we live comprehending within it all visible things from the remoâ—est Stars even to the Earths profundity which is therefore called the Woâ—ld of Fabrication because Death and Stupidity so pâ—evails in the most parts of it that all things in this World seem rather to move in a manner Mechanically than from a vital principle which nevertheless is to be understood in comparison to the superiour Worlds where indeed the vital principle is far more predominant than in this inferiour World nor is this inferiour World in any even the most stupid part of it wholly and in every degree deprived of Life 40. Nothing thâ—reâ—ore which belongs to this viâ—ible World is immediately created â—or this viâ—ible World is not properly a created World but made and composed of pre-existent principles which pre-existent principles belong to the World of Formation and the World of Formation owes its original to the Pre-existent principles of the World of Creation the World of Creation only is properly and strictly created and its production is properly called Creation for this doth not exist from any Pre-existent principles or from a Subject or parts making a whole but has only God the Father and Châ—ist his only begotten Son for its Author and Original 41. Therefore Men born into this World to speak properly are not immediately created neither in respect of Soul nor Body the external or oâ—â—ward Body with the Life thereof is that which belongs to this World of Fabricaâ—â—on but the Soul which is called Neshama pertains to the World of Creation Lastly the Spirit pertains to the World of Formation which possesseth the middle place between the Soul and outward Body and this Spirit by the Hebrews is called Ruâ—ch but the Life and Spirits of the external Body are termed by the same Nepâ—esh therâ— are therefore three vital principles in every Man Neshaâ—a Ruach and Nepâ—esh Neshama of the World of Creation Ruach of the World of Formation and Nâ—phesh of the World of Fabrication moreover Nephesh is the Cloathing or Vehicle of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ruach and Ruach is the Vehicle and Garment of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neshama 42. First of all therefore Men are created in the World of Creation secondly formed in the World of Formation where they assume their Cloathing or Vehicle which is called Ruach and this Ruach is a certain Subtile and Spiritual Body of which sort are the Bodies of Angels and just â—en made perfect thirdly they are made or fabricated in the World of Fabrication and all this is expresly confirmed by Testimony of the Scripture it self Isai. 43.7 Every one that is called in my Name have I created formed and made and consequently according to these words of Scripture the Hebrews call the World of Creation Briah the World of Formation Iezirah and the World of Fabrication Asiah which three Hebrew words are expresly to be met with in the place of Scripture above cited 43. Moreover besides this World Briah higher than which our Original doth not reach if we have respect to the parts composing humane Nature there is understood another World more noble and in the Order of Nature more antient than the rest immediately â—lowing from the Author God himself called in Hebrew Aziluth which signifies the nearest to the most high and supreme God himself and this cannot agree to any other than Christ the Saviour and Mediator bâ—tween God and Men. 44. Therefore those Hebrew Doctors do rightly and truly teach and that altogether according to Scripture Testimony that those four Worlds above-mentioned do exist to wit the Aziluthick which is of Christ the Briatick which is of Souls the Ieziratick which is of Angels not yet consummated and the Asiatick which is of Men cloathed with an external Body But as the Aâ—ziluthick as it is the noblest of all so it is the greatest and but only one altho' the Hebrews distinguish it into ten Emanations the distinction of which Emanation nevertheless is only modal and not essential But the Briatick Ieziriatick and Asiatick Worlds â—s to their number and multitude in respect of us are infinite and innumerable because as I have said before God is continually a Creator for the Attribute of a Creator is essential to him and therefore he doth â—nd will continually create new Worlds to all Eternity And lastly from these new created Worlds other new Ieziratick and Asiatick Worlds arise and therefore 't was truly said of Solomon we cannot search out the beginning nor the end of God's works as true also was that saying in another passage The mighty Works of God are past finding out 45. Now the Ieziratick World from whence as from its root the Asiatick World proceeded penetrates and pervades the whole Asiatick World in every part with its vital and essential Rays also the Briatick World by the difusion of its vital and essential Rays penetrates the whole Ieziratick and Asiatick World and lastly the Azilutick World not only penetrates and pervades the three inferiour Worlds by the transfusion of its essential and vital Rays but also most intrinsecally comprehends and embraces it in its Bosom as a Mother doth her Oâ—f-spring and so indeed all these four Worlds are intrinsically present one with another yet so that the â—hird is more subtile and Spiritual than the â—ourth the second than the third and the â—irst than the second and consequently more penetrative and perâ—usive 46. From what has been said it evidently appears that humane Souls did pre-exist before they came into these gross and Earthly Bodies for nothing which is properly created is of this visible Woâ—ld but the Soul is properly createdâ— therefore the Soul had not its original or first exisâ—ence in this visible World but it first existed in the World of Creation then descended from the World of Creation into the World of Formation and lastly from the World of Formation into this World of Fabrication 47. But as for this Asiatick World this hath its rise and Original from the Ieziratick World by reason of some great falls of the Souls contained therein for transgressing the Law of God And if these Souls had nevâ—r fell this Asiatick VVorld which is the VVorld of Fabrication had never existed 48. Nevertheless the Souls of the Ieziratick VVorld are not changed into the parts of the Asiatick VVorld that is to say into the Dust of the Earth Stones Plants and Trees for such a change of Souls is plainly impossible but the Bodies of those Souls distinct â—rom the Souls themselves and by the Sins of those Souls separated from them as by a certain kind of Death were subjected to such a change or conversion into the parts of the Asiatick VVorld 49. Thereâ—ore this Asiatick VVorld is truly call'd Golgotha or the place of Sculls and â—â—pâ—lchres to wit because it is nothing else in a manner but a certain mass and heap of Carcasses and dead Bodies which those Souls have put off by reason of their Sins in the
Ieziratick World and being thus devested they at length grew into this Grosness Death and Stupidity which they now suffer 50. And therefore our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ after he came into the Flesh in the likeness of sinful Flesh was to be câ—uâ—ified in Golgotha which is the place of Scuâ—â—â— or Sepulchres by which is typically signifâ—â—â— this Asiatick VVorld or VVorld of Fabricationâ— that so in this place of Death he â—â—gâ—â—â—vercome Death it self who is our Saviour and Prince of Life yea Life it self which that he might do by the Ordination of divine VVisdom he was to die in a Body of Flesh and then to rise again in the same Body in which he died that he might become the first Fruits of the Resurrâ—â—tion of the Dead and his Bâ—dy being Glorified and Immortalized might at length gloriâ—ie and immortalize the Bodies of Saints in which Bodies they shall live and reign with Châ—ist for ever in the Heavens 51. Therefore this Asiatick VVorld is to be again converted and reduced into the Superiour and excellent Ieziratick VVorld that all its parts may be re-united to these antient Souls whereunto in times past they belonged that so at length the Souls and Bodies may be purified in this VVorld from all dreggs of Sin and Death as in a refining Furnace of Affliction and Suffering and lastly eternally glorified in a indissolvable incorruptible union of both Body and Soul 52. And then indeed the natural and animal Body will be changed into a Spiritual Body which is far nobler yea all this gross and material VVorld where Death and Stupidity so wonderfully reigns will be rendred full of Life and Spirit 53. And yet this great and truly wonderful change and conversion of all even the vilest things of this Asiatick VVorld may not be suddenly and altogether but by parts and in various Successions of Ages according to the predestination of divine VViâ—dom 54. Therefore the Ages of VVorlds iâ— respect of human Intellect are truly infinite and innumerable and that not only in regard of things to come but in regard of things past 5â— Moreover this Asiatick VVorld hath had its existence â—or many more Ages than we Mortals are able to number 56. Therefore this Asiatick VVorld wherein we live must be distinguished into many and various VVorlds as a Whole is distinguished into its parts beyond the reach of Mortals understanding 57. But those particular Asiatick VVorlds are most commodiously distinguished in respect of the Years whereof they consist 58. Now every particular Asiatick World consists of seven Thousand Years which make up as it were one week consisting of seven days 59. For a thousand Years with the Lord are as one Day and one Day as a thousand Years as it is in the 90th Psalm and confirmed by the Apostle Peter in hls second Epistle ver 3. 60. And the seventh Millenium or seventh Thousandth Year of each VVeek of the World is the Sabbath of this VVorld 61. Therefore this World of ours consists of Seven Thousand Years whose seventh Millenium is the Sabbath or Sabbatism of this our present World as it is in Heb. 4. 62. And indeed that Sabbath of days which God commanded the Iews to observe was a Type or Figure of this Mystery the same also was that of the Sabbath of Years Months and VVeeks which in times past God likewise command the Iews to observe 63. Now whereas every fiftieth Year comprehending seven weeks of years was a year of Iubilee wherein every Captive was to be set at liberty and every one to return to his own Family House and Possesâ—â—on this certainly signifies fifty thousand years which contain seven weeks of Worlds therefore in the fifty thousand year or end of every seventh World many Souls are to be saved and reconciled to God by Christ which as yet could not obtain Salvation in the preceding weeks or VVorlds but suffered for their Impieties by the most just Judgmnet of God the execrable torments of Hell Fire 64. Others there are whosâ— Sins God doth pardon in this World for the sake of Christ such as are Sins of Ignorance and all others of which Men sincerely repent but there are some whose Sins are nâ—iâ—her forgiven in this World nor in that which is to come and yet are forgiven in some third World and lastly there are others which are not remittâ—d till the â—ourth and so on even to a seventh according to the most just Judgment oâ— God nay far beyond a seventh even to the seventy seventh thousand year the Remission of â—ome very notorious and wicked Sins seems to be deferred that â—s not less than eleven weeks and such a kind of a Sinner that wicked Lamech seemed to be who predicted of himself his to Wives that Vengeance should be taken on him seventy seven fold that is as it seems 77000 Years But on Cain who was not so wicked Vengeance was to be taken but seventy fold which is 7000 Years to wit the whole time of this World 64. Then if one day with the Lord be as a thousand years by the same reason one year i.e. 365 days will be as 365000 years which Period of 365000 years â—eems to be some vast Age comprehending about 52142 Worlds within which space of time whatsoever is of humane kind on Earth will doubtless be converted unto God Nevertheless the Asiatick VVorld doth not cease to be upon this account because the parts of the Asiatick World are continually multiplied by reason of the continual Multiplication of other VVorlds to wit the Ieziratick and Briatick whereof we have already made mention 66. Therefore they err extreamly and conceive too unworthily of God yea do not righâ—ly know nor consider the naâ—ure of him who think the punishments oâ— the damned are to be perpetrated to all Eternity without any end or termination For the very nature of God is Love it self according to the express words of the Apostle Iohn and finally because the nature of God is unchangeable therefore he did necessarily love all his Creatures and that constantly and unchangeably too nor could he absolutely hate any thing that ever he created and because love is of the nature of God himself and whatever he operates or doth in relation to his Creatures even when he most severely punishes them for their Sins proceeds all from Love therefore God loves his Creatures in the most miserable and wretched state and condition they can exist in and therefore cannot but benefit them and so at length bring them out of misery Therefore all the punishments which the most just and truly tremenduous Justice of God inflicts on Sinners are tâ—ue effects and real tokens of his divine Love towards them the most certain end and design of all which is the Redemption and Deliverance of those Sinners â—rom all their Sins and Punishments inflicted on them for Sin and their final Glorification and Restoration to Justice and Holinesâ— which is apparently confirmed by St. Iohn
time of Christ's Incarnation and many more beâ—ween the Murther of Abel and that time therefore those very Iews had divers times lived in the World before that time yea Cain who killed Abel lived at that time Now That the Fathers of those Iews did kill the Prophets is true for all the Prophets which were killed were either killed by the Fathers of those Iews but in the space of four Generations or by those very Iews themselves 24. Fourthly 'T is proved in that Christ affirms that those very Iews to whom he spoke whilst in the Flesh had killed the Prophets O! Ierusalem Ierusalem said he that killest the Prophets and stonest them that were sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thee but thou would'st not 25. Fifthly it is proved in that St. Paul 1 Thess. 2.15 affirms that the same Iews killed Christ and the Prophets 26. Sixthly In that Christ in his Parable afâ—irms those Husband-men to have ill treatâ—d the Servants of the Lord and at last killed the Son himself 27. Seventhly from Christ's Parable of Laâ—ourers hired and sent into the Field some in the Morning others at the third Hour others at the sixth Hour others at the ninth Hour others were called at the eleventh Hour but they who were called at the eleventh Hoâ—r stood all the Hours of the day idle in the Markeâ— By those Labourers who were called in the eleventh Hour the Gentiles are to be understood who were called into the Church of Christ by the Minstery of the Apostles after Christ's Resurrection By those who were called in the Morning and at other Hours of the day the Iews are understood the Morning is the beginning of the Woâ—ld â—nd therefore certain Iews who lived in the Apostles days liv'd from the beginning of the World and laboured twelve Houâ—s in the Field some laboured nine others six three c. And when the Evening came thâ—y all received a Peny the Gentiles were made equal with the Iews the Iews muâ—murâ—d but without reason for the Genâ—iâ—es â—hâ—t believed in Christ and laboured in the Field had done as much and some of them more in the last hour than the Iews had done in the whole day for they had done but little before Christ's Incarnation and Passion and many of them did not labour without grudging therefore Christ said of them Many are callâ—d but few are chosâ—n 28. â—ighthly 'T is proved from the Words of Pâ—ter 1. Epist. Chap. 3. v. 18.19 For the same Souls or the same Men who lived before and perished in the Flood liv'd also in Bodies of Flesh upon the Earth when Châ—ist â—uâ—fer'd Death in the Flesh who being mortified in the Flesh was quicken'd in the Spirit and poured out upon Men a more abundant Life of Grace after he arose from the Dead and then indeed by the ministery of his Life and Grace he preached to those Souls who from the beginning of the World were detain'd in Prison and in Chains of Darkness under the Power of Satan which Souls notwithstanding werâ— restor'd to Life in a Body of Flesh to hear the Gospel Prâ—ached For the Gospel is not preach'd to Souls that live out of the Flesh but to such as live on Earth in Bodies of Flesh Iohn 1.9 Iohn 3.11.17.59 Luke 2.14 29. 