ΕΙΡΗÎΙΚΟΠOR A Peaceable consideration of CHRIST's Peaceful KINGDOM on EARTH to come Rev. 20.4 Rev. 5.10 To be added to the ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΣ or Fore-runner WHEREIN The Proof and Confirmation that such a Kingdom shal be is abundantly established upon a seven-fold foundation more particularly set down in the next ensuing leaf Whereunto is added an Appendix concerning the first Resurrection spoken of Rev. 20.4 5 6. compared with Rev. 11.18 manifesting it to be of the bodily Resurrection of the Just to begin not long after the glorious appearance of Christ and his said Kingdom Breifly and plainly set down for the benefit of all faithful Christians Ezek. 37.24 25. And David my servant shall be King over them and they shall all have one shepherd they shall also walk in my judgments and observe my statutes and do them And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant wherein your Fathers have dwelt and they shall dwell therein even they and their children and their childrens children for ever and my servant David shall be their Prince for ever Dan. 7.21 22. I beheld and the same horn made war with the Saints and prevailed against them Vntil the Ancient of days came and judgment was given to the Saints of the most High and time came that the Saints possessed the kingdom 2 Thess 2.8 And then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming Among the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or forms of Doctrine in the Council of Nice by Gelas Cyzicen History thereof this is recorded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is We expect according to the holy Scriptures the manifesting unto us the appearing and Kingdom of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ and then the Saints of the most High as Daniel saith shall take the Kingdom Answerably hereunto our Received Nicene Creed From thence he shall come at the end of the world to judge the quick and the dead as it is Rev. 11.18 and then follows Whose Kingdom shall have none end as before explained Hoc Omega suis MVNVS Alpha tulit Printed in the Year 1665. THE CONTENTS THe Proof and Confirmation That such a Kingdom of Christ shall be is established in the sequel of this Treatise upon the sevenfold foundation ensuing First From a frame of Christian Doctrine containing the general consideration of Christs three great Offices of Mediatorship as the great Prophet Priest and King of his Church in seventeen Theses with six inferences drawn from them page 3 to 8. Secondly By a visional representation of Old and New Testament Doctrine suitable thereunto from the fourth and fifth Chapters of the Book of Revelations setting forth God the Fathers glory as Creator and the Lambs as Redeemer whence are also other seven inferences deduced to confirm Christs Kingdom to come on earth p. 9 to 35. Thirdly By divers evidences and expressions in those four Apostles writings to whom Christ in a special manner manifested his Kingly glory viz. to Peter James and John at his tranfiguration and Revelation to John and to St. Paul at his conversion from whose writings six several senses of Christs comings are observable since his coming in the flesh p. 41 to 56 Fourthly From the eminent Chronologers of the holy Ghost who writ of Satans three Babels namely Moses of the Tower of Babel Daniel of the Monarchy of Babylon and St. John of the mystical Babylon all which come to their utter confusions at the said setting up of Christs Kingdom on earth p. 57 to 71 Fifthly From the other Prophets of all times with the Psalms in the Old Testament and all sorts of Gospellers in the New Chap. 6 7 8. Sixthly By other Arguments drawn from the Lords prayer and the three usual received Creeds or Articles of Confessions of Faith p. 90 to 95. Seventhly From the most ancient Orthodox Fathers of the most pure primitive times who owned this truth in its untainted purity p. 96. All which with many other useful particulars to be observed occasionally set down in reference to Christs personal reign with his raised Saints will more fully appear First by the contents of each Chapter premised and then by the Chapters themselves in order unto which for brevities sake I refer the Christian Reader In the Appendix the bodily resurrection of the Saints is first explained from the distinct consideration of those two parallel Texts of sacred Scripture Rev. 11.18 and 20.4 5 6. confirmed from sundry Texts of Old and New Testament and many weighty considerations tendered to manifest that first resurrection there spoken of to intend the bodily resurrection of the Saints at that very time whereunto that Revelation of Jesus Christ for his Churches benefit hath particular reference Further shewing that the Antient Doctors and Fathers of the primitive times of the Gospel were of that judgement A TABLE OF CHRONOLOGIE BEcause the help of some Chronologie is very needful to the understanding of mystical Prophesies in the holy Scriptures especially for such as this small treatise is intended for and to that end they may neither be troubled or discouraged with too large or too many or curious notions or varieties of mens opinions concerning the order of times I shall here labour to set down such a general soantling for the use of ordinary capacities that by the help hereof together with what is all along set down ofttimes in the following Treatise they may in some sort have pointed out to them the times the things they therein read of have particular reference unto And this we shall indeavour to set down First More generally until the beginning of the four Monarchies set forth Dan. 2. and Dan. 7. 1. By the great Image Chap. 2. 2. By the four Beasts Chap. 7. Again secondly To consider particularly the times following them 1. Then more generally In the first place consider what Moses compendiously sets down before the general Deluge for the space of 1656. years of the old world as ordinarily it is computed 2. From Noahs flood to the promise made to Abraham about the year of the world Anno 2030. is 374. years Exod. 12.4 3. From the promise to Abraham to the Israelites departure out of Egypt 2460. is 430. years 4. The beginning of the Assyrian kingdom by Nimrod about 1788. which continued to the Chaldean Monarchy by Nebuchadnezzar about 1700. years 5. Take notice the Temple of Solomon was begun about the 3000. year of the world as learned Dr. Usher computes it from whence to the Captivity of Babylon he reckons likewise 395. years being in the year 3395. And may not the Antitype of Solomon and his Temble be glorious at the end of 3000. years more 6. I shall here adde a general computation of Bucholcherus for the apt concinnity thereof reaching first to the Captivity of Babylon and through all following times 1. Israel saith he
