〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 OR THE VVORD VVRITTEN Concerning the VVORD EVERLIVING VIZ. As touching his glorious Kingly Office on Earth to come Witnessing That Christ Jesus shall have a visible glorious Kingdome in the World consisting of the converted Jews and Gentiles in one Sheep-fold under him of the quick in this life and raised Saints in the time of his said glorious Kingdome and of the highest Angels worshipping him and of inferiour creatures bowing the knee unto him Confirmed by many Demonstrative Arguments from the holy Scriptures and many divine Reasons strongly evincing the same Truths By William Sherwin Minister of the Gospel Apoc. 3.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esa 24.33 Then the Moon shall be confounded and the Sun ashamed when the Lord of Hosts shall raign in Mount Sion and in Jerusalem and before his ancients gloriously Psal 97.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Heb. 1.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 8.21 Because the creature it self also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God LONDON Printed for Francis Smith and are to be sold at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-Bar TO THE READER CHristian Sufferers either in * Affectu vel effectu will or deed to whom alone the happy interest in these things doth belong with all the ensuing happiness and glory through and with Christ Jesus the mystical head of his glorified Spouse the Church to all eternity for it is Generale Dei Statutum whatever otherwise nominal only and formal Christians may promise to themselves what the Apostle Paul declares 2 Tim. 3.12 that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution and when he for a pattern was stoned almost to death Acts 14.19 he confirms the Disciples souls in this doctrine that saith he we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God yet here the Apostle Peter's Caution must be carefully observed 1 Pet. 4.19 that it must be according to the will of God or as he speaketh Verse 16. as Christians both for the cause and manner which is the condition upon which our Saviour entertains all his Disciples Mat. 10.38 for saith he he that takes not up his Cross and follows not me is not worthy of me and it is both a special gift and a special honour so to do Phil. 1.29 To you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake But this will be but during the time the Bridegroom is absent in person Mat. 9.15 Mar. 2.19 and untill the New Jerusalem comes down from God out of Heaven and the Tabernacle of God be with men and he dwell with them Rev. 21.2 3. But for the comfort of all such the Apostle Paul as plainly instructs them 2 Tim. 2.12 If we die saith he with Christ we shall also live with him if we suffer with him we shall also reign with him And although the meek are here at present but strangers and pilgrims on the earth yet that time is hastening apace wherein that gracious promise shall be made good Psal 37.11 that the meek shall inherit the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace which our Saviour also confirms declaring their blessedness in that respect saying Mat. 5.5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth and his care hath remarkably appeared in regard his Church was to pass through many sharp pangs and sufferings from his ascension in the primitive persecutions and all along her wilderness condition during until Antichrists tyranny even to his appearance to destroy that man of sin 2 Thes 2.8 before the Saints rest in this world will come Chap. 1.7 Heb. 4.9 or the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord as the Apostle Peter explains them Acts 3.19 Therefore to comfort them aforehand he hath through the whole Revelation provided words of consolation to each in the order of their sufferings drawn from the New Jerusalem state in one respect or other as from our seventh Argument in this Parcel may appear of all which encouragements his said meek sufferers shall certainly find in their due times the full accomplishment for whose further satisfactions therein according to what the Spirit of God hath set down though mystically yet surely I have endeavoured to wait upon the Dispencer of all grace in all such wayes of his own as he hath been pleased to lead me to such purpose for divers years past which I believe in much mercy he hath manifested unto me however some mens apprehensions thereof may differ yet in my own soul and spirit I am sufficiently therein satisfied and I hope also by his grace I may at least if not before published yet leave such things behind me which in due time may also I hope satisfie others when such errours pervertings and prejudices are removed as I have already endeavoured to do in my second and fourth part of those principles and foundations which I formerly laid down about 1664 unto which I have since added divers small Tracts as examples and patterns to manifest the usefulness of the former for the advantage of all such as would seriously consider them as that on Gen. 3.15 shewing in what wayes and order accordingly the seed of the woman Christ Jesus hath and doth and will hereafter more eminently and at last totally and finally when the last enemy death shall be destroyed break the Serpents Satans head Another on Jer. 3.17 being a Scriptural Evidence for the New Jerusalem state to come on earth with a brief summary of Daniel's prophetical Visions annexed to it the intendments of all which have been divers years obstructed and retarded hitherto as also of another to like purpose on Rev. 22.20 Behold I come quickly c. and as the Epistle to that on Jer. 3.17 doth point out the nature and use of the said four parts which contain the proofs that such things shall be so by these hints in reference to those said latter Tracts the better use and improvement may be made of them altogether especially since each of them refer to the other And now I hope at last if this short summary of much of these divine truths of this nature therein couched shall come to the hands of serious and judicious Christians that unjust prejudices being laid aside it may carry a strong conviction with it and consisting of evident Scripture foundations may also in Gods time make way for faith when he sets them home on the soul to believe the substance of these things upon the same ground or at least of many of them for as at divers times and in divers manners God hath been pleased to reveal his grace and truth to his Prophets and Apostles and other his messingers formerly so as the Apostle Peter shews he hath a time to come further to reveal it 1 Pet. 1.12 13. as judicious Galvm observes from the 7th verse when