9 ly 'T is proved from the Words of Peter where he affirms in his 1 Epistle Chap. 4. vers 6. that the Gospel was preached to the Dead That they might be judged as Men in the Flesh and therefore they who in time past were dead lived again in the Flesh that they might live to God in the Spirit 30. 10 ly 'T is prov'd in that Christ preached that the Hour should come and was already come in which the Dead should hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Whereby the Dead he means not only the Spiritually Dead but such as are naturally Dead also who were to live again in the days of Christ that they might hear the Gospel and in hearing might believe and in believing might have eternal Life 31. Proof 11. St. Paul in his Epistle to Romans â— 25 affirms that Redemption is made in Christ Jesus to the remission of Sins past in the patience and long suffering of God Now the aforementâ—oned Sins are all the Sins committed by all Men from the beginning of the World 32. Proof 12. Christ is said to have reconciled us to God by his Death even when we were enemies to him and to have born our Sins in his Body on the Cross which he could not have done if we had not lived some time before the Death of Christ. 33. Prof 13. Christ dyed for all Men as well for those that had been dead from the beginning of the World as for those who were then alive and therefore the Efficacy of his Sacrifice extends unto all that have ever lived from the beginning of the World that they might repent and obtain forgiveness of their Sins If they would but believe in Christ and obey his Commandments for the time to come And how absurd is that opinion that Christ should suffer Death for all that dyed since the beginning of the World and yet that the greatest part of them should be wholly ignorant of so great Grace and Favour neither should ever taste of the Fruits of the said Grace after the Death of Christ 34. Proof 14. Christ hath affirmed that all Sins should be forgiven excâ—pt the Sin against the Holy Ghost but there were no Sins committed against the Holy Ghost before the Death of Christ. 35. Proof 15. Paul said God winked at Men in the times of ignorance but then he called all to Repentance Therefore he called those also to repent whom he hath formerly winked at ever since the beginning of the World 36. Because otherwise the Patience and long Suffering of God cou'd not be explained for God forbore with much long Suffering the vessels of Wrath c. And the great long Suffering of God allowed much time for Repentance because in the sight of the Lord a thousand years are but as one day 37. Proof 17. Peter in his second Epistle Chap. 3 said God did not come on purpose to execute his tremenduous judgments in the conflagration of the World because he is long suffering and wills all to come to Repentance and therefore the long Suffering of God bears with Men almost two thousand years after the death of Christ before the beginning of the Millenium anâ— three thousand years before the last Judgment and Conflagration of the Woâ—ld which three thousand years are with the Lord but as three days Now to what purpose did God grant Men so long a time But that such as had not lived a thouâ—and years from the beginning of the World might have the same time to live in a Body of Flesh before the end of the World that they might at last repent and in case they did not repent should be justly punished
excepted which is more illustrated by this Hypothesis there are sundry other places of Scripture which seem to be very much illustrated by the said Hypothesis noâ—withstanding that where Christ is said to have once appeared in the end of the World to purge away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself because indeed that Soul bore the name of Christ and Lord only in his twelfth Revolution For neither Abel nor Isaac or any other of those 12 Revolutions was called Christ nor ought any of them to bear the dignity or Character of Christ till they had performed their 12 Revolutions whereby that Soul ought to be fitted and prepared to Assume this excellent Title and Dignity Wherefore it is true that Christ was but once born in the Flesh and but once suffered for the Sins of all Mankind even according to the aforesaid Hypothesis because Christ did not assume that Soul in a personal unity as the seed of Abraham till the 12 Revolution 12. Lastly because Moses foretold that God would raise up a Prophet to the Israelitish People from amongst their Brethren like unto him The Word raise up seems to intimate that the Soul of the same Prophet had lived before in the Flesh yea was at time living in the Flesh. Moreover the aforsaid Hypothesis if it shouâ—d gain admittance would arm us with the most effectual Argument to convince the Iews that that was the very Messiah who was Born of the Virgin Mary and suffered under Pontius Pilate For he ought not to have come sooner nor later into the World than he did because if he had come sooner he could not have perform'd his Revolution oâ— 3996 years 〈◊〉 ought not to come later because 〈◊〉 some Souls would have finâ—shed all their Revolutions before the Messias was come and so would have been frustrated and disappointed of the Fruit of his coming which could not be 107. But laying aside the aforesaid Hypothesis still the Argument remains as strong as before to convince the Iews that the Messias ought not to have come later into the World then he actually did The Iews themselves deny his coming sooner because indeed if he had come later then certain Souls would have compleated their 12 Revolutions before he came and so would have reaped no benefit by the Messias coming into the World 108. This Argment will be more forcible to convince the Iews because the Iews themselves do acknowledge the Revolution of Souls to live divers times in the Flesh altho' they are ignorant of the number of those Revolutions yet they expect that all shall at last be rais'd up and restor'd to â—ife in the days of the Messias that they may enjoy the Benefits of his coming when he shall come Now if it can be made appear to them from the Old Testament which they acknowledge and believe that there are 12 Revolutions of humane Souls living in a Body of Flesh and neither more nor less even till they are at length perfected in a good or evil I think we need not doubt but may positively conclude that the Iews at leastwise all who are ingenious and covet in any Measure or Degree the knowledge of the truth will be convinced that the Messias is come and in the next place believe his coming in the Flesh that he suffered Death and rose again from the Dead and in believing be converted and become true Christians which God of his Mercy hastâ—n and accomplish Amen 109. Paul in 1 Cor. 15.51 saith We shall not all sleepâ— but we shall be all changed in which Words he plainly hints that some of the Saints shall sleep after they shall be borâ— aâ—ain in the Flesh and be again rais'd from 〈◊〉 â—â—ead this indeed is affirm'd of 〈…〉 Elâ—as â—ho are to come into the 〈…〉 Yeaâ—s before the Millenium and 〈…〉 in the Flesh who shall prophâ—â—â— three Years and an half in the Worâ—d and chiefly to the Iews and People 〈◊〉 Israel which three Years and an half being expir'd they are to be kill'd by the Beast and in three days and an half rais'd up to Life again in the same Bodies wherein they were slain and being thus rais'd up to Life they shall not remain on Earth but ascend into the Heavens and there remain with Christ till the end of the World and then indeed they shall come with him in the Clouds of Heaven 110. And that those two Witnesses Rev. 11. are those two Prophets who in a proper and litteral Sense were to be kill'd seems to me most evident which will be between the sixth and seventh Trumpet viz. in the end of the Interval of the sixth Trumpet as it is to be seen from the words of the Revelations Also the days of their Prophesie are 1260 Days not signifying so many Years but only so many common Days because there are not 1260 Years between the sixth and seventh Trumpet but only 260 and yet this admirable event will happenâ— between those Trumpets yea in the end of the sixth Trumpet for they shall be born and slain in the space of 45 Years before the beginning of the Millenium 111. That Elias shall come before the beginning of the Millenium appears from the words of Christ Elias truly shall come and restore all things 112. And lastly That Moses and Elias were to come and be slain and raised again from the Dead and then ascend into Heaven and remain with Christ the whole Millenium appears from Christ's Transfiguration in the Mount where were seen with him Moses and Elias and these are they whom God the Father hath ordain'd to sit the one at the Right Hand and the other at the Left Hand of Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven 113. Wherefore they are of an higher Order and Rank than all the Prophets and Apostles 114. Therefore diligently weigh and consider whether Abraham Isaac and Iacob that sit in the Kingdom of Heaven be not Moses Christ and Elias of whom Christ has for the greatest Dignity Consider also whether the same Moses was not Enoch and whether or no what is written oâ— Enoch and Elias that they should be translated into Heaven doth not answer truly to this Translation of Mâ—ses and Elias for in the first Translation they did not obtain the Resurrection of a glorified Body but it â—aâ—her happen'd to them in a figure for Châ—â—â—â— only was the first of all that attaiâ—â—â— the Râ—surrection of a glorified Body 〈…〉 is callâ—d in Scripture the first 〈…〉 among the Deâ—d and the first 〈…〉 the Resurrection from the Dead 〈…〉 ouâ— Loâ—d and Saviour Jesus 〈◊〉 arose â—irâ—t of all from the Dead 〈◊〉 â—ore to suffer Death then the first oâ— allâ— who sâ—â—ll arise after him is Moses and Elias and then the other Prophets and Apostles with all the Saints every one in his Orâ—er 115. And that those two Prophets and Wâ—â—nâ—â—ses in the Revelation were indeed Moses and Elias is tacitely signify'd in these Woâ—â—â— they shall have power to withhold the Rain
he shall quicken us and in the third Day he shall raise us up and we shall live in his Sight What can be here signified by two Days but two thousand yearsâ— as in Psal. the 90. as in 2. Pet. 3.8 And therefore by the third Day he plainly means that Sabbatick Millenium of the World wherein he and all the Saints were to be raised up to live intirely a thousand years neither to dye any more but to ascend into the celestial Country when the Millenium oâ— thousand 〈◊〉 is fiâ—iâ—hed Now Osea lived in the fourth Millenium and therefore when said after two days c. he had respect to the seventh Millenium but compare this Prophesy with that of Daniel concerning 2300 years and thou shalt plainly perceive that both extend unto the Sabbatick Millenium 9â— But because those 1335 Days Dan. 12.12 contain 1335 years to wit the whole time of the Apostacy after the Apostles to the beginning of the Millenium therefore from 2300 years 1335 years are deducted and the remainder 965 contains the time from the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity to the beginning of the Apostasie after the Apostles and therefore subtracting 556 from 965 there remains 409 years the time from the Resurrection of Christ to the beginning of the Apostasie to which add 33½ from the Nativity of Christ to his Resurrection the sum is 442 years and an half â—rom the Nativity of Christ to the begâ—nning of the Apostasie 95. Add to this Number 442 1260 years mentioned in the Revelation the sum is 1702 years from the Nativity of Christ to the end of the first Period of the Reign of Antichrist 96. The second Period of 1290 years in Daniel extends 30 years further that is from the Birth of Christ to the year 1732. 97. The third Period of the reign of Antichrist extends 45 years further which is 1335 years viz. to the year of Christ's Nativity 1777. 98. Therefore the year 1777 from the Nativity of Christ ends the reign of Antichrist and the four Monarchies and all the Kingdoms of the World and from that very year begins the reign of Christ and of the Saints over the whole Earth 99. But 't is uncertain whether this present Epocha or date from the time of Christ's Nativity in the Flesh commonly received among Christians be true or no for Usher thinks the Vulgar Epocha to fail of the true Epocha about four years 100. Also the great Coversion of the Gentiles by the preaching of the Gospel in its purity and efficacy must preceed this happy Millenium of the World and then will follow the Conversion of the Iews to the Christian Faith to wit from the year 1702 unto the year 1777 but 30 years from the ye 1702 unto the ye 1732 have respect to the Conversion of the Gentiles then 45 years from the year 1742 unto â—777 do in a special manner respect the Restoration Conversion and return of the Iews into their own Country 101. But from the year of Christ's Nativity 652 to the year of Christ 1702 are prepar'd and gather`d unto God and the â—amb 144000 Saints which are the first Fruits for as the Feast of the first Fruits under the Law was kept 50 days before the Feast of Autumn so also now the Feast of the first Fruits preceeds the Feast of Autumn 50 years 1. But the time of the â—uture Millenium seems to have been prefigured to Abraham in the Sacriâ—ices which God commanded him to offer Now God commanded Abraham to take a Heiâ—er of three years old a Goat of three years old a Ram of three years old with a Turtle Dove and a young Pigeon Now suppose the Turtle Dove to be one year old and the Pigeon twenty days old the days of all those years according to the prophetick Style signifie years and all being added together make up 3620. Admit also that Abraham saw this Vision when he was 83 years old which was the year of the Woâ—ld 2120 according to the aforesaid Chroâ—ology the number 3620 being added to the number 2120 makes up 5740 the year of the World when the Millenium will begin 2. In the future Millenium all the Saints that ever lived since the beginning of the Woâ—ld will be rais'd up to live a Holy and Blessed Life upon Earth for the space of a thousand years Dan. 12. Hos. 6. Revel 20. 3. This Resurrection of all the Saints to Life is the first Resurrection expresly so call'd by the Apostle Iohn Revel 20.5 4. In this first Resurrection the Saints are raised to Life in a Carnal and Terrestial Body not such as we now have but such as Adam had in Paradise before he had eaten the Foâ—bidden Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and such a Body likewise had Christ wherein he suffer'd Death for all Mankind 5. Therefore there is a twofold Resurrection of the Saints the first is in a carnal and Terrestrial Body in which they shall all live for the space of a thousand years The second is that in which that Carnal and Terrestrial Body after the expiration of a thousand years shall not dye but be changed in a moment or in the twinkling of an Eye into a Spiritual and Coelestial Body and ascend into Heaven even as Christ ascended into Heaven after his Resurrection from the Dead 6. Of which twofold Resurrection of the Saints the Apostle Paul speaks clearly in 1 Epist. to the Corinth Chap. 15. That is not first which is Spiritual but that which is Natural and then that which is Spiritual as we have born the Image of the Earthly and we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly But we shall not bear the Image of the Earthly in the Body in which we now live viz. of the earâ—hly Adam as he was after the fall but in the first Resurrection we shall bear the Image of the earthly in the future Millenium living such a Blessed and Holy Life as Adam â—ould have lived if he had not sinned â—hen at the end of the Millenium we shall not dye but be changed and this Mortal shall put on Immoâ—tâ—lity and this Corruptible Incorruption 7. Yet the Body of the first Resurrection may be said in some sence to be Mortal and Corruptible not that it shall ever dye or be corrupted but because in respect of a spiritual Boâ—y it is as it were Mortal and Corruptible that is at least not beyond a possibility of dying or being slain by external violence if God were so pleased even as the Body oâ— Christ suffered Death which notwithstanding in it's own Nature cou'd not dye 8. And that the Saints shall be raised to Life in a Carnal or Natural Body appears from that which Paul said speaking of himself and others we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed and this Mortal shall put on Immortality Paul therefore expected to be raised up to Life in a Body of Flesh in the future