was the instrumental deliverer of Abrahams Isaac's and Jacobs natural posterity out of the boudage of Egypt so the spiritual gifts and graces of Christ unto the spiritual seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob are the onely instruments of their spiritual deliverance from the spiritual bondage of sin and Satan when they are conveyed thereby as the Israelites were through the Red Sea of Christs blood and spiritually baptized by him as the Apostle speaketh in the Cloud and in the Sea of spiritual Regeneration and as the Israelites were circumcised when they had passed through the Red Sea the badge of their Covenant with the Fathers so the spiritual circumcision was to be on the hearts of the spiritual seed and as Moses that was the Minister of Circumcision and the Law could not bring the Israelites unto Canaan but Joshua accompanied with faithful Caleb did So the Law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope did as the Apostle saith Heb. 7.19 and even so all the typical Priesthood and Sacrifices and oblations did but seem to set forth to the faith of Gods people what was to be done by the true High-Priest the Lord Jesus Christ by his once offering up of himself for mans sin in the end of the world Heb. 9. So here likewise by Davids providing for the building of Gods house where the Ark should rest as he intended yet was not permitted but it was promised to him and fulfilled when the Ark was gloriously placed there in Solomons time and honoured by evident manifestations of Gods presence there though all the institutions then used in that Temple which was a type of Christs body were but likewise typical of his priestly Office to come under the New Testament so these two famous Kings were eminently types of Christs Kingly Office First As Sauls worldly Kingdom was to be removed to make way for Davids a man after Gods own heart who was annointed of God though sometimes despised of men and as David overcame all the enemies of Gods people as Davids Kingdom was full of troubles at first yet after he had a compleat conquest over all his enemies round about and enjoyed peace on every side So Christ came in a low appearance into the world at least in the worlds eye yet by humbling himself he got the victory he hath been long fighting mystically for his people and shall at last gain them a peaceable Kingdom and all his foes be made his footstool in Gods due time Psal 110. but till that full victory his Ark as in Davids time will be in a moving Tabernacle but when the raign of the true Solomon comes his Ark will be setled his Kingdom shall be peaceable and flourishing Now that these were but types of Christs Kingdom appears by the eclypsing the glory of both First after Davids victory he fell and upon that succeeded many afflictions from his own house to the end of his days The most glorious raign of Solomon at first afterwards ended in as dark obscurity by sin and sufferings and his Son Reboboam grosly provoked Israel to the loss of ten Tribes and afterwards both Israel and Judah were in a declining condition till that whole generation went into Captivity and the Ark of God ceased to be any more with the Jews and though after seventy years according to Gods promise many thousands were brought back to Jerusalem by the decree of Cyrus as God foretold yet the Ark of God was no more amongst them nor they ever after but in a decaying state though God upheld the race of David in the Tribe of Judah yet much in obscurity till Christ that lineally was to proceed out of Davids loins came in the flesh in whom that promise was so fulfilled but yet in the set time when the Scepter was departed from Judah so that the glory of Davids Kingdom was not to be in himself or Solomon or their posterities according to the flesh only but in Christ the great deliverer of his people both from spiritual and temporal bondage and captivity as the Prophets of old abundantly witness and the New Testament confirms as may be shewed hereafter by Gods assistance yea David himself in many Prophesies foretells of Christs Kingdom what never was or can be performed to his meer natural off-spring as besides many others Psa 72. and Psa 137. do plainly shew Again Consider that when some of the Jews came back from Babylon what numerous multitudes not many ages after remained in the Persian Dominion in Ahashuerus and Queen Hesters times scattered as Haman said through all the hundred twenty and seven Provinces that he ruled over toward whom as God shewed mercy to them by Ahashuerus Marriage with Hester a captive Maid of the Jews so thereby seems to be shadowed how Christ the great King of his people though they have been long scattered in the captivities of many generations yet will again betroth them unto him in faithfulness as he speaketh by the Prophet Hos 2.19 which flourishing time of Christs Kingdom is described by the Spirit of God in the thousand years under or after the seventh Trumpet of which many things will be revealed when he shall take to himself his great power and raign Rev. 19. and the Kingdoms of the world shall become the Kingdoms of our God and of his Christ Rev. 11.15 then as he the Angel of the Covenant shews that at the beginning of the seventh Trumpet the mystery of God shall be finished Christ had wrought mystically in his Kingdom before but then he will shew himself in his Kingly authority before the Ark in the Temple might not be seen save by the High-Priest but then the Temple in Heaven shall be opened and there shall be seen in his Temple the Ark of his Testament Rev. 11.19 The Israelites were of old a generation of Prophets as David stiles them Psa 105.15 And do my Prophets no harm for they had such discoveries of God and his works renewed unto them by the Spirit of Christ in the Ministry of Moses in his five Books wherein they were taught of the creation of all things the destruction of the old world the fall of man the way of salvation for old and new world what God had done for them what service and obedience he required of them in what way and by what ordinances they should be accepted of him which no other people had besides them aâ—l the time Gods Ark was amongst them Yea they were also a Generation of Priests then for though onely the Priests in office then in reference to Christ might kill the Saerifices and place them upon the Altar yet in regard they were to bring their own Sacrifices to lay their hand upon the head of their offering to â—â—stifie their faith and acknowledge their sins to testifie their repentance yet it was onely the faith and repentance of the true Israelites that through Christ unto whom they looked spiritually by whose onely propitiation and
