this Text will make all things new for all the links in the Chain of Revelation-Prophesies have their unalterable measures of their proportioned times many ways through Divine wisdom and goodness accommodated to the benesit happiness of the Church of Christ in the world until all promised mercies be fully performed in the issue Wherefore so much reference is made to the Prophets to the end of that Divine Book as is very observable 2. As the Apostle Peter particularly teacheth that the Heavens must receive Christ until those times of restitution of all things So Christ in the Revelation order placeth those times upon his own coming from the right hand of his Father to destroy the Beast and false Prophet and of the Resurrection of the said Saints to reign with him Chap. 19. 20. 3. As the same Apostle informs us further that God hath spoken of these times not things as Beza well notes on that Text by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began So here the Prophets are not only referred unto and often mentioned upon these accounts but the particulars are therefore many times asserted to be true and faithful as being before foretold or promised in the Writings of the Prophets 4. As the said Apostle useth that expression of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the times of the restitution of all things and using that Decompound word that fitly denotes a placing things in order out of a discomposed state of them so pointing out the particularities to be renewed in those times wherein both the antient Prophesies the said Revelation-key do both concur agree the last giving both clearness and evidence to the
carrying on to lay the sure foundation of breaking the Serpents head at his first coming that by the Judgment of the great Day he might break it 1. eminently at the first and 2. totally and finally at the last Judgment the next antient Prophesie for removing the power of Satan c. was given to Enoch in the old World recorded by Jude ver 13 14. concerning Christs coming to Judgment which hath direct reference to Daniels Vision of the first Session of Judgment at the destruction of the Beast Dan. 7. which our Saviour confirms and explains in part Rev. 11.18 and Rev. 19. but Daniel speaks not there of the last general Judgment that is left for Christ to do Rev. 20.11 to the end 1000 years and more after the former and hence as Daniel of the said first act had said The Judgment was set and 2dly the books were opened and the Apostle Paul who had much of these mysteries revealed to him tells us 3. Christ would judge the quick viz. temporal destruction and 4. the dead Saints with reward as was shewed so saith the Apostle Christ will judg the quick dead at his appearance Kingdom in 2 Tim. 4.1 and all these four marks of that part of Judgment are the proper Characters of the Judgments of the said great Day which belong also to the last Judgment above 1000 years after Daniels as Rev. 20.11 to the end after the last Gog and Magog shall be destroyed and here we finde not any of these marks of that Judgment at any other time when the Old World or Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed though these are both in some respects made patterns of the other by our Saviour Luke 17. Sodom and Gomorrah probably of the first when many terrible Judgments will finde out many sorts of wicked men c. and the other a pattern of the general destruction of the world by fire as the other was by a Deluge of Water Jerusalems first and second destructions are also patterns and the Pagan-Idolators and Persecutors destruction which is set forth like a day of Judgment Rev. 6.12 to the end and so in that large description of the desolation of the Churches enemies Esai 34. throughout the whole Chapter but in none of these or any other do we finde these four Characters peculiar to the Judgments of the said great Day but only in Dan. 7. and Rev. 20. we read of many excellent points Christ informed such as lived in the visible Church or such as have to do with his Servants there as by him that had not the Wedding garment Matth. 22.11 shewing that nothing will serve Professors but being by faith invested with his righteousness and by three Parables together Matth. 25. First that the foolish Virgins were shut out for want of true faith and grace though they were formal Professors and his own Servants whether Ministers Magistrates or other Christians in the Church to whom the Talents were delivered to improve when he went into a far Country viz. to Heaven as he expounds it Luke 19. when one failed he was condemned and in that 3d which is more general but yet restrained to the visible Church likewise or such as had to do with his Servants whom in their afflictions or persecutions they should have fed clothed visited which he looks as done to himself but for the want of this all such will be condemned And alas alas how few consider any such proceeding of Christ in Judgment that are deeply in such case concerned men are in these days far short of the love compassion and zeal of the Primitive Christians who sold their possessions Acts 4.37 But to omit many passages to like purposes as some to be condemned by the Law some without the Law by their own Conscience some by the Gospel c. but above all Christ hath in the said Revelation made many great points known not known before of the said Judgment of the Great day as that there is a second act or general Judgment to be celebrated by Christ as well as that Daniel had the Vision of and he had before confirmed and shews what distance of time shall be betwixt them viz. above 1000 years and what things are to intervene betwixt them in the 1000 years and how the last shall be brought on by Gods raining fire from Heaven upon the last attempt of the last Gog and Magog and at his sitting on the Throne Heaven and Earth should be dissolved and the Earth the Sea and the Grave shall give up their dead that they shall be judged by their several distinct books the elect out of the Book of life and the Devil first be cast into the lake of fire where the Beast and false Prophet were cast before 1000 years and more and so should death and hell afterward which in such respects seems to shew their utter end in the world as in Chap. 17.11 but more to them that are capable of more these by Christ are Divinely delivered of the said Judgment no where in Scripture so made known before and so of both Resurrections after Esay and David then Daniel had much mystically shewed him in Vision that they sat on Thrones set for them and Judgment or power of judging was given then to the Saints but that the suffering Saints should come at that time with Christ coming in the Clouds of Heaven and be raised by Christ to reign with him 1000 years before the raising of the rest of the dead good or bad and that all the promised mercies should then be fulfilled to them none could reveal these but Christ who had this Book with seven Seals given to him by the Father in such a glorious manner when none else in Heaven or earth was found worthy to open it or look into it or much less to fulfil the contents of it but only the Lamb that had as it were been slain and lived again but will then appear to be the Lion of the Tribe of Judah the Root of David as well as the Branch the Father only reserved these things to be made known by his Son the Wisdom of the Father the Eternal Word in the bosom of the Father and therefore these his Divine Oracles concerning all such last things are chiefly to be attended to as Gods and Christs utmost infallible resolution of all such things as were not so fully and particularly explained concerning Resurrections or Judgment of all sorts before or what is to be fulfilled upon the foundations of the Prophets in the interim of the 1000 years betwixt both the Apostle Paul who was rapt into the third Heaven reveals many things of the Resurrection shews some Mysteries of that the Judgment 1 Cor. 15 1 Thes 4. and elsewhere but much thereof cannot from thence be rightly expounded without Christs said Revel ch 20. which therefore seems in these respects much more clearly and distinctly delivered than any of that Book before or after as