Millenium that shou'd not dye but be changed 9. It appears also that when the Millenium is finished Gog and Magog shall gather themselves together against the Saints to slay them which certainly they cou'd never attempt to do if they did not live in a Body of Flesh. 10. This is more largely conâ—â—â—â—'d iâ— that the Saints even until 260 years after the beginning of the Millenium shall marry and propagate Children for the State of Matrimony and procreation of Children is not beneath the dignity of the future Millenium for Adâ—m in his Paradisical State before the fall had a Wife and tho' he had not sinned wou'd have known his Wife and have begotten Children 11. But that the Saints do for some time in the aforesaid Millenium contract Matrimony and beget Sons and Daughters appears from Isaiah Chap. 65. where the Inhabitants of this of this New Heaven and new Earth are prâ—mised that they shall build Houses and inâ—â—â—ite them plant Vineyards and ear the Fâ—â—â—t of them they shall not labour in vain â—or bring forth in fear for they are thâ— Seed of the Blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring with them yea in the same Chapter 't is affirm'd of the Sinners who shall live in the Millenium that they shall live to an hundred Years nor shall any die in Infancy and the days of the Saints shall bâ— as the days of the Tree of Life for so heretoâ—ore that place was read by the Fathers that is they shall live a thousand Years and then shall not die but ascend into Heaven in a Body changed which Adam would have done if he had not sinned 12. Now that new Heaven which will be câ—eaâ—ed in the future Millenium will be only new in respect of their excellent natures 13. Ioseph's Blâ—ssing by his Faâ—her Iacob which belongs to the said Millenium clearly demonstâ—ates thâ—t they should marry and beget and bring up Children Gen. 49 2â— 26. For among â—â—her Blessings which he had he waâ— also blessed with the Blessings of the Bâ—easts â—nd the Womb which have a respect to Wives and Mothers whose Blessings also ougâ—t to reach to the utmâ—st bounds of the everlasting Hills viz. to the second Resurrection when this Body of Flesh shall be changed into a Spiritual Body and being thus changed shall ascend into the everlasting Hills that is into the highest Heavens 14. Therefore those Words of Christ that in the Resurrection of the Dead they do not marry nor are given in Marriage but are equal to the Angels are to be understood of the second Resurrection but not of the first because certainly in thâ— first Resurrection they shall not be equal to to the Angels but as Adam was in Paradise before the Fall 15. And hitherto may be referred those woâ—ds of the book of Wisdom 3.43 Blessed is the Barrâ—n and Undâ—filâ—d who hath not known the Sinful Bed for she shall have Fruit in the Visitation of Souls 16. Now all the Sons Daughteâ—s of the Saints in the future Millenium are the Souls of all the Saints that ever have liv'd in a carnal Body since the beginning of the World and finally raised up to Life in a â—ody of Flesh and boâ—n of Fathers and Mothers into the Woâ—ld for none shall enjoy the Reward and Blessedness of the â—uture Millenium but such who have lived an holy Life on Eaâ—th from the begâ—nning of the World Moreover Christ called this Resurrection of the Saints unto Life regeneration 17. And therefore all Saints that enjoy the Millenium shall then be born into the World in a carnal Body and shall have Fathers and Mothers according to the Flesh. 18. Nor will this seem strange or incredible to any one after it is clearly demonstrated from Scripture that we have all lived several times in a Body of Flesh yea for many years and Ages of years 19. This Truth being once demonstrated and granted in a manner all the Mysteries and things difâ—icult to be apprehended of the future Millenium will be most easily understood for the Ignorance of the Souls being born again and returning to Life in a body of Flesh hath mightily obscur'd the Mystery of the future Millenium and in a manner all other Mysteries of the whole Christian Religion which indeed when the said new Birth or carnal Regeneration is demonstrated will display themselves and appear with a wonderful sweetness facility and evidencâ— of Truth 20. First therefore it shall be demonstrated by certain Arguments drawn from Scripture that the same Souls after the death of the carnal Body were again raised to Life and born of Parents in a Body of Flesh. 21. First this is proved from the express Words of Christ himself who called Iohn Baptist Elias yea affirmed him to be Elias himself Matth. 11. Mark 9.12 and declared him also to be the same that was to come But that where Iohn denied that he was Elias is to be understood of the Mystery of 1045 Years couch't under the name of Eliah which also signifies the strong and mighty God for that Dispensation or Ministration of Iohn answers not to to the name of Elias but the name of Iohn which signifies Grace but when he shall be born again into the World that Dispensation will most excellently suit with the name of Eliah 22. Secondly 'T is proved from that passage of St. Paul to the Romans where discoursing of the unbelieving Iews he affirms that they shall after many Ages believe in Christ and finally be reunited to their natural Root but the force of the Argument concludes in behalf of those Souls who were unbelieving in the Aposâ—les days which after certain Ages were to believe in Christ after the fullness of the Gâ—ntiles was converted to the Christian Faith which Conversion of the Iews we yet expect 〈◊〉 Earth even of those who were unbelieving in the Apostles days for all the Iews which are natural Branches shall be saved and their Hearts shall be opened and that too before the beginning of the Millenium 23. Thirdly 'T is proved from Matth. 23.35 compared with the 2 Chron. 24.22 where Christ aâ—â—irms that those very Iews who were contemporary with him in the Flesh had kill'd Zacharias the Son of Baruch c. But this Wickedness was committed in the days of King Ioas more than eighty Years before Christ's Incarnation * See Matth. 21.35 c. compare here-witâ— 2 Chron. 24.22 But if any should affirm that this was not their own but their foâ—e-Father's Crime and imputed to them because they were led by the same Spirit of Iniquity and Impiety I answer This cannot destroy the force of the Argument because according to the Râ—ghteous Ordinance of God the Sins of the Fathers are not imputed to the Children beyond the third or fourth Generation even when the Children are led by the same Spirit and follow the same steps of their Fathers But beâ—cause many Generations have interven'd between that Wickedness and the
space of seven thousand years being finished the same Souls are again sent into the World for a fresh Tryal of their Obedience But those whom the space of seven thousand years wherein they shall be punish'd in Hell Fire with the most grievous and tremendous Torments will not deter from Sin these certainly are so stupid and obdurate that not any even the longest Torments that words can express can deter from it nor hath that infiniteness of Ages wherein wicked Men are to be punish'd tho' preached up by many reâ—ormâ—d Men but rather led many into despair and hardened their Hearts against the Goodness and Mercy of God 16. Now every one making his Revolulution from the first to the twelfth comes three times into the World in a carnal Body in the space of one Millenium which is like one year Consider then whether this be not that which was figured under the Law when all were to appear thrice every year before the Lord at the Temple of Ierusalem which typified the temple of the Body neither doth this seem to want a Mystery that the Temple of Ierusalem stood about a thousand years before it was utterly and totally overturn'd and demolish'd Moreover also this is worthy our animadversion viz. that all Souls whatsoever that had lived in a Body of Flesh ought to have lived once in some hour between the hours Ten Eleven and Twelve including part of the ninth and Thirteenth in Case they had finished their twelve Revolutions from the beginning of the World 18. Therefore all Souls not yet perfect lived in the compass of one hour to wit in the interval of 333 years viz. from the year of the World 3996 to the year of the World 4329. 19. And therefore all that have perform'd their twelfth Revolution within the said hour or aâ— leastwise their eleventh tenth ninth or eighth ought to hear the Gospel because all Souls who were in their twelfth Revolution were not to return as yet but othâ—rs that were to return had not suâ—â—icient opportunity of hearing the Gospel sincerely preached by reason of Antichristian Darkness 20. Others also who were making but thâ—ir sâ—vâ—nth sixth and fifth Revolution â—rom â—he Death and Resurrection of Christ if so be within the said hour they have not heard the Gospel preach'd they must hear in their succeeding Revolutions before the beginning of the Millenium to wit within the year 1700 and 1777 â—rom the birth of Christ. 21. In Revel 20. It is said the rest of the Dead lived not again till the thousand yâ—â—rs were finish'd this certainly is to be undersâ—ood of those Dead who had compleated their twelve Revolutions but those who had not as yet â—inished their twelve Revoâ—lâ—tions were to live again in the Millâ—nium â—â—t none who belonged to Babâ—lon wâ—re to live again in the Millâ—nium because they bâ—gan thâ—ir fiâ—â—t Revolution at the year 1â—â—4 and â—hereâ—ore â—inish â—heir twelâ—th Râ—â—oluâ—ion at the year oâ— the Woâ—ld 6740 The TABLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 000 I          000 A Bull. 333 II 1         333 A Man 6â—6 III 2 1        666 A Lyon 1000 VI 3 2 1       1000 An Eagle A Bull. 1333 V 4 3 2 1      1333 A Man 1666 VI 5 4 3 2 1     1666 A Lyon 2000 VII 6 5 4 3 2 1    2â—0â— An Eaâ—le A Bull. 2333 VIII 7 6 5 4 3 2 1   2333 A Man 2â—66 IX 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1  2666 A Lâ—on 3â—00 X 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2  3â—00 An Eagle A Bull. 3â—33 XI 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3  3333 A Mâ—â— 3â—00 XI 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4  â—6â—6 A Lyoâ— â—â—0 XIII 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5  4000 An Eagle 4333 XIV  12 11 10 9 8 7 6 1 Seal 4333 33â— 1 â— A Bul 40â—6 XV   12 11 1â— 9 8 â— 2 〈◊〉 â—6â—6 6â—6â—â— â— A Maâ—â— 5â—â— XVI    12 11 10 9 8 3 â—eal 5â—00 999 â— 3 A Lyoâ—â— 5333 xvii     12 11 10 9 4 Seal 5333 13â—2 4 3 An Eagâ—â—â— 5666 xviii      12 11 1â— 5 Seal 5666 1665 5 â— A Maâ—â— 6000 XIX       12 11 6 Seal 6000 1998 6 â— A Lyâ—â—â— 6333 XX        12  6333 Millen An Eagle â—666 â—XI          66â—6  â—â—d what 's worth our serious Consideration 〈◊〉 that these very Men which shall be at â—â—st destroyed in Spiritual Babylon were â—â—e same Men who in a litteral Sence â—â—ilt the outward Babylon 79. The foregoing Scheme exhibits to our view one great Wheel being the greaest of all then four other great Wheels â—â—stly twelve little Wheels The great â—heels containing 1000 the little Wheels â—33 and the greatest of all 4000 years The Explanation of the Figureâ— 1. In this Figure the great outward â—ircle represents the greatest Revolution â—f Humane Souls 2. The other four great Circles signifie â—he same 4000 years so as that one of them â—akes 1000 years 3. And lastly the lesser Circles signifie â—â—ch one only Revolution or Face of 333 â—â—ars 4. The chief use of the figure is to â—â—ew that there are but 12 Faces altho' â—â—ch great one contains four less ones 80. The greatest Revolution of Souls â—omprehending 4000 years is fairly shadowed out to us under the type of the six days Creation For as the first days woâ—k was finished in the fourth the work of the second day in the fifth the work of the third day in the sixth aâ—d finally all in the seventh so the Souls that begin their Revolutious in the first Millenium finish it in the fourth and so fulfill their Mystical year and are either made perfect in Goodness or have filled up their measure of Evil those which are perfect in Goodness shall be rais'd up to Life in the Body and after the Millenium is expir'd their Bodies shall be chang'd and spiritualiz'd and they shall ascend into Heaven but such who have fill'd up their Measure oâ— wickedness shall be rais'd up to live in a Body of Flesh that they may suffer God`â— Judgment in the Conflagration of the World whose Resurrection is to Death and Condemnation Morâ—over Souls that begin their Revolutions in the second Millenium compleat them in the fifth and finally those that begin their Revolutions in the third compleat them in the sixth Millenium And forasmuch as in the sixth day of the Worlds Crâ—ation Man was created perfect in the Image of God therefore in the sixth Millenium all the Saints shall be raised up to live in the Body and be born inâ—o the
the second Face is of a Man therefore the number 666 is the number of a Man to wit containing 666 Years from the Year sinâ—e Christ's Nativity 1036 to the Year 1702 for about the said Year 1036 the second Beast whose number is here computed Ascended out of the Earth vix in the time when Gregory the seventh flourish't who Exalted himself above the Emperor 2 Seeing the Intrerval of every Seal except the seventh contains 333 Years hence it appears that from the Death and Resurrection of Christ to the first part of the Millenium there are about 2000 Years and therefore from Christ's Death and Resurrection to the end of the World there are about 3000 Years which confirms the aforesaid Chronology the same is also confirmed by the Intervals of the Trumpets 3. Now whereas the Interval of each Trumpet is 260 Years this doth not seem to want a mystery for so many days as it were doth the Infant remain in his Mothers Womb and in Esdras the Lodging Rooms or Chambers of the Soul are likened to the Womb of a Wâ—man because then exactly in 260 Years the Soul is recall'd to live again in a Body of Flesh as it were at the sound of the Trumpet of God himself therefore the Interval of every Trumpet is 260 Years to which if 73 Years be added for the age of Mâ—n in a Body of Flesh the sum will be 333 Years aforesaid 4. Morâ—over God out of his great Goodnâ—ss and Wisdom has so decreed that Men should not live altogether and at one time a thousand Years compleat in the corrupt â—tate of a Carnal Body and it stands with the justice of God that they shall live the said thousand Years by parts for by the frequent Death of Men Mankind is better provided for and their Benefit and Advantage consulted for thus God often cuts off Men to plant and ingraft them anew Whereas if Men should at once live a thousand Years compleatly in the State of Corruption they would so degenerate that their Repentance and Salvation woâ—ld be far more difficult 5. But if any shouâ—d demand to what purpose God should call his Saints to live in a Terrestrial and Carnal Body a thousand Years and whether it were not better for them and more desirable to them to remain with God in the Heavens I answer God knows better than we what is most conducive to our Profit and Advantage And therefore the Saints ought to live a thousand Years on Earth partly that they may receive a visible Reward from God in the sight of the Wicked and Ungodly to their greater shame confusion and Condemnation and partly and indeed chiefly that they may be prepared and qualiâ—ied in that Millenium or thousand Years of Life to obtain so much and so great Glory as they shall be invested with when they shall ascend Bodily into Heaven A FEW QUESTIONS BY Way of Exposition ON Each Chapter of the Revelations of St. Iohn Wherein little or in a manner nothing except what pertains to the History is positively concluded but all are left to the free and Impartial Iuâ—gment and Ezamination of the lovers of Truth CHAP. I. QUâ—st 1. What may we understand by the seven Churches of Asia By Churches seven States of the Vniveersal Ch. to whom Iohn wrote Whether seven Churches then in being Or rather whether they were not seven States of the Universal Church from the time of our Saviour Christ's Resurrection to that so famous and noted time of the Restoration of all things called in sundry places of Scripture a Sabbath And in the old Testament prefigured under the common Sabbath of Days and Years Which if Iohn had intended of particular Churches then in Being why did he confine himself to a septenary Numberâ— were there not in Asia more than seven Churches Again seeing he termed that which he wrote unto them a Prophesie which hath respect to the time to come this doth not seem to agree so well with certaâ—n particular Churches then in being as with the Universal Church understood by seven States or Conditions this Church was in for the space of 2000 Years and seeing a septenary number is a mystical Number whether or no this doth not seem to be adapted to the Mystery of the seven Spirits Stars or Angels Quest. 