Articles of Faith p. 90 91. of Iren. c. 2. Observe in general that from the varietes of the Discoveries in the said three books were by a special hand of Providence those 8 comprehensive convincing Arguments deduced in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Word Written which as strangly was published as might be shewed whereunto likewise very many upon like account might be added as being in like manner couched in such mysterious Discoveries and observable passages upon many occasions therein contained and many from the 31. Useful observations to understand mystical Prophesies after the Tract on Rev. 22 20. I might here add others from the nature and end of these Doctrines as that they are Homogeneal Harmonious and uniform with all other Christian Doctrines p. 50. to the end not new but only Scriptural explications of the Old Assert eight of the Key and from the end of them viz. the fulfilling of the promised mercies to the Fore-Fathers p. 5 6 7 8 9 10. I have observed 4 places in Scripture Divinity wherein these Doctrines naturally fall in otherwise there will be a Chasme and void place from Scripture grounds observable First the Consideration of the general Execution of Christs 3 Offices is to precede the particular as being the chief part of that well grounded distinction in the 11 and 12. Divine Thesis in p. 5 6. of the Irenicon 2dly Sacred Scripture teacheth that after Christ hath satisfied for sin risen again ascended and sitten the appointed time at the right hand of God on his Fathers Throne till he make his foes his footstool then he will begin to sit on his own Throne at his coming the 2d time without sin only for Salvation to all his People to perform that Adoption to the raised Sts. even the Redemption of their Bodies Rom. 8.23 by freeing them from the corruption of the grave c. And 2dly all those alive from all their enemies both Men and Devils to serve God without so much as fear of them all the dayes of their lives Luke 1 71. Rev. 20 c. and to redeem even the inferiour creatures from the bondage of corruption from Men or other Creatures into the glorious c. viz. in their capacity in that state of the restitution of all things Rom. 8.22 Acts 3.21 See for this in the Everlasting Gospel on Gen. 3.19 p. 8. the 6. particular there 3dly From the Scripture explication of the Lords Prayer that his Name may be then hallowed in earth as it is now and till then in heaven and so his Kingdom may come and will be done in earth then as in heaven now which will be perfectly done upon the coming of that Kingdom by Angels and raised Sts. in that world and by others then alive in a very great measure See p. 90 91. of the Iren. and New Jer. p. 4 15 the first Vse 4thly It is in part the end of that state both of the faith and hope of many of Gods servants who now groundedly both believe and hope for such their interest in that state of the promised mercies to the Fore-Fathers as we shewed largly in our Key being a part of Csts Purchase and of the Sts. inheritance for so long a time of which much is said in Scripture c. See the Key of the covenanted mercies to the Fore-Fathers and their spiritual seed as we here touch but that which in gnneral we shall only here farther set down as to the former Argum. is this one most comprehensive Foundation of Multitudes of particular Arguments in several kinds from several sorts of Subjects considered in the whol work namly That Doctrine is Divine truth which hath not only clear Scriptures for the nature and substance of it and for all useful and profitable parts and branches of it but also for the distinct and clear handling of both it them from Scripture foundations and this farther which is yet of very great waight where the faith thereof is wrought that these Doctrines are only in substance the promised mercies to the Fore-Fathers Ab. Is and Jacob and all their spiritual seed both circumcised and uncircumcised for that state in special through that one Divine seed Christ Gal. 3. to be fulfilled in that world to come Heb. 2.3 Luke 20.35 36. in the time of the New Heavens and New Earth c. which is the time of Christs great day of Judgment and of his Davidical Kingdom which is another strong foundation of the same promised mercies of all the spiritual Sons and Daughters of David through and with Christ himself then in that world I might add many others c. But now for the first said members viz. the substance and main branches of these Doctrines that have clear Scripture grounds that he that runs may read in the whose work but for the 3d which is the distinct handling of those things some may question therefore amongst the many distinctions in our Key whereof many were not before this work observed that I knew of I shall instance in the two New Jerusalems one the immediate work of God to be made by himself their for the Saints raised after Christs appearance or coming Heb 11.10 16. and described gloriuosly Rev. 21. which is not the future glory of heaven as formerly mistaken for fifteen reasons c. See New Jeru◠p. 9 10 11 12 c. The other made by men for the converted Jews and Gentiles as the Prophet Esay saith expresly by Strangers