we hope to shew and therefore these Revelations of all such last things are not to be explained by other Scriptures that speak not of such things but all others that either speak in general of them or not explicitly of many of the said particulars are in those respects to be explained by our Saviours Revelation whose wisdom is infallible his truth unerring being the saithful and true witness and all such his Revelations are utmost resolutions in the case and sure foundations therein to rest upon and the rather because of the Divine charge to the contrary with the terrible penalty annexed unto these Doctrines which is very evident doth respect the same especially Chap. 22.18.19 concerning willing at least or much more willful adding to or taking away any thing from the Prophesie of this Book which ought not slightly to be overlooked besides many other considerations which might be added that of 1 Cor. 15. ver 23. as the Revelation explains it Christ was the first fruits of the Saints Resurrection above 1600 years before his coming at Antichrists destruction when the suffering Sts. shall rise which he brings with him ita deinde as saith the Apostle then cometh the end as in Rev. 20.1000 years after and more and a reason is added all Christs enemies must first be put under his feet viz. first Ezekiels Gog Magog Turk Pope as we shewed and all taken then out of Christs Kingdom that offend and 1000 years after when the last Gog and Magog Rev 20. shall be destroyed and the Devil that seduced them cast into the lake of fire then will the last enemy death also be destroyed but in the interim all the said thousand years saith the Apostle he must reign till that last enemy death be also destroyed after which he will deliver up his Davidical Kingdom to the Father as was said ver 24. but at ver 51 52. he declares certain mysteries not known before concerning the general sudden rapture and change at the last Trump and last Resurrection which suit with Revelation order also though those mysteries and Christs last descending with a shout at the same time 1 Thes 4. seem to be only revealed to the Apostle Paul yet the distinction of Christs bringing his said Saints with him at his next coming 1 Thes 3.13 and 4.14 and his sudden rapping them up above 1000 years after to meet him in the Air when he descends with the said Trump of God v. 16. at the coming of the Lord as it is also called ver 15. from which time they shall ever be with the Lord which was not true from the former as by Revel 20. is manifest which is also another evident ground of distinguishing the same and by the Revelation-order so to be explained which is not to be understood according to any mens apprehensions of other Scriptures but other Scriptures to be explained by that in all such matters as God hath given unto Christ in that most Divine Book to resolve his Church of in such particulars therein held out and as for that of Peter 2.3 upon which some mistaken apprehensions of some seem to have put some difficulties by the help of the Revel may easily be resolved if we consider he speaks both of the Scoffers of the last times and to faithful Christians likewise and suits considerations useful for both to the Scoffers he offers the consideration of the day of the Lord that is the great day of Judgment wherein is the morning Judgment contained when Christ is said to come as a thief at the end of the 6th Vial Rev. 16.15 about the Armageddon battle as here he is said also to come as a thief in the night then will be the consuming of the body of the Beast by fire Dan. 7. and ver 10. a fiery stream issued from the Ancient of days at that Judgment but this seems by our Saviour besides other considerations to be a partial destruction chiefly falling upon wicked men compared Luk. 17. to Sodoms and Gomorrahs destruction that will find out such where they are But then the deluge of fire and the passing away of the Heavens as Rev. 20.11 both which by Revelation-Prophesie are manifest to be above 1000 years after the Armageddon-battle when the Beast and salse Prophet were taken and said to be cast into the lake of fire burning with Brimstone Rev. 19.20 but both these burnings the first partial the second general and ultimate are contained in the day of the Lord or the Judgment of the Great Day as Christs Revelation also teacheth without which this Text with many others could not be soundly resolved for his bringing in the exception of the New Heavens and New Earth v. 13. that is on the Saints part to comfort them against the Scoffers in these bad times not that they will be after the last destruction of the World but that there was such an happy state coming on wherein they were interessed though both at the beginning and ending of the day of the Lord such fiery Vengeance was in store for such wicked Scoffers hardned by Gods long sufferance in these last Days which the Apostle prophetically spake of and this Exposition from the warrant of this Divine Book given particularly for many such purposes and therefore stiled the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his Servants c. is more satisfying to my Conscience than all the differing apprehensions of men whatsoever concerning the same Quest And whereas it may be questioned by some whether these Interpretations being mysterious be according to the intent of the Writers of those or the like said portions of Scriptures Answ That is not so much to be respected as that they be according to the minds of the Inditer of them who taught all his Messengers and Amanuenses to write and deliver what was Divine and sacred truth whether he gave them full Interpretations of them at the same time or not sometimes it is evident he did not as when Daniel was denied the knowledge of the times of the end therefore he said I heard but I understood not Dan. 12. and the Disciples could not understand the fulfilling of the Prophesie of Hosea Ch. 1. of the calling of the Gentiles then till by Vision to Peter and and gifts of the Spirit and the like he had resolved them and it seems probable that neither Moses in his Song for Posterity Deut. 32. or threatnings in order Lev. 26. or in penning Jacobs Prophefie or Balaams Parable as they all respected the last times did so understand them so whether the Apostle Paul or Peter in those things being guided by the Spirit of Christ to write concerning matters directly respecting the last times did know the particular meaning of them in those respects as they are explained since by the Book of Revelation I must ingeniously acknowledge that in things which were so by the same Spirit of Christ further in due time to be