turn away ungodliness from Jacob declaring further That the strength of the Promise consisted in the Covenant with their Fore-Fathers for this said God is my Covenant unto them though made of old with their Fore-Fathers yet reaching still unto them when I shall take away their sins Thus we may see in these many particulars what the holy Scripture speaks of them at or about the begining of Christs Kingdom on Earth which though but briefly toucht yet in this respect may sufficiently demonstrate to unprejudiced Christians the truth of this Doctrine But yet more largely it may again appear by what will be done all the said 1000. years c. 1. Satan will be bound and continue shut up in his Prison all the said time that he may not in all that time deceive the Nations any more till the 1000 years are ended though afterwards for a little season he will be roosed again Rev. 20.2 3. 2. Christ with his raised Saints shall raign on the Earth all that thousand years Rev. 5.10 20.4 3. Then will be the new Heavens and the new Earth whereind wells Righteousness for the said thousand years 1 Pet. 3.13 Es 65.17 Rev. 21.1 4. Then the New Jerusalem that shall come down from God out of Heaven will be in its glory and peace Rev. 21.10.11 and after its undoubted rescue from Satans last attempt with his last Gog and Magog to besiege it as before was evident chap. 20.7 8 9 10 c. and against the Camp of the Saints all in vain and to his own ruine and his followers which is the begining of a more flourishing and blessed estate to that Jerusalem and all her Saints as ch 21. and 22. and that for all eternity after their said sudden rapture and change thence for ever to be with the Lord 1 Thes 4.16 1 Cor. 15.51 5. The inferiour creatures will then be freed from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God during the same time Rom 8.21 6. It is the time of that Adoption the Apostle Paul speaks of which thus he explains to wit the redemption of their bodies namely from the corruption and prison of the grave to remain alive with Christ in that said state all the 1000 years ensuing which is the redemption of which our Saviour sets down the signs Luk. 21. and particularly makes a consequent of his coming in a cloud v. 27. saying Then lift up your heads for your redemption draws nigh v. 28. But in v. 31. puts it beyond all ground of doubt saying When ye see these things the Kingdome of God is nigh at hand which must needs be that revealed Dan. 7.13 14. and then to begin for 1000 years Rev. 20.4 and not of the Kingdome of the stone only as spiritual but of the mountain Dan. 2.35 when it will fill the whole earth called then also the Kingdome of God Rev. 11.15 and ch 19.6 7. Then every knee shall bow to Christ of things before in heaven and in earth and under the earth and shall by their subjection to him acknowledge him Lord of all of which bowing the knee amongst men is a token c. Phil. 2.9 10. So prophesied of Es 45.23 and which is excellently set forth in a Vision declaring the issue of the revelations accomplishments Rev. 5.7 8 9 11 12 13. as is usuall in that Book for all the sufferers in order in a greater or less degree as after may more appear in our 7th Argument afterwards But in the said Vision after the Church and innumerable glorious Angels had done then all creatures also are said to sing their song of praise to the Lamb by rendering blessing honour glory power unto him v. 13. 8. Then the promises made to the faithfull forefathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob concerning their having the promised land and their posterities enjoying it to the end of the world as Ezek 77.25 26 c. or as that emphatical expression is Deut. 11.21 as the dayes of heaven upon earth shall be fulfilled though they in their life time only saw the promises afar off and received not the accomplishment of them while they lived Heb. 11.39 And as Stephen speaks of Abraham to whom that promise was first and often made yet sayes he had not so much as to set his foot on by virtue of the said promise Act. 7. which promise is largely rehearsed Ps 105.8 9 10 11. 9. Then shall they enjoy that City with its wonderfull glory which God hath provided for them Heb. 11.16 and of which he himself is said to be the builder and maker of which also is said to have foundations v. 10. where they and all the faithfull sufferers since shall be made perfect in one Joh. 17.21 23. and also behold Christs glory there v. 24. 10. Then shall they all enjoy all the priviledges and benefits of the New Jerusalem state all tears shall be wiped away from their eyes they shall be the sons of God and inherit all things Rev. 21.7 They shall see Gods face and his name shall be in their forehead they shall have their part in the tree of life whose leaves are for the healing of the Nations and in the pure River Rev. 22. with many other promises and priviledges respecting that state and time 11. Then shall those in the natural life which shall then be of those Nations that shall then be saved walk in the light of the said New Jerusalem Rev. 21. and have very much teaching guidance and help from thence in such wayes as God hath appointed thereunto when they and their Kings shall bring their glory and honour to it and their Kings shall bring the honour of the Nations to it Rev. 24.26 Es 60. 12. Then shall all those great promises made in Scripture to the posterity of Abraham Isaac and Jacob to be fulfilled on earth take their full effect Deut. 30. v. 1. to 11. Eze. 37. to the end Es 60. 61. 59 c. with multitudes of others belonging to them in this world by virtue of Gods Covenant with their fathers Jer. 31.32 and 32.37 38 39 c. 13. Then will be that restitution of all things spoken of by the Apostle Peter Act. 3.20 21. and those times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord after the heavens shall cease to contain him for that time therefore saith Paul Ye shall have rest with us when our Lord Jesus shall appear with his holy Angels and render Tribulation to his Adversaries 2 Thes 1 6. And that appears to be that Sabbatisme or Rest the Apostle Paul asserted yet to remain to the People of God Heb. 4.9 14. Then also will the Tabernacle of God be with men and he will dwell with them and he will be their God and they shall be his People Rev. 21.3 and they his Servants shall serve him Rev. 22.3 it will then be their joy and happiness to do so Many other particulars are spoken of in