and their Kings Esa 60.9 See New Jerus 6 7. and for the 4th member that for those promised mercies to the said Fore-Fathers and David will then be accomplished to all the Elect that have lived before or suffered with or for Christ before that his 2d coming in the clouds of Heaven and that they shall have their rest with the Apostles 2 Thes 1.7 and be rewarded then Rev. 11.18 19. and all such have their part in all that promised mercy in that state our grounds of those covenanted mercies after the preparatorie 21 assertions laid down in the Key may sufficiently if well considered I conceive satisfie all serious unprejudiced understanding Christians which I doubt not to such may much more be made evident from divine Authority and these things would be greatly enquired into if Christians but compently knew and believed such their own mercy and interest in that state with Christ in that long continued excellent holy and happy condition which he hath purchased for them and gives them interest in with himself being joynt heirs thereof with himself A large volume might be written and to good effect on these 3 Articles to this end 1. of Christs coming to that first judicial act of Judgm Dan. 7. above 1000. years before the last trump and raising of the wicked suddainly as probable after the faithful that departed in the 1000 years as Esa 65.20 2dly of the communion of Sts. both raised and living 3dly of the resurrection of the just only
c. c. 15.2 3 and then said he So shall thy seed be i. e. all his spiritual seed and probably both for number and excellencie being circumcised or uncircumcised through the said one seed Christ this occasioned upon that account that famous act of his faith so often mentioned He believed in the Lord and it was counted unto him for Righteousness Whereupon our so heavenly learned Apostle Paul improving God 's larg Deeds so strongly according to Abrahams strong faith settling his interest upon him in the world stiles him the Heir of the world by faith Rom. 4.13 by which he was then secure and is and will be since that time his interest therein even to that very moment wherein he shall be actual possessor thereof in that world to come Heb. 2.5 and this he largly explains in that c. Rom 4. from v. 8. to the end shewing how he becomes father of the uncircumcision as well as of the circumcision and sets forth the excellency of his faith which was counted to him for righteousness in giving glory to God who quickneth the dead when his body was dead naturally and there was deadness in Sarahs womb yet knew God could call things that are not as though they were v. 11 1â— 16 17 18 19. So that from and by such a seed which by his faith was conceived in his soul should proceed all his promised interest and should by him be made sure to all his spiritual seed as the stars in respect whereof he is here stiled the heir of the world then past by faith but will most certainly then to come by actual fruition also be possessor thereof v 22 23 24 c. So also Gal. 3.6 upon that great act of Abrahams faith respecting such a seed to secure the real inheritance of the promised land to him and all the believing world in the time of the Law or Gospel for we must know all the Dominion of Gods people and all their then priviledges are founded in grace and much greater grace than these dayes have afforded in the last v. he concludes for the comfort of all truly believing souls among the Gentiles that they have in Christ the same priviledge in that state with the Jews which shall be the sure enterance to all Abrahams spiritual seed into eternal glory for saith he if ye be Abrahams spiritual seed then heirs according to promise viz. that which was made to him for that restored state of Canaan which Abraham Isaac and Jacob with all true believers shall most certainly enjoy and all the faithful till then shall also with them inherit that in the happy restored state of the New Heavens New Earth wherein will dwell righteousness yet to confirm to Abraham both an assured Title and Possession in time to come though then he saw it a far of by his faith Heb. 11. 5. And again God minds him c. 15. that for that end he brought him him out Vr of the Caldees to that land to inherit it which Abraham revolves as desiring to have a confirmation that he should inherit it v 7.8 and thereupon he gives him a sign by the beasts and fowls to be used as God appointed c. and then first he explains the condition of his natural seed for number as the dust that should first be afflicted a stranger till after 400. years which he made a promise to c. 12.7 as follows v 14 15 16 17. after which Sarah from diffidence puts Hagar upon her husband whence came the seed of the bondwoman as in the story c. 16. 