not worshipped the beast nor his Images and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years but afterwards Christ who is the Elder Brother is sole Judge of all and having finished the Judgement he delivers up all into the hands of God the Father then shall the Saints above what they know now know with admiration that the Son and Father are one and they one in them according to Christs prayer Joh. 17.21 24. Now in order unto their reigning with Christ they must be brought forth by the enjoyment of a Resurrection and this I judge to be the first Resurrection which shall be only of the Saints that sleep in Jesus for the dead in Christ shall rise first according to St. Pauls Doctrine 1 Thes. 4.10 and 1 Corin. 15. Christ the first fruits afterwards they that are Christs at his coming I know there are some that will apply this Resurrection to the Resurrection of the Soul out of the grave of sin and corruption Well I shall not much controvert it but whoever I see so risen I do not question his part in the first Resurrection for it is said Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection It doth not speak of sinners but of saints which had not worshipped the Beast neither his Image they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand yeers but the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand yeers were finished Quest But what are the rest of the dead that have not their part in this first Resurrection Answ. We have them set down in Rev. 21.8 and I am sure there is not a Saint amongst them they are the fearful and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and whoremongers and Sorcerers and Idolaters and all lyars and where shall all these be why these shall be without for without are dogs and sorcerers Rev. 22.15 without that is without this holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven so that they shall not see that transcendent glory which will be manifested in this City a glimpse of which the Lord even now sometimes lets down into the spirits of his people that so they might with the Apostle groan for the Adoption to wit the Redemption of our bodies yea he witnesseth that the whole Creation groans for this even for the manifestation of the sons of God and they that had received the first fruits of the spirit groaned also O then how shall the saints of the latter dayes that are under the great Promise of the Father groan and travel for the accomplishment of these things And surely such that are in some measure delivered into the beauty and spiritualness and glory of this glory cannot but long and desire to be unclothed that they might be cloathed upon John in this chapter saw a new heaven and a new earth which was prophesied of long before in Isa. 65.17 and there you have a description what this new Heaven and new Earth is in the 18 verse For behold I create Jerusalem a rejoycing and her people a Joy A new heaven indeed when Jerusalem which now is which is in bondage with her children shall rejoyce with that Jerusalem which is above which is free and is the mother of us all which shall come downe from God out of Heaven there shall also be a new Earth for the Divell being bound up there will not be that Enmity in the hearts of Earthly men neither to the Saints nor amongst themselves but according to the Prophesie in Isa. 65. last The Lyon and the Lamb shall lie down together vers. 2. And I saw the holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband John in the time of all this Revelation was in the spirit Rev. 1.10 I was in the spirit on the Lords day and all that was revealed unto him was spiritual from first to last he that readeth let him understand I saw saith he the holy City for nothing that is unholy can enter in flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God It is a City and it is a holy City and certainly this is the City which Abraham by faith looked for while he was a stranger in the Land of Promise Heb. 11.10 For he looked for a city that hath foundations whose builder and maker is God This City hath Foundations as you may see in the fourteenth verse and God is the Builder and Maker of it for it is of his Creation This holy City this new Jerusalem it is said to come down from God out of heaven doth not this plainly demonstrate unto us that the saints shall come down from heaven according as it is written The Lord thy God shall come and all the Saints with him and in Phil. 3.20 For our conversation is in heaven from whence also we look for a Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ this is an expectation of Christ from heaven and I see no difference between this expression and that of Christ's I am the true bread which came down from heaven now see in what manner this holy City doth come down and then consider whether it will be any way a disadvantage unto the Saints to come down from heaven for they come as a bride adorned for her husband O blessed Union all the Saints are Christs Bride the whole general Assembly and Church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven they do but make up the Lambs Wife and thus she shall come adorned for her husband that is without sâ—o or wrinkle as will appear if we compare spiritual things with spiritual For here Christ doth by his spirit and word espouse us unto himself 2 Cor. 11.2 O but there is a marriage day Rev. 19.7 and then it shall be granted unto the Bride to be arrayed in fine linen clean and white which is the Righteousness of the Saints Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage-supper of the Lamb Christ he is the Kings son according to Psal. 72 1. and God the Father he will institute a supper for his Sonne which is called The Mariage Supper of the Lamb a Supper that shall begin when all other suppers shall have ended this doth not any way diminish from the souls feeding upon Christ here according unto Christs words My flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed but this is a supper the which all the Saints shall be called unto that they might be married unto Christ who were in this life espoused unto Christ and therefore when ye have the cry at midnight it is said Behold the Bridegroom cometh Christ comes unto his Saints as a Bridegroom in the glory of his Father and of his holy Angels the Saints they meet Christ as the Lambs wife yea as a Bride adorned for the Bridegroom that although he comes at midnight to the ungodly and to the seeming godly foolish Virgins without Christ in the world yet it is the Saints morning-Star