as foreshewing the backwardness of men to believe it for saith our Saviour when the Son of man comes shall he find faith upon earth Luke 18. To instance in some of the promises Rev. 2. 3. c. as first that promise c. 2.7 to eat of the tree of life there recorded is to be performed in the New Jerusalem state Rev. 22.14 So Rev. 3.21 to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne c. is to be performed in the time of Christs visible Kingdom on earth Rev. 20.4 when the Saints shall live again bodily reign with Christ a 1000 years Likewise c. 3.12 promise is made to be a Pillar in the house of God and to go no more out and to have the name of God written on them so also answerably c. 22.3 4. his servants shall serve him they will make it their business and it will be their happiness so to doe and they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads See more in the Appendix after the Irenicon p. 106 107. In like manner for after-times of suffering the representative 4 living wights and the 24 Elders in their new Song of praise to the Lamb for their Redemption not only that they were made spiritual Kings and Priests unto their God but in a way of great exultation add that general consolation for all sufferers afterwards who should have also the same interest therein with them And say they we shall reign upon earth and this also was to be accomplished in the time of Christs Kingdome as before said from Rev. 20.4 and there is further added v. 6. they were made Priests unto God and Christ and reigned with him a 1000. years and that all these will be upon earth See the 15 evident reasons manifesting that the New Jerusalem shall be upon earth in a small tract on Jer. 3.17 And for more particular encouragements somewhat is set down for following sufferers that hath particular relation to the New Jerusalem state and not improbably that forementioned had special reference to the primitive sufferers by the greatred Dragon under some of the seals chap. 6. Also those sealed sufferers c. 7. which seem c. 9.4 to be referred to the times of the 5t and 6t trumpet under the Saracens and Turks have many decypherings of the New Jerusalem state set before them as to be clothed in white to have Palms in their hands v. 9. and to sing praise to the Lamb v. 10. and again the Lamb shall feed them and lead them to the fountains of living waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes v. 17. which with many other like are again repeated in the order of accomplishment in the New Jerusalem state when it shall come Rev. 19. 20. 21 22. as may be seen in many particulars And so also for the sufferers in several times under Anti-christ as first for the witnesses Rev. 11. when their time is finished Christs Kingdome of power upon earth will begin v. 7. many excellent things are set before them in that state of things to the end of the chapter Also for all sufferers under Anti-Christ c 14. is set before them the Vision of the 144000. of the Lambs-followers for an encouragement them and us watch and pray always that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man c. But these and other improvements we only here touch upon having spoken already else where to these and the like purposes As to the misapprehensions of some not well verst in these studies I say at present that I am so far from disowning them that I reckon Gods manifesting to me those Divine though mystically set down Scripture Truths therein contained to be amongst gods greacest mercies to me in this life and an excellent part of the Gospel of Christ c. as not only that great mystery searcher learned and judicious Mr. Mede judged of them but what by his means Bishop Vsher Dr. Twisse and other eminent persons in his time were greatly affected with But as for the antient errours by some unjustly affixed thereon I utterly reject them and also our Fift Monarchy mens so called scandalous both errours and practises being not well instucted in these Truths I not only abhorre as Unchristian and confute as Antiscriptural in general but also as against relative Obligations by divine Law and particularly inconsistent with these Divine Truths of Christs eminent destruction of the man of Sin at his glorious appearance when he will set up his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 Which neither can be done by men nor will be accomplished till his set time for it shall come as page 15. of the first part the preface of the 2 d. and page 42. of the same part page 40. of the 4th is to be seen c. I judge the studies of those Divine mystical Truths well be seeming the greatest Divines in the whole World and worthy of great encouragement in the Church of God Without which I believe much in Moses the Prophets and the Psalms concerning these things and also through all the Books of the New Testament is not rightly understood and I am ready to give an account to all serious Christians both of the Principles or main foundations of those Truths in my four parts already Printed and of those Praxes of them prepared divers years past on Gen. 3.15 The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head and on Jer. 3.17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called the Throne of the Lord c. with Rev. 22.20 and others REader note that Christ â—â—d coming on Rev. 22.20 is meant in respect of the apprehension of the Creatures then in the World being called by the Apostle 1 Thes 4.16 his descending then from Heaven c. he doth not there say out of Heaven as was said of Jerusalems coming with him before Rev. 21.2 3. where the Earth and Heaven are said to flee away c. Rev. 20.11 when the Faithful shall be changed in a moment c. 1 Cor. 15.51 52. thenceforth ever to be with the Lord. For although when Satan shall be loosed at the end of the 1000 years Christ seems to withdraw from the holy City and Camp of the Saints yet we find not warrant to say he will then personally be out of the World or any more till the finishing of the last Judgement though he is there said so to descend from Heaven then See the Epistle before Jer. 3.17 FINIS
