shall not be hurt of the second death but shall escape it Rev. 20.6 12 And to the Angel of the Church in Pergamos 26 write These things saith he who hath the sharp 27 Sword of the Word and the Spirit with two edges to inflict severe and sharp Judgments chap. 1.16 26 Pergamos is distant from Smyrna Northwards about five hundred and Forty Furlongs and there are in it now but a few Families of miserable Christians and but one Church although it was anciently the most Famous and Chief City of Asia the Less having been the Seat of the Attalidae who were rich and potent Kings and of the Roman Proconsuls For which Reason as well as in Allusion to its Name it may be put to denote here The exalted State of the Church High and Lofty Fabricks and Things being called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Asiaticks And because of its (a) Andr. Caesar in locum excessive Idolatry it is a fit Type of the Apostate state of this Succession in which the Apostasy was exalted to a Throne 27 Corruptions daily encreasing under this State the Styleis here changed and Christ is represented with a sharp sword in his Hand 13 I know thy good works and where thou dwellest even where Satan's 28 Seat or Throne is i. e. under the Dominion of the Antichristian Apostasy and I know that nevertheless thou holdest fast or retainest the profession of my Name and hast not renounced it by becoming Antichristian and hast not denied my Faith or Gospel no not even in those days or Times of Darkness and Cruelty wherein Antipas 29 i. e. the Opposers of Popery was my faithful Martyr or Witness who was flain by Decrees Anathemas and frequent Deaths among you or under your Jurisdiction where Satan or Antichrist dwelleth or has his constant Residence in great State and Power 2 Thes 2.4 9 28 The Apostasy is now called Satan's Seat or Throne because that upon the Churches Exaltation under the Christian Emperors a Worldly Kingdom and a Paganizing Christianity arose by degrees especially at Rome to such an heighth that it became at last to have a Supremacy or a Throne in it to which Satan's power in this World is likened in Scripture viz. Isa 14 12-14 Luke 10.18 John 12.31 With which the History of those Times agrees it being evident that from about the year 400. and odd the precise year I shall endeavour to determine hereafter when Satan's Synagogue seems to have arrived to its maturity that the Apostasy daily increased chiefly upon the Growth of the Papacy which came to have a Throne about the year 606 when Boniface the Third Usurped the Title of Vniversal Bishop 29 There might have been perhaps a Martyr of this Name at Pergamus although the Story of him related in the Greek Menologies is vehemently to be suspected as Grotius has well noted a Brazen Bull being not a Punishment amongst the Romans whose Laws were then observed at Pergamus and the Relations of those early Martyrdoms being justly called in question by some of the Learnedst Men of the Romish Church But howsoever the Names made use of in this Book having constantly a mystical signification this also must be understood after the same manner and it will then plainly denote The Opposer of the Pope that is by a Figure usual in this Prophecy the whole Body or succession of those who during this period witnessed against the Apostasy of that See a Catalogue of whom you may find in Illyricus Vsher and other Authors For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies against or contrary and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Old Word for Father from whence by a Reduplication of Letters comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Pope or Holy Father for which consult what is said by the Etymoligists out of Eustathius And the Word Antipas is made use of and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because this was a Common Name which the others were not And because those Names would have given a too open intimation of the Mystery designed designed by them contrary to the Holy Secrecy and Reserve usually observed in this Prophecy 14 But yet I have a few or some little small things to object against thee because thou hast 30 there where thou dwellest and amongst you them or a prevailing Party that hold profess and practise the Doctrine Precept and Counsel of 31 Balaam i. e. the False Antichristian Prophet who taught Balack i. e. the Princes subject to Antichrist to cast a stumbling-block or an Occasion to commit Sin before the Children of Israel that is the Christians of that Age the Spiritual Israel to * eat things sacrificed unto Idols and to commit Spiritual Fornication which is Idolatry 30 Although the Apostate Church had the Throne that is the Antichristian Power and Preheminence yet the pure Church-State is here blamed for having them or that prevailing party amongst them although they could not help it because that it had not arrived to that perfection of Gifts and Graces as must necessarily have cast out the corrupt party by its power and efficacy Thus the Apostle blames the Corinthians 1 Cor. 5. and 2 Cor. 7. that they had not mourned that the incestuous person might be cast out from among them and for want of vehement Affections of godly Sorrow Desire Revenge c. by which alone they could approve and clear themselves in that matter 31 Concerning this wicked advice of Balaam who counselled Balack to draw the Israelites to Idolatry by enticing them with the Conversation of strange Women you may read the 22d 23d 24th 25th Chapters of Numbers and the 16th Verse of the 31st as also Micah 6.5 2 Pet. 2.15 and Jude 11. together with the Expositors on those places Whereby is plainly signified the wicked Counsel of the Antichristian Party especially of the Papacy which like Balaam pretends to Prophecy and Infallibility whereby the Secular Powers Represented by King Balack were perswaded to entice the people to Idolatry by worshipping Bread and Saints and Images So that this Period comprehends the Times in which these Doctrines were controverted and at last imposed and seems to reach until about the year 1100. when Antipas or the faithful Witnesses against these and other Errors which had been before slain by the Anathemas of several Councils and lay mostly concealed and hid within the Apostate Church began to unite into an open and visible Body and to appear under the Name of the Waldenses and Albigenses in a more direct Opposition to that Satanical or Antichristian Authority which had hitherto over-powered them Upon which as History testifies vast Numbers of all Ranks and Qualities united themselves unto them * To eat things sacrificed unto Idols as appears from the Apostles Discourse 1 Cor. 8. and 12. was accounted by the Corinthians no fault and was defended by them as Grotius notes upon the place by very subtile Distinctions not