the clearness of their call as well as the generality hence when that Lord of Lords and King of Kings so conquers his Enemies those that are with him are said to be called and chosen and faithful Rev. 17.14 called as having Christs Commission for it chosen as being Saints and faithful to do his said work against all discouragement or opposition 3. They are blessed as being first come out of Babylon for that they partaked not of her Sins before nor her Plagues then Rev. 18.4 2. They are also blessed in doing Gods work then and executing his just Judgments written of before Psal 149. ult upon his and his Churches great enemies So was Jael blessed Jud. 5. so they shall be blessed that dash that Babels little ones viz. her doubly spurious off-spring against the stones Psal 137. for so will Christs Church not only be freed from that Tyranny but much happiness will ensue thereupon to all Saints in Christs Kingdom and the Marriage of the Lamb with the happy Restitution of all things c. Now for the other annexed Questions respecting the illustrations in of the Angels revealing that matter we answer briefly first the Apo. Joh. must write what concerns the said Marriage Supper as a thing most sure from Gods predictions Gen. 3.15 from Enochs Prophesie Daniels Vision chap. 7. and 2dly a suitable reason is given by the Angel These are the true sayings of God not said faithful as of the promised Mercies twice afterwards which is heedfully to be observed for this only respects the predictions as we said of the Enemies removal here for the expressions of the Holy Spirit are very curious concerning both 3dly he engages him to worship God now and afterwards chap. 22. by reason varieties of salse Worship would come up in the world by Heathens and Antichristians till those times he spake of should come 4. He saith he was of his Brethren viz. the Prophets chap. 22. and that he had also the testimony of Jesus for all that we are to believe of Jesus is testified by the Prophets as were all these mysteries here made thus known to him by the Angel whereupon 5. he adds this reason of all these Revelations That the Testimonie of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesie so surely resolving both here and in the following chapters that we must look to the Prophets for the foundations of all these things concerning Christs Reign and Kingdome and the preparations to it and all that belongs unto it and to all such as shall have part with him therein of all which the Angel Christ probably in Vision had generally taught chap. 10.7 when the Mystery of God should be finished as he hath declared saith he by his Servants the Prophets so that all these Revelations must be understood concerning Christ according to that Spirit of Prophesie Nothing to be added nothing to be taken therefrom chap. 22.18 19. and also manifesting they must all be fulfilled before the end of the world when all Prophesie will be accomplished But I only touch upon these things to prepare for the better unfolding of the Text being very needful to that purpose and also give much light being rightly understood not only to that text but in a good part to much that concerns that whole state of Christs said Reign with his Saints the 1000 years The Second Reason of such placing them is from the special Use which is here to be observed namely in regard the 20th chap. to ver 11. is first placed as the table of the good times of Gods Church to come in reference whereunto the great things that follow are after considered and the last Judgment from ver 11. is there added as the boundary of the same table according to the excellent Divine contrivance of this book even as that former Table of the bad times chap. 11. which contained about 1700 years under the Dragon and others to the end of the Beasts 42 months to the end of those suffering times of the Saints which table hath also for its boundary from ver 14. the happy times and state following in some generals to the end of the chap. but not as included in the same Table and as the chief measure of those times after the Red Dragons persecutions is the two Witnesses 1260 dayes of years their Prophesying in Sackcloth whom God calls my two Witnesses and to whom I will give power against the gret a Beast though Prophesying in Sackcloth so the chief measure of these good times is the Reign of Christ with his raised Saints in the 1000 years whom he calls my King upon my holy Hill of Sion Psalm 2. when the world hath done its worst yet saith he c. I will set my King c. by which also all those things that follow chap. 21 22. are to be measured for their continuance which is another reason of such placing that Table before the last Judgment which is the boundary following the times thereof and so in both the said Tables Primum in utroque genere est mensura reliquorum and so both these Tables have their distinct considerations as containing in them both all the times of Revelation Prophesie viz. about 2700 years besides the little space of Satans loosing chap. 20. all to precede the last Judgment The first Table links together the double Scheme first of the Civil Roman state under the seven Seals in the times of some of which the Heathen stare persecuted and killed the Saints chap. 6. whereupon out of the 7th Seal proceed the seven Trumpets bringing on the ruine of that wicked Roman state First by the four first Trumpets that felt mostly upon the Western Roman Empire and deadly wounded it by the incursion of the Barbarous Nations as Almands Goths Vandals Huns Alanes Burgundians Frankes and the rest breaking the Empire ruining the Government of Emperour City and Senate in chap. 8. for about 200 years and by the two following Woe Trumpets of Saracens and Turks first half the Eastern Roman Empire was harased and lost chap. 9. to ver 11. and after wholely overflowed by the Turks First by the Saracens till about the 1300 year of Christ when the Turks day and hour and month and year began when the Ottaman Family obtained the power for 396 years by that computation both which are contained in chap. 9. but the 7th Trumpet which will dispatch them both is added after this first Table chap. 11.15 whereby is linked with this the Scheme of the Ecclesiastical state running again through all the said times respecting that also as contained in the little open book chap. 10. beginning chap. 12. with the primitive state of the Church in her purity but soon set upon by the Dragon and his Angels fighting against Michael and his Angels till God by that famous Emperour Constantine the great cast down the Dragon but after upon the Dragons flood the Woman entered into her Wilderness condition for her time times
the end of the World Mat. last and last So that as he needs no such so he ordained no such Officer as shortly he will be taught to know and all the deluded part of the world that follow him to their cost But if that had been this tenth part of the City I conceive it would have been past before this time But it seems there will be some good and peaceable times in that Plateia at the fall of this tenth part of the City in the West though though the 2d Woe continue longer in the East because at the end thereof before the 7th Angel begin to sound it is said the 3d Woe cometh quickly no remarkable occurrents then and there said to intervene for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quickly or swiftly is in this book to be understood in the due order of accomplishment whereby Christ hath inseparably linked together the first and last things of neer 1700 years distance hence he saith in the beginning Rev. 1.1 that they are things which must 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shortly or swiftly come to pass viz. in the said-determined order which due order N. B. is in this Book Doctrinal being the Divine purpose of setting it so down c. and likewise it is again said Behold I come quickly or swiftly the same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being used about the end of 1700 years after in the end of the last ch the most of which said 1700 years from Christs birth is contained in the 19 first chap. of this most Divine Book before the 1000 years being chap. 20. but is not said to come