Satan and shuts him up in prison for a thousand years and reigns with his Saints c. at the same time but besides that for the begining of that his Kingdom we have that divine Oracle in the Old Testament Psal 110.1 Sit thou on my right hand till I make thy foes thy footstoole which is often spoken of in the New Testament not only to shew him to be the Son of God Mat. 22.44 though of the seed of David according to the flesh Acts 2.30 yet from the time of his ascension into heaven When he is said so to begin to sit on Gods right hand v. 34 35. he saith the Apostle Peter v. 36 was made both Lord and Christ and as that Nobleman in the Parable Luk. 19. went into a far Countrey and to return when he had received his Kingdome which was the particular occasion of that Parable v. 11. because they thought the Kingdome of God should immediately appear he teacheth that he must return first from his Fathers right hand and this he maketh more evident Luk. 21 when he had spoken of the signs of the last times he tells them of his coming in a cloud with power v. 27. and v. 31. thereby shews them the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand namely that Kingdome he said he went to receive and then returning should possess Secondly for his foes to be made his foot-stool when he comes from the right hand of the Father we have in the vision of Daniel c. 7. first how a judgment is appointed to destroy the beast the wicked horn that spoke the great words v. 8 9. and the body of the said Beast was given to the burning flame so of Magog Ezaek 38.6 at the same time he hath the vision of one like the son of man coming in the Clouds of Heaven to receive the Kingdoms of the world v. 13.14 27. of such his coming St. Paul speaks 2 Thes 1 7.8 9 10. when he shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance c. And in the next chap. particularly speaks of the Destruction of that wicked one v. 8. whom he will destroy with the appearance of his coming the times also reaching to that are also set down in order in the book of the Rev. to chap. 19.11 where is the Vision of the execution of the same judgement Again for another great Foe viz. the Turk then to be subdued is it large set forth by the forementioned propheâ—â— against Gag Exâ—â— 38. 39. before the setting up of the New Jerusalem c. 40.41 42. c. the same we have described in other respects Dan. 11.40 41 42 c. whose destruction is declared v. 45. that he should come to his end and none should help him and in v. 1. of the following â— Christs appearance is revealed to Daniel with his peoples deliverance like a Resurrection from the dead v. 2.3 which Redemption Luke 21. is joyned with his coming in a cloud with power and great glory when saith he to the Jews of whom he had also spoken before when ye see these things come to pass look up and lift up your heads for then your Redemption draws nigh v. 28. and again v. 31. then know that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand namely that of the faid 1000 years to this purpose speaks the Apostle Heb. 10.13 after he had offered one sacrifice for our sins for ever he sate down at the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his foot-stool The end likewise of which his expectation shall be saith St. Paul at his glorious appearance which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6.15 which title at his coming is said to be written upon his vesture and upon his thigh Rev. 19.6 and Mr. Mede conceives by the reaping of the Harvest Rev. 14. may be meant the destruction of the Turkish power For the confirmation of this argument to manifest that what is spoken of things respecting the Kingdom of Christ so explained in the New Testament which to such purpose are foretold in the Old Testament and may hither be reduced are many of those Scriptures spoken of under the two first heads of those particulars applyed to the former argument besides many others I shall here only point them out as it were first what was said of Elias Mal. 4.5 is explained soe by our Saviour Mat. 17.11 long after John Baptists death truly said he Elias shall come c. see pag. 2. Of the burning of the whore of Babylon Dan. 7.8.11 explained Rev. 18. see p. 2. Soe of the Armageddon Battell Joel 3. Ezek. 38 39. explained in the New Testament Rev 16. Rev. 19. as is largely set down p. 3. Also the great national restauration and conversion of the Jews Dan 1.1 2 3 Zac. 12.10 Es 66.8 Zac. 39. so explained by our Saviour Rev. 19. v. 1. to v. 9 c. pag. 5. Again for the setting up Christs Kingdom Dan. 7.13.14 with the explication in the latter part of that chapter applyed so upon the same ruine of the beast at the same time as our parallel manifests Rev. 20.4 see p. 7.8 Likewise for the terrible coming of Christ Zach. 14. Joel 3. so explained Rev. 19. from ver 11 to the end and 1 Cor. 15.24 25 26 27. he must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his seet see pag. 8. In like manner for the large extent of Christs Kingdom Dan. 7.13.14 c. to the end and Psal 2.8 which shall take place Rev. 19. from v. 1. to v. 10. when as our Saviour speaks there will be one Sheepfold and one Shepherd Jo. 10.16 And for the perpetuity of his Kingdom 2 Sam. 7.13 c. v. 25. to 29. explained and applyed Rev. 11.15 at the said Kingdom of Christ at his appearance namely his Davidicall Kingdom see the 11 particular pag. 9. The Uniting of the ten Tribes with the two set forth in two parables Ez. 37. largely commented upon by St. Paul Rom. 11. see the 10. particular pag. 10 11. Also the New Heavens and New Earth foretold Es 65.17 explained in the time of Christs Kingdom Rev. 21. and the New Jerusalem Ezek 40. to the end of the book and Es 60. and other following Chapters explained of the same time of Christs said Kingdom Rev. 21. and Esay his prophesie particularly applyed v. 24.26 and Ezekiels waters and trees applicable to Rev. 22. to v. 7. See our 15 reasons that these will be on earth on Jer. 3.17 And Israels general redemption and great Restauration Deut. 30. to v. 11. Ezek. 37. latter part of of the chap. Deut. 32.42 43. which our Saviour explains Rev. 21.28.31 and also St. Paul Rom. 11. Many other Scriptures so applyed and explained in the New Testament may be observed in what hath been already said in reference to