belongs to those who practice according to the pure and undefiled Rules of Christian Worship given in this Prophecy 4 John to the Seven 6 Eminent Churches in Asia the Less Grace i. e. the free and undeserved Love and Assistance of God be unto you and 7 Peace i. e. all manner of Prosperity especially Spiritual from 8 him or The which is and which was and which is to come i. e. the Eternal and Immutable God Exod. 3.14 who can therefore reveal and will certainly accomplish all which is here foretold and which belongs unto his Church from the beginning unto the end of Time and from the 9 Seven Spirits i. e. the Holy Ghost or Spirit Zach. 4.2 6. which are before his Throne i. e. is present and of Counsel with him who sits on the Throne working and communicating Graces and Gifts by its Operations according to his supreme Good Pleasure and Determination 6 The Seven Churches particularly mentioned in the 11th Verse were the most eminent and flourishing of those which were under the peculiar Care and Government of John upon which account they might be very well made choice of by the Holy Spirit amongst many others which were then probably planted in Asia Minor now called Natolia Some Travellers particularly the Ingenious Mr. Spoon have remarked several Circumstances of their present Condition answerable to the Judgments denounced against them in the following Epistles which may render it something probable that they were immediately directed unto them although the Arguments brought by Dr. Moor and others seem to me to carry with them a full Conviction of what Grotius confesses that the seven Asiatick Churches are but a Pattern and Example of the sevenfold state and quality successive temper and condition of the Universal Church from the beginning to the end of it of which perhaps for it is not a thing unusual in Scripture there may be some intimation in their Names as Grotius has observed which might probably have been made out more clearly if we had a more particular account of the ancient History and circumstances of those Churches however that they are Mystical and not barely Literal Epistles I shall endeavour to prove by observations drawn from the Text it self in my following Annotations and shall not rest upon extrinsecal and more remote Arguments being sufficiently convinced of the frequent weakness of Reasoning upon such Topicks in these matters But upon an impartial consideration of all circumstances I cannot but be of opinion That these seven Asiatick Churches represent the seven Periods and Successions of the Vniversal Church which in correspondence to the Creation a Type of God's Transactions with his Church is according to the known Tradition of the Jews after six thousand years of Labour and Imperfection to enjoy a seventh of Peace Holiness and Perfection from whence the Pythagoreans whose Philosophy came from the East took their Doctrine of the perfection of this Number which is in Scripture and particularly in this Prophecy often made use of in what relates to Christ and his Kingdom and is a perfect number not upon an Arithmetical account for the Number Six is the first perfect Arithmetical one but upon a Mystical in memory of God's having finished and perfected his Works on the Seventb day and of the Sabbatical Rest of the Church in the Seventh Thousand Year of the World after Six remarkable Periods of it from Christ's Resurrection of which more hereafter on Chap. 20. 5. Howsoever thus much is certain That what is contained in these Epistles ought to be duly considered by all Churches that so they may avoid the Faults therein reprehended and the Punishments threatned in them For what is therein written is written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the World are come 7 Peace especially Spiritual being the greatest of blessings is put in Scripture to denote all manner of Prosperity 8 The That is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jehovah who is Being it self for these Words are an Explication of that Sacred Name See the Interpreters on Exod. 3.14 9 It is the Opinion of Mr. Mede Disc 10. and of Dr. Hammond on the place That by the Seven Spirits are to be understood Seven Angels But besides that as Grotius notes on the place Spirits are distinguished from Angels in the Fifth Chapter and that Chap. 4. 5. they are called the Seven Spirits of God which is a Title not given to Angels in Scripture it is not easily accountable why Angels should be placed in the same rank with the Persons of the Trinity and that before the Son and that Grace should be Prayed and Wished for from them when all good Gifts are said by the Apostle James Chap. 1. 17. to come from above from the Father of Lights and there being no form of a Salutation or Blessing in Scripture in the name of a meer Angel for the Angel Gen. 48.15.6 is Christ and not a created Angel such an Interpretation of these Words would give a greater Encouragement to Creature-Worship than can be imagined to have been given in this Prophecy which is so severe against all Idolatry and in which this very Apostle was twice reprehended for offering to give Worship to an Angel And therefore there being no necessity of interpreting the words in this Sense it is certainly the safest and the truest way in my Opinion to understand them concerning the Holy Spirit represented here by Seven Spirits in respect of his Various but Perfect Operations and Gifts denoted by Seven the Number of Perfection as we have already noted and shall declare more fully hereafter to the Vniversal Church in the Sevenfold successive State of it Whereupon Zach. 4. the Seven Lamps at the 2d Verse are at the 6th Verse said to be by God's Spirit That is from the Plenitude of the Holy Spirit which in those Seven Lamps diffused its Mighty and Perfect Operations But although Angels are not to be placed before Christ yet the Order of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity is not always observed in Scripture not in that very Apostolick Benediction 2 Cor. 13. where the Grace of Christ is placed first and in this Form of Benediction the Holy Ghost is put before Christ because more was to be spoken concerning him afterwards who was therefore more conveniently to be reserved unto the last place 5 And from 10 Jesus Christ who is the Faithful Witness of his Fathers Will and a Prophet worthy to be believed and the first begotten of or first born from the Dead by his being first raised which is a new Birth or a Regeneration Acts 13.33 and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth i. e. the chief Ruler and Disposer of the Kingdoms of Men especially the four Monarchies which shall be broken to Peices and consumed by his Kingdom Dan. 2 44.4 17. unto him that Loved us unto the Death John 15.13 and washed us from our sins in or by his own Blood shed for them 10 Note here the great
Souls to call them back or retain them when they are departed out of the Body and of Death it self to keep men from it and therefore fear not for if you were really Dead I could raise you up again All which looks with a Full Eye on that great First Resurrection c. 20. 28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Hammond on Matth. 11. and Bishop Pearson on the Creed 19 And upon this assurance stand up upon thy Feet and be of good Courage and Write in a Book unto the seven Churches as I before commanded thee vers 11. the things which thou hast seen already 29 in the representation of the seven Stars and seven golden Candlesticks vers 12 13 16. and 30 write also the things which are now in being in my present Apostolical Church and the things which shall be hereafter successively to the very end of Time 29 It is manifest from the next Verse that this is the true sense of these Words where it is expresly said that the Seven Stars were Seen by him in his Right Hand which are therefore the things he had Seen and were written with the rest of the Preface in a Book to the seven Churches verse 11. 