6. But afterwards c. 17. when Abraham was 99. years of age God appears again to him and makes a Covenant and stipulation with a seal thereto viz. Circumcision then to be first upon his own flesh with all the males in his family and as in the Old world that Christ should be the seed of the woman was the comfort of that sex then first in the trangression So henceforth he was made known to be the seed of men lineally from Abraham Isaac and Jacob and especially of David as Gods King to sit on his holy hill of Sion Ps 2. as well as Davids son to sit on his throne stiled the the Son of man Ps 80.17 that man of his right hand made strong for himself as also seen in Vision by Dan. as the son of man when he will come in glory in the clouds to take the same Kingdom Dan. 17 13 14 c v. 27. Hence he so often stiles himself the Son of man in the Gospel which also should be a comfort for mans sex besides other reasons And for mans farther assurance that Seal is to be upon his flesh peculiar to his sex till Christ was indeed born of a Virâ—as foretold Es 9.7 and till God did a new thing in the earth a woman shall compass a man Jer. 31.22 So then I say c. 17. God renews his confirmation of his former promises to Abraham more fully and firmly and adds the said seal to it with the changes of his name and Sarahs to ratifie the same and relie him it should be an everlasting Covenant and an everlasting Possession and he would be the God of him and his seed to be fulfilled at Christs coming with his Saints Rev. 21.2.3 c. which Covenant should be established in Isaac whom Sarah should bear at this set time in the next year v. 21. 7. In c. 22. upon Abrahams ready obedience to sacrifice his Son Isaac after his long waiting for him and enjoyment of him God expresseth his love to him passionatly if I may so speak as Joseph to his bretheren in a large and full manner ratifying all by an oath v. 16 17 18. thereby farther to confirm all the said promises and covenants to him and his seed in general natural or spiritual circumcised or uncircumcised which also afterwards he again and again confirmed to Isaac and Jacob particularly 8. As first to Isaac c. 26.23 both for his person and posterity twice first when he was at Gerar and forbids him to go into Egypt I will said God be with thee and bless thee and give into thy hand all these countreys and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed because that Abraham obey'd my voice and kept my charge my comandments my statutes my laws Mark these expressions he said not to him at all in thee as to Abraham c 12.2 3. but because Abraham had kept my charge c. probably in regard Abraham the father of the faithful or Pater excelsus as his name then signified had by his wonderful faith spiritually conceived Christ in his soul then seeing thereby Christs day and rejoyced as our Saviour himself speaks of him John 8.56 and was glad yea and God also again v. 24. confirms the same mercies to Isaac who was his great Type both in his birth and death and yet both of them with Jacob and Sarah Heb.
11. saw their own particular interest as was said in Canaan a far of at the Resurrection where their bodies Josephs bones lay reposed till they arise then to take their possession of it and reign with Christ when at that his last day he will raise them up Joh. 6. 9. Lastly God confirms unto Jacob his personal interest in the land of Canan and to his immediate natural seed the 12 Tribes here again said to be as the dust of the earth and hence faith God in conjunction with his Divine spiritual seed Christ again v. 14 in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed in that respect probably with his blessings given to the several Tribes Gen. 49. and to Esau his blessing also being his immediate seed which went very far but what might be wanting in him was made up in that one seed Christ therefore he adds and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed who will at the first blessed resurrection raise all his Saints who in their measure have suffered with him as members of his mistical body to reign then with him 2 Tim. 2.12 and saith he Rom. 8.17 We are made by Christ heirs of God and joynt heirs Christ viz. in his Mediators Davidical Kingdom bequeathed to them by our Saviour himself in his last will a little before he died after his divinely propherical Prayer Joh. 17.24 said he Father I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me And lastly c. 32. Jacob as a Prince wrastled with God and prevailed whence the name of Israel was given to him retained by all Gods people since to shew them how to prevail with God for promised mercies viz. by Faith Prayer and New obedience c. See of these covenanted mercies Prodrom or Forerun page 37 38. and God was so mindful of both the everlasting Covenants which Noah and Abraham c. as he calls that Gen 9.16 that by the experience of the former witnessed by the Rainbow many hundred years after he teaches the Prophet Esau thereby to confirm his covenanted mercies to all Israel with the beloved City Es 54 9. This saith he shall be as the waters of Noah unto me c. as I have sworn c. so will I not be wroth with thee yea all that promised grace v. 17. is said to be the heritage of the servants of the Lord even from that time whose Righteousness is of him c. 4. We proceed to the promised and covenanted mercies of David for ever through the whole state of Christs Davidical Kingdom who stands in divers relations to David as his Antitype Seed and Saviour wherein consisted the sure mercies of David in and by him who was the root of David Rev. 5 as well as the branch Zac. 3.8 who was owned to be the son of God at his Resurrection Ps 2.7 and returned not to corruption whereby was manifest the sureness of his mercies Act. 13.32 33. wherein all the faithful partake Es 55.3 by a covenant ordered in all things and sure 2 Sam. 23.5 though chiefly respecting Christs said Kingdom as in Nathans message may appear 1 Chr. 17. 