Grecian by the Iron the Roman Monarchies which were to continue whilst the Gentiles had the Dominion called by our Saviour the times of the Gentiles Luke 21.24 Another made to a Jew viz. the greatly beloved Prophet Daniel c. 7. by a Vision of four Beasts setting before him again with Christs Kingdom to succeed the last the times order and qualities of the said four Kingdomes and with many things of Christs from Antichrists destruction that was not expressed in the former Vision or explication of the four mettals Dan. 2. which Kingdomes by both Visions were to continue during the long bondage of Daniels own people till the wicked horn or beasts body be given to the burning flame v. 8 9 10 11. Christ come in the clouds v. 13 14. And concerning this large extent of the times of both these general Visions Daniel is taught by the Spirit of God to set his stamp and impression upon it clearly to that purpose chap. 2.28 God saith he makes known to the King what shall be in the latter dayes Heb. postremity of dayes as likewise doth the Angel again chap. 10.14 And accordingly Daniel expounds when the stone cut out of the mountain without hands that appears to be Christs spiritual kingdom from his Ascension to his coming again in person whilst he is breaking Divinely the lower parts of the great Image and especially the feet and toes of the said Image to powder like the dust of the summer threshing c. and then the said Kingdome of the Stone will become a great mountain filling the whole earth ◠35. And for the other Vision c. 7. of the 4 Beasts shewed to himself he is directly guided by the Spirit of God to set down how the beast should be destroyed as was said when the time of his date was out viz. his time times and the dividing of a time or 1260 days of years as in the Rev. is explained That then he had the Vision of Christs coming personally in the clouds of Heaven which is his second coming set before him and Gods giving all the Kingdoms of the world to him that all Nations under the whole heaven should obey him v. 27. personally during that his Davidical Kingdom in the 1000 years And as the description of the Iron Kingdom doth fitly belong to the Romane whose strength and prevailence hath been suitable thereunto so do all well approved expositors understand it and as it was in two thighs or legs since Constantine in the East and West Empires so the feet and toes in the time of the Pope and ten Kings have been as part of Iron and part of Clay under this last said head of Government the Popedom both in its Ecclesiastick and Politick capacity which as Iron and Clay cannot be mingled and though the said ten Kings have sought to mingle themselves with the seed of men that is have endeavoured by marriages to strengthen themselves yet they have not cleaved one to another Daniel foretells it shall be in vain which is so notorious That it is said to be the observation of the Grand Signior the Turk that they will never agree till his fingers are all of a length which so animates him against the Emperour and Pope to assault them The other description of the fourth beast Dan. 7. is also of the said Romane Kingdom set forth to be so terrible monstrous and cruel with the ten horns that arose on the beast and another little horn among them or behind them that spake such great words against the most high are orderly described and suitably expounded in the book of Rev. as may be observed in our abridgment and parallel and summary of Daniels visions c. And divers things are again observable in some of the visions that concern the order and times of the said Kingdoms and Beasts further applyed to the Roman Monarchy as c. 9. after the end of the 70 weeks when Christ had put an end to Typical sacrifice by his death in Tiberius his Raign Daniel speaks of the Prince viz. of the Roman people that should come to destroy the City and Sanctuary v. 26. which was fulfilled by Titus and Vespatian and in the two last verses he sets forth the very long desolation that should follow upon Jerusalem and her people in those general expressions until the consummation and that determined should be powred out upon the desolate which is also explained by our Saviour till the times of the Gentiles Dominion in the four Kingdoms and Beasts be fulfilled Luk 21 24. In chap. 8. v. 26. the same large space of time is assigned thereto of 2300 days of years for which see the reasons in our summary upon that Text c. Also in the last large prophetical vision of the general state of that people c. there are many things referr unto the Roman Monarchy first in that the Angel tells him c. 10.14 that he came to make him understand what should befall his people in the latter or postremity of days and in c. 11. he sets before him the degrees of the rise of the Roman Kingdom First he intitles him a Prince that began to act in his own behalf v. 18. as before he had done for another before v. 13. see abridgment after the Romans are set forth by the * Mr. Mede dist 48 p. 376. Ships of Chittim in v. 30. the old mark set down by Baalam to know their last oppressor Numb 24.24 who was to perish for ever but at v. 36. he intitles the Romans the K. Kings with an Emphasis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Emphaticum aliquid eximium denotat said Mr. Mede and so the state of that Kingdom with several of her heads of Tyranny coming on and the enemies that restrain them to the end of the chapter Over part of whose Dominions the King of the South the Saracens and the King of the North the Turk prevail in the time of the end neer or unto the second coming of Christ See the Parallel to this purpose and summary on Daniel wherein divers other things are set down which may evidence that all things said to be shut up in Daniel and such as are referred to the times ' of the end or latter days are so explained in the Rev. both respecting the Roman Monarchy and Christs afterwards when the said Kingdome of the Stone became a great Mountain filling the whole earth but these brief hints may here suffice The seventh Argument is taken from the promises and encouragements made and given to the overcomers and sufferers in all times following both in the Asian Churches Rev. 2. 3. chap and also all along afterwards referring to the New Jerusalem state till the Roman Monarchy be utterly destroyed and ruined and then those promises and encouragements take place and are fulfilled as appears from Rev. 19. to the end of that book which state the spirit of God three times attesteth and strongly confirmeth c. 19.9 21.5.22.6