30 Here he is commanded to write the Epistles to the seven Churches the first of which viz. that to Ephesus as we have there shewn refers to the State of the then Apostolical Church beginning at Christ's Resurrection the others to the following successive States of the Churches to the End of the World 20 Which things present and future are the 31 Mystery or the Prophetical and Mystical sense of the seven Stars which thou sawest in my right hand which are the things thou hast seen and not the Mystery to be written concerning them and write the seven Golden Candlesticks i e. the mystery or mystick sense of them also The seven 32 stars are or signifie and represent Gen. 41.26 the Angels 33 or Pastors of the seven Churches and the seven Candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches or are 34 seven Churches that is Bodies of Christians under their several Pastors as well those which are now as those which shall be successively hereafter 31 These words which are of the Accusative Case and put by way of Apposition plainly refer only to the things which are and shall be which are here said to be the Mystery or mystical meaning of the seven Stars which therefore are not referred to as being not themselves the Mystery but the things which were to be mystically explained in the following Epistles And from hence also we are plainly given to understand that the Subject Matter of these Epistles is Mystical and not barely Literal and that they concern things future as well as the present 32 Here is explained what is meant by Stars and Candlesticks whose further mystical meaning as they relate to Churches then in being and to future Successions of them and their Pastors is largely delivered in the following Epistles 33 The Ministring Spirits which attend on God are called Angels in Scripture from their being employed as Messengers in his Service and therefore by the Angels of the Churches must be meant the Pastors of them which are here clearly distinguished from the Churches themselves from their like Office of delivering God's Messages to the People and putting up their Prayers unto him Upon which Account the Jewish Priest is called The Messenger or Angel of the Lord of Hosts Malach. 2.7 where Angel that I may observe this by the way is evidently taken collectively as Dr. Pocock on the Place confesses for the Succession of the whole Jewish Priesthood comprehended there under the common Name of Levi their Father and spoken of as one Person because they were all of the fame Stock and all separated to the same Function And as they are upon this Account called Angels so are they called Stars from their Office of enlightning or instructing others By Angels therefore in this and the following Chapter is meant the Evangelical Ministry represented by Angels as all other Ministerial Agents are in this Prophecy because the present World is subject to Angels under Christ the Head of them and the Angel of the Covenant Whereas the World to come that is the Kingdom of Christ at his last coming as the Apostle speaks Heb. 2.5 is to be ruled by Christ and his Saints and is not to be in subjection unto Angels 34 It is here said That the seven Candlesticks are or signifie seven Churches for so it is in the Greek not the seven Churches which might seem to have determined them to the seven in Asia The Epistles are indeed to be sent to the seven Churches of Asia ver 11. But the mystical meaning of them is not here said to belong to the Angels or to the Seven Churches of Asia only but to Seven Churches and to the Angels of them from whence it is plain that they are prophetical relating to Seven Successions of the Vniversal Church See Mr. * Book 1. Disc 52. and pag. 905. Doctor Moor's Exposition of the Epistle to the Seven Churches Mede CHAP. II. The Text. UNto the Angel or Evangelical Ministry Chap. 1. 20. of the Church of Ephesus that is now planted there and of that Period 1 of the Church which is mystically represented by it write these things saith he that holdeth the Seven Stars in his Right Hand who walketh in the midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks i. e. Christ the Light of the World who is more immediately present with them to enlighten guide and support them Chap. 1. 13 16 20. Annotations on CHAP. II. 1 This I shall hereafter endeavour to make out to be the principal if not only drift of these Epistles from such Characters and Arguments as shall arise from the Text it self Very good Interpreters and particularly Grotius on Revel 1.11 have thought that the several Successions of the Church here represented are intimated in their very Names according to a way of Allusion made use of in Scripture as well as in Heathen Authors For thus the God of Ekron whose True Name is thought to have been Baal zebachim or the Lord of Sacrifices is called in derision Baal zebub or the Lord of Flies and Belzebul or the Dunghil God And the Prophet Micah 1.14 15. manifestly alludes to the Names of Cities calling Achzib a Lie as if its Name were derived from Cazab which in Hebrew signifies to Lie and the City Mareshah is threatned to be disinherited in allusion to its Name and Adullam is called the Glory of Israel perhaps says Doctor Pocock on the Place from its Situation its Strength or its Beauty or some other Reason probably taken from its Name as the others are although now unknown And such Paronomasia's or Allusions may be more frequent in Scripture than we think for by reason of our Ignorance in the Premitive Language and of the Story and Circumstances of the Places whose Names are alluded to 2
Pretences and punish the Faults of this Succession and to purge and purifie it 38 Thyatira is distant from Pergamus about Forty Eight Miles and there is not now so much as One Christian Church in it Stephanus the Geographer tells us that this City which was before called Pelopea and Semiramis was named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and afterwards Thyatira by Seleucus Nicanor upon the News he received there of the Birth of a Daughter Which Name may therefore denote according to the Allusion observed in the other Names An idolatrous Daughter of an idolatrous Mother Jezebel who was as the Scripture Notes 1 Kings 16.31 The Daughter of Ethbaal the King of the Zidonians and therefore fit to represent the Woman described Chap. 17. of this Prophecy who was the Idolatrous Mother of the Apostate Daughter or Church of this Succession and the Daughter of Paganism as Jezebel was of Ethbaal the Zidonian 39 Christ here makes himself more plainly known than he had hitherto done and that by his Supreme Title the Son of God because that his Kingdom was now to arise more visibly out of the Apostasy and therefore to be owned and protected by him their Supreme Sovereign who was to destroy their Enemies and give them power over the Nations 19 I know thy Works in order to the propagating of my Kingdom and Charity or Love and Zeal towards me which thou hast not left or abated Verse 4. and Service in thy Ministry and towards the poor Saints Rom. 15.25 31. 2 Cor. 8.4 and Faith and Patience during the Corruptions and Persecutions of the Apostasy and 40 thy Works and the last works of the Church typified by this State to be performed by them at Christ's coming to his Kingdom Verse 25 26. to be more in Number and Quality then the first Works at their first remarkable Rising out of the Apostasy 40 Here their Works are twice mentioned and their last are said to be more than their first whereby is signified the the Faithful of this Succession whom we have supposed to be the Waldenses and Albigenses should towards the approach of Christ's Kingdom do things surpassing their first Works which yet were very great they having at first proselyted an incredible Number of all Ranks and Nations as appears from History and even the Confession of their Enemies for which see Vsher Thuanus and a late English Treatise 20 Notwithstanding I have a few or some little things against thee because thou sufferest 41 that Notorious Cursed woman 2 Kings 9 34. Jezebel 42 i. e. the Papal Apostasy which calleth her self a Prophetess i. e. pretendeth to and boasteth of Infallihility 43 and miraculous Gifts to teach and to seduce by her cunning Devices 2 Kings 9.22 my Servants professing Christianity to commit Spiritual Fornication by Idolatry and to eat things sacrificed unto Idols See Verse 14. 