2 Sam. 7.8 c. which we have largly considered in our 7th Foundation of Faith when the heathen and the uttermost parts of the earth will not only be given to Christ for an inheritance but for a possession Ps 2.8 when God sets his King upon his holy hill of Sion and though he is the Fathers Commissioner to execute the contents of the book which he received Rev. 5. from his ascention to the ruine of the Roman Empire viz. during Gods spiritually powerful Kingdom of the Stone said to be set up by the God of heaven Dan. 2.28 yet when the Kingdom of the Mountain comes all opposite Kingdoms will becom like the chaff of the summer thrashing-flore v. 35. for at his ceasing to sit at his fathers right hand his foes will eminently be made his footstoole Ps 110.1 and that man of his right hand will appear to be made strong for himself Ps 80.17 when all the Dominions of the world will be given to him under the whole heavens Dan 2.13.14 27. and God will give him his right in Davids Diadem Ez. 21.27 and all the faithful before stiled the Sons of David as well as the seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob being the meek like David whose soul was as a weaned child Ps 121. shall all then inherit the renewed earth and delight themselves in abundance of peace Ps 37.11 and be blessed in that state Mat. 5. ◠at the first resurrection Rev. 20.6 for then he will actually personally as we shewed take to himself his great power before committed or permitted to others who had abused it and will then himself reign with his Saints upon the earth Rev. 5 10. Rev. 20.4 Rev. 11.14 15. when the Angels of God shall worship him Ps 97. Heb. 1.6 and all knees in heaven earth or under the earth now shall then bow or be subject to him Phil. 2.9 10. and all creatures adore him Rev. 5.8 9 10 c. when not only as the son of David he shall have that Kingdom but also as the son of God he will be actually Gods heirof all things by his Triple right of creating ordering and redeeming all things for that purpose as Heb. 1.2 3 6. when Abraham by him and under him will be actually heir of the world Rom. 4.13 who before was only by faith so and this Kd. Dan 7.13 14. seems also to be setled upon Christ as Gods obedient son and faithful servant by his own Donation as a boon or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that he had fully done all Gods wills and so he as the captain of the Salvation of his suffering members upon the like account gives his Kingdom to them 2 Tim. 2.12 making them joynt heirs with himself Rom. 8.17 bequeathed the beholding of his glory to them as by his last will Joh. 17.24 Father said he I will c. through whom Davids seed living in the world then will probably be blessed in a special manner Es 61.9 Then will kingdom power and glory all be his from his coming in the clouds not only in his own glory but also of the father and his holy angels Mat. 25. which he will resign back unto the father when the last enemy death shall be destroyed that God may be all in all and the son also himself be subject unto him when perfect reconciliation is made Christ having so conducted all his Saints from their general rapture to meet him at their glorious change to enter upon those things for ever that eye hath not seen c. besides thee O God saith Esay c. 64.4 and Oh what things saith David with an holy admiration Ps 31.19 of which an excellent improvement is made by our
overthrow burial saving the sixth part c. as at large set down in ch 38. 39. But of the last Gog and Magog see Rev. 20.9 10. about the general rapture and change of all the Saints 1 Cor. 15 52 53. 20. That the General Rapture and Change of all the Saints about the last Trumpet will be I conceive of them in a three-fold state or condition first in the natural life to be changed in stead of dying 2dly of Saints before raised twice said to be alive and remain 1 Thes 4.15 17. 3dly of the dead in the 1000. years then to rise first before the wicked as others did in the said time v. 16. which Interpretation the Revelation seems to point out 21. As Christ our Saviour should not finish that work of Redempt in the world which he is appointed to by his Fathers Commission manifest Rev. 5. according to his former decreed and promised grace Gen. 3.15 c. often since renewed to the fore-fathers when receiving as the Angel said Luke 1.31 32 33. his Davidical Kingdom he shall return from his Fathers right hand in the clouds of Heaven in his own glory and of his Father and his holy Angels then making his great enemies eminently his footstool and bind Satan for the 1000. years So taking to himself his great power to reign and so also temporally outwardly and visibly to deliver his people from the hands of all their enemies to serve him without fear of them c. Luk. 1.71 