out how earnestly the Holy Ghost doth enforce the beleiving of what is set down in the last part of the Revelation strongly and frequently asserting the things in and about those times to be accomplished with calling in the Prophets Testimony 6. Since the Testimony of the Prophets is so earnestly called in for evidence of what is described to be to come in the thousand years in the three last Chapters of that book we shall endeavour to add some Prophesies suitable threunto and tender sundry Texts of the New Testament speaking to the like purpose 7. To make some profitable improvement of this Doctrine for all sorts of persons CHAP. II. Shewing how according to the eternal decree upon the fall of man the Office of Mediatourship was committed to the second person of the Trinity Jesus Christ the onely begotten Son of the ever living God to be executed in his three great Offices of a Prophet Priest and King not onely in respect of particular beleiving souls but in a general consideration more eminently in respect of the three great periods of the World 1. In his prophetical Office under the Old Testament revealing by his Spirit in his Messengers all the counsel of his Father concerning his Church 2. In His Priestly Office under the New Testament By offering himself an oblation for and after by making intercession for the sins of his people at the right hand of God And 3. will also execute his Kingly Office delivering them from all their enemies actually in this world at his appearing and in the thousand years unto the end of the world and thenceforth for ever THe first thing we named to be done See the quotations of Scripture added in the forerunner was the laying down of those Theses or positions agreeing to the holy Scripture and the Analogy of Faith that may make way for Doctrines of this nature which are these that follow First That as the infinite excellency of the nature and being of the Trin-Vne Dietie was everlastingly incomprehensible in it self saving onely so far forth as the same Divine essence hath been pleased to communicate any discovery of it self by word or works or both unto any creatures in Heaven or earth so hath the Trinity of persons in the Unity of the Divine essence both in the eternal decrees and in the execution of all joyntly in their order concurred and so will do from eternity through all times unto all eternity Secondly That all the glory of God the Father was by the eternal decree to be manifest in Jesus Christ his onely begotten Son the Lamb slain in the eternal decree of the Father before the foundation of the World was said and according to the said eternal decree the Holy Ghost one God co-essential and co-equal with the Father and the Son proceeds from the Father and the Son the Mediatour between God and man as the sole efficacious worker and accomplisher of all spiritual good in and for Men and Angels and all real good in all creatures which in their several orders and natures they were capable of receiving Thirdly Accordingly in the creation God made the world by his wisdom the eternal word Joh. 1. The Spirit sitting as it were upon the surface of the waters then covering the earth powerfully to produce the creatures then to be made and so both the Heavens with the Angels as Divines conceive and the earth were made the first day Gen. 1.1 as all that were made in the whole world afterward in the five following days which the word Elohim in the Plural number put with the Verb Barah in the singular number denoting the Trinity of persons in the unity of essence seems to declare whose concurrence in the making of man is likewise very remarkably exprest when God said Let us make man in our own image after our likeness c. Gen. 1.26 Fourthly The making of Angels in Heaven and man and all creatures in the world was in the execution of the eternal decree of the said incomprehenfibly glorious Trin-une Diety in their several orders natures stations and conditions Fifthly As no other but the holy and good will and pleasure of the infinitely glorious incomprehensible God was the reason and cause why they were all made absolutely as they were so that they should be for himself as his word witnesseth as their utmost end and no other inconsistent reasons or ends ought to be given or assigned by men Sixthly As the whole creation was all good suitable to the Author of it so the preserving ordering over-ruling and disposing of all creatures according to his good pleasure by his infinite wisdom power providence and goodness is not to be measured or judged by any scantling of any created capacity who will notwithstanding be justified in his saying and clear when he is judged there being in such his proceedings so many fathomless depths in respect of creatures which it is not lawful for any men to search into further then Gods word doth warrant them but in things not revealed or forbidden they are not to enquire Seventhly Since God according to his said eternal decree and good pleasure of his will at the fall of our first parents in Paradise revealed and testified his wonderful powerful grace That the blessedâ—eed of the woman should break the serpents head there is sufficient ground for ever to humble all mankind and for ever to exalt Gods free and rich grace therein and all men are thereby engaged to use all Gods means to obtain their part therein Eighthly According to the declaration of that wonderful rich and free grace of God for the salvation of his people and for carrying on of his great design therein as the Father Son and Holy Ghost by an eternal decree had purposed so to be wonderfully glorified in the powerful redemption and salvation of his elect people in such a way of free grace So in the creation of all things all sorts of creatures were made in a capacity to carry on that design and from that very period of their first being holily most wisely over-ruled and disposed of in reference thereunto and so ever since have been are and shall be most wonderfully holily and powerfully though many times secretly and unsearchably throughout all ages by the joynt concurrence of all the said three persons of the most sacred Triâ—ity in their order of working to the infallible perfecting and compleating of the said design decree and purpose Ninthly That the management and administration of the great work of Mediatorship between God and man ever since the said promised seed was revealed to our first Parents hath been committed to Jesus Christ the Son of God who in his Word commands all men to hear him by acknowledging receiving and obeying him Tenthly that the management and administration of Mediatorship between God and Man hath ever since been executed by Christ in his three great Offices wherein he and he onely is to appear most