41 The True Church is blamed for suffering the Apostasy although they were kept under by its Power and Dominion because it was as yet so imperfect in its Gifts and Graces as not to be able utterly to cast out those Corruptions which cannot stand against the power of God's Word when it appears in its utmost Efficacy 42 A fit Type of the Romish Apostasy 1. for Idolatry 1 Kings 16.31 32. 2 Kings 9.22 2. for Cruelty and persecuting of God's Prophets or Witnesses that protested against Idolatry 1 Kings 18 4.19 2 10. 2 Kings 9.7 3. for stirring up Ahab or the Secular Magistrate to persecute God's Servants and to draw them to Idolatry by false witnessing against them 1 Kings 21.8 9 10 25 26. 4. for her Paint and Whorish Attire and her Witchcraft or subtile Allurements to entice to Idolatry and keep Men in her Communion and her impudent impenitence 2 Kings 9.22 30. and lastly for the manner of her Destruction which was so entire as that of the Apostasy will be Vers 27. that nothing remained of her but so much as might serve for a Monument of her Destruction 2 Kings 9 35-37 43 Which Doctrine began to be advanced in this Succession of the Church by the Schoolmen who appeared A. D. 1200. And perhaps Jezebel might have been one of the Prophetesses of Baal for we read 1 Kings 18.19 that an hundred of them eat at her Table it being probably their Office to provide for and Minister to the Prophets which may also be further conjectured from her conversing with them it being usual for the Disciples of the True Prophets to be seized with their Enthusiasms as Saul was when he was amongst the Prophets which might be imitated by the evil Spirits in the idolatrous Prophets 22 And I gave her space 44 to repent of her Fornications i. e. her Idolatry and she repented not 44 Which may be dated from the time of the more publick Appearance of the Witnesses under the General Name of Waldenses about A. D. 1100. or rather if we compare this place with its parallel Chap. 9.20 21. from the Inroads of the Turks into the Eastern Empire ending in the taking Constantinople A. D. 1453 until the Reformation A.D. 1517. when the Sardian State began at the appearing of Luther which great punishment of God upon the Eastern Empire for its Idolatry having not its due influence upon the Western God was pleased to raise up Princes who threw off the Romish Vsurpations and Corruptions and openly owned and protected the Reformation which is the Sardian State of the Church as it is favoured by Protestant Princes as that of Thyatira is the Type of the True Church under the Oppression of Popish ones that being the Church-State immediately following the foregoing Pergamenian State which was under the power of Satan's Throne in a hidden condition having in it Idolaters which it could not cast out because of the power of the prevailing part of the Church For Thyatira's suffering of the Woman was not a willing connivance but one arising from a necessity of the great Oppression she was under and the imperfectness of their Church-State for if it had been a voluntary connivance at Idolatry Christ would not have said that he had only a few or some small things against them Neither would this State have been approved by him so far as to bid them hold fast that which they had already And this space is typified by the time of Repentance which God gave Jezebel which was from Elijah's denouncing Judgment against her 1 Kings 21.23 until her Death accompanied with an impudent impenitence 2 Kings 9 30-37 22 Behold I will cast her into a Bed 45 of languishing Psalm 41.3 and them that commit Adultery with her by being Partakers with her in Idolatry Chap. 17.2 into great tribulation at the pouring out of the Vials chap. 16. except they repent 46 of their deeds 45 Instead of the Beds of her Whoredom and Idolatry alluding to Jezebel's Adultery And it is apparent that the Romish Church hath been in a languishing and decaying Condition ever since the appearing
Message of Salvation to all who would come in unto him before he threatned and executed his Judgments upon the Rebellious Jews and Romans according to the Description of his Kingdom Psalm 2. and 45. 7 This refers to the Great Conquests the Gospel gained by the Ministry of the Apostles and this first Seal seems to be plainly contemporary with the Ephesine Succession in its first State when their Works and Love was great and their Preaching powerful as Thunder which is to be dated from Christ's Resurrection A. D. 33. when he gave Commission to his Disciples to conquer by teaching and baptizing all Nations Matth. 28.18 19 20. 3 And when he i. e. Christ had opened the second Seal I 8 heard the second 9 Beast or Gospel-Ministry as yet Apostolical 8 say Come and see what Desolations are coming upon the Earth 8 8 This living Creature speaks not in Thunder as the other did to shew that the Gospel's Power and Purity was now something abated Ephesus having soon left its first fervent and intense Love 9 The Ox whose Station was in the Western Quarter of the Camp 4 And the Enemies of Christ the Jews and Gentiles having refused to submit entirely to his Kingdom Psalm 2. and 45. there went out from the Western Quarter another Horse that was red denoting Wars and Effusion of Blood and power was given by Christ to him 10 that sate thereon i. e. who had the Execution of this Bloody Dispensation to take Peace from the 11 Earth i. e. to engage the Men of the World especially in the Roman Empire in Wars and that they both Jews and Gentiles should kill one another and there was given unto him a great Sword signifying great slaughter in War Jerem. 16.4 Ezek. 14.21 10 Here the Desolations of the Jews foretold by Daniel Chap. 9. and by our Saviour in the Gospel seem plainly to be described For 1. They were finally compleated by one coming forth from the West that is by Trajan and Hadrian who were Spaniards under whom they were miserably slaughtered and almost utterly extirpated And 2. Those Times were very remarkable for their mutual Slaughters one of another the Romans killing vast Numbers of the Jews and the Jews on the contrary almost dispeopling some of their Provinces and fighting so obstinately against Hadrian that the Conquerour could not boast of the Triumph his Loss was so great which is a thing so plain from all History that we need not quote Authors to testifie it This Seal may reach from A. D. 66. when these Desolations began in the War against the Jews under Nero by Vespasian and Titus until the fatal Slaughter and Dispersion of that Nation under Hadrian who ended his War against them A. D. 134. and died A. D. 138. on the Kalends of January as Mr. Pagi has accurately stated this Account 11 By Earth here is meant the Kings of the Earth who were Enemies to Christ the Jews and Gentiles as Peter has explained David Acts 4 25-27 5 And when he had opened the third Seal I heard the third 12 Beast or Apostolical Ministry 13 say Come and see and mark diligently what you see and hear Verse 6. And I beheld and lo a black 14 Horse i. e. a sad and a severe Dispensation and he 14 that sate on him or had the Execution of that Dispensation had a