2. Who are we to understand by the seven Angels of the seven Churches Whether are they Presidents or Pastors or Angels properly so called having distinct Administrations over those Churches For it appears from Dâ—niel and other places of Scripture that they were set over Kingdoms and Nations as God`s Vicegerents Why not then over Churches Seeing they are call'd miâ—â—â—tâ—â—ng Spiâ—its sent out to minister tâ— all those who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heâ— 1.14 And Heb. 2.5 it is 〈◊〉 unto the Angels he hath not as yâ—t put in subjection the World to come Whether or no this doth not intimate that this present World is subject to Angels but the World to come only subject to God and Christ And lastly seeing the Kingdoms of this World have their Ages and periods of time the Church will likewise have her Ages and Periods And why may not peculiar Angels be understood to preside and govern in particular Ages of the Church appointed and ordained by the most high to execute that Function CHAP. II. QUest 3. Whether or no the interval of the Church * The Church of Ephesus from the year 1â— to the year â—â—â— since Christs Resuâ—rection of Ephesus according to the aâ—oresâ—id Hypothâ—sis will not contain 33â—â— years from the Resurrection of Christ and in like manner the Church of Smyrna the same and so understand oâ— the rest except the Church of Laodicâ—a concerning which it may be quâ—stioned whether it doth noâ— belong to the interval of the Church of Philadelphia For in respect of its State and Condition whereâ—of Iohn gave an excellent description it extends to the Sabbath of the World Then whether the Church of Laodicea will noâ— have the same interval of time with it thoâ— it be not the same with the said Church but widely different from it Who are to be understood by the Church of Laodicea â— but certain luke-warm professours of the Christian Religion having a great notion and profession of the truth but possessing in a manner nothing of the Life and Power of it And doth not this clearly appear from the signification of the Words Philadâ—lphia and Laodiceâ— For Philadelphia signifies the love of the Brethren including certain Christian Virtues but Laodicea imports as much as popular Justice which for the most part is in a manner none at allâ— Furthermore by the same Reason thâ— whole interval of two thousand years may be distributed into six equal partsâ— whereof each will contain 333 years and â…“ of a year Whether is it not more consentaneous to reason that those intervals of the Churches be equally divided if the Historical events of them do better agree with these
equal intervals or distances than with others that are unequal Quest. 4. Do not the names of the seven Churches symbolically intimaâ—e some certain marks and properties of the said Churches and whether or no that Term or Title of Asia signifies only that part of the World so called or rather the whole Globe of the Earth or visible World which by some learned Men is call'd Asia from the Hebrew Root Gnasa that is he made as disâ—inguished from those superiour Worlds Iezirah Briah and Aziluth so call'd all which names of Woâ—lds aâ—e to be found in Scripture Quest. 5. Whether or no the Name Title or Character of the Church * The Ephesian Church of Ephesus doth not properly agree to the State of the Church from the time of Christ's Râ—sâ—rrection to the year of his Ascension 333 which is the three Hundred siâ—ty and sixth year * Anno 366. from his Nativity for some render the Word in Latin Desiderabilis desirable or Amabilis Lovely and certainly such was the primitive Church from â—he days of the Apostles or as others read it Remittens Relaxatus importing to slackâ—n and râ—lâ—nt as the Holy Ghost complains in Iohn â—aying Thâ—y haâ—e fâ—rsaken their first Love for quickly aâ—ter the Aposâ—lâ—s Days the love of many waxed cold yet in many thingâ— that Church was to be commended as in their Works Labour and Patience not giving toleration to evil Men nor such who boasted that they were Apostles but were not when they came to the Tryal Quest. 6. Was not that threat of the Lord against them clearly fulfilled in the following the Interval of 333 years and â…“ that unless they did timely repent the Lord himself would shortly come and remove their Candlestick from them For in many places where Christianity flourished heretofore in the next and succeeding Intervals there was scarce any visible Profession of it to be seen For the same places where anciently the Christian Religion flourished were afterwards under the Power and Dominion of foul and abominable Heathenism and Mahometism Quest. 7. And doth not the Name Title or Character of the Church * Smyrna of Smyrna aptly agree to the State of the Church from the year 333â…“ since Christs Resurrection unto the year †Anno 7000 from the 666â…” Now Smyrna in Latin signifies Myrrh and truly the small number of the faithful and sincere were as I may so say in comparison of the vast multitude of false and unsound Christians that swarmed in the following Interval like unto a handful of Myrrh as well retaining their own purity as serving to purifie others and keeping themselves from the height of Corruption and Uncleanness And altho' the state of this Church happened in an exceeding Bad and most corrupt Age in â—espect of the former yet was the said Châ—rch blamed in nothing but commâ—â—ded for her Works and is said to be riâ—â— notwithstanding her Poverty and Tribulation For God mightily comforted and â—upported her under her Afflictions that she was to undergo and foretells her the ten days of Tribulations which he would bring upon her and that Satan should cast some of them into Prison And here also the Lord hath plainly painted out this false Church that arose in this second interval saying ` I know their Blasphemy who said they were Jews and are not but of the Synagogue of Satan Quest. 8. What was meant by those ten days of Tribulation which this Church was to undergo Are they ten natural or common days or rather ten certain times or days of persecution For the time of persecution is commonly called a day wherein that scorching Sun of the persecutors arises And lastly what are those a The ten persecutions contiâ—ued as it were but one ten days of Persecution For indeed it is commonly affirmed that there were ten persecutions which disquieted the Church within 300 years after Christ`s Resurrection and seeing they for the most part followed one another hence it is they rather merit the name of one continued persecution than ten but in the second Interval to wit from the year 33¾ to 66 6 â— after Christ's Resurrection the Church enjoyed some bright and glorious intervals and had a time of Respit Peace and Tranquility and that too under the shelter and protection of certain pious Kings and Emperours such as were Theodosius the first and the sâ—cond and others yet this Church suffered many sharp persecutions in this second Interval pâ—rtly by Heathen Kings and partly by â—mperours infected with the Arrian and Euâ—ychian Heresies And â—inally what added most to the weight of her Afâ—liction was that she was foâ—c'd to feel a far more grievous persecution under the Christians so called than she had suffered in the former Interval under the Heathens Moreover if any hath or will take the pains to read the â—iâ—â—ory of this Ecclesiastical Interval and especially Lucas Oâ—â—andrus Alstedius or any other ancient â—cclesiaâ—tical Writer he will find that ten very considerable persecutions oâ— the Church truly happen'd in this Interval And if any more were found to have happen'd in certain particular places or to private Persons â—hey may be referred to the ten aforemenâ—ioned whereby the number â—en will be the moâ—e compleat Quest. 9 Doth not the Name and Chaâ—acter of the Church of *. Pergà mus Pergamus seem to agree well enough wiâ—h the third Interval of the Câ—urch from the Year after Chriâ—t's Resurrection 66 6 7 †. from the year 700 to 1666. to the Year 1000 For as Pergamus was â—he Metropolis or chief City of Asia abounding with lofty Towers and Magnificent Buildings so in the third Interval the outward formâ— and visible Face of the Church seemed exceeding high and stately in â—ime of Peace and the Popes of Rome became very proud and amâ—itious insomuch that it was at that time made no less than a capital Crime to â—esist their Authority yea and some werâ— put to death for it Also in the same Interval there were divers Popes who were Magicians and Necromancers and â—herefore it might be well saidâ— That Satan fixed his Seaâ— at Rome or in the Roman Ch. signified by the Church of Pergamus where Antipas was slain and is not the whole number of the faithful Witnesses of God comprâ—hended under the figure of Antipas who either in this or the succeeding Intervals were put to death for opposing the Antichristian Tyranny and Ambition of the Popes as the word Antipas seems plainly to intimate Quest. 10. And was not the Idolatry and Spiritual â—ornication of this third Interval wherein the Adoration of Images and worshipping of Saints was Insâ—ituted by the Popes of Rome but especially by the second Nicaean Council predicted in these words which were sâ—oken to the Church of Pergamus ch 2. v. 14. Thou hast there such as hold the Doctrin of Balaam who taught Balak to â—ay an offence before the People of Israel that they should â—at things offered to Idol and commit
Fornication also thou hast such as â—mbrace the Doctrin of the Nicolaâ—â—ans which I have abhorred And indeed within this Interval there did not only mightily abound the Spiritual Fornication of Idolatry and Superstition but Carnal and Corporal also for then â—erâ— the Popes and Priests of the Romisâ— Church pâ—ohibited Matrimony Quest. 11. Whereâ—ore was that hidden Manâ—a promised to those that overcame in this Interval unless it was designed for the state of the Church then fled into the Wilderness or a solitary place For as God in times past â—ed the Childâ—en oâ— Israâ—l in the outward Wilderness with Manna from Heaven when the means of obtaining outward Bread was wanting so doth God promise to feed his faiâ—hful People in this third Interval with his hidden Manna which is the word of Life in their Hearts which â—hall be moâ—e largely communicated to them when they shall not have the fâ—ee liberty oâ— hearing the faithful Miniâ—ters of Christ. Moreover why in the first Interval was it promised to those that overcame to partake oâ—â—he Fruit of the Tree of Life in the midsâ— of Paradise but because in this first Interval the Kingdom of God was manifestly and clearly laid open like the coelestial Paradise the Church of God also flourished in this â—irst Interval like the said Paradiâ—e in the middle whereof Christ the Tree of Liâ—e brought forth in the Hearts of the Faithful his most amiable and salutiâ—erous Fruits of Divine Life Bâ—t in the second Interval by reason of the great Apostasie of the Proâ—essors of the Christâ—â—n Reâ—igion this Paradise of God was absconded and hidden and nevertheless it was promised to such as overcame that they should not be hurt by the second Death which by inverting the words is all one as to say they should eat of the Fruit of the Tree oâ— Life therefore was a Promise made unto them that they should not be hurt by the second Death because in this interval the greatest part of Christians so called by reason of their Apostacy from the primitive purity were to suffer the punishment of the second Death Quest. 12. Doth not the Name or Character of the Church of * Thyatira of Thyatira â—uitably agâ—ee with the Church within the fourth interval to wit from the year of Chrisâ—s Resurrection 1000 to the year †33 31 43. 1332 Now Thyatira signifies a Sacrifice of Labour and indeed this Church is commended for her Works her Charity Ministâ—ry Faith and Pâ—tience and the latter exceeded the former which Praise or Commendation certainly was only applicable to a small number of the faithâ—ul in the said Interval which lay hid as a little Wheat in a great heap of Chaff or as a little Gold is hid in much Dross And was not the Idolatâ—y and Superstition of this Age which more abounded in this than in the precâ—eding Ages plainly foretold in the enâ—uing Woâ—ds viz. that the Church of Thyatira permitted this Woman call'd Iezabel who call'd her self a Prophetess to teach which indeed did seduce the servants of God to commit Fornicaâ—ion and to eat things oâ—â—ered to Idols Now what may we understand by the Woman Iezabel except it be the Universal Body of false Teachers and Preachers who Taught the People their foul and abominable Superstition and Idolatry to wit the Adoration of Images worshipping of Saints Angels and Men departed And tho' divers in many places did protest and contend against such impieties nevertheless many winked too much at it and tolerated those things yea imitated others therein for â—ear And they that bare witness against such things remained nevertheless in Society with those that committed them for the most part neither did they distinguish and separate themselves â—rom them as they ought and therefore are polluted by them and so made partakers with them in their Sins Quest. 13. Wherefore in this fourth inteâ—val is the Morning Star promised to such as shall overcome and power over the Nations to rule them with a rod of Iron and to break them in pieces like a Potters Vessel unless it were to signifie that the obscure and long expected Ruin and Destruction of Antichristian Darkness which had over-shadowed the Earth for almost 1â—00 Ye draws towards a Peâ—iod for three quarters of the night as it were three Watches were then elapsed and there remained but one fourth part to come And even as the Morning Star appears in the East before the rising of the Sun bringing the good tidings of the approaching Day so there was a divine Morning Star given according to the promise of the Blessed God made to the faithful within this Interval touching Mundane affairs many of whom prophesâ—ed of this day and of the approaching Glory of the Lord which was to be revealed And whaâ—â—lashing and ruptures oâ— Nations happened in the following Interval occasioned by Horrible and Bloody Wars the History of our present times do partly and partly what we have seen with our Eyes do clearly enough demonstrate and more will follow in a short time which clashings and ruptures of Nations are not to be imputed to any carnal Sword which the faithful Servants of God shall use for the faithful will in no wise use a Sword or carnal Power for the power and might of God in his faithful Saints together with their Light and Life which they shall in a full degree exert will â—ffect it and confound the World and worldly Men and raise them up one against another and hence it is that great and terrible Wars shall â—ollow the larger maniâ—eâ—â—acion of Divine Light and Knowledge CHAP. III. QUest 14. Doth not the Name or Character of the Church of Sardis excellently agree to the State of the Church in the fifth Interval viz. from the year after Christ's Resurrection 1333 1 â— to the year 1666 2 â— For Sardis Sardis what signifies as much as a precious Stone of a Flesh colour now was not the Churches Reformation which began about the year of Christ's Nativity 1366 hereby describ'd And doth not the Flesh colour of this Stone evidently declare unto us that Church call'd the reformed Church had in her too much Flesh or too much of a fleshly nature and would be for the most part more of a Carnal than of a Spiritual Nature and more in the Profession of the truth than in the real possession of it And therefore it is argued she hath a name that she lives and yet is dead and that her Works were not perfect before God however there are some few who are said not to have defiled their Garments and to them the Lord has promised they shall walk with him in white because they are worthy but the publick and visible Reformation of the Church began about the Year of Christ's Resurrection 1333 which was from the year of his Nativity 1366 7 for then was Iohn Wickliffe an English-man of Oxford raised up who preached against the Corruptions of the Romish Church and about *.