come The former Doctrine illustrated from Rev. 4. Where first is a brief summary of that Chapter in respect both of the Vision and the Doctrine with the improvement thereof pointing out in the general how that fourth Chapter holds out the Doctrine of the Old Testament namely the knowledge of God our Creator three in persons one in essence as the fifth Chapter aâ—â—â— of the New Testament in the knowledge of God our Redeemer By the Rain-bow in the fourth we are minded of the Covenant made in the Second person through whom so long time of repentance was allowed to the old World and mercy to the new but special grace to Noah Gen. 7. and those with him in the Ark Concerning which many things are observed As also of the Ark afterward appointed to be made by Moses to evidence the grace of God to his people in Christ through whom he was propitious to them and whose three Offices were remarkably set before his people in all those times and wherein the glory of his Mediatorship was so to be manifested as appeared by the many and various types thereof in several times under the Old Testament which contains the substance of all Gods Revealed Will. IT will not here be needful to multiply Texts of Scripture to confirm the former Theses or Positions for the main substance of them which in most Systems of Divinity is already done to my hand Onely I shall endeavour in that which may haply seem more unusual by the assistance of Christs Spirit and word remarkably called Rev. 19.10 The testimony of Jesus which is the spirit of Prophesie and that remarkably I say in divers respects As First Efficienter He being the prime worker of it Secondly Materialiter as being the main subject matter of it Christ Jesus being held out in the whole Scripture from the begiuning to the end Thirdly Formaliter as being the essence and substance of it Fourthly Finaliter As being the drist end and scope of it In which testimony to the said purpose for illustration and evidence of what I say may seem more unusual I shall endeavour compendiously to consider some things contained in the fourth and fifth chapters of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ holding out the sum and substance of Old and New Testament Doctrine summarily and very divinely representing God the Father Son and Holy Ghost as the reconciled Father Saviour and Sanctifier of his true Church as Creator Redeemer and Preserver thereof who in each regard is acknowledged and praised by the representative four living Wights or creatures as Ezek 1. they are called or beasts as translated and the twenty four Elders in the joynt concurrence of all the three persons for the manifesting and managing of all the contents and affairs of this book of the Revelation committed to sesus Christ the sole Mediator of his true Church Who being that Lamb that was as it had been slain chap. 5. had that book delivered to him to open it and look thereon and to open the seals thereof The Vision Ezek. 1. and Isa 6. seem somewhat to be of a like nature to these though not so large and full in Ezek. 1. the Prophet saw a great cloud with whirlwinds and fire vers 4. afterwards he had the description of the four living Creatures by theirfaces feet wings with their joyning by their wings vers 5 to 12. then their proceeding vers 12 14. afterward the wheels that moved with the living creatures and wheels within wheels from verf. 14 to vers 26. where there is somewhat a like representation of the sacred Trinity of persons to the end of the Chapter as in Rev. 4. and more explicitly Isa 6. it is said one of the Seraphims cried one to another Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory In both which Visions whether the four living creatures in Ezekiel were Angels or as they are called in Isa 6. Seraphims or rather as they seem to be taken Rev. 4 5. chap. were men imployed by God to wards his Church or whether the moving of the wheels with the living creatures signifies Gods secret and powerful working by Angels or men regularly working in his Church by his appointment which are sent by him from time to time I will make no conjecture Only as to the business in hand what light I conceive by any help or assistance from God or men I have attained through grace I shall here communicate and leave to his blessing Those two Chapters Rev. 4 and 5. as to the particular occasion of the Lambs receiving the book and his manifesting the contents thereof to the Apostle John seems to be the setting of the Scene and Chorus as it were of a most admirable Tragi-Comedy which resemblance Mr. Mede with others likewise useth whose learning and judgement in opening many mysterious things in the book of Revelation seems to decypher him to be such a man as Mr. Brightman prophesies of in Rev. 21. That God would stir up in after times to give light to those dark mysteries and chiefly Mr. Mede seems such inregard of his excellent Synchronisms which are the curious work in the Clavis Apocalyptica much helping to open the formerly locked mysteries and may serve as a very helpful guiding thread in passing through many almost otherwise inextricable Mazes and Meanders in that Book But suitable to our present purpose we shall endeavour to speak somewhat of these fourth and fifth Chapters as they seem to be an abridgement of all Doctrine contained in the Old and New Testament In the fourth chapter God is specially made known and honoured in and by his Church as Creator v. 11. In the fifth Chapter Christ is specially made known and honoured in and by his Church as Redeemer v. 9. The Doctrine of both is set forth partly 1. By most sacred visional Hieroglyphicks 2. By most glorious expressions of words to the honour 1. of God the Creatour 2. Of Christ the Redeemer First In the fourth Chapter as Creatour is he mainly set forth as in the Old Testament and accordingly praised for that work v. 11. For thou hast ereated c. And that is set forth 1. By Hieroglyphical Visions vers 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. 2. By Doctrine with the use thereof v. 8 9 10 11. Ver. s 2. By Thrones seems to be held out the true Church of God taken collectively for such a company of Gods people serving him after his revealed Will which is as a Throne whereon only God is exalted in all the world For in Judah was God known and his name great in Israel Psal 76.1 So Psal 147.11 They tell of the glory of his Kingdom c. Verse 2 3 and 5. seems an admirable representation of the Trinity of persons in the unity of essence the first person like a Jasper and Sardine stone but not said what The second person like a Rainbow like an Emrald not said what The third