pair of 14 Ballances in his hand to signifie strict and impartial Justice 12 Like a Man whose Station was in the South 13 Here is no mention of Thunder for the Reason given before Numb 8.8 14 14 14 A pair of Ballances is the common and most apposite Emblem of Justice and by a Black Horse cannot be signified a Famine as is evident from what will be said on the following Verse although Blackness be reckoned as the Effect of it Lament 5.10 And therefore it is most agreeable that some sad Dispensation and severe state of things should be signified by it according to the Acceptation of Blackness Job 30.30 Psalm 119.83 With which Emblems the History of the Times succeeding the Desolations of the Jews under Hadrian does wonderfully conspire which reach from A. D. 138. when Hadrian died in whom the former Seal ended unto A. D 235. when Alexander Severus was killed on the 14th of March which seems to be the Extent of this Seal For 1. Septimius Severus was an African whose Countrey lay to the South the Station of the Third Living Creature which spake at the opening of this Seal And he being the first and only Emperour that ever came from that Countrey why may not that unusual Choice be more particularly hinted at by the Black Horse he rod on Horses of that colour being extremely valued by the Africans as Bochartus (a) Hierozoic 2.7 has observed out of their Resemblance to their own swarthy Complexion and because of their strength and firmness And of this kind perhaps was that Great and Couragious Horse which stoopt to take him up and carried him into the Forum after he had thrown his Predecessor Pertinax in an Ominous Dream related by * Lib. 2.34 Herodian Which Observation howsoever may serve to illustrate the Apocalyptical Symbol here made use of it being taken for granted by the Expositors of Dreams at that time that a Horse signifies Imperatorial Power 2. There happened in his time viz. A. D. 202. a bloody and a long (b) See Pagi in Baronium persecution continuing until after his Death which was on the 4th of Feb. A. D. 211. of which a Black Horse is a fit Emblem Blackness being the Symbol of Persecutions and Calamitous Dispensations in Scripture as Cantic 1.5 Zech. 6.2 6. 3. This Emperour was very Cruel and a Great and a Terrible Conquerour of a very Rigid and Rough Disposition and very strict and impartial in Administration of Justice and Punishment of Delinquents which are Qualities very properly represented by Blackness and a pair of Ballances especially if we consider that this Age was the Age of Lawyers in which Papinian and Vlpian flourished and were advanced to the highest Dignities under Septimius Severus and Alexander Severus the Son of Mamoea whose strict Justice and Severity against Offenders and excellent Laws are Famous in all History So that the Symbols of a Ballance and the Voice from the midst of the Beasts cannot but belong also unto him in a most particular manner who was also a great Warriour And the Beast appearing at the opening of this Seal having the Resemblance of a Man which signifies Humanity Reason and Prudence the excellent Race of the Antonines famous for those Qualities may be very well included in the Period of this Seal there having been an admirable Succession of Emperours excepting Commodus and Heliogabalus whose Reign was short from Hadrian in whom the former Seal ended unto Alexander Severus of whom the Ballance was a proper Emblem his Motto being that Epitome of Justice Do as you would be done by and who was also
propagated from the Twelve Apostles as the Israelitish Church was from the Twelve Patriarchs And the Number 144000. is a square Number arising out of Twelve the square Root of it denoting the Apostolical Doctrine to be the Root Twelve times Twelve Thousand amounting to One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand and Foundation of the Church and that the pure Church is a square Body because 1. It can admit of no other Foundation than that of the Apostles as this square Number can admit of no other Root than Twelve that is it can be produced by no other Number multiplied into it self which is what is meant by a square Root in Arithmetick 2. Because the Church is to be built in all After-Ages upon this Doctrine multiplied by it self only as the square Number arises from the Root multiplied into it self And this is not to be accounted a groundless Fancy but is no small part of the Knowledge of the Eastern Nations in which Solomon and Moses were skilled who were wont to wrap up Mysteries in Hieroglyphicks and Numbers that they might be hid from the Vulgar and known only by Persons fitted and capacitated for them and at suitable Times and Opportunities it not being convenient that some Truths should lie exposed to all and at all Seasons And accordingly it hath pleased God for the same Reasons and that Humane Search and Diligence might be exercised and encouraged to make use of the same way of Concealment to shew that all Humane Knowledge is to be subservient to Divine and to his Church Whereupon he hath made frequent use of the Number Twelve in things pertaining to his People and the Church the Patriarchs being Twelve the Tribes Twelve the Gates of Jerusalem Twelve and the Apostles Twelve and the Measures of the New Jerusalem being adapted to this Number for the Reasons before hinted and for others which we shall have a fitter occasion to mention hereafter See the Notes on Chap. 1.20 and 20 4. By these sealed ones are meant a pure Apostolical Church preserved from the time of Constantine under the Calamities of the Empire and during the continuance of the Apostasy so as to be Witnesses against it but in a hidden and concealed Condition For 1. They are said to be sealed that is preserved as we have shewn but in a hidden Condition as the Law is commanded to be bound up and sealed Isa 8.16 and the Words of Prophecy to be closed up and sealed Dan. 12.4 9. And the Church is said to be a Spring shut up and a Fountain sealed Canticl 4.12 of which the Seven Thousand which God had reserved to himself in secret and had preserved from the Idolatry of Baal 1 Kings 19.18 are a Type 2. This sealing immediately follows the Downfall of Paganism under Constantine at the opening of the Sixth Seal in the former Chapter whereby is signified that some great danger was then near that Christ should seal and secure his True Church so soon after their Delivery from Persecution And the History of those Times clearly testifie that the True Spirit of Christianity soon decayed upon the Peace Honours Priviledges and Prosperity which the Church then enjoyed and that the excessive Veneration they had for Saints and Martyrs gave Rise to the Apostasie upon which the pure Church became sealed that is shut up and concealed and a stop was put to its appearance in that true spiritual Glory which it shall have under Christ's Kingdom for its degenerating by degrees into a Satanical Synagogue For sealing denotes also the Hindrances and Lets which Christ's Kingdom has met with by its being over-powered by the Apostasie which at last advancing to a Throne wholly covered and hid it in an obscure and sealed State no Church being at last visible but the Apostatized one 3. It appears from the Third Verse that the time of this sealing lasted from Constantine until the sounding of the first Trumpet i. e. until the Irruptions of the barbarous Nations after the Death of Theodosius the Great during which time the Apostolical Church was under a continual sealing i. e. it s Visible State was daily obscured and covered until at last by the