presently or immediately and the ending of the great Earthquake before the fall of the said tenth part of the City with the 100 slain in the West and that glory then to be rendred unto God by that said remnant there all which imply the compleating of the said ascention of the finishing Witnesses and therewith some respite from former sufferings before the 7th Trumpet called by some the Woe joy Trumpet shall actually begin to sound besides the time of that coming quickly not presently may be considerable there for when that sounded ver 15. great Voices of Joy were heard in Heaven saying the Kingdoms of the world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and at the beginning thereof as we shewed from chap. 19.9 11 c. Christ will destroy the Beast and false Prophet the interim before which after the said fall of the tenth part of the City when the second Woe ended v. 14. seems I say to import some intermission of the Churches trouble in the West before that time oppressed by the Beast there though some of those Sealed ones in the East chap. 7. may continue that interim under the pressures of the Turk during the second Woe there c. Which brings in also the good times of the 2d Table which we spake of in chap. 20. wherein is contained Satans binding Christs and his Saints Reign so exactly strongly and clearly asserted by Christ to be 1000 years with its Contemporaries first before it chap. 19. viz. the coming of the Marriage of the Lamb and his wifes making her self ready ver 7. and after it also chap. 21. 22. when will be the New Heavens and the New Earth the New Jerusalem with the Nations saved walking in the light thereof also the pure River and Tree of Life in the middest of the street of the City all to continue that said 1000 years in the world until Satans loosing which are after expounded c. 21 22. as depending on c. 19.7 it is agreeable as was said to that Antient Prophesie Deut. 32.41 42. of the beginning of Revenges upon the Whore and Beast before Jews and Gentiles then rejoice together c. when many Halelujahs will be Sung upon those accounts in the beginning of chap. 19. to ver 7. when the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth So then these two excellent Tables have their distinct considerations in the said Divine contrivance for divers excellent purposes and the said boundaries of the times of each are not to be taken into them as set in their proper order and place so as what follows must needs therefore be after them in time It was not so in the experience of the former Table and it will not be so in the latter which being well understood with what we have here said upon that occasion may accordingly be as we desire and endeavour whilst time and opportunity serveth to give light to this part of this most Divine Book and the rather being of late very sensible of the Infirmities of old Age now fast incroaching upon us and this more especially because the very Cream and Marrow of all faithful Christians Interest included in these mystical parts of the Gospel of Christ may hereby be made more conspicuous and comfortable unto them which also we hope by resolving other following Questions may farther appear and hereunto Mr. Medes judicious Synchronisms are very subservient as in our Scheme of the whole Revelation may be observed but the main business is there set down in this last table viz. the reign of Christ with his raised Saints for which Reign their said bodily Resurrection makes way as was shewed being the chief thing in reference whereunto all that are after explained chap. 21 22. to belong to that state as to their time are determined by Christ to be to continue 1000 years and from thence he sets down Satans loosing with the last Gogs Magogs destruction leading in the last judgment which seemed necessary to be so explained according to our Saviours Divine Wisdom as the most full Revelation of what should be useful to be known by his Church for the most full explication of Enochs Prophesie or Vision of the great day of Judgment as Jude speaks of which Daniel chap. 7. seems only to explain the first act or matutinum judicium at the destruction of the Beast above 1000 years before but by this Divine Table we are directly brought in this order of Prophesie to the last act or Vespertinum judiâ—ium of all sorts good and bad much more clearly than was revealed before in sundry particulars c. but he then returns back to the predictions of the Propheâ—â— concerning the said 1000 years reign of Christ with his said Saints or times of Gods making all things New as the Context before and after manifest And this will appear in that which concerns the first particular viz. of the New Heavens and New Earth Esa 65. from ver 20 21 22. where many things are nam'd respecting those in the natural life as is observable for antient Prophesies are the Foundatiocs of them all c. But 2dly if it were supposed they were after the general Judgment it might then be enquired what use in reason they could be conceived to serve for since Scripture gives no ground for any such matter but contrarily resolves
be part of the Restitution which God will then effect as we hope in due place farther to manifest from this Text. But for the clearer discovery of what hath been said let us a little look back again to the beginning of this Chapter where it is said this Holy Man had the Visions of the New Heavens and the New Earth which as to their time was not after the last Judgment as was said neither is there placed before it that usual expression in this Book when things which follow are spoken of After this I saw as chap. 18.1 chap. 19.1 but are 1000 years before it as is very evident neither is it any New making of the Material frame of them but they will be Prophetical Heavens and Earth as was said suitable to that Kingdome wherein Christ will reign with his raised Saints as the wood witnesseth of which Kingdom these are to be considered as the integral parts for never came such a King into the world before that must not only have all Nations to do him service and the Heathen to be given to him for his Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for his possession but when he comes all the Elohim Angels or Gods must Worship him yea all knees in Heaven and Earth and under the Earth must then bow and be subject to him owning him to be Lord but he must also then have those New Heavens and New Earth then made for him and his Spouse As Satan had his Mystical Heavens before when the Pagans worshipped Sun Moon and Stars Their Mercury Jupiter Mars Apollo with the multitudes of their Heathenish false Deities And hence it was under Christs spiritual Kingdome of the Stone that there was in the primitive times a great Battel in Heaven betwixt Michael and his Angels and the Dragon and his Angels Rev. 12. but the issue thereof was that the Dragon was cast down from his Heaven to the Earth And as God very remarkably by the Ministry of the Prophet Jeromiah caused it to be proclaimed before the Captivity of Babylon chap. 10.11 and that verse is only written as Mr. Mede well observes in the Caldean Language whither that People was shortly after to be led Captives The Gods said he that made not the Heavens nor the Earth even they shall perish from the Earth and from under these Heavens and accordingly chap. 25. God sent by him a Cup of Wrath to be drunk by those many Nations that owned such Gods And afterwards neither Bell nor Merodach of the Caldeans could save themselves or their Worshippers from their Enemies nor the Graecian Monsters and multitudes of feigned Gods and Goddesses could deliver themselves or those that served them and when Pagan Rome had ingrossed