likewise his Deputy King in Jesurun and so all along in the Wilderness Moses was King and Prophet and Aaron and his Sons Priests So after that when they were to pass over Jordan to enter into the promised Land Joshua is then made Captain to fight Christs Battels under that great King that appeared to him Joshua 5. the Priests carrying the Ark dry-shod through the then overflowing waters of Jordan and Joshua again as a Prophet reveals the pleasure of God unto them not onely in civil affairs as to dividing the iâ—â—eritances but also in spiritual admonitions and instructions upon many occasions c. Again many times in the Judges days when Moses and Joshua's counsels were forgot and their predictions concerning that peoples revoltings were fulfilled yet even then Christ who was from the beginning the powerful great King of his Church ruled many times amongst them and their enemies too apparently as the Scriptures witness even then likewise he raised up his Deputies called Judges as Gedeon Jeptha Deborah Barack Sampson and others again to restore his instituted worship and Priesthood and be deliverers to his revolted and oppressed people as occasion did require instructing them by his prophetical spirit therein But from the beginning of Davids time as we noted these three great Offices were more remarkably and eminently set forth especially while things continued in any tolerable order in the good Kings raigns that followed wherein the glory of Christ the Mediator in his three said Offices as Prophet Priest and King was still set forth in their following times to shew that therein consisted the glory of Christs Mediatorship as much more might be observed in this kind Rev. Chap. 5. The further illustration of the former Doctrine from Rev. 5. chapter where after the summary consideration of that Chapter is briefly hinted the Doctrine of the New Testament therein comprized which first was set down largely before the giving of the Revelation in the writings of the Evangelists and Apostles But secondly there more especially is Christs the Lambs Revelation and execution of the affairs of that book but so as to erect his Kingdom in the issue for which they so exuit vers 10. and we shall reign upon earth wherein the representative Church doth so eminently rejoyce v. 11. and the four living Wights add their fiduciall Amen after the praise of all creatures and the twenty four Elders fall down and worship v. 14. PRoceed we now to the fifth Chapter the Scene and the Chorus being so excellently set in the former Chapter as respecting God the Creatour worshipped on the seventh day Sabbath especially to glorifie him for his great and good work of Creation who as three in persons one in essence Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty so worshipped in the Old Testament untill the coming of Christ the Redeemer who having finished the work of Redemption as the Lord of the Sabbath changed it from the seventh to the first day of the week who in this fifth chapter is said to be a Lamb that was as it were slain who is therefore praised by men Angels and all creatures with him on the Throne for that most glorious work of Redemption and acknowledged in the great benefits that redounded to his Church thereby Where again consider First The Vision with the effect of it Secondly The Doctrine and Use of both 1. By Men. 2. By Angels 3. By all creatures The Vision for the greatest part is the same in substance the decyphering of the Father the Holy Spirit and the Church the same but God the Son who is represented as a Lamb that had been as it were slain whose glorious work of Redemption and Grace towards his true Church is the substance and drift of the Vision wherefore he is accordingly praised First Consider the Vision v. 1. to 8. and the effect on the four beasts v. 8. In Verse 1. A book was in the hand of him on the Throne In Ver. 2 3. A proclamation by a strong Angel for one to open the book Verse 3. None was found worthy in heaven or earth Verse 4. Is the great discouragement of St. John thereupon he wept much as without hope c. In Verse 5. One of the Elders comforts St. John that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah the root of David had prevailed to do it In Verse 9. The former description of the true Church but with the Lamb in the midst of it Who is set forth first by his suffering he was slain Secondly By his victory 〈…〉 killed death and was thence but as it were slain and consequently by his dominion over all things in heaven and earth therefore set forth by seven horns denoting his perfect power Secondly by seven eyes denoting his perfect wisdom and providence in all the earth where by his holy Spirit he worketh as he pleaseth In Verse 7. The Lamb as was told St. John vers 5. takes the book out of the hand of him that sate upon the Throne whereupon follow the effects of the Vision in the Church First Worship by the Beast and Elders v. 8. Secondly Praise by a song Where I. The nature of it A new song for new Testament mercies II. The matter of it Thou art worthy v. 9 10. In the matter of the new song consider 1. An acknowledgement that the Lamb and onely he was worthy to take the book and open the seals thereof 2. The reason of the acknowledgement First from the greatness and extremity of his suffering thou wast slain Secondly By the efficacy and prevalency of his suffering Thou hast redeemed us unto God Where 1. The price by thy blood 2. The extent Out of every Nation Kindred and Language And thirdly the benefit redounding to the Church by such redemption vers 10. Thou hast made us to our God c. and we shall reign Where 1. Here is what all the faithful in the true Church spiritually here obtain They are made Kings and Priests unto God now in this life 2. For advantage and advancement which they shall have in that place where they have served Christ or suffered for his name there they shall reign with him We shall reign upon earth In Verse 11. A Vision of innumerable company of Angels about the Throne the Church In Verse 12. Their song of praise where first the Object i.e. the Lamb whose worthiness they likewise acknowledge for being slain Secondly The right and due belonging to him thereupon viz. That he receive power and riches and wisdom and strength In Verse 13. is the general concurrence of all creatures 1. In Heaven 2. In earth 3. Under the earth In the like acknowledgement and praise to be 1. To him that sits upon the Throne 2. To the Lamb for ever and ever In Verse 14. First The fiducial Amen of the four living Wights Secondly The assent and consent of the twenty four elders manifested 1. By their falling down 2. By worshipping him that lives for ever