destruction of the Empire and the rise of the Apostasy upon it it was closely sealed up in an invisible State 5 Of the 10 Tribe of Judah 11 were sealed twelve thousand Of the Tribe of Reuben 12 were sealed twelve thousand Of the Tribe of Gad 13 were sealed twelve thousand 10 The Number of each Tribe is particularised and determined to shew that the Members of God's pure Church are not chosen casually and at all Adventures but are determined by God and that out of every Tribe or part of the Catholick Church And the Numbers of each Tribe are equal viz. Twelve Thousand to each to shew that each particular Church is to be Apostolical in the profession of the entire and perfect Doctrine delivered to them and that they are to be firm and stable in themselves which is the (a) See the Notes on Chap. 20.4 Mystical signification of a Cubical (b) Dr. Moor's Cabbala Nicom Gerasen Arithmet Theolo apud Photii Biblioth pag. 459. Number such as the Chiliads or Thousands are out of which each Tribe consists 11 It is the Opinion of Mr. Mede that the Nature Qualities and Circumstances of the pure Church are included in the true Scripture-import and mystical meaning of the Names of the several Tribes which I shall therefore in submission to his Opinion insist upon more particularly because there is good ground in (c) Micah 1.14 Matth. 2.23 Rom. 2.29 Scripture for such Mystical Allusions taken from Names Judah is placed first because the Government was given to him in David and Christ came of that Tribe which for the Generality kept to the publick Worship of God and the Rightful Kingly Succession when the others had cast it of Hos 11.12 1 Chron. 5.2 Heb. 7.14 His Name signifies Confession or Praise Gen. 29 35.49 8. whereby is signified that the pure Church ought to pay a Eucharistical Service of Praise and Thanksgiving to God and confess him openly and publickly in his Worship 12 Reuben is the next because although he lost his Birth-right for defiling his Father's Bed Gen. 49.4 1 Chron. 5.1 yet he shewed great Courage together with Gad in that Noble Resolution they made of passing over Jordan ready Armed before their Brethren Numb 32. The Name signifies See the Son whom God out of his (a) Joseph Antiq. 1.19 Mercy sent when he saw and had a respect unto our Afflictions Gen. 29.32 Whereby is intimated that the Church ought to look up unto Christ in their afflicted State as God did upon them in their desperate Condition when he sent his Son to redeem them 13 Gad signifies a Troop as is plain from Gen. 30.11 compared with Gen. 49.19 called so because that being situated on the Borders of the Countrey it was to be always ready in Arms and so
(c) â—â—â—ck on Joel 1.19 word in Scripture for all manner of Mischiefs and Destructions 4. This Victory was followed with the entire Destruction of Heathenism in which appeared an extraordinary Manifestation of Christ's Kingdom of which Thunderings and Lightnings and an Earthquake are usual Forerunners in this Prophecy 5. This Victory was obtained at the Prayers of the Christians Theodosius having solemnly prayed to God for it in a Publick Church when he set forward to the Army and earnestly begging it at the Hands of God upon his Knees at the Head of his Army in the very Day of Battel the whole Church in the mean while observing solemn Fasts and putting up their united Prayers to God for his Success which being their constant Custom was without doubt observed on this extraordinary occasion as seems to be intimated by (a) Lib. 7.24 in fin Sozomen All which is manifestly here typified by the Offering of the Prayers and Incense of all Saints and its Ascent before God 6 And the seven Angels which had the seven 9 Trumpets prepared 10 themselves that men might repent during the time of that preparation to sound an Alarm of Judgments Jerem. 4.19 Ezek 33 1-6 9 Trumpets (b) See Ainsworth on Numb 10. and Pocock on Joel 2.1 15. were used amonst the Jews on several occasions as 1. In the several Journeyings and Removes of their Camp in the Wilderness whereby is not unfitly typified the several Motions of the Church in its Wilderness-Condition upon the sounding of the Trumpets by the Angels in this Prophecy 2. In calling the Ordinary Assemblies and on Feast Days and New Moons and on their Fast Days when they were according to the Observation of Maimonides to sound Trumpets for Fasting and Prayer because of the Enemies of Israel which were coming against Israel and because of the Approaching Winds Rain and Earthquakes Wars of Heathens with Heathens and Pestilences Locusts and Caterpillers and because of other Distresses mentioned out of him by Ainsworth So that the Trumpets given to the Angels and their preparation to sound may be as an Admonition to the Empire to Repent in order to the diverting of Judgments Lastly Trumpets were used in sounding Alarms in time of War whence they signifie in the Prophets a Denunciation of Judgments and a warning of the imminent Approach of them as they do in this place 10 They had Trumpets given them Verse 2. and here they prepare to sound by taking as it were their Trumpets into their Hands and putting them to their Mouths whereby a Respite and Delay is signified from the actual Execution of the Judgment or some lesser Judgments preparatory to the great and fatal ones according to the proceedings of the Merciful but Just God who after Judgments threatned gives time and space of Repentance and punishes lightly before he comes to utter Excision 7 And after some short space of Quiet and Respite Vers 1. The first Angel sounded and there followed 11 Hail and Fire mingled with Blood i. e. a wasting and bloody Devastation and they were cast upon the 12 Earth i. e. the Roman Empire and the third 13 part of 14 Trees i. e. the great ones Isa 2.13 Zach. 11.2 was burnt up and all green Grass i. e. the common People 11 This is a Description of a Thunder-storm in which there is Blood instead of Rain to make the Type more dreadful And it is an Allusion taken from the Plague of Hail in Aegypt Exod. 9 22-35 whereby is signified a Furious and Bloody Irruption laying all things waste before it as Fields and Trees are wont to be by a raging and blasting Tempest The like Scheme of Speech is made use of by Isaiah Chap. 28.2 in describing the Invasion of the King of Assyria which he likens to a destroying Tempest of Hail and an overflowing Flood of mighty Waters only Blood is here added instead of Water to shew the Greatness of the Slaughter which should attend it And what fitter Metaphors could be used to set forth the terrible Inundations of the Barbarous Nations upon the Roman Empire which happened in the Course of this Trumpet For we are to understand that the (a) Grotii Prolegom ad Procop. Sherringham de Anglorum Origin Loccennius de Gothorum Sueon Orig. Howel 's History Part 4. Cap. 1. Goths which seems sometimes to be used as a General Name for these Barbarous People were originally a People of Scythia who coming from thence and having seated themselves in Scandza or Scanzia which comprehends Sweedland Norway and the vast Tracts of Land adjoyning at length in process of time about Three Hundred Years before Christ upon the occasion of a Famine Wars their great increase or the desire of a better Soil the usual Causes of the Transmigration of Nations left that Countrey and after long Wanderings from whence they were afterwards called Vandals that is Wanderers through Germany and Sarmatia as far as the Palus Maeotis one part of them setled there and were called Getae and the other but the greatest part of them returned from thence