the evil at svch time he will destroy all such as did before by their wickedness destroy the earth in both which respects as the Apostle Paul teacheth he will then so judge both the quick and the dead at his appearance and his Kingdome 2 Tim. 4.1 And for both those parts of judgement towards good and bad it was said when Antichrist was to be destroyed Dan. 7.9 10 c. that the Judgement was set and the Books were opened as it will be above 1000 years after when all the wicked shall be raised at the last resurrection Rev. 10.11 12. When also Christ will again judge both quick and dead when all the Saints that are then alive and remain as the Apostle Paul reckons himself and the Saints in his time then will be 1 Thes 4. and he twice affirms it saying We which are alive and remain vers 15. and vers 17. shall be caught up together with such of the Saints as at that time shall rise first also that is before the wicked after to be raised when all those sorts of the Saints the living then in the bodily life and raised Saints above a thousand years before which then with the Apostle remain in the world shall altogether be caught up in the clouds to meet Christ in the air whereas those that had their part in the first resurrection having their part therein 1000 years before were said then to be brought from heaven with him when that New Jerusalem came down from God out of heaven at Christs second coming but then they shall ever be with the Lord whereas he seemed to withdraw himself from the former before the last rapture which will be in a moment with a glorious change which mysteries the Apostle unfolds 1 Cor. 15. which he twice confirms also 51.15 Also the whole 97. Psalm which beginneth The Lord reigneth let the people rejoyce let the multitude of the Isles be glad thereof containing also a Prophesie of his terrible coming to destroy his idolatrous enemies and to deliver the Jews and all his oppressed people which will cause such exultation and Halelujahs in the world and is also in the New Testament applyed by the Spirit of God to his said second coming Heb. 1.6 when he shall bring again his first begotten into the world as the Greek Text declares when all the Angels of God shall worship him so expounded by Chrysostome Ribera and others of his second coming and which also the Apostle himself clearly explaineth Chap. 2 5. calling it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the world to come whereof he spake to this agrees Rev. 19.1 2 c. when the Whore of Babylon was destroyed and that Reign of Christ began and the marriage of the Lamb was come so many Halelujahs were sung First By much people vers 1 2 3. Secondly By the representative twenty four Elders and four Beasts or living wights verse 4. And thirdly By a voice out of the Throne the Church and of great multitudes saying Alleluâ—ah for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth c. that is in another manner than before viz. personally and at the same time he is praised for having taken to himself his great power and to have reigned Rev. 11.17 who in his personal absence till then had left his power in the hands of others which for the most part had much abused it and probably most provokingly towards that time c. Also concerning the terrible coming of the Lord as it is described by Zachary chap. 14. very lagely how he will fight against the Nations that then come against Jerusalem when his feet shall stand on Mount Olivet and he will so terribly shake the Earth as also in Isa 1.2 several times is set forth when he will Jehoshaphatize his Enemies as before in the 3d. of Joel and the word in the Original seems to denote and at which time Zacharie saith chap. 14.5 as the Apostle Paul said from him 1 Thes 3. and last The Lord thy God shall come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the Saints with thee and as chap. 4.14 all that sleep in Jesus God will then bring with him which is that Jerusalem by a Metonimie of the subject that then comes down from God out of heaven Rev. 21. and the contexts of Zac. and Joel agree to the same time and the more to difference the said coming from that descending from heaven with a shout which the Apostle speaks of v. 16. which to creatures apprehension may then seem an other coming yet he saith not out of heaven as when the said Jerusalem descended but it will be after the thousand years when he seems to have withdrawn himself from the holy City and Camp of the Saints whilst Satan and his last Gog and Magog play their last most wicked pranks which will only amount to an attempt wherewith there will he their own and the worlds ruine brought on effectually when the great white throne will be set up for Christ before whose face heaven and earth shall flee away and no place be found for them as being resolved as is probable into their first Chaos c. from which ruine all the Saints as was said before by a suddain rapture and glorious change shall be perfectly freed glorified as we shewed and shall ever be with the Lord from thence forth till the consummation of that last Judgement that then shall all ascend with him their head into Heaven without preventing each other as the Apostle also teacheth when death will be swallowed up in victory 1 Cor. 15.54 There is mention of a Trumpet when the Angels shall gather the Elect from the four winds and two in a Bed and two in the Field and two Women in the Mill the one taken and the other shall be left at the coming of Christ in the Clouds as Mat. 24.30 31.40 41. but that last descending from Heaven will be at the last Trump in regard one of like nature was before Again his second coming in the Clouds will be for Salvation to all the ends of the Earth in the issue of it but this descending from heaven with a shout and the voice of an Arch-Angel and the Trump of God viz. the last Trump will bring utter and final desolation to all the ends of the Earth yea then Heaven and Earth shall flee away before his face and no place be found for them Rev. 20.11 These are according to our Saviours own best exposition in the Revelation which in these matters he hath caused to be set down with very great evidence often attesting them to be faithful and true c. foreseeing men would not believe them though very consonant to the Prophets and other portions of the holy Scriptures In respect of the large extent of Christs Kingdom when God hath shewed he would set Christ his King upon his holy hill of Sion notwithstanding all the rage and tumults of the Heathen Psal 2. he also delares he would give him the