happen'd in the same Intervals of time yet many of them were attended with different consequences others with very â—ike Events as will appear from the ensuing â—ines Quest. 29. Wherefore did Iohn say at the opening of every of the â—our first Seals that he heard one of the Beasts say * Come see why Come and see except it were to shew us that the Interval of every Seal the seventh only excepted comprehends the space of a mystical Hour viz. 333â…“ Years For is not the Face of some Animal stirr'd up or awaken'd in every Mystical Hour which may be therefore said to be on the Watch Veniâ— vide Come and sâ—e Quest. 30. If the Events which were to come to pass and are in great measure elapsed from the time of our Lord's Ascension to this present day do better answer to the Intervals of 333â…“ Years assigned to each of the first six Seals than to any other whatsoever doth not this elegantly prove the truth of the said Intervals Quest. â—1 What may we understand by Iohn's Vision of a White Horse and him that sat thereon who held a Bow in his Hand and went out at the opening of the fâ—â—st Seal conquering and to conquer Is not he †He that sat thereon that sat thereon our Lord Jesus Christ And doth not the * The White Horse white Horse mean hâ—s Ministers arayed in the white Robes of Righteousness and inward Holiness bringing the Gospel unto Men viz. the glad Tidings oâ— Pâ—ace †What was the Bow in his Hand and doth not the Bow in his Hand signify the Power and Energy of his Heavâ—nly Gospel and Doctrine Which Gospel indeed in those Primitive times Conquer`d many thousands of Men and subjected them to the Obedience and Faith of Christ. From the Year of Christs Biâ—th 366 And moreover did not this puâ—e and exceeding prevalent Dispensation of the Gospel remain on Earth at least the space of 333 Years and â…“ after ouâ— Lords's Ascension or from his â—â—carnation 366 which Interval indeed reacht beyoâ—d Constantiâ—e and his Sons nay beyond Iulian the Apostate Iordan Valens Valentinian and indeed the power and purity of the Evangelical Doctrin did still prevail in the World notwithstanding the sottish Superstitions foolish Traditions and wrangling debates of some concerning Arrius and his Disciples Quest. 32. What may we understand by Iohn's Vision of a red Horse What the red Horse is at the opening of the second †The second Seal Seal Is it not Soldiers and Captains of Armies and such as stir up terrible Wars in the World to the shedding oâ— much Blood and who is he that rides upon this red Horse * He that rides upon the Horse but some great Angel or Daemon who by God's permission inspires and prompts Men to Bloody Wars which Wars doubtless came chiefly in those parts of the World where the Gospel had been Preached and were sent by the most holâ— God as a Just Punishment on Men for dispising the Gospel And indeed they who delivered the faithful Servants of God to various kinds of Death in the first Interval because they believed in God and Christ are slain themselves together with their Children by others in the second Interval God punishing the Iniquity of the Fathers uâ—on the Children even to the third and fourth Generation Besides do not the events or historical effects plainly answer to this second Interval to wit from the Year of our Saviour Christ's Resurrection 333 to the 666 or from the Year of his Birth 366 to the Year 700 for within that Interval of time was not the whole Westâ—rn Empire miserably torn and at last almost totally erased and aboliâ—hed in the said Interval Moreover also Rome her self as it were â—he Empress of the World was often taken and after some Revolutions she was burnt within the same Interval bâ—t the chief Authors of these terrible Wars werâ— the Goâ—hs Vandals Hunnes and Persians with thâ—iâ— Kings and Leaders Then about the latter end of this Interval viz. about 600 and odd Years after the Birth of Christ comes Mahomeâ— with his followâ—rs who were at that time call'd Saracens and these indeed were the Authors of dreadful Wâ—rs in many places Quest. 33. What â—s to be understood by Iohn`s Vision of a black What he â—lack Horse wasâ— â—orâ—e and him that sat thereon holding a Balance in his Hand when the third Seal was to be opened Is not teâ—rible Famine hereby signified and indeed that which is natural anâ— exteâ—nal as well as that which is spiâ—itâ—al anâ— internal And indeed both â—f these compleatly happened within the third Interval of time to wit from the year of Christ's Resurrection 666 to the year 1000 as the History of those times do clearly evince for in this Interval there was a great Spiritual Fâ—mine or Want of the Celestial Bread of Life and the time of this Interval was the same with that of the Church of Pergamus above recited within which Interval God promised to feed the Faithâ—ul with hidden Manna Rev. 2.17 for all that whole Interval was full of Ignorance in the extremity of Darkness and very few famous Men flourished in it Lastly as to what pertains to natural or outward Famine that indeed in a manner continually attends horrid and bloody Wars Quest. 34. What is meant by the * The pale Horse palâ— Horse and him that sate thereon whose name was Death whom Hell followed having power to kill with the Sword with Famine and with Death and with the Beasâ—s of the Earth which was to come to pass when the fourâ—h Seal †The 4 th Seal open'd was opened Doth it not seem to be the whole and entire Body of all the Wick that have gone before with Addition of many others For what doth the killing with the Sword signifie but Wâ—r Scarcitâ— and Famine And was noâ— Death which was the name of him that sat thereon the Deviâ— himself whom Hell followed Lastly what is signified by the Beasts of the â—arth but foul and unclean Spirits or Terrestrial Demons which miserably beguile and deceive the Ignorant and Unthinking Mobile with their Cheats and Delusions For in Holy Writ the Devil and unclean Spirits are called Beasts of the Field or Beasts of the Earth as it is said of the Serpent in Genesis that he was more subtile than any Beast of the Field which doubtless could not be understood of common Beasts Moreover doth not the event or Historical effect apparently answer this Interâ—val viz. from the Year * From the year of the Resurrection 1000 to 1333. oâ— Christ's Resurrection 1000 to the year 1333 within which time the foulest Superstitions and most detestable Idolatry abounded among Christians falsly so called also the Pride Covetousness and Luxury of the Antichristian Clergy within this Interval exceeded all bounds besides many damnable Opinions and Hereâ—ies were preached and published by the Antichrisâ—ian Emissaries to wit the
Is not this Holy City the true Church of God purely reformed and purged from all Antichristian Pollutions which is signified by Philadelphia Moreover will not the Iews and Israelites after their conversion to the Christian Faith make up a good part of this Church of Philadelphia and who peradventure will have a great or it may be the chiefest share in these sufferings And becaâ—se the 42 Months belong unto the Interval of the sixth Trumpâ—â— as is evident from the Revelations is it not impossible for those Months to signifie so many Years as there are days contain'd in all the saâ—d Months viz 12â—0 whereas the whole Interval of the sixth Trumpet contains but 260 Years Again if those 42 Months should contain 1260 Years they would certainly make this great Persecution to be inflicted on the Church within the seventh Millâ—nnâ—um of the World which is very absurd therefore are not those 42 Months pâ—operly to be understood of common Months making up three Years and an half which indeed is a short but a sharp time in which will happen the last Persecution the Church shall ever undergo And doth not Daniel at the end of the eleventh Chapter and beginning of the eighteenth plainly touch upon the manner of this Pâ—rsecution And will not the chief Author of this Persecution be that King describ'd Daniel Tâ—â— King descrâ—bâ—d in Daniel 16.36 to the end of the Chapter whom Iohn in his Revelations calleth the seventh King yet to come and it is said of him when he comâ—th that he shall remain but a short time Quest. 58. What are those two Witnesses cloath'd in Sackcloth who shall prophesie during the whole time of the last Persecution 12â—0 Days Shâ—l they not be Moses and Elias raised up to live again in a Body upon Earth And is not this clearly enough hinted in these words of Iohn Ch. 11. viz. that they shall have Power to shut up Heaven Their Power that it shall not rain in the days of their Pâ—ophecy as they did in times past and to turn the Waters into Blood and to smite the Earth with Plagues as often as they liâ—t even as Moses did heretofore Quest. 59. And why should it be thought incredible that Moses and Elias should come again into the World when as it sufficiently appears from Scripture as well from the Book of Revelations as from other places of Scripture that all the Saints shall come again into the World within the Millennium And whereas Iohn says 144000 Israâ—â—lites were to be the firâ—â— Fruits of this Kingdom and glorious State will not Moses and Elias belong unto those first Fruits Moâ—eover as touchiâ—â— Elias did not Christ â—ay â—hat Elias should come or that he came and restored â—ll â—hings after the â—eath oâ— Iohn the Baptist â— whom he called Eâ—ias And finally why were Moses and Elias â—een with Chriâ—â— in the Mounâ— at his Transfiguration before he had suffer'd death Was it not to signifie that they should be nearest to Christ and the very next after him who should obtain the Resurrection from the Dead and in like manner ascend into Heaven unto him Quest. 60. Shall not those two Prophets be really slain and suffer a corporal Death as Christ really did and after three days and an half shall they not rise again from the Dead even as Christ arose on the third day And why should Men betake themselves to a meeâ— Allegoral Sense of the words touching the Death Resurrection of these two Witnesses when as the proper and literal Sence of the words is sound and contains no Absurdity but tends greatly to demonstrate divine Glory and Omnipotence Quest. 61. What is that great City spiritually call'd Sodom and Egâ—pt What Sodoâ— and â—gypt is where also our Lord was Crucified wherein the Bodies of the tâ—o Witnesses which were slain lay unburied thâ—ee days and an half May not thiâ— be the place where Christ was externally Crucified And may not â—ome great City be built theâ—e and stand in the â—ame place at that time And may not some great Mystery be coucht under it viz. That Moses and Elias should be slain in the same place where Châ—ist was slain and afterwards to be raiâ—ed up again tho' they were killed about 1740 years apart And it appears from History that Elias Adrian built there a City upon the Mountain to wit Golgotha where Christ was Crucified and call'd it Elias but the Chrâ—stâ—ans call'd it Ierusalem and so it is call'd to this day now under the power of the Turks And doth it not also appear from Dan. 11. v. 4. That the King who shall immediaâ—ely follow upon the Iews Conversion to the Chriâ—â—ian Faith shall inhabit Ierusalem which he calls the Holy Mountain of Beauty and Delight Situated between the Seas for this place was commonly held as an Holy place and really seated between the Seaâ— Quest. 62. To what time is the killing of the two VVitnesses and their Resurrection to be Referred Is it not to be Referred to the three last Years and an half immediatâ—ly preceediâ—g the Millennium because the Resurrection and Ascension of the two VVitnesses is joyned with the Sound of the seventh Trumpet also in Dan. 12. that time wherein Michael shall stand up for the Salvation of the Iewish People is joyned with the first Resurrection of the Dead Quest. 63. VVill not the Sound of the seventh Trumpet introduce that famous and renouned Millennium The Sound of the seventh Trumpet and the first Resurrection from the Dead in its due order viz. From the Year of Christ's Resurrection 1740 From 1740 to 2000 viz. From the Resurrection of the Dead to about the Year 2000 the Interval of the seventh and last Trumpeâ— containing the same number of Years as the rest above-cited to wit 260 and all the Intervals of the seven Trumpets together with the half hours silence do comprehend 2000 years For 260 multiplyed by 7 produces 1820 The duration of eâ—ery Trumpet is 260 Years to which if 180 the said number as it were of the half hours silence be added the Sum is 2000. And do not the words of Iohn in chap. 11. v. 15. manifestly declare that the beginning of the Millennium and the first Resurrection is to be taken from the beginning of the seventh Trumpet For he saith in the place here cited The seventh Angel sounded and there were great Voicâ—s in Heaven saying The Kingdoms of the World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ who shall reign for ever and ever c. Read to the end of the Chaâ—ter and especially Verse 18. And the Natiâ—ns were angry and thy Wrath is câ—mâ— and the time of the Dead â—hat they should be judged and that thâ—u shâ—uldst give Reward unto thy â—ervanâ—s the Pâ—opheâ—s and to thy Saints and to them that fear thy name small and great and shâ—uld'st destroy them that dâ—stâ—â—y the Earth c. Quest. 64. Was not that Vision desâ—rib'd by