and took up their Habitation in Dacia and Thrace from whence they seem to have made their first Incursions under (b) Pagi in Baron Philip or Decius about A. D. 251. After several Fights with them in the Times of Constantine Valens and Valentinian immediately upon the Death of Theodosius the Great they fell like a mighty Torrent into the Roman Empire They first harrassed the Eastern parts of it under Alarich about A. D. 395. for about five Years together and about A. D. 405. a vast number of them under Radagaisus invaded Italy who was followed by Alarich who took Rome on the 24th of August A. D. 410. a great multitude of them mixt with other Barbarous People having over-run Gaul Spain and Africk at the instigation of Stilicho about the same time that Alarich first invaded Italy A. D. 406. From the Invasion begun by Alarich Italy enjoyed but little Quiet daily steps being made to its utter Ruine some of which were as Preparations to the sounding of the Trumpets first by the Goths then by the Huns under Attila and by the Vandals under Genserick who from the Year 430. miserably wasted Italy and the Provinces especially about A. D. 455. when Genserick took Rome which is accounted a fatal (a) Howel 's Histor. Part 2. Pag. 692 693. Mr. Mede Pag. 659. Year and stiled by some the Year of Vengeance But upon the Death of Aetius Provinces were daily lost to the Barbarians and the Roman Empire which declined from the Death of Theodosius received a Mortal Wound under which it lay languishing until it expired under Augustulus about A. D 476. So that we have here a famous Period of Time from the Victory of Theodosius upon which his Death ensued A. D. 395 until 476 which seems to be called One Hour or One entire Space or Line of Time for so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Ch. 9.15
when he arrived to his Kingship and Supremacy then this other Beast became his False Prophet serving and Advancing him by Lying Miracles and Wonders 14 For they three Frogs are indeed the Spirits 25 of Devils like Frogs workâ—ng 26 lying Miracles 2 Thes 2 9-11 Rev. 13.13 14. which go f rth unto the Kings of the Earth i. e. the Antichristian Potentates and Enemies of Christ's Kingdom Psalm 2.1 2. Judg. 5.3.19 Rev. 20 7-10 and of the whole World Chap. 20.8 to gather them by exciting and engaging them to the 27 Battle of that 28 great day of God Almighty Chap. 19.19 25 These Wicked Agents for Paganism and Aneichristianism are called Spirits of Devils because they are acted and influenced by the Devil and his Angels who ever since their Fall have been permitted to make bold Attempts full of Malice and Rage against God and Christ's Kingdom 26 They are permitted according to the Example of the Aegyptian Magicians to work Lying Wonders as the Devil had frequently done in the Times of Paganism and Antichristianism 27 This is the first Battle of Gog and Magog before the coming of Christ's Kingdom now ready to appear wherein they are overcome and the Wisdom and extraordinary Power of God styled here upon that account 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord of Hosts in respect of his Rule and Dominion over all things and his Power by which he is able to perform them is manifested in the Defeat of the Devil who had summoned all his Force and Power together under the Wise Holy and Incomprehensible Justice and Vengeance of God to shew his utmost Malice and Rage against Christ's Kingdom See on Chap. 19.19 and on the Three Last Chapters 28 Wherein he would manifest his uncontroulable Power and absolute Dominion after the most extraordinary manner beyond any thing which had as yet appeared 15 Behold 29 says Christ I come or am just ready to come in my Thousand Years Kingdom as 30 a Thief i. e. on a suddain and after a surprizing manner chap. 3.3 10 11. Blessed in that happy state Dan. 12.12 is he that 31 watcheth in this time of trouble and temptation and they who shall be found so doing when I come Luke 12 35-40 and 32 blessed also is he that keepeth his Garments i. e. his purity righteousness and innocency chap. 19.8 lest loosing his righteousness he walk naked and they see his shame i. e. his shameful nakedness be discovered to his utter confusion and he be driven out of Paradise as his naked first Parents were Gen. 3. 2 Cor. 5.3 29 These Words are a Parenthesis spoken by Christ to those who professed his Religion as appears from the Gentleness and tender care of them commanding them to watch over themselves with great diligence and signifying what their state should be in his Kingdom just approaching intimated by the Word Blessed taken from Dan. 12.12 which is a place of the like import with this 30 Christ is every where represented (a) Matth. 24. 1 Thess 5.2 in Scripture as coming of a sudden to his Kingdom notwithstanding the many Prognosticks given of it and preparations to it because his actual appearing will be on a sudden and by surprize 31 32 Hereby is signified that all they shall be blessed who have watched for Christ with Oyl in their Vessels as well as their Lamps and shall be found really united to him and having on his Righteousness when he comes in his Kingdom See Chap. 3. 16 And he 33 i. e. the Spirits of Devils under the justice and Vengeance of Almighty God in order to his Glory and the punishment of his Enemies Judg. 4.7 Joel 3.11 12. gathereth them i. e. the Kings of the Earth and of the whole World together by their instigations and power ever them into a place called in the Hebrew tongue 34 Armageddon i. e. there was a most Powerful and Diabolical Confederacy against Christ's Kingdom Psal 2. 33 It is evident from Verse 14. that this gathering together is performed by the three Evil Spirits where yet as well as in this Verse a Verb of the Singular Number is made use of according to the Custom of the Greek Language when a Noun of the Neuter Gender is referred to And this gathering together is some desperate Attempt managed by the Wicked of the Old Earth at the instigation and by the help of the Evil Spirits against Christ's Kingdom just ready to appear in which they are discomfited after some extraordinary and miraculous manner as Sisera was at Megiddo Judg. 4 15.5 20. and are confined by God in a miserable and most contemptible condition during the Thousand Years of Christ's Kingdom upon the expiring of which Satan and his Wicked Kings and Nations are again loosed See Chap. 20. 34 The Word signifies the Hill of Megiddo called Megiddon by the (a) Zech. 12.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 LXX Prophet a Royal City in the Tribe of Issachar but belonging to Manasseh which (b) Josh 17.11 12. Judg. 1.27 the Canaanites inhabited in despight of the Children of Manasseh and was (c) Judg. Chapters 3 and 4. famous for the miraculous Defeat of Sisera and the Kings of Canaan a Type of the Kings of the Earth in this Prophecy by Barak and the Israelites who came down from Mount Tabor which was not far from that place and discomfited them at the Waters of Megiddo in the Hilly as (a) In loc Grotius thinks and Mountainous parts of that place and also for the Death of (b) 2 Kings 9 27. Ahaziah but especially of (c) 2 Kings 23.29 30. 2 Chron. 35 20-27 Josiah who received his deadly Wound with a great slaughter in the Valley of Megiddo where he was bewailed with so great a Lamentation that the Mournings in that Valley are used by way of a proverbial speech by the Prophet Zechariah and Megiddo is interpreted by the LXX the Valley of the slain or cut off as if it signified a place of great grief and slaughter And the Name of this place is made choice of here perhaps to signifie 1. That Satan shall be discomfited and that although he make choice of the most advantageous places to defend himself signified by the Mountains encompassing the Valley of Megiddo For the Canaanites having had a Terrible Defeat in the Valley Satan the Leader of these Wicked Kings of the Earth may be supposed now to make choice of New Stratagems signified by the Hill of Megiddo according to the (d) 1 Kings 20.23 Notions received amongst Idolaters that the Gods of the Hills were stronger than the Gods of the Plain 2. With reference to what is prophesied of by (e) Chap. 39.4 Ezekiel concerning Gog the Type of these Kings of the Earth that he shall fall upon the Mountains of Israel 3. Megiddo is chosen as the Type and Symbol of the place of this Battel of Decision to shew that Satan intended the Destruction of Christ's Kingdom now ready to succeed