Scripture respecting the duties the dignities the priviledges and happiness both of living in the Natural life and the Saints raised from the death of the body wherein they will both be happily exercised and peacefully and securely enjoy the benefits the said thousand years of Christs reign upon Earth from his coming in the Clouds of heaven for above a thousand years space until his sitting on that great white Throne when the Heaven and the Earth shall flee away before his face and no place be found for them Rev. 20.11 and when these visible Heavens we behold shall be no more as is said Job 14.12 And so we proceed to make up the evidence of this first way of Demonstration a little to touch upon the third sort of those things that are declared by the holy Scriptures to be done at the end of the said thousand years which are so evidently set down in the latter part of the Revelation wherein as Mr. Mede observes the Holy Ghost hath set down things more clearly than before and herein observe what he declareth 1. First concerning Satans loosing again who after he had told us of his binding and shutting up at the begining of the thousand years and for what reason that he might deceive the Nations no more till the thousand years were fulfilled but then he adds after that he must be loosed for a little space v. 2 3. and when he had set forth summarily the happiness of the raised Saints raign with Christ with other divine truths of the different estate of the rest of the dead which were not to be raised till the thousand years were ended v. 4 5 6. he proceeds to shew in order how accordingly it shall fall out v. 7. as before he had fore-told that Satan should be loosed then out of his prison For what is here delivered concerning Satan and the state of the Saints raised and then of the rest not raised that are said not to live again till c. is all set out with the greatest distinct clearness in each respect that can in so short a form or frame of words probably be expressed or conceived and as most agreeing with the current of the Sacred Scripture concerning those things which Christ was so graciously pleased so to make known for the benefit of his Church in the time of the end and therefore delivers them so clearly and distinctly and so leaves them with all the rest of this book unsealed Rev. 22.10 For from the time of the giving this Revelation and Christs receiving his Commission from the Father to open the Seals and read and execute the particulars in their order chap. 5. he hath been still is and will also henceforth be in doing till they all be accomplished accordingly and therefore he saith in respect of the order of accomplishment the time is at hand chap. 1.3 2. And Secondly after the holy Spirit had so punctually set down the time of Satans loosing out of his Prison he proceeds in the next place to shew what ill use he would make of his loosing though permitted to him but for a little season at the end of the thousand years and though he be fore-told from the word of Christ that his last desperate devilish attempt will be but a vain attempt against the Camp of the Saints and the holy City and not only bring on effectually the ruine to that world wherein he would still rule but destruction also to himself with them in the said bottomless pit where the Beast and the false Prophet that he had in former times long seduced were cast above a thousand years before yet so desperately wicked notwithstanding Satan will then be and it appears to be the heavy judgement of God upon him that he will then so do viz. go out to deceive the Nations even in such a case c. as v. 8. 3. The large extent of that most horrible wicked attempt of his and where they will be found that shall thereto be seduced then by him to such a purpose namely in the four quarters of the Earth even such as were removed or far withdrawn from the Camp of the Saints by such time as the thousand years should end v. 8. 4. By the quality of such Nations which he will deceive and seduce then into that so vain and horrible an attempt who are described by the titles of Gog and Magog even as those great and implacable Enemies to the Church were described to wit the Turk and Pope Ez. 38 39 which by his long seducement were by him brought to their ruine before the thousand years when he knew he was to be shut up so long in his prison and when the Jews were to be delivered and placed in their own Land Ezek. 37. and united with the ten Tribes their Brethren into one Kingdom under Christ and the new Jerusalem set up and described by Ezekiel from chap. 40. to the end of that Book there named Jehovah Shamma the Lord is there this title or description of such wretched persons the holy Spirit is here again pleased to use to set them forth by that they will be another Gog and Magog maliciously attempting the subversion of Christs Church though so incomparably glorious in the world c. v. 8. 5. The course he takes with them he gathers them together to battell for it is the most natural design of the Devil and his most wicked agents in all times to war against the Saints and it was quarrel enough against them both for him and them that the mannaging well the power of good government is by God put into their hands for restraining evil and promoting good as doubtless in that time it will be when that attempt shall be made for the overthrow whereof that design should probably serve if it might be to get such power into their own hands that Satan by and in them might reign 6. The seeming advantage they will think probably they shall have to undertake that hellish design which Satan will provoke and tempt them to make use of therein namely their very great multitudes and hosts of evil cumbitants which are foretold shall be as the sand of the sea v. 8. 7. Their general unanimous and ready yieldance to such Satans tentation and seducement they went upon the breadth of the earth v. 9. wickedly yet confidently relying on their own multitudes even against the long and glorious manifestations of the power and kingdome of Christ in the world then after and in the destruction of the Beast above 1000 years before 8. The high degree of their seeming prevalency in such atchievement they compassed the camp of the Saints about and the beloved City v. 9. they even seemed then to obtain their end c. But then 9. Observe Gods appearing in the nick of time against them causing their horrible disappointment and bringing upon them their remediless and desperate destruction fire then came down from God out of heaven and