themselves above Kings and Emperors and the first papal Usurpation was observed in Benedict the ninth who attempted to depose the Emperor from his Imperial Seat and dispose of the Crown to whom he pleased about the Year of Christ's Nativity 1034 as Histories confirm and especially Lucas Osiander in Epitom Hist. Eccles. Which was afterwards more vigorously followed by Gregory the seventh alias Hildebrand about the Year 1073 An. 1073 and in succeeding Ages continued to this day Quest. 77. Doth not that number of 144000 whom Iohn saw upon Sion standing with the Lamb and Singing a new Song c. signifie the same described in the like number Chap 7. who shall be the first Fruits of the first Resurrection above cited When they shall be plainly distinguished from the four Beastâ—â— and foâ—r and twenty â—lders because they shall Sing a new Song before the Beasts and Elders and none was able to learn that Song except the 144000â— and yet God will most certainly have other faithful Servants on Eaâ—th at that time alsoâ— tho' they cannot as yet learn the aforesaid Song which sâ—â—ms to be some peculiar Property in those only that obtain the firsâ— Resurrection Quest. 78. Will not the time whâ—râ—iâ— the 144000 will appear be after the expiration of 42 Months or 1260 Years which are the Years of the â—irst Beasâ— And thâ— latter 666 years bâ—longing to the sâ—conâ— Beast will have the â—ame End and Pâ—riod ending about thâ— Year of Christ's Nativity 1700 The Year 1700 in true Chronolâ—gy differs frâ—m the common respect being haâ— to true Chronology which many think differs some years â—rom the vulgar computation so as that the true is by some thoughâ— to preceed the vulgar by tâ—e space of two Years others think four years Quest. 79. About the time when tâ—e number of those that are Sealed 14400â— shall appear will not an Angel fly througâ— the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach to the Inhabitants oâ— thâ— Earth to every Nation People Tongue and Kindred And who is this Angel Is it not Jesus Christ Or some Angel having his Conmission And how shall this Angel preach the Gospel to all every where Shall he not do it by inspiring Good and Holy Men and stirring them up to go into other Nations whereby they shall declare and publish the Gospel of Christ over the whole Earth And so indeed there shall not be a Nation or People upon the whole Globe of the Earth to whom the Gospel shall not be both externally and internally preached and declared as Christ had foretold all the elect Children of God wheresoever dispersed shall be gather'd together and the rest shall be left without excuse And doth not this time belong to the Church of Pâ—iâ—â—delphia to whom the Lord had promised that he would open a door before her which no Man should shut And therefore shall not the Ears and Hearts of sundry in all Nations be effectually opened by Divine Power operating in the Ministers sent from God to believe and obey the holy Gospel whereby there shall be a great Conversion of many People of every Kindred Stock and Family unto Christ after this universal Publication of the Gospel And shall not also the Gift of Tongues and Miracles with divers other noble and excellent Gifts of the Divine Spirit once communicated to the Apostles be again restored to the Church which being restored shall be again produced when that time shall come Quest. 80. Shall not Babylon that great City fall suddenly after the Pâ—omulgation of the Gospel in all Nations in the order and manner described by the Propheâ— Iohn ch 14. where he first speaks of the 144000â— sâ—anding with the Lamb upon Mount Sion Secondly of the general Publication of the Gospel to all Nation and thirdly and lastly of the Fall of Babylon Quest. 81. Is not the first Resurrection of all the Saints and that happy and glorious Sabbath which they shall enjoy upon Earth after the first Resurrection clearlâ— pointed out Chapter 1â— Verse 1â— Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord from henceforth saith the Spirit that they rest from their Labâ—urs and their Works follow them And why doth he say from henceforth but to intimate to us that excellent Sabbath of the Saints for altho' the Saints are perpetually blessed and do rest in Christ after Death yet is not some peculiar degree of Felicity intended in these words viz. That most noble and excellent Sabbath which the Saints shall enjoy in the Millennium Quest. 82. What signifies the reaping of the Earth and the gathering together of the Grapes of the Vineyards of the Earth Are not the fearful and terrible Judgments of God upon the unbelieving and disobedient to be understood by it after God shall have bountifully rewaâ—ded his faithfâ—l Servants Quest. 83. How are those Words to be understood Chap. 14.20 And the Wine-press was trodden without the Cityâ— and Blood came â—ut of the Wine-press even unto the Hâ—rses Bridlesâ— by the space of a thâ—usand and six hundred Furlongs Doth not this belong to the time of the Baâ—â—le of Armageddon under the seventh 〈◊〉 when Gog and Magog or the Ungodly 〈◊〉 â—ll â—orts shall joyn themselves in gâ—eat Aâ—miâ—â— against God's People who follow the â—amb but at this time more especiallâ— against the Iews and Israelites now inhabiting their own Land Of which Batâ—le see Ezâ—kiel ch 38 v. â—1 12. CHAP. XV. QUâ—st 84. To what Interval or space of time belongs the Vision of the seven * The seven Angels with their seven Phials belonging to the seventh Trumpeâ— Angels pouring out their seven Phials of Divine Wrath Do they not seem manifestly to belong to the time of the seventh Trumpet to wit from the Year of Christ's Resurrection 1740 to the Year 2000 For those Phials are said to contain the seven last Plagues and in them is the Divine Wrath fulfilled And therefore will they not belong to the seventh Trumpet which contains Horrible and Tremendous Plagues And finally before any of these Phials shall be poured fourth the Temple of God will be opened in Heaven and all such as have obtained Victory over the Beast and his Image and over the Mark and Number of his Name viz. after the expiration of 1666 years since the Death of Christ shall stand upon the Glassy Sea which is mixt with Fire Singing the Song of Moses and the Lamb and Prophesying of almost a general Conversion of the Nations And doth not this opening of the Temple belong to the beginning of the Interval of the Philadelphian Church And certainly if we well consider how great power the Antichristian Kingdom has had in the World to this very day it seems an Argument strong enough to conclude that no Phials have been as yet poured out Quest. 85. Who are those whom Iohn saw standing upon the Sea of Glass mingled with Fire having obtained Victory over the Beast and over his Image Mark and
of 1000 Years after â—he â—ate of 1000 years to one Watch of the Nigâ—t as it is Pâ—al 90. v. 4. each Watch consisting of threâ— hours and 12 hours making â—p one intire Night or Day CHAP. XIX QUest 93. What is that multitude of People whom Iohn saw in â—eaven crying â—allelujah Salvation and Glory aâ—d Honor and Power to our Loâ—d God Do not these signiâ—ie that â—ast Multiâ—ude which shall be Converted as well of Iews as of Gentiles over the whole Globe of the Earth under the Interval of the sixth Seal and the seventh and last Trumpet together with the Saints raised to Life again under the seventh Trumpet Therefoâ—e in the same hour of 2â—â—½ years viz. fâ—om the year of Christ's Nativity 1â—0â— to the year 2â—33 or from the year of His Râ—â—uâ—recâ—ion 1666 to the year 2000. Will not the City Babylon be destroyed and tâ—e City or Church of God Gloriâ—â—â—â—y â—â—ilt Whether or no that very hour is not that which is â—aid Rev. â— 8.â— to be the hour oâ— Trâ—al or Temâ—taâ—ion which shâ—ll come over the whole â—arth from wâ—â—châ— viz. fâ—om the Danâ—â—r aâ—d Evil of this â—our God hath pâ—omised to preserve tâ—e Church of Pâ—â—â—adâ—â—phia aforesaid Quest. 94. What iâ— the Marriage of the Lamb which Iâ—â—n 〈◊〉 to come at tâ—e â—â—me afâ—â—â—â—aid And again what is that â—â—pper of the Lâ—mâ— to wâ—â—ch whosoâ—â—â—r were called were Blessed v. 7 9 Do not both the Marriage and Supper of the Lamb denote the first Resurrection of the Saints unto Life among whom all Matrimony with the carnal use of it shall cease among Men and Women agreeable to Christ`s saying that in the Resurrection they neither Marry nor are given in Marriage But the Souls of the Saints are Married to the Lamb remaining in the mean time pure and chast Virgins Quest. 95. Doth it not clearly appear from chap. 18. v. 14 15. that the Army of the Lamb was to use no carnal Weapons For their Captain whom they followed Arrayed in white Garments and on white Horses will smite their Enemies with a Sword proceeding out of his Mouth And what are those white Horses which the Saints shall have Are they not pure Bodies Bodies of the first Resurrection above-cited CHAP. XXI QVest. 96. What is that Angel which Iohn saâ— coming down from Heaven having the Key of the Bottomless Pit and a great Chain in his Hand who lay hold of the Dragon that old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand Years Is not this Angel Christ But whetheâ— he shall descend corporally in his Glorified Body or only Spiritually I leave to be farther determined Quest. 97. Do not the 1000 Years six times mention'd in this Chapter signifie 1â—00 Years properly so call'd And did not that Sabbath of Days and Yâ—ars made under the Law prâ—â—igure this Sabbath of the World to be in the seven thousandth year of it even as the six preceding thousand Years of the World were figur'd out or typified undâ—r the six Work-days And do not â—hese places of Scripture Psal. 90. v. 4. 2 Pet. 3. v. 8 râ—late unto the mystery of 1000 Years put for a day And have not the Prophets prophesied of many great and glorious things toucâ—ing this â—amous time or glâ—rious day of the Lord Also doth not that of Psal. 92. wâ—ere 't is treated of the Sabbath relate also unto that renowned timâ— Moreover is not that day the same whereof Esâ—ias prophesied saying The Light of oâ—e day shall be as the Light of seven Days and the Lord alone shall be exalted and magnified in that daâ— Bâ—sides also not only the more Learned among the Iâ—ws but many also of the Fathers among the Câ—ristians in the Primitive Agâ—s of the Church have declared and asserted their Faith and Hope concerning this Glorious Sabbath and Millennium to come wherein all tâ—e Saints being recalled from Deâ—th unto Liâ—e shall lead a most Bleâ—â—ed and also a most Holy Lâ—fe upon Earth in the firm Belief and Perswasion wherâ—oâ— tâ—ey rejoyced and triumphed in the greatest Suffâ—rinâ—s and Dangâ—rs of this mortal Liâ—e Quest. â—8 Shall not all the Saints that ever lived â—rom the beginning of the World whetheâ— they wâ—re killed for the Testimony of God oâ— died â— naturaâ— Death be raised up to live a Corporâ—al Life in the fuâ—ure Millennium And is not this Resurrection somâ— part of the Saints Reward both of smaâ—l and greâ—â— according to Rev. 11. v. 13. and Eâ—â—d 20. v. 2. Quest 9â— Shall not the Saints when they shall be raisâ—d to Life have Bodies of â—lesh not indeed suâ—h as Men now have but far more excellent such as was Adam's Body whilest he lived in the Earthly Paradise before the Fall and such also as was the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ before his Death which Bodies of the Saints shall at length in the end of the seventh Millennium be changed into Spiritual Bodies in which they shall ascend into Hâ—aven to meet the Lord And did not Paul touch upon that Mystery 1 Cor. 15. saying As we have born the Imagâ— of the Earthly Adam viz. as he was before the Falâ— we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly now glorified in the Heavens And did not the Prophets prophesie of such a Resurrection and especially Hosea and Daniel Dan. 12. v. 2. Hos. 6. v. 2. and finally doth not Paul 1 Cor. 15. plainly describe the sâ—ate of a two-fold Body the first indeed natural and then after the Expiration of the Millennium and the end of the Worlds Ages is come a Spiritual Body but that is not first which is Spiritual bâ—t that which is Natural and then that which is Spiritual and is not that Reward one of the Promises of Christ in that Age when he shall come in the Glory â—f his Father Quest. 100. And as the Iews Sabbath began in the end or evening of â—he sixth day will not also this most blessed Sabbath oâ— the World begin in the end of the sixth Millennium to wit bâ—fore the sixth Milennium of the World is expired And seeing the whole time of this Worlds duration seems to be a Week consistâ—ng of 7000 Yeaâ—s thâ—re woulâ— be no Remâ—inder of Years afâ—er the end of the Millennium if this hâ—ppy Age of 1â—â—0 Years did not commence bâ—â—ore the 6â—00 Years were expired And that thâ—re is some Remaindâ—r of Years after the Millennium plainly appears â—rom the Revelations which Iohn calls a little Season Rev. 20 v. 3. Now whâ—ther or no that little Season may not contain 260 Years making that most happy Age of the World to begin about tâ—e year of the World 5740 and of Christ's Resurrection 1â—4â— I leave to be determined by â—ny onâ— to wâ—om God shall vouchsafe to open these things by a purer Chronology Quest. 101. How shall the Saints be raised up again to live a Corporeal Life on Earth seeing Matrimony and carnal Conjunction of Male and Female shall cease whether all