the Idol Gods of all Nations which they subdued they were at Christs first coming struck dumb and ceased to deliver their Oracles as formerly and after by Constantine the Dragon was cast out of his Heaven to the Earth and likewise that Beast that rose out of the Earth afterwards with all his Paganized Christianity of Popish Idolatry will shortly also find Jeremiahs Proclamation true That such Idol Gods shall perish from the Earth and from under these Heavens for not only all such supposed Heathen Gods but all Pagano-Christian Idols also will be then totally and finally casheired for ever out of the World Psal 97.7 Esa 2. And such like Heavens were ascribed in Scripture to Kingdoms and States according to many Oriental Notions as Mr. Mede observed who reckoned what was Superiour in their States were their Heavens as Monarchs and Governours and what was Inferiour their Earth But these New Heavens and New Earth being of an Heavenly Excellency not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the Opinions or Customs of the vain World but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to Truth are to be taken for what God hath promised then and as his Word sets them forth the Heaven of Angels will come with Christ then to wait upon him and to worship him and Christ coming personally with them then will make it an Heaven indeed and then also he brings all his Saints that sleep in Jesus with him so that there will also be then an Heaven of Saints also as he speaketh at the Whores Destruction chap. 18.20 Rejoyce thou Heaven ye Apostles and Prophets and even that Mystical Heaven the New Jerusalem shall then come from God out of Heaven as is explained v. 2. which is called the Bride the Lambs Wife ver 9. and for her also with the Lamb be made then also the New Earth wherein will dwell Righteousness 2 Pet. 3. when not only the Tabernacle of God will be with men as ver 3. but her Officers shall be Peace and her Exactors Righteousness Esa 60.17 and all that happiness in that time of refreshment from the presence of the Lord Acts 3. and as follows ver 4. that God will not only wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death nor crying nor pain but Christ will personally dwell with them in that Tabernacle wherein he was before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 only for a little while made lower than the Angels as we said but then he will be exalted far above all Principalities and Powers and every Name c. and continue to dwell with them and be their God and they shall be his people and for the assured making of these Integral parts of Chtists said Kingdome viz. the New Heavens and the New Earth is Gods great glorious and gracious undertaking at that time set forth in this text and he that sate upon the Throne said Behold I make all things new c. Now having thus prepared the way by removing these former difficulties and opening the context we shall by Gods assistance proceed to consider the Text it self both in respect of the words and sence thereof which is a farther step and degree of that most excellent Vision given to this beloved Apostle and saith he he that sat upon the Throne said behold I make all things New In which words we have a most excellent declaration of the compleating of Christs outward visible work of Redemption in the world with its Illustration and Confirmation the Declaration is of the happy Renovation of all things in that very determined point of time and occurrence of affairs which the Series and order of this Vision leads to I make that is I now make when the great Enemies are destroyed and Christs Davidical Kingdom is to take place and the Saints raised even in that state of things I make all things New for Christs unalterable order of these things is a doctrinal Foundation as was said and this most Divine Declaration is first Illustrated from the person that spake the words and undertakes the work whole speaking then will be doing as at first so said the Psalmist He spake the word and they were made he commanded and they were created so when the
our Saviour stiles them that shall then be counted worthy of that world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like the Angels of God be manifest to be the Children of God and shall not only be freed from all the evil formerly brought upon them by men shall be made or Devils but also shall by that blessed Resurrection be made capable of all promised good belonging to that state It is very observable how the Spirit of God guided the Apostle Peter to set forth many Divine Doctrines concerning those times in that excellent portion of Scripture Acts 3.19 20 21. first in that apt title he gives them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they are the times of the restitution of all things when God himself saith he will make all things new in this Text by putting them into their due order and frame Secondly they will be times of refreshing Thirdly that their sins will then be blotted out that is one great refreshing But fourthly a greater will be from the presence of the Lord when the Tabernacle of God will be with men and he shall dwell with them Fifthly that God hath spoken of these times by his holy Prophets And sixthly by all his holy Prophets since the world began as we have shewed largely concerning the Kingdom of Christ in the said 12 foundations of the faith thereof and in the Iren and much may be done respecting the Jews and all Gods peoples Priviledges and Mercies belonging to those times which we have or shall farther speak of so that wherever we may find the holy Prophets have spoken any thing tending to break the Serpents head by the promised Seed of the woman his head of Policie or his head of Power which shall in the issue chiefly and fully be performed by him in his execution of the Judgment of the Great Day which was preached to the Old World by Enoch hath been since the great Tradition through alltimes till the Apostle Jude recorded it in his Epistle stiling it as the Spirit of God then taught him the Judgment of the Great Day which since by our Saviour in this most excellent Divine Book is explained to have a first Act or the Matutinum Judicium according to what was long before revealed to Daniel Chap. 7. confirmed also by himself Revel 11.18 and Rev. 19. later end at the ruine of the Beast and false Prophet But the other Act of the Great Day hath fince been by the Father only left to be made known by Christ himself to explain and confirm most fully for the use of his Church concerning the last finishing Act of the said Great Day of Judgment or the Vespertinum Judicium thereof without which his Church had been much in the dark in respect of such great Points of the Doctrine thereof delivered by himself in this most excellent Book which he hath so strongly clearly and exactly done beyond all Parallel in that Divine Table respecting the 1000 years of which and the little space following his Doctrines of the last Act are the boundary as we shewed before and was needful to be explained as being included in Enoch's said Vision or Prophesie thereof which said 1000 years include all those promised Mercies most antiently laid down in the Word of God respecting the Saints in those times either privitively in respect of the evils to be removed or positively in respect of good things to be obtained by them in the particulars beforesaid so unlocked by our Saviours said Divine Key or rather Bunch of Keys as they may be called unlocking the several Cabinets wherein the said Mercies are contained And on the other hand whatsoever of these Mercies for good we find the Prophets have spoken of as to be obtained by Gods people in those times