devoured them v. 9. which was the temporal execution of Gods judgement on Satans last hosts 10. Whereupon follows the eternal execution of Gods wrath upon Satan himself for he is then cast into the lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented perpetually with the Beast and false Prophet sent thither above 1000 years before by means of his seducement v. 10. 11. Hereupon ensues the general Judgement first manifested in the sudden dissolution of the whole frame and fabrick of nature in that heaven and earth flee away from the face of him that the great white Throne was set for to sit upon who had upheld all things till then by the word of his power Heb. 1.3 who it seems then will â—â—solve them into the first Chaos of confusion upon the ranture and chinge of the Saints but from thence no place will be found for them v. 11. but as Job saith these material heavens shall be no more But then 12. and lastly The general Judgement proceeds of all men good and bad both in respect of declaration or sentence and execution accordingly as in many particulars is set down to the end of the Chapter And whereas Hell and Death are in the issue said to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone first by hell there may be understood the grave as sheol in the old Testament Ps 16. and Gen. 42.38 so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the new 1 Cor. 15.55 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O grave where is thy victory in which Chapter what the Apostle Paul had taught of destroying the last enemy death is here metaphorical described to be fulfilled to wit in its capacity the subject matter of death and hell in that sence being now for ever taken away thenceforth no more use of either to be at all whereby Christ is made the death of death and death the last enemy to be destroyed will then as he speaks be swallowed up in victory Now as the Jews looking only at Christs second glorious coming foretold in the old Testament did usually-overlook such things as set forth the humility of his first coming for both his first and second coming as Mr. Mede observes are promiscuously set down in the old Testament except in Daniel so Christians under the new Testament have been apt to overlook the first resurrection called in Scripture the resurrection of the just under a confused notion taken up of the last general resurrection which once for all for the mysteries thereof were revealed by degrees our Saviour hath by his beloved Disciple John so fully at last declared by an orderly explication of both in this 20th Chap. of the Rev. for a sure Key to open otherwise much mystical Scripture concerning the last times of the good world as part of the 11th Chap. before to v. 15. was a Table for part of this Book in reference to the order of the bad times of the former evil world to chap. 19. adjoyning to it there the state of the good world to follow it with the continuance thereof chap. 19 and 20. and proceeds further in the two last Chapters to explain the glorious state and priviledges of it as he is wont in this Book after things more generally delivered to give more particular explications of them so here when he had spoken of joy at the marriage of the Lamb chap. 19. and that his wise had made her self ready v. 7. which he explains chap. 21.9 10. to be the New Jerusalem come down from God out of heaven which appears to be the spirits of just men made perfect which then came with Christ at his second coming as Zach. had prophesied of them c. being by a Metonimy of the subject the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem above Gal. 4. till they came to take their bodies wherefore that City prepared Heb. 11.10 16. for the faithfull is said to have foundations and so is described Rev. 21. And the Apostle Paul explains Zach. in 1 Thes 3.14 calling it the coming of Christ with all his Saints and in chap. 4.14 yet more clearly he saith them also that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him viz. to be united to their bodies at the first blessed resurrection to inhabit the said New Jerusalem on earth that hath foundations and behold Christs glory there Joh. 17.24 And that this first resurrection is from the death of the body hath been cleared by many but Mr. Farnworth in his Millenium hath added lately divers evident reasons respecting that and other matters of like nature pag. 49 50 c. and proves that it cannot be understood of a spiritual resurrection to which purpose were divers hints given in the end of our Irenicon see the Appendix And thus much for the grounds of our first demonstration from those Scriptures that concern all the said particulars to which a great deal more might be added of which we may say as our Saviour of Moses the Prophets that such as would not believe them they would not believe though one rose from the dead so such as would reject or evade so many evidences of Scripture would not believe though many more of the like nature were added so hardly are prepossessed opinions and prejudices against some divine Truths of this nature removed amongst some c. as I confess I experimentally found till God was pleased by many providences and helps afforded together with remarkable guidance of his word and spirit to teach me otherwise as he must doe in some things before men will rightly learn them though by the strength of Arguments conviction may be wrought c. Now from all the particulats before in and after the said thousand years of Christs reign with his Saints the Argument may thus be framed All such particulars which the holy Scriptures declare shall be accomplished before in and after the said thousand years shall certainly be fulfilled But the holy Scriptures declare most or all the said particulars before in or after the said thousand years to be accomplished on earth Therefore then they most certainly shall be fulfilled on earth The Major Proposition is undeniable to Christians The Minor is abundantly proved from many or all the particulars before specified under the three heads 2d Arg. I proceed to the second Argument drawn from sundry Texts of the Old Testament speaking of what concerns that time of Christs Kingly Office in the thousand years which are so explained by the spirit of God in the New Testament First for the begining of Christs Kingdom of power on earth when the Stone becomes a Mountain Dan. 2.35 Answerable whereunto in Christs Kingdom of the Stone he is set forth by a Lamb Rev. 5. that was slain that had seven horns and seven eyes denoting his perfect power and wisdom in that state but at the end of it he comes with his heavenly Hosts Rev. 19.11 c. and conquers the Beast and false Prophet and casts them into the Lake chap. 20. binds