the Saints shall be born of Virgins or whether as God formed Adam out of the Clay of the Earth or any other way suitable to the Majesty of the thing is a matter highly worthy to be explained if there be any to whom God shall reveal it Quest. 102. Do not the two last Chapters of the Revelations contain a Description of that most splendid and glorious State of the Saints or Church of God during the whole Interval or space of the Millennium even unto the end of the World Quest. 103. Shall thâ—re not new Heavens and a new Earth be made and prepared at the beginning of the Millennium Chap. 21.1 Isaiah 65.17.66.2 and 2 Pet. 3.13 And how shall this first Heaven and first Earth pass away Shall they be reduced to nothing or rather shall not the first or old Heaven and Earth alter their nature and quality and so be changed into new And whereas Peter said that Justice shall dwell in this new Earth doth not this sufficiently intimate that Righteous Mâ—n shall inhabit the same â—or both he and all the Saints expected this new Earth Quest. 104. Shall not there remain some Seed of Sinners in the time of the â—uture Millennium as appeâ—rs from Isaiah ch 65. v. 20 25. and out of that remaining Seed of Sinners will not the Armies of Gog aâ—d Magog be multiplied after the end of the Millennium And shall not these Sinners during the whole Millennium be totally subject to the Saints Quest. 105. Shall the Conflagration of the World be made at once or by parts of which see 2 Pet. 8. v. 10. Isa. 66. v. 15 16. Mal. 4. v. 1. And finally will it destroy all or for the most part only Sinners and will not certain Sinners escape the Flames whilst Babylon shall be totally destroyed and exterminated even as in Noah's Ark Ham and his Wife were preserved from the Flood as well as the Righteous from whom afterwards sprang the worst sort of Sinners Quest. 106. Will there not be found two sorts of Saints living upon Earth within the Interval of the sixth Seal viz. from the year of Christ's Resurrection 1666 to the year 2000. One whereof hath attained to the first Resurrection the other hath not as yet obtained it but hath an infallible Hope and Assurance after Death to obtain the same also within the time aforesaid And are not the words of Isaiah to be understood of the latter Isa. 65. v. 20. He that dies at an hundred years of age dies in Youth or Childhood but such shall die as Moses dy'd whose Eye was not darkened nor his natural Strength diminished when he died Deut. 3â— v. 7. For Moses did not die by reason of any Sickness or Decay of Strength but only to fulfil Divine Pleasure and will not also all the mortal Saints die after the same manner who have not as yet attained the first Resurrection that so by this way of dying they may obtain it Quest. 107. And will not the Children of the first Resurrection be in all respects the Children of God to wit both externally and internally as it were begotten of him their only Father And is not this clearly enough hinted to us in those words of Isa. 66. v. 9. Shall I be barren who give Generation to others saith the Lord as it is in the vulgar Translation Quest. 108. Do not those words of Revel 21.4 And there shall be no more Death nor Mourning nor Tears plainly intimate that the Saints who have obtained the first Resurrection shall never die any more neither internally nor externally but shall live during the whole Millennium a most Holy and a most Blessed Life on Earth but at the end of the Millennium to wit after all the Saints have lived compleatly a thousand Years on Earth shall they not be changed and ascend together to meet Christ in the Heavens even as Christ ascended into Heaven after his Resurrection And is not the Saints Life for a thousand Years apparently signified in these words Isa. 65. v. 22. which Iustin Martyr reads thus As are the days of the tree of Life so shall be the days of my People thereby signifying Man's return to that state of Holiness and Felicity wherein Adam stood before the Fall whilest he was permitted to Feed on the Tree of Life when as yet he knew not Death neither had yet tasted of the forbidden Fruit Quest. 109. How are those words to be understood Revel 21.1 And there was no more Sea Is Sea puâ— here Allegorically for worldly Afflictions and Tribulations Or may it not also be understood of some outward Mediterranean Sea dividing as well the Islands one from another as other Continents of the Earth So as that all the dry Land may remain together in one place as it is probable it did before the Flood Quest. 110. Why is that Holy City of God said to come down from Heaven Revel 21. v. 2 Doth not this plainly inâ—imate that all the Saints whatsoever now in Heaven shall descend from Heaven in the time of the Millennium to live a most Divine and Heavenly Life on Earth during the space of a thousand Years As before was said that at last they may be fitted and prepared for greater Glory which they shall enjoy in Heaven after the 1000 Years are finished to all Eteâ—nity For God shall be with them and in them whilst they Live here so that they shall suffer no Injury or Damage in this their Descenâ— but be greater Gainers by it Quest. 111. Do not those Words Revel 21.6 7. I will give to Him that Thirsteth of thâ— Fountain of Living Water freely He that overcomesâ— shall Inherit all Thâ—ngs and I will be to Him a God and He shall be to me a Son relate unto those which have not yet obtained the first Resurrection who yet Sâ—rive and Wrestle with Eâ—emies and Spiritual Temptations And all suâ—h shall have an Opportunity to Attain this first Resâ—rrection of the Saints at the Year of Christs Resurrection 2000. Quest. 112. Do not the twelve Doors or Gates of the Holy City whereon are inscribed the Names of the twelve Tribes of Israel clearly intimate that all the Gentiles who are true Believers shall be gathered together into one Body with the Faithful Israelites and all the Gentiles who are to be Saved will belong some to one and some to another of the twelve Tribes of Israel Quest. 113. And lastly do not the Names of the twelve Apostles inscribed upon the twelve Foundâ—tions of this City signifie that this very City was gathered together and Built by the Doctrine and Ministry of Saints and Apostlâ—s And that the Apostles themselves were the chief Members and as it were the Foundations of it Christ remaining above all and in all the Principal Foundation and Chief Corner-stone Quest. 114. Why is thiâ— City said to be Square in the Form of a Cube and not of a Gâ—obe Doth not this signifie the Stable Condition and Sâ—ate of
born oâ— Flesh and Blood And tho' it may be granted that the Hypothesis of the Revolutions may some way illustrate the Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead as Minutius Felix improved it to that purpose to convince the Heathen Philosophers of the verity of the Resurrection yet the Resurrection of the Dead tho' it be call'd a Revolution is not like those other Revolutions wherein Men's Souls are supposed after Death to revolve into other Bodies by humane Generation Page 71. ad fin Emend That none had finished their Revolutions according to that Hypothesis before the Death of Christ must be granted but that all Souls had begun their Revolutions before Solomon's time unless it be restrained to the Souls of the Iews is not so apparent but rather according to the Mystick Writers of the Iews many Souls do still begin their Revolutions until 6â—00 Years be â—xpired from the beginning of this World Page 81. ad med Emend That it is more probable those 144000 mentioned Reâ—el ch 7. and câ— 14. are to be understood of the first Fruits of the raised Saints sometime before the beginning of the 1000 Years viz. about the time of tâ—e opening of the sixth Seal Page 88. l. 22. Emend and Explic. This is only to be understood of all such Souls to whom the Period of 4000 Yearâ— is given because of the dark times preceding but in the Ages of more Light under Christ less time is given the shortness of time being supplied sufficiently wiâ—h the greater Light Page 93. l. 20. Emend and Explic. This present time is the last to any that have had sufficient time formerly givâ—n them but not to others that have not had their â—ull day and time given them Page 95. l. 5. Emend and Explic. That Souls revolve but thrice in the space of 1000 Years and consequently but once in the space of 333 Yearsâ— is to be understood of such Souls as have committed such hainous Crimes as for which they deserved to be ejected or cast out for so long a time which Ejection is called by Mystick Writers Excision that is either for such a long time as 333 Years or if they do not amend may prove at last a final Excision But such Souls 〈◊〉 do amend the Mystick Writers say do quickly revolve in order to their perfect Restitution so that the Soul of the deceased Faâ—her may revolve in his Grand-child which is only but Historically related but not Dogmatically aâ—serted yet not so that the Father is the Grand-Child for that would be great Confusion but that as they say the Soul of the Deceased Grand-father doth revolve to cohabit and live together wiâ—h the Soul of the Grand-Child in the same Body even as the Soul of the Grand-Child did live together and cohabit with the Soul of the Grand-father in the Grand-father's Body out of whose Loins he did at last proceed according to which Hypothesis it may be understood how the Souls â—f Er and Onan who died in the Land of Canaan yet went with their Brethren into Egypt making in all together with Er and Onan but 70 Souls as plâ—inly appeâ—reth from Gen. 46.12 27. it being granted that they revolved in Pâ—aâ—ez and Zerah their younger Brethren who had also their own proper distinct Souls all whiâ—h were great distinct Roots of their râ—speâ—tive Families Page 105. lin 1. Correct The Years from Chrisâ—'s Resurrection to the beginning of the first Trumpet are 180 to which adding the Yâ—ars â—rom Christ's Birâ—h â—o his Death and Resurrection viz. 34 Years current make 214 and therefore correct the Intervals of the Trumpets thus 214 474.734.9â—4.1254.1514.1774 â—034 The occasion oâ— the difference of four Years is above-noted and corrected at Page â—6 Page 1â—8 109. Emendat and Explic. If the seven Thunders and seven Vials have some Analogy as is â—robable thâ—se Intervals of Numbers Page 108. may â—ather be referred to the seven Thunders than to the â—even Vialsâ— And it is rather more probable that the 〈◊〉 of the seven Vials begins not to be poured out until 〈◊〉 year from Christ's â—â—rth 1â—0â— and if we allow ten Years to each Vial the last shall be poured out 〈◊〉 the year 1770 after which allowing three Years and to the personal Antichrist that is then to come whose timeâ— according to the general Sence of Antiquity is limited to that short space of three Years and ½ anâ— who at the end of that short space is to be destroyed by Christ's coming it brings us to the beginning 〈◊〉 the 1000 Years about the year 1774â— which yet 〈◊〉 not Dogmatically aâ—â—â—râ—ed but by way of a probablâ— Hyâ—othesiâ— and modest conjecture But that the Papal Hiâ—rarchâ— will not expire aâ—out the year 1700 〈◊〉 apparent â—rom Mâ—â—â—chiâ—â—'s Prophec An Irish Aâ—â—â—â— who lived aboâ—t 〈◊〉 Yâ—ars ago and had a Vision of 〈◊〉 the Popes that should be frâ—m hiâ— time to the 〈◊〉 See Flâ—re's 〈◊〉 according to wâ—ich Fifteen 〈◊〉 Sixteen Popes are yet to come but they may all happen to come and pâ—â—s before the year 1â—5â— be 〈◊〉 expired But aâ—ouâ— the year 1â—â—â— which is thâ—â—gâ—â— by strict account to 〈…〉 or 16â—â— some greâ—â— change may be probably expected in 〈◊〉 to a 〈◊〉 Reformation in the World thaâ— very 〈◊〉 being 〈◊〉 beginning of the sixth Seal according to this Châ—â—â—â—â—logical Hâ—poâ—hesis The seventh Seal may either 〈◊〉 suppos'd to comprehend in a â—â—nerâ—â— wayâ— all the 〈◊〉 Seals and Intervals of â—he â—rumpets and Vâ—â—â—s â—r wiâ—â—out any change of the Chronological Perâ—ods 〈◊〉 numbers of Years the seventh Seal may â—e suppâ—â—â— to be Synchronous or Contemporal with the 〈◊〉 Seal and consequently the half hour's silence may 〈◊〉 reâ—erred to that time to great Peace and Quiet 〈◊〉 the Church of Christ shall enjoy â—rom the year 1â—â—â— to the year 17â—0 â—ithin which space of â—0 Yeaâ—â— the seven Viaâ—s called the seven last Plaguesâ— are to poured out upon the false Church the Whore â—â—â—bylon and chieâ—ly the Râ—mâ—â— â—ierarchâ— aâ—d Papâ—â—â— Page 110. aâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 It is a great mistaâ—â— that needs Câ—rrecâ—iâ—n 〈◊〉 â—hich the Author 〈…〉 had correâ—ted in â—is Manusâ—â—pâ—s aâ— if the Propheâ—s 〈◊〉 Apostles or â—ny other of 〈◊〉 dâ—â—eâ—sed Saintâ— shaâ—l born agaiâ— into the World of Women Virgins or any others But all the deceased Saints shall â—e raised upâ— and â—eceive their Resurrection Bodies by â—he immediate Power of God and Christ. And tâ—o ' it is called in Scripture Reâ—eneration yet it is properly and truly a real Resurrection as well as Reâ—eneraâ—â—on wâ—erebâ— according to the Body thâ—â— shall be the Children of God as well as according to the Soul and â—â—â—rit Morâ—over as â—oncerning the order of tâ—â— Râ—suâ—â—eâ—â—ion the Scripâ—ure is plain Fiâ—st 〈◊〉 the first Frâ—its afâ—er they tâ—at are Chriâ—â— a◠〈◊〉 Coâ—iâ—g But iâ— is worthy â—o be consideâ—â—d wâ—ether â—here â—â—y noâ— be a first Fruits of tâ—e Râ—sâ—râ—â—â—â—â—on before the general Reâ—â—rrection oâ— the 〈…〉 to the Râ—vâ—latiâ—ns Chap. 7. anâ— Chap. 14. Page 11â— anâ—