upon any such notion respecting them they are by the Apostle Peter's rule so to be understood with respect thereunto and the words of my Text are a sure Key to open the meaning of them Now since from the fall of the first Adam the Dominion lost by him hath been usurped by the Prince of the Power of the Air that hath all along ever since effectually worked in the Children of disobedience and will not according to the word be fully taken away from him and his Vassels the evil Powers in the world till those two said Acts of Judgment be finished by the said promised Seed the Son of God and since likewise the Word of God gives so manifold evidence of the said promised Seed the Son of God his so taking to himself his great Power and Reigning which Kingdom of David was the highest mercy promised formerly to the Fathers as a Type and from whom Christs Title hath ever since been strongly confirmed and that for the sins of Davids Posterity and people his Tabernacle fell at the Babylonian Captivity so as not to be raised till the time of the Anti-type of Davids said Kingdom come when the Tabernacle of David is said again to be raised as Amos 9.11 so expounded by the Apostle James Acts 15.16 let us from the fall thereof consider what discoveries of the seasons of the raising thereof we can find from the Word of God which are these said times of the restitution of all things spoken of by the Apostle Peter and the renovation of all things spoken of in the Text by God himself Now from the falling of Davids seid Kingdom in the Type to the raising of Christs Davidical Kingdom in the Anti-type we have as Mr. Mede observes a two-fold Calendar in Daniel leading thereunto the great Calendar passeth through all the times of the four Gentile Monarchies set forth by four Mettle Kingdoms Chap. 2. in Nebuchadnezzars Image which he saw and the same again revealed to Daniel by four Beasts destroying each other Chap. 7. so that by these two testimonies both to Jews Gentiles it might be in due time manifest what was there fore-shewed shall in due time ensue both for Christs Kingdom of the Stone or Kingdom of Patience from Christs ascension being that which God set up then Dan. 2.44 to his coming again in which time it should Divinely and powerfully destroy all other Kingdoms at which said second coming it should become the Kingdom of the Mountain or Kingdom of Power filling the whole earth upon Christs taking possession of it Dan. 7.13 14. and there seems to be an exact Table of the times of this great Calendar Chap. 8. of 2300 years and that upon that account ver 17 19. as almost is now by experience explained with the series of Revelation-Prophesie in the 1700 years therein contained the reasons thereof we have set down in our summary of Daniels Visions and for the lesser Calender of the 70 Weeks of years Dan. 9 viz. 490 years the Key of the Times whereof appears to be the 1335 years after the full taking away of Sacrifice Chap. 12. and the setting up of the abomination of desolation most remarkably done by Julian the Apostate
much resistance much depravation much disorder opposition in men and Devils in all the Creatures in it saving that God hath given Christ Power and Authority by degrees aforehand to take it away for which end our Saviour in this excellent Book besides other Scriptures hath much therein set forth the usefulness of Preaching the Crown as well as the Cross though that in the first place but this as a motive to take up the Cross which was formerly of great prevalencie as is storied of the Primitive sufferers that desired Martyrdom that they might reign with Christ in that his Kingdom on earth surely they had much greater faith of these things than is usually found in our days when that world is neer approaching and in this whole Book something is propounded to all the Sufferers in their several times respecting the Jerusalem-state as to the Asian Churches to the Sealed ones Chap. 7. c. for their encouragements as we have shewed in our seventh Convincing Argum. pag. 28 29. But we proceed to some other remarkable portions of Scripture that one way or other point out these times unto us To which purpose we may in a special manner observe that peculiar mark in the the curious Divine contrivance of Revelation-prophesie twice set down therein at the pouring out of the last Vial Chap. 16 17. upon the Air of the Beast probably taking away or binding the Prince of the Power of the Air. Then came a great voice out of the Temple of Heaven from the Throne saying it is done which appears also to be at the time of the sounding of the seventh Trumpet when the Kingdoms of the world become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11.15 which shews their coincidence about the same time and likewise that this great work of Gods renovation concurs in truth with both for the binding of Satan and the Reign of Christ with his raised Saints are fully contemporaries So it is added in the words next following this Text as being here again spoken by him that sat upon the Throne And he said unto me It is done which declares the same time that Satan is bound and Christ reigns this great work will be effected and therefore is another evidence that all things contained in Chap. 21. and 22. belong to the time and state of the said 1000 years of Christs Reign with his raised Saints in his said Davidical Kingdom upon earth But the Question here may be moved What is that that then will be done Ans In General many great enemies and workers of iniquity shall be destroyed but more especially it seems to have respect unto that great Divine Oracle fore-named The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right hand until I make thy foes thy footstool Psal 110.1 at which time likewise Christ receives his Kingdom for his enemies ruine is the beginning of Christs Reign so that in respect of both God himself saith It is done viz. what he himself had promised unto David's Lord before and this time and day seems to be set forth very emphatically upon occasion of the destruction of Gog the Turk then likewise and there also the Holy Ghost seems to use the same Watch-word for the time thereof as here was at the Beasts ruine and that with a great deal of Divine illustration Behold it is come and it is done saith the Lord God this is the day whereof I have spoken Ezek. 39.8 the said Text appears to be of great weight N. B. Quest But how doth it appear that the Turk shall then also be destroyed Answ By Daniels last great Vision Chap. 10.11.12 in Chap. 11. having spoken something briefly of the Persian and more of the Greek Monarchy he comes to the Roman ver 36. and of the Roman Antichrist ver 37 38 39. and then he proceeds to speak of the two Ruiners of the Roman Monarchy viz. the two Woe-trumpets Rev. 9. that is the Saracens and Turkish Mahumitans the first stiled the King of the South the last the King of the North whose History is set down as almost accomplished ver 41 42 43 44 45. as Mr. Mede judiciously applied it except the last his setting his Tabernacle of his Palace in the Holy Land when he comes to his end and none shall help him and then immediately follows then stood up Michael the Prince of Daniels people and in that troublous time delivers them at his appearance probably when his feet shall stand upon Mount Olivet Zec. 14. and that mourning be Zec. 12.10 and ruine of both the first Gog and Magog as well as the last is prophesied very neer together c. And this mark of destruction of both It is done c. seems the more to be observed besides divers others both in Ezech. 