began have spoken of those times of refreshment and restitution of all things Act. 3.19 21. Proceed we therefore to consider the Predictions of these two great Prophets in the Old Testament in reference to what is said by them of Christs Kingdom in the new at the erecting whereof all evil dominion and wicked power must be subdued when God according to his promise Psa 110.1 will make Christs foes his footstool and till which time he must fit at Gods right hand which is the more to be observed in that the holy Ghost in six several places in the N. Test hath since his ascention recorded it viz. Mat. 22.44 Mark 12.36 Luk. 20.42 Act. 2.34 1 Cor. 15.25 Heb. 1.13 and in the fulfilling thereof the wonderful glory of God ever since mans fall is and will be very remarkable over-ruling the evil and mischeif of Satan and wicked men to his own glory and his Churches good but more especially at that great accomplishment when he will take to himself his great power as Rev. 11.17 for as the arch-murderer at first who ever since hath been and till that time will be by usurpation for the most part the God of the powers of this world Ephes 2.2 The Prince of the air ruling in the children of disobedience when he had seduced our first parents to the loss of that happy condition in Paradise to themselves and all their posterity by that onely postern gate alone left for that evil one to enter by viz. The eating of the forbidden fruit and upon that deluding bait of pride to be like God knowing good and evil God then both frustrated his and the offenders designs for by knowing good and evil in that way they became like to the Devil and not like to God and to frustrate the Tempters design through the wonderful goodness of the incomprehensibly glorious God there was even then a way made known for a most happy and gracious design of the Almighty by publishing the first promise of Free grace to lost mankind in a sure work of redemption by the Messiah who should fully overcome Satan at the last and break that old Serpents head And thenceforward Christ Jesus as Mediator having undertaken that office the Devil ever since likewise as cursed Cain his first-born murtherer of his brother by building of Cities as is conceived so he by building of Castles of confusion in the worlds air as it were to abate his trembling by working what mischeif he can all the time of his usurped Dominion in all the long Periods of his wicked rule wherein he hath been remarkably erecting three great Babels of confusion therein as towers and powers to carry on his own wicked designs First The Tower of Babel in Shinar Gen 11.4 for dividing of tongues the main source of confusions Secondly The Babylonian Monarchy in Daniels time for oppressive tyranny over Gods people Thirdly The mystical Babel in the last times for spiritual seducement and thraldom until Christ set up his own perpetual Kingdom The mischeif of the first hath continued through all times since of Satans wicked rule and will do till his binding by Christ The misery of the second hath been felt of Gods people ever since For we read not the Kings of Assyria infested Israel from about An. mun 1700 until Pull Tiglath Pilesur about the year 3170. in the time of Zacharia Shallum Menahen 2 King 15. which is above 1400 years and Nineveh is conceived to be built by Nimrod which was all along the Metropolis of the Assyrian Kingdom and will so be while any part of that Image of the four Monarchies remains unbroken and the spiritual infatuation bondage and thraldom of the third viz. The mystical Babel hath lain heavy upon the Church of Christ many hundred of years past as many talents of lead to crush in peices that weak woman the Church and her spiritual seed if it were possible And as God and Satan have had their designs in these so God in his word hath used three eminent Chronologers to keep records of these three Babylonian designs of Satan and to record such things concerning them all whereby the Devils evil purposes might be discovered and the mischeif ensuing to the seduced might be apprehended and the help and remedies which God ever since hath provided against them might be made known for his Churches support and comfort These three eminent Chronologers are first the Prophet Moses in whose writings three parts are observable First B. Usher p. 33. An historical revelation as we may say of what was done before his time from the beginning for about 2553 years Secondly An historical relation of what things God wrought and taught his people to observe in his time morally politically and ceremonially as his then revealed will Thirdly A prophetical revelation of things concerning Gods Church and Christ the Messiah to come and concerning his three great offices of a Prophet Priest and King though in some things darkly yet very certainly as by Gods assistance we may shew for we must observe that the Spirit of Christ by the ministry of Moses in his Pentateuch or five books written by him hath set down the substance of all Christian Religion though in some things darkly concerning the times of the Gospel and that and all the Old Testament is but Novum Velatum the New vailed as the New Testament afterwards is but in substance Vetus Revelatum the Old revealed Christ having by his Prophetical spirit in the first revealed the whole counsel of his Father for the benefit of his Church The second Chronologer concerning the second and third Babel is the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel and in his record we may observe that he saith nothing of what was done before his time as Moses did from the beginning of the world having none before him for that God from Moses writings had done by others successively in Scripture to Daniels time therefore his records were first of things in his own time secondly of all times after to come though somewhat more clearly then Moses therein the third of those eminent Chronologers was the beloved Disciple St. John who beginning at his own time towards the end of the first Century after Christ from thence proceeds to make known the pleasure of God concerning all times afterwards as Christ Jesus by his Angel in the book of his Revelation had declared unto him to the end of the world mystically set before him in many visions to be sent unto the Churches for their information and comfort unto the end And as these three Chronoclers of Gods spirit speak remarkably of those three Babels under several considerations Yet our main drift at present is to shew how that these three famous servants of the Lord have in all their times foreshewed Christs Kingly glory yet still the latter more clearly then the former Yet here take notice of one Prophesie before any of these as it were handed all along by