72 73 74 which seems to be the possessing of the Gate of their enemies Gen. 22.27 at his next coming as well as he wrought their spiritual Redemption at the first that none of his should be lost and to be then the glory of his people Israel as he hath since that been a Light to Lighten the Gentiles Luke 2.72 all which are grounds of that truth So neither should God without his doing of these things perform those promised mercies to the fore-fathers to those excellent purposes in the time of his said Visible and Glorious Kingdome in the world at several times made unto them as in divers particulars ensuing is observable as first that to Adam and Eve Secondly to Noah Thirdly to Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Fourthly to David will clearly manifest Of Gods great Promised Mercies to the Fore-Fathers made in the Old Testament through Christ to be fulfilled by him in the World to come in the time of his glorious Kingdom therein 1. THat all the great Promises and Covenants of God made to men under the Old Testament when the first Adam had lost his own and his natural Seeds interest were to be fulfilled by Christ whom as the Apostle saith Heb. 1. God had appointed him Heir for all things v. 2 3. from a three-fold Title to be compleated in the time of his Kingdom on earth First God having by him Created the world 2dly he hath since purged his peoples sins by his own bloud so procuring to them all grace and gracious interest therein And 3dly Upholding all things by his word of Divine power and so disposing them that they then with him should be Heirs even joynt Heirs with Christ saith that Apostle Rom. 8.17 who was Rapt up to Paradise to learn Divine Mysteries after Christ had gloriously appeared to him at his Conversion and as Christ by that beloved and so Divinely taught Disciple John more fully promises to all Overcomers that they shall sit with Christ on his Throne viz. of his Mediatory Kingdom even as he having overcome is now set down with his Father on his Throne Rev. 3.21 and that he will give him then power over the Nations to break them c. Rev. 2.27 but he further adds from Christs Warrant also Rev. 21.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my Son Which will be obtained from Christ in the compleating of the Redemption of the purchased possession of the said inheritance by our great Messiah the second Adam in the time of his said Kingdom whereof they are now become with him joynt heirs and then with him shall become possessors in reference whereunto all the said Promises were made to the Fathers in their order and times 1. First that made to Adam and Eve upon their fall and sentence Gen. 3.15 The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head Which he hath been doing ever since as we shewed in due order and manner appointed by the Eather and still doth and will so doe but upon his receiving of his Kingdom will do it more eminently until he make his Foes even the stoutest of them his Footstool Ps 110.1 even till the last enemy death shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 15. which will be as Scripture witnesseth at the compleating of his said 1000. years reign For he must reign saith the Apostle v. 25. until he hath put all his enemies under his feet when death the last enemy shall be destroyed v. 26. and when all his overcomers that reigned with him before in the 1000. years shall be rapt up with all Saints in their several states then to meet him in the Aire and thenceforth ever be with him the Lord in a glorious and blessed condition upon the said compleat breaking the Serpent Satans head See our Thes Prodrom p. 10 11 12 13. and this largely handled in our Everlasting Gospel on Gen. 3.15 to which I refer the Reader 2. That Promise and Covenant that God made to Noah through him whose Type he was in saving his own house or family in the Arke at the drowning of the Old World as Christ will also be his Sts. safe Arke both at his next appearance when as our Saviour saith The Eagles will be gathered to the Carkass Luke 17.38 and also from the last destruction of the World by fire at the said gener rapture of all the Sts. above a 1000. years after Now he giveth by that Covenant with Noah for himself men and beasts present and future the largest and and strongest Assurance of preservation of the Earth from any like destruction upon Noahs offering Sacrifices of the clean beasts and fowls preserved with him in the Arke Whereupon the Lord smelled a sweet savour viz. through the said Antetype of Noah And the Lord said in his heart I will not again any more curse the ground for mans sake And the freeness of his grace more gloriously appeared by his following reason which had a contrary effect before ch 6.5 6. but now he will not destroy it for the imagination saith he Gen. 8.21 22. of mans heart is evil from his youth nor will I any more smite every living thing as I have done And all this is further inlarged and illustrated with an ample affirmative Charter While saith the Lord Jehovah or yet all the dayes of the earth as in Heb. Seed time and Harvest cold and heat summer and winter day and night shall not cease But what was a