38. and 39. and in the Revel because as the Apostle shews Heb. 10.13 Christ had sitten to that time above 1600 years expecting till such his foes should be made his footstool Therefore how fitly is it by God himself so punctually declared both to the Jews and Gentiles that he is not unmindful of his promise to his Son Jesus Christ but as he promised so at that set time It is done as if he should say my Beloved Son hath many hundred years sitten at my right hand expecting this particular season for my fulfilling such my promise to him and now that time is come and it is done this is the day whereof I have spoken Hence also the Holy Spirit directed the Apostle Peter to assert the same thing for time The Heavens must receive him saith he till the times of the restitution of things Acts 3.21 as we shewed formerly more fully and remarkably And since Christ hath left the Book of the Revelation to open Daniels before shut up and sealed Mysteries until the times of the end whilst the Roman Monarchy should continue after God had set up the Kingdom of the Stone from Christs first coming in the 19 first Chapters of that Divine Book unto his second coming Chap. 20. and hath also given the remainder of that Book as a Divine Key or Bunch of Keys to open also the Mysteries of the most ancient promised Mercies and Covenants to the Fathers as we have shewed which are to have their completing from his said second coming in that state of the 1000 years and those times of the restitution of all things in my Text. What pity is it that such matters of so great concernment to all Saints now near approaching are no more considered or understood or duly prized or improved and now indeed is the proper and seasonable time to publish them and make them known when Gods wonderful Grace and Goodness therein w th his Truth Faithfulness in the performance of them shall shortly be beheld with admiration and adoration as in the Text Behold I c. Another remarkable deciphering of these times is the finishing of the Mystery of God when the seventh Angel begins
Woman alone without man the Mighty One to save which God hath laid help on for that purpose Psal 89.19 Thirdly for the Place not in the highest Heavens for that time during the Judgment of the Great Day but in the world until Christs Kingly Office and Business fore-prophesied of in the Word be there sulfilled in destroying or removing the causes of evil in the world viz. wicked men and Devils out of it with their evil effects by sin namely the curse bodage corruption emnity brought upon the Creatures therein under which both men and other Creatures have long 〈…〉 do groan and accomplished all that promised good appoâ—ved for that time and state in the parts of that great restauration and renovation respecting both the raised Saints and those in the â—â—â—ural life according to Predictions and promised Mercies belonging to both sorts then c. which are all most surely confirmed Doctrines to be true and faithful by him that is said to sit upon the Throne in this Text and all as belonging to the Davidical Kingdom of Christ into the possession whereof the raised Saints are brought by the first blessed bodily Resurrection as their Inlet thereinto Secondly This may inform Christians first of the Divine excellencie of this Book 2. Of the incomparable usefulness thereof in those many great respects of the Saints great concernments in that time and state leading them into and securing also unto them their eternal happiness in the highest Heavens upon the compleating thereof and thirdly thereupon of the great Reasons they have to stir them up to the frequent reading diligent study and profitable improvement of the matters set before them by God and Christ therein First the excellencie thereof appears from the Author of it and the manner of delivering it for the benefit and information of the Christian Church God the Father gives it to the Son and he to the beloved Apostle John when he was in the Spirit on the Lords Day in time of his banishment for the word of God and the Testimony of Jesus to be sent unto the Churches being also for that end sent and signified by his Angel Chap. 1.1 Secondly It was given with wonderful great solemnity in respect of things then to come to the end of the world Chap. 4. and 5. God the Father as sitting upon his Throne the Church represented by the 24 Elders and four living Wights about him representing all faithful Christians and Church-guides with whom is the Lamb and the seven Spirits ever present and when none could be found in Heaven or earth worthy to look into that Book or open the Seals thereof it was given to the Lamb to open and fulfil who by his infinite wisdom and perfect power hath and doth and in due time will both perfectly open and fulfil the same in the set order for the accomplishment thereof which will bring unexpressible rejoycing and praise by Angels Saints and all Creatures in their capacities thereupon c. Chap. 5.10 to the end Thirdly The matter is profound and contains highly profitable Mysteries the form is very excellent in a wonderful Divine contrivance as in some small measure we have pointed out as we have in Mercy received c. Secondly for the usefulness it gives encouragement in the worst times of sufferings from many memorandums of Christs Kingdom for the suffering Saints and of the New Jerusalem-state observable in all these times as in our 7th Argum. of the Word written is shewed Secondly Useful in opening the hidden Mystical part of the Gospel and the great Subjects of the last things respecting the first and second said Resurrection of the bodies of just and unjust in their orders and of the first and second Acts of the Judgment of the great Day contained in general in Enochs Vision or Prophesie and in many things explained by Christ and his Apostles but in many other could not be understood without this Book therefore called the Book of Revelation with an Emphasis as the whole holy Scriptures called the Bible and the name of Christ is added to it being the Revelation that only could be made by Jesus Christ the Son of God the eternal word but as manifest in the flesh therefore much is to be looked for from it not to be attained by any other Writings nor many things in the Holy Bible understood aright without the explications of this most Divine Book c. And therefore in the third place hence may all serious and found Christians see what great Reasons there are for them to use all careful endeavours to understand the weighty matters held out and revealed therein they are not secret things forbidden as some in the Old times when men might not look into the Ark of Gods Testament nor things shut up and sealed as many of Daniels Mysteries that were reserved for Christ thus to open in the times of the end or Gospel-times but they are of things whereunto a blessing is annexed to the due reading and search into them and therefore the beloved Apostle is commanded contrarily not to seal them Chap. 22.10 This Book with Daniels Prophetical Visions the hidden part whereof this in good measure is a Divine explication viz. during the Revelation said suffering-times to the 19th Chapter and they are both together given to regulate all Chronologie in the world for 2300 years and more to the end of this sacred Book without which little truth in all times since in that respect could have been found or discerned by all humane Authors so that all Prophetical Chronologie by the Revelation of God the Spirit is given in them both for so long a time viz. from the Captivity of Babylon to the end of the world even as Moses had likewise received his Divinely revealed Chronelogy of all times past to and in his own time for the space about 2490 years when there was nothing but Tradition to have supplied that want which was after in the Books of Joshua Judges Kings and Chronicles contiued upon record until the said Prophetical Chronology of Daniel and Revelation took place which have been since Divinely carried on and so will be as was said unto the end of the world and because Moses and many of those that followed had likewise as the Apostle Peter teaches distinct Prophesies of those last times in the Book of Revelation therefore God in wonderful wisdom faithfulness and goodness hath in that last Table of of the happy times of Christs Church in the world revealed unto us those sure foundations of such unspeakable goodness then to be performed and accomplished not otherwise to be known or believed in many respects which are the peculiar excellencies belonging to and benesits accrewing to the Christian Church by this so Divine Book and are not these great engagements to the study of the same In this Divine Book we have the revelation in a latitude of the end of two special great Mysteries viz. the end of the great Mystery