other Scriptures and instances both in the old and new Testament pertinent to that purpose And that the Doctrine of the resurrection which was all along in Scripture taught gradually before is most fully cleared by the two last Apostles St. Paul in his Epistles and St. John in the book of the Revelation NOw because that Matutina resurrectio which Mr. Mede speaks of called the first resurrection Rev. 20.4 5. By way of Antithesis to the last more general resurrection of the good and bad before not raised is of great concernment to the then living godly and Saints departed before let us confider what the Scriptures set before us concerning the same And because Christ hath more fully revealed to his Church Rev. 20. the pleasure of his father therein more then formerly was made known in the word for the Doctrine of the resurrection in diverse things in the Old and New Testament was revealed by degrees and St. Paul shews some mysteries of it and our Saviour there more Let us therefore in the first place consider the context of what is there said thereof Rev. 20. and then come to the verses wherein it is contained Vers 1 2. The Angel Christ lays hold on Satan and binds him a thousand years which thousand years by the most learned on all hands is agreed to be literally taken for many reasons Vide Parae on Rev. 20.2 besides the emphatical expressions after several times the mention of a thousand years the Spirit of God sets them out with an Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 three times vers 3 5 7. as if he should say these thousand years before-mentioned indefinitely are now so often spoken of demonstratively punctually setting down what was done before what in and after them in all which the word clears the literal sence Verse 3. He shuts him up in the bottomless pit and seals or secures him there during that time but shews he must after the thousand years be loosed for a little season And the fulfilling of that his loosing is set down as this matutina or first resurrection is decyphered vers 4 5 6. For Vers 7. Shews when Satan is accordingly loosed out of Prison Vers 8. Shews how he prevails to gather his hosts of Gog and Magog in great numbers in all the four quarters of the earth Vers 9. Sets down their design to compass the camp of the Saints and their disappointment by fire from heaven that devours them Vers 10. Shews the judgement of Satan in the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and false Prophet were cast before the thousand years Vers 11. And so forward to the end is described the ensuing last judgement where the judge is set down in this 11. verse and his Throne he sat on Vers 12. the persons judged all sorts small and great the ways of their tryal by opening the books and according to their works Verse 13. How they came to the judgement The Sea and Death and the Grave gave up all the dead Vers 14 15. Shews who were cast into the lake of fire at the last namely Death the last enemy 1 Cor. 15. and Hell or the grave with all whose names were not written in the Book of life Now concerning this first resurrection it is largely described in many particulars Verse 4. In the first place are thrones and they that sate on them and judgement was given unto them which seems to be such eminent holy persons as the Apostles or great Prophets assessors with Christ then that as our Saviour promised should sit and judge on thrones at his Kingdom Luke 22.29 30. Secondly All other faithful Saints that lived and reigned with Christ the thousand years Vers 5. declares the different conditions of all others there called the rest of the dead that had not part in that first resurrection Vers 6. Contains the condition quality and priviledges of all the then raised Saints First they are blessed Secondly they are holy and therefore blessed Thirdly They are thereupon secured the second death shall have no power on them they are most safe from the judgement of the wicked that will come Fourthly the excellency of their promotion First to be Priests of God and Christ to offer praise c. continually Secondly Kings to reign with him the thousand years And this the Parallel Text Rev. 11.15 and so forward at the sounding of the seventh Trumpet doth likewise confirm where verse 15. is set down the beginning of Christs reign upon earth and the continuance for ever while the earth continues Secondly the praise of the Church thereupon namely the twenty four elders now without mention of the four beasts as formerly vers 16. Vers 17. There is the object of their praise Lord God Almighty which is and was and is to come and then reigned Secondly The ground of that their praysing him for taking his great power and reigning Verse 18. The occasion opportunity and advantage that Christ took then to take his great power and to reign First of evil unto the evil the Nations were provoked to anger and rage by the Devil against the Saints as also he will do to compass the Camp of the Saints when Satan is loosed Chap. 20.9 and here Gods wrath came upon them in devouring fire and destroyed them that destroyed the earth in the end of the 18. vers Secondly in the middle part of the same verse we have the advantage or opportunity Christ takes of good to the good First of the dead before that They should then be raised and they are of two degrees First Gods eminent servants the Prophets that should have suitable reward to their great service or sufferings or both And Secondly less eminent Saints Again good to the good then alive on earth such as fear Gods name small and great for the blessed and holy dead raised then will be above sear there perfect love as Saint John speaks hath cast out fear Lastly Vers 19. There is described the spiritual glory of the grace of God discovered in Christ above what was before so as peculiar to Jerusalem that comes down from heaven The temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in his temple the Ark of his Testament and on the other hand is set forth the terrour of Gods wrath manifest then against ungodly men to be horribly destroyed from the earth as is set down at this time So Psal 50 1 2 3 4 5 c. Dan. 12.1 which likewise referres both to the good and the wicked Now for the condition or state of the raised Saints it is probable to be like or suitable to what was in Christ before he ascended to his Father that appeared and disappeared as he saw good for his Disciples and sometime eat and drank with them as both the Gospel manifests Vide Mat. 26.29 compared with Luk. 22.18 19. one verse speak of the Passover the other of the Lords Supper and the Apostle Peter saith