10.12 Rev. 1.9 7. There must be such a State in which all things even the inanimate parts of the Creation are to be restored to their pure primitive State that Christ's Redemption might be perfect and compleat For Christ died and made an Attonement and Reconciliation by his Blood that he might carry on the great work of Redemption through the several Ages of the World to its full perfection Now that (a) Rom. 8 19-24 1 Cor. 23 21 22. Redemption consisting in restoring whatsoever the First Adam lost there must be a Restitution of the whole Creation to its first State or else Christ's Redemption will not be perfect But of this more hereafter 8. If the General Resurrection and the Kingdom of Christ are the same then the Arguments from the Justice and Wisdom of God and all the other general Topicks which are commonly brought for the proof of the former will conclude as strongly for the latter to which may be added that it is agreeable to the Wisdom Justice and Goodness of God that he should reserve some Age of the World for his own entire Reign in Righteousness who had permitted the Devil and Antichrist to domineer in so many Ages of it and that his Son should be visibly glorified in the sight of that very Earth where he had been humbled even to the Death of the Cross and the last Act or Period of the Oeconomy of his Exaltation should be accompanied with the greatest Glory and Majesty as the last Act of his Humiliation was attended with the greatest Misery and Reproach and that his Saints who had undergone a long state of Misery and Persecution should inherit (a) Rom. 8 19-24 1 Cor. 23 21 22. the Earth in prosperity according to the promises of God and the Wicked should suffer in a Visible State of Shame and Ignominy and that for some long space of time and not only for a single Day of Judgment that Men might be deterred from sinning here by the length of the punishment and (b) Burnet's Theor. 4.5 by the dishonour of it which shall be notorious to the whole Creation whereas the Eternal State of the Damned is an hidden State besides which according to the general current of Scripture there must be a Visible Appearance of the Wicked and the Good at the general Retribution when God will display to the whole World the Reasons and Grounds of his procedures and the whole Scene and Contexture of his Providence that his Wisdom Justice and Goodness towards his Creatures might be seen acknowledged and admired by all of them to which the continuance of Mankind under a Visible State for some considerable time according to their Demerits in the Reverse of what they enjoyed here will very much contribute Psalm 73. Isa 65.13 25. Dan. 12.1 2. Phil. 2 9-11 9. It is agreeable (a) See Dr. Home 's Resurrection revealed lib 3. 5. to the wonted procedures of Almighty God that there should be a state of prosperity to his Church upon Earth For he hath generally in all Ages punished on Earth feirce Tyrants and Persecutors of his Church and given to it a general Rest after long and tedious Troubles Afflictions and Persecutions and that most commonly in the Churches Extremity whiCh is God's Opportunity and accordingly we may justly expect such a State upon the Destruction of Antichrist and that his Fall is not far off because the two special Witness-Churches of France and Savoy have been reduced to the utmost Extremity 10. The Oeconomy Dispensation or Fatherly Administration af this Kingdom which is God's Houshold is placed by the Apostle Ephes 1.10 in the Fullness of Times that is of All Time which not being as yet expired we may thence conclude that this Kingdom is not yet come For from the Consideration of Mark 1.15 Gal. 4.4 Ephes 1.10 and Isaiah 2.2 it seems there were as if a Line of Time in Scripture commencing from Christ's First Coming called the Fullness of Time and ending in his second Coming called the Fullness of Times or of all such Times 11. The Monarchick (a) See Dr. Beverley's Kingdom of Jesus Christ entring its Succession and Dan. 2 and 7. Image in Daniel is not yet broken to peices but continues in its Feet and Ten Toes under the Papacy and its Ten Kings and therefore the Kingdom of Christ is not yet come which is to destroy it VVhich Kingdom also as it is there described cannot be Christ's Evangelical Kingdom because that destroyed not Kingdoms but converted them nor his Kingdom of Eternity because according to Prophecy this Kingdom is to be under the Heaven and to fill the whole Earth Dan. 2. 12. Very many Texts of Scripture cannot possibly be explained at least in their Fullest and most compleat Sense and Latitude without supposing some such State For even the first and great Prophecy Gen. 3.15 concerning the bruising of the Serpents Head is not yet fully compleated nor will be until Christ's Second Coming when Sin and Death shall be utterly abolished 1 Cor. 15. Japhet's Tents according to Noah's Prophecy Gen. 9.27 have not been yet enlarged through the whole Extent of the Northern parts of the World neither hath God yet perswaded Japheth and Shem Gentile and Jew to live together in the same Tents or Church The Promises to (b) Dr. Homes Resurrect revealed B. 3. 2. Abraham as they are explained by the Apostles of such a Numerous Race as shall possess almost the whole VVorld are not fulfilled in their utmost Latitude as neither (a) Dr. Homes Resurrect revealed B. 3.2 some of Jacob's Prophecies to befal his Posterity in the last Days Gen. 49. particularly that Remarkable one Verse 10. for the universal and compleat gathering of the people both Jews and Gentiles into one Body is not as yet come to pass And who can say that the (b) Nâ—mb 24.17 Deut. 30 3 4 5.32 36 43. Psalm 2 8.22 27-31 45.47 7 8 9.49 14.67.68 22-35 72.86 9.110.149 Very many places in the Prophets already quoted The places in the New Testament which speak concerning Christ's Kingdom and the World to come of the Messias and Luke 19.11 12.23 42. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in thy Kingdom Acts 3 19-26 1 Cor. 15.24 c. Eph. 1.21 Heb 3 5-9 2 Peter 3.13 Revel 11.15 See a Treatise written by Alstecius entituled The Beloved City or the Saints Reign Mr. Archer of the Personal Reign of Christ Dr. Homes 's Resurrection Revealed Dr. Burnet 's Theory B. 4. Dr. Beverley against Mr. Baxter Monsieur Jurieu and Mr. Claude Oevres Posthâ—m Tom. 3. Le Ciâ—quieme Empire Prophecies contained in the places quoted in the Margent are as yet compleatly fullfilled or that the First (c) See Dr. Beverley on the Lords Prayer Mede Ep. 52. Petitions of the Lords Prayer can be well understood without the supposal of such a Kingdom 13. VVhen the Apostles had received power in which all necessary Gifts Knowledge as well as