from 〈…〉 Explic. It â—â—s well th 〈…〉 tionâ—d of â—aâ—c c. is sâ—â—d â—xpreâ—l◠〈…〉 not to be 〈…〉 time the Aâ—tâ—â—r as â—â—pâ—â—r 〈◊〉 ouâ— oâ— his own Mâ—nuâ—cripâ—s â—â—d Paper◠〈…〉 stion neâ—â—â—ivâ—ly 〈◊〉 a posâ—â—ive an 〈…〉 That Isaâ—c was 〈…〉 the Woman whiâ—h Christ 〈◊〉 wâ—en â—e câ—use iâ— thâ— Flâ—sh and tâ—at â—or 〈…〉 To 〈◊〉 Iâ—aaâ— â—â—s the promisâ—d 〈…〉 Châ—ist 〈◊〉 into that mos◠〈…〉 Unâ—â—â— wiâ—h himself is â—o â—ay 〈◊〉 Iâ—â—ac â—â—comâ— Chriâ—t and so wa◠〈◊〉 own Sâ—viâ—ur bâ—t that is aâ—â—uâ—â—d foâ— Isâ—ac â—o â—ll â—â—â—â—r Men needâ—d anâ—ther to â—ave them from theiâ—â—iâ—â— and tâ—aâ—â—tâ—â—r was Chrisâ— 2. It is the Tesâ—imâ—nâ— of 〈…〉 tâ—at all Mâ—n dâ—sâ—â—nded oâ— Aâ—am â—â—râ—st 〈◊〉 have sinâ—ed and tâ—â—râ—fâ—re Iâ—aac as weâ—â— as Aâ—raham and Iaâ—â—â— â—â—â—ve sinned soâ—e â—ime â—r â—theâ— but if Isaac â—â—d â—â—en Chrâ—st to wit the Man Christ thâ—n Châ—ist hâ—d dâ—â—d â—â—r his own Sinâ— but Christ died not for his 〈◊〉 that â—ver aâ— any time â—e hâ—d for he neâ—â—â—â—aâ—â—â—ny Sin Dâ—n â— 2â— compared with Isaiaâ— 53.5 1 Cor. 15.2 2 Cor. 15.21 3. Isaac was to be saved justified and pardoned by Faith in the Man Christ but Isaac was not to believe or have Faith in himself 4. That promised Seed of the Woman that descended out of the Loins of all the Fathers in a straight Line of Succession from Adam to Christ and from Eve to Mary was no part of the defiled Nature of Man tho' it was conveyed or transmitted thro' them that had been defiled with Sin as David and Solomon were great Sinners and yet their Seed was conveyed and transmiâ—tâ—d through them And this is easie to understand how an holy and undefiled Seed or Principle can pass through them that have been defiled and be no more defiled therewith than how the Sun-Beams can shine on an unclean place and not be defiled therâ—with Now that the Seed of the Woman so conveyed and transmitted from Adam to Christ was never defiled with Sin and so was no part of the fallen Nature of Man is clear because to signifie his Primitive Purity and Holiness he was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of a Virgin and not after the ordinaâ—y manner of Humane Generation And it is written of him Thou hast loved Righteousness and hated Iniquity c. Psal. 45.7 5. That of our Nature which Christ assumed if it had been defiled at any time with Sin how could it have been cleansed oâ— how could it â—leanse other parts of Man's Nature that had been defiled by Sin For it is the clean that cleanseth the unclean and the cleansing must begin in that which is clean that is the Root and Original to cureâ— and cleanse that which is unclean and by â—aith in the promised Seed of the Woman all they who were saved from the beginning of the World were cleansed and sanctified But if it be enquiâ—ed was this Seed of the Woman convâ—yed from Adam to the Man Christ the Seed of Christ or only a Bodily Seed or Principle To this it is answeredâ— That the higâ—er degree of the Soul of Christ was not that Seed that was conveyed through the Loins oâ— Abraham and David to wit that degree of his Soul called the Spirt and Mind in Hebrew Ruach and Neshamah for that was in Heaven and came down from Heaven when the Child Jesus was conceived in the Womb of the Virgin as Christ himself said Ioh. 6.38 For I came down from Heaven not to do my own Will but the Will of him that sent me This was not the Godhead of Christ but that Superiour or Higher degree of his Soul called Ruâ—ch and Neshamah but the inferiour degree or Animal part called Nâ—â—hâ—sh in Heb. may be well allowed to have been in that Seed of the Woman which Christ assumed together with the Bodily Seed and Principle of Christ's Body and tho' it was conveyed and transmitted through all these Generations from Adam to Christ mentioned in Luke ch 3. yet that is not in the common sense of the word Revolutiâ—n because Râ—â—olution in the common sense of the word used by Mâ—â—tick Writâ—râ— is used to signifie the returning of the Souls of deceasâ—d Men to live again in other Bodies of their Posterity or Kindred But when a Man begets a Son and the Soul of his Son comes out of â—is Loins as it is said the Souls of Iacob's Children came â—ut of his Loins that is not called Revâ—lution in the common sense of the Mysâ—ick Writers Beside that Souls revolved are saâ—d to suffâ—r tâ—e Bodily Pains and Afflictionâ— that the Body suffers into which it revolveth and Death also and therefore the Sâ—â—l of Christ did not after this manner revolve for then he would have often died whereas Christ died but once and having once died he dieth no more Deathâ— hath no more Dominion over him Rom. 6.9 Nor is there any cause to suppose that Isaac's Soul needed any Revolution more than the Soul of any â—f the holiâ—st Men for these holy Men being perfected in Faith Love and Holiness according to the Hâ—pothesis of the Revolutions after Death need no Revolution but rest in perfect Peace and Joy until the Resurrection of the Dead But what is the mystery of these 76 or 77 Generations from Adam to Christ described by Luke Chap. 3. iâ— best to leave to God's further opening and noâ— tâ— intrude inâ—o things not sâ—en Pâ—gâ—â— 119 120 121 122. Emend That the two Witnâ—sâ—es shall be Mâ—ses and Elias that shall be slain and risâ— again from â—he Deâ—d I find to be the opinion of some of the Aâ—cieâ—ts particularly of H. Coziâ—s â—â—t they who did not hâ—ld tâ—at Opiâ—ion did not think they sâ—â—uld be born again of Women but that they shâ—â—â—d câ—mâ— and sâ—ffer in these very Bodies wherein they â—ormerâ—y â—â—vâ—d and should rise again But these two Wiâ—nesses shâ—ll nâ—t 〈◊〉 Mâ—sâ—â— and Eliâ—s as some sâ—y or 〈◊〉 and Eâ—â—â—s as oâ—hers saâ— it is certain that they shâ—ll be â—wo excellent and eminent Servâ—ntâ— of Gâ—d enduâ—d wiâ—h such a Prophetick and wâ—ndâ—r wâ—â—â—iâ—g â—pirit as Mâ—ses and Elias had No◠〈…〉 appear that any of the deceased Saiâ—ts â—hâ—ll by 〈◊〉 be bâ—rn agâ—in of Women â—ut they shâ—â—l â—e immediately raised up by the power of God aâ—d Christ. Pagâ— 122. ad â—iâ—em â—â—â—nd aâ—◠〈◊〉 That the Sâ—inâ—s shall be raâ—sed up tâ— live and reign with Christ on â—r over the â—â—rthâ— is noâ—â—o be understood as iâ— thâ—y should nâ—ed or 〈…〉 the Meats or Drinks oâ— the Eaâ—â—h or any 〈◊〉 Eâ—râ—hly Convenienceâ— bâ—t tâ—aâ— theâ—â—hall appear â—o â—hâ— Sâ—ints not yet 〈…〉 liviâ—g 〈…〉 Animal 〈◊〉 to their great 〈◊〉 and hâ—vâ— that Rule and Government over â—â—l tâ—e Eâ—rth that the Angels now have iâ— clear from Heb. â— 5 1 Cor. 6.2 Page 125. ad â—inâ—m Emend That the Church of 〈◊〉 shall â—ollow tâ—e latter part of the Thousand Yeaâ—s is nâ—â—â—â—oâ—able but rather that it shall be contempâ—rary 〈◊〉 thâ— Church of Philadelphia for some
câ—nsidâ—râ—ble tâ—me the one being a pure holy Church exactly aâ—â—wering to the Church in the Apostle's days in Puriâ—y of Dâ—ctrine Holiness of Life and Plenty of Sâ—iritual Giâ—ts to wit that of Philadelphia the other to wit tâ—at of Laâ—â—icea having a form of Godlinesâ— very â—â—ar resembling the true Church but lâ—cking the Power and Life of Christianity See the second Treatise Page 132. The Emendations and Explications in the second Tâ—eâ—â—ise with the Corrections of the Errâ—rs oâ— the Press MOST of the Emendations and Explications bâ—longing to this second Treatise are already noted in the first beside that it will be obvious â—o the Reader that the second Treatise doth it sâ—lf correct divers things in the former whereby it is maniâ—esâ—ly apparent that as the second Treatise wâ—s dâ—ne by the Author sometime aâ—ter the first the Authâ—r himself had come to a more mature and ripâ— understanding in many things of greâ—t weight at his wâ—iâ—ing the second Treatise than he had at first Page 131. l. 21. read 333 1 â— and page 134. towâ—rds the end râ—ad on the Margin Annâ— 700 from the Birth of Christ. Pag. 137. lin 12. read 666 and on the Margin read from the year 700 to 1â—34 Page 154. tâ—wards the end Emend and Explic. As the sixth and seventh Churches are esteemed contemporary so may the sixth and seventh Seals See the Emendation in the first Treatise Page 125. Page 157. l. 2. Dele Ioâ—â—on and read to Valens and Vâ—lentinian 〈◊〉 1â—2 l. 4. read 1333. Pâ—â—e 167. That the Saints in tâ—e Resurrection shall be raised up in a successive order as Men are born into the World in a successive order is no wise probable and has no Ground from 1 Cor. 15.23 For the ordeâ— there described as it â—ath relation to time is thus Christ the first Fruits afterward they that are Christ's at his coming then cometh the end when the unjust shall be raised at the end but order may also relatâ— to the several degrees of Glory that the Saints shall have some above others according to their higher attainments in Holiness For as one Star differeth from another Star in Glory so is also the Resurrection of the Dead 1 Cor. 15.41 42. Page 170. Emend and Expliâ— It is noted above at pâ—g 109 that the half Hour's Silence may be referred to that time of great Peace and Quiet that the Church shall enjoy from the year of Christ's Birth 1700 to the year 1770 though if it be referred to that time of Peace from Christ's Resurrâ—ction to the year 180 following it maketh no considerable Alteration in the Chronology or order of things but the great Peace and Flourishing of the Church fâ—om about the year 1700 to 1770 coâ—taining 70 Years the number of the Years of the Desolation and Devastation of the â—aâ—se Church mystically designed by Cyrus Isaiah 23.15 as elsewhere by Babylâ—n seemeth to suite best with the half Hours silence and then that space of 180 Years from Châ—â—st's Resurrection before the first Trumpet sound shall signifie the time of the seven Angâ—ls preparing tâ—â—msâ—lves to sound Rev. 8.6 Page 181. l. 7. for 1574 read 1774. Page 185. l. 6. Correct the error of the Press thus according to the Latin Copy Did not Christ saâ— after the death of Iohn Baptist Elias cometh and shall râ—store all things But this was not done in Iohn Baptist's time but remaineth yet to be done at Elias's coming Page 194â— l. 21. For Two râ—ad Seâ—en Page 196. l. 8. read Suâ—â—â—ssâ—rs p. 199. l. 2. read were p. 201. l. 15. read tâ—at all Page 204. Emend and Explic. Whereas the Author in this place râ—ferreth the times of the seven Vials to the seventh Trumpet viz. from the year of Christ's Resurrection 1740 to the year â—â—00 â—hich some may judge a probable Hâ—pâ—thâ—sis the same Author in some of his Manuscripts hath set down â—nother probable Hypothâ—â—is to which he seemeth most inclined viz. That the timâ—s of the seven Vials belong to the last 70 Years of the sixth Trumpet the first Vial beginning at the yâ—ar of Christ's Birth 1700 allowing to each Vial ten Years succâ—ssively to the last according to which râ—ckoning the Papal Hiâ—rarchy and peâ—haps Rome it self signified by the Throne or Seat of the Beast shall be destroyed by the pouring of the fifth Vial about the year of Christ's Birth 1750. but which of these two Hypotheses is nearest to the Truth seeing the Author pretends not to a Spirit of Prophecy in the case Time and Event will determine Page 206. See the former Emendation See also the Emendation P. 109. Page At Question 9â— 99. Emend The Saints Bodies in the first Resurrection and Adam's Body before the Fall do most resemble the Body of Christ as it appeared at the Transfiguration before his Death which was indeed gloriâ—us aâ—d so will the Saints Bodies appear in the first Resurrectionâ— so that in respect of our gross Bodies they may be said to be Spiritual yet capable of a far higher degree of Spirituality at the last Page At Questiâ—n 101. See this Question answered in the Emendations in the first Treatiseâ— ad P. 110. Page At Questâ— 106 107. Explic. It is clear from Scripture that the mortal Bodies of the Saints after the Thousâ—nd Years begin shall not die as Mâ—n now die so as to need any Burial but they shall be changed in a moment when duly sitted for that Change according to 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Page At Quest. 1â—8 â—xplic It is noâ— to be undâ—rsâ—oodâ— that the raised Saints living on Earth in the Thousand Years shall need or use any of the Meats oâ— Drinks or other Reâ—reshments aâ—d Conveniences that this material or visible Earth affordeth but they shall live rather above the Earth than on it for then shall the Paradisiacal Earth be revealed and given to them to live in that was given to Adam to live in which since the Fall hâ—th been hid but shall then be opened which is most properly that new Earth that is called new because it never waxeth old as for the same reason the new Heavens are sâ— called whereas the visible Heavens and Earth grow old and shall be changed Page At Quest. 186. Corr. read as 52 to 1. Note That whereas divers times in both these Treaâ—isâ—s mention is made of the number 333 1 â—â— Years as being a mystical Hour containing the Intervâ—â—s of the seven Churches and the seven Seals the Mystery of this number 333 1 â— being one third part of 1000 seemeth further to be confirmed by this that 333 1 â— solar Years being reduced to Lunar Years each Lunar Year containing 355 Days as each Solar Year containeth 365 Days make 343 Lunar Years which are seven Jubilee Years accounting each Jubilee Year to contain 49 common Years within which compass of time viz. of 333 Years efforts both Civil and Ecclesiastical are observed to hâ—ve great Changes and Revolutions Note also that the Years mentioned in the Old Testament â— in the Chronology of the World from Adam to Christ's Reâ—urrection seem to be Lunar Years each Year con-containing 355 Days as the Hebrew wâ—rd signifying Yeâ—r doth coâ—tain the number 355 but the Years â—rom Christ's Resurrection are not Lunar Years but Solar and that shadowy and changâ—able Dispensâ—tion under the Law and Types and Figures in use both before and under the Law suites with the Luâ—ar Years the Moon being a Sâ—mbol or Figure of that shadowy Dispensation but nothing as to this is positively asserted but left to a â—urther Search and Inâ—uiry Books Printed for and Sold by Sarah Howkins in George-yard AN Apology for the true Christian Divinity Quarto By Robert Barâ—lay Dr. Weidenfield's Chymistry Quarto price 5 s. 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