vespertina as he sometimes speaks in breif of things far distant as Vers 4. and Vers 7. one of the Primitive times the other of the end of Antichrists time or else of the resurrection after Christs reign on earth only at the last judgment which will then be general both of quick and dead good and bad But thirdly I conceive the best answer is according to the fittest analogie of the two Prophets Ezekiels and Daniels Prophesies and reality of the matter of which they both speak that it is to be understood of both the civil and spiritual resurrection of the twelve tribes that in appearance had long lain like dead bones Eze. 37. but according to both Prophesies should then be as raised from the dead of which at first there will be some of two sorts as we formerly noted some continuing to shine gloriously by their perseverance others falling to shame and contempt by therievoltings about that time of the matutina resurrectio Now for improvement only these two hints First How should the consideration of this Doctrine comfort Christs faithful Saints and Servants against all worldly discouragements which they may for his cause hereafter meet with in any kind for even in respect of this recompence here set before them which they shall enjoy in this world the said thousand years all their sufferings will not be to be compared to that glory which will then be revealed and enjoyed over and above that which will after be added and perpetuated unto them to all eternity Secondly How should it quicken and incite them diligently to endeavour to live to him here with whom they have so abundant evidence that they shall live and reign hereafter Yea and not only to incite them to dye with him too but likewise for him if he require it as is storied of Christians in the Primitive times who from their strength of faith as respecting this Doctrine were desirous of Martyrdom that as the Apostle Paul speaks Phil. 2.10 they might obtain a better resurrection even to have their part in this resurrection of the just whereby will be further most certainly secured to them That on them the seâ—ond death shall have no power Rev. 20.6 but being perfectly holy they thenceforth perfectly happy will doubtless certainly know that upon their rapture to meet Christ they shall be perfected in glory for evermore in heaven THE Penmans Humble Cordial and thankful acknowledgement unto God the fountain of goodness MOst holy and heavenly Father most glorious and merciful Saviour grace-working and truth-teaching sanctifier three in persons one in essence I bless and magnifie that great and glorious name that thou hast been graciously pleased by any of thy wise and holy dispensations of providence by any help of other means so far by degrees to work any apprehensions of these things concerning the glorious Kingdom of my Saviour with his Saints to come on earth as thou hast been pleased through many ages of the world to publish and record therein thy word by thy holy Prophets faithful Servant and Apostles and to affect the soul of thy poor servant therewith who of himself otherwise was every way unfit and unable for such a work being abundantly sensible of his own manifold infirmities both of body and mind above many hundreds or thousands of his brethren in the office of the Ministery But it is thy way whereby as thou art wont by Babes and Sucklings so by other weak instruments to set forth thy praise The glory thereof belongs to thy Divine Majesty who hast therein strengthned me with strength in my soul unto whom I desiâ—e ever to ascribe it for the many strange workings and â—ppâ—ehensions of these things upon my spirit in the silence of the night suitable to what thy word held out and for strengthening thy servant in the often recalling and inlargeing in the day-times the things impressed before upon his mind with frequent burnings of his heart within him as sometime upon thy Disciples of old upon the discoverie of the evidence of these things and of thy grace towards him therein who may not conceal thy goodness nor much less take the praise thereof unto himself which is thy due as thou hast been graciously pleased to strengthen and comfort his soul with this good Gospel news above what earthly prosperity could have have done So bless thy own work by such a weak and unworthy instrument to thy own good ends in respect of all sorts of thy faithful people That we may together learn by faith with faithful Abrabam aforehand to rejoyce in the goodness of thy chosen and glory with thine inheritance and by thy divine and gratious assistance accordingly walk in new obedience that so abundant entrance may be administred unto us not onely into the New Jerusalem in Christs Kingdom upon earth but with him and all the members of his mystical body together in its time may sing our perpetual Halelujahs with all the blessed and glorious Angels to thee the most blessed and glorious Jehovah to all eternity Amen To ' Glory 's God all Glory 's due for aye To him alone this due let all his pay 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The End 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THe Doctrine of the Kingdom and Reign of Christ under the seventh Trumpet is in this tract by the Reverend Author learnedly discussed and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of it clearly and convincingly proved by demonstrative arguments from the holy Scriptures both in the Old and New Testaments especially of the Revelation of St. John into which mystical book much light is given in this Treatise and I judge it worthy of publique view T.P.