Babylon and of the great Mystery of her iniquity and the finishing the great Mystery of God bringing in the Revelation of all things as we shewed as well as the Restitution of all things spoken of in the Text which because they are both matters of great and universal concernment of the Saints are earnestly to be enquired into and for the difficulties that may appear in such endeavour serious and judicious Christians may by such conscientious endeavours in the use of good means find them much removed especially by the help of Christs Divine Key in our late Tract on Rev. 20.5 and in this on Chap. 21.5 and as for the bad times to Chap. 20. though things respecting them were at first much more darkly delivered yet by the long continued endeavours of many Ages past and by the experimental accomplishments already of most things therein contained much light is now given to them But now Christians ordinarily need not trouble themselves much in respect of those bad times of the man of sin because upon all accounts they are now almost expired whether we respect the Seal Prophesie holding out the ruine of the Roman Civil State or the Book Prophesie pointing out the like of the Ecclesiastical State or the Table of suffering times Rev. 11. relating to them both containing about 1700 years as was before shewed and fitly in a latitude concur with the two former Mystical Numbers in Daniel leading in the same until Israels great Restauration viz. first that of Dan. 8. ver 17 19 26. of 2300 years from the Captivity of Babylon to Christs appearance leading to the end of 1700 years since Christs birth the second of the Jews and Gentiles blessed times Dan. 12.12 to be 1335 years after the last taking away of Sacrifice very probably in Julian the Apostate Emperors time about Ann. Dom. 365. unto which if we add 1335 it makes up the full number of 1700 years ending at the same period only we must remember some error as was said is found in our ordinary account from Christs Nativity yet in a latitude they all concur and agree whence the ending number of the Beasts 666 years to which the whole number of 1000 being added as is usually understood by many Nations so making up 1666 years from Christs Ascention not from his Birth to about the end of the said 1700 by vulgar account when probably as the Apostle saith he will destroy the man of Sin with the appearance of his coming 2 Thes 2.8 and that Epoca of his Ascention which we also twice published Ann. Dom. 1665. first in our Parallels pag. 37. Secondly in the large Note on Rev. 22.20 page 10. seems also more congruous than of Christs Nativity that as he had at his ascending powerful and glorious Victory and Triumphs over the spiritual powers of darkness as Col. 3.15 so at the end of that date upon his descending again he should have a Visible and glorious Conquest over all his visible soes by making them his footstool when that man of Sin especially is to be destroyed when he will take to himself his great power and reign in the world Rev. 19. Now by such computation of the said suffering times of the Church to Chap. 20. an apt way is offered to apply the Table of them to both Schemes of the Civil and Ecclesiastical Roman-state of the true Churches condition under the 2 last Heads of Government therein namely under Emperors and the Papacie Now for the manifesting that the chief intent of that number of the Beast 666. Ch. 13. is to decipher in a Divine mystical way the ending term of his date we shall further by Gods assistance add some other weighty considerations yet withal acknowledging the divers usefulness of other conjectures upon several distinct accounts as by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of old wherein the said number was found may fitly be pointed out the Country of the Beast whose Language and Laws and Liturgy and even whole Religion are Latin formerly also called the Latin Church and his Country Latium c. which fitly agrees to him in that respect Also 666 for so many Popish Errors as Mr. Durham intimates may point out to us the grosness of his Mystery of Iniquity being a long continued source of multiplied heresies seducements and errors through the course of many hundreds of years against which Christs two sackcloth witnesses have all along born their Testimony even till his measure is almost full And for Dr. Potters late Arithmetical observation setting forth the opposition of the Root of 666 which is 25. and much observable in the Beasts concerns to the root of 144000 of Christs sealed ones being after to be the New Jerusalem-inhabitants both in the East Chap. 7. and in the West Chap. 14. whereof the root is 12. by which their concerns are deciphered also c. And so by many other Notations of the name or number of the Beast in Hebrew Greek and Latin many observable things answerable to the diversity of mens enquiries have been found out as Romagnosh denoting the place of his Seat at Rome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noting the glory of his state like the Sun above the Stars c. as his flatterers would have it and even near blasphemy spake one of them Paulo Quinto Vice Deo setting him in Gods stead but to pass by many others like mentioned by Mr. Bernard in his Key of Knowledge and by others let us now offer our considerations whereupit may appear that the chief intent of the said number 666 is to set forth the end of the said Beasts date Though in respect of some of the other the wisdom power and providence of God may appear in setting forth and fulfilling upon such considerable accounts what concerns such a manifold Monster in iniquity as he is described Dan. 7.24 25. thereby not only prevailing against three Kings or Kingdoms but also in daring to speak great words against the most High by his strange Heresies and Blasphemies as may be seen in in our Abridgment of Daniel on that Verse and think to change times and Laws and persecute the Saints of the most High for his time times and dividing of a time till Christs appearance Dan. 12.1 7. when he shall be destroyed 2 Thes 2.8 But I say that the chief intent of the said number of the Beast 666. is to set forth the said time of his end these further reasons induce me to believe besides what we said before First we have the like in Dan. 5.26 at the end of the Caldean Monarchy at Belshazzers death God hath numbred thy Kingdom and finished it viz. for 70 years foretold Jer. 25 c. Even as Dan. 12.7 the Beasts date was explained to be a time times and a dividing of a time 2. The Epocha or beginning of his 1335 years Chap 12.12 referring to the times of the end when such as were faithful should be blessed were to take their beginning from the