Prophet Isaiah Thy people also shall be all righteous Isa. 60.21 It is further apparent if we consider Isa. 35. the 10th verse by the ransomed of the Lord I understand either the people of the Jews in general or else every true believer in particular These shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flee away Why Gods bringing of his people now unto Zion it is with weeping and with supplication but in this day when Zion the Mountain of the house of the Lord shall be exalted in the top of the Mountains it shall be with everlasting joy agreeing to that in Jer. 31.12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion But in the 9th verse there is weeping and supplication and in the latter end of the 12th verse they shall not sorrow any more at all Certainly then this will be a time of extraordinary spiritual joy which we expect and wait for and not an outward glorious Jewish Kingdom which some speaking against it say that we look for but let such see their portion it they have a portion in Christ and how gracious Christ will be unto them in this his kingdom in that sweet Prophesie of his reign in Isa. 32.4 The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge I am perswaded that many a gracious heart in the corsideration of that glorious truth of Christs spiritual reign in the hearts of his people over sin Satan and the world hath cried down this his personal reign upon the Throne of his father David as error and Heresie I might cite much in the behalf of this truth from Isa. 65.17 to the end but I shall passe over to Jer. 30.9 And they shall serve the Lord their God and David their King whom I will raise up unto them Now observe the time when they shall serve this King it is when God shall give them to pessesse the land which he gave unto their fathers as you may see plainly in the third verse and before they do thus serve him they shall return and seek him even the Jews that are called the children of Israel Hosea 3.5 O ye Gentile Saints of the most high what room hath God made in your hearts for the poor Jews did they think upon us when we were not a people and shall not we think upon them Ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence for he hath said that the Nation and kingdome that will not serve them shall perish yea those Nations shall be utterly destroyed Isa. 60.12 certainly then there is little hopes for England that would not suffer you to dwell amongst us but faithfull is God that hath promised and will accomplish even to set over them that great Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls the Lord Jesus Christ Ezek 34 23. The next plain Scripture is Dan. 7.27 And the kingdom and dominion and the greatnesse of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey him This is a plain Prophesie of Christs personal appearing to rule and reign with his Saints if ye consider the 22th verse there ye have him mentioned Untill the ancient of dayes came agreeing with that his title in the Revelation I am Alpha and Omega the first and the last This is a kingdom and dominion under the whole heaven certainly then it must be on earth and then shall that promise be made good which saith The meek shall inherit the earth We do not doubt as a worthy Preacher lately said of a kingdom in the heavens in that celestial place of glory prepared for us but our God hath promised us a kingdom under the whole heaven wherein Christ shall be King that one Lord both over believing Jews and believing Gentiles This kingdom it is given him by God the Father who is also called the ancient of dayes for as Christ saith I and my father are one you have it in the 13. and 14. verses of Dan. 7. I saw in the night Visions and behold one like the Son of Man came with the Clouds of Heaven agreeing unto Christs words Then shall ye see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with power and great glory I shall plainly lay down my Meditations concerning it and leave it to the judgement of the Christian Reader which were this Christ coming and the Saints bringing of him unto God their father for it is said in the 13th verse They brought him near before him agreeing to that in Isa. 8.18 Behold I and the children which thou hast given me And now being before their father as Christ said I go to my father and to your father to my God and to your God the subject matter of their plea is for a kingdome founded in the sufferings of Christ and so a branch of the new Covenant Isa. 53.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoyl with the strong because he hath poured out his Soul unto death Now God the father being faithful that promised he gives the kingdom unto the Son agreeing to that in Ps. 72.1 Give the King thy judgements O God and thy righteousnesse unto the Kings Son which is fulfilled in Dan. 7.14 And there was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him even him that was despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief unto whom the Nations have said We will not have this man to reign over us even unto him shall this glory and dominion be given that so that which is written may be fulfilled At the name of Jefus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confesse that he is the Lord for he will be King alone in that day Hosea 13.10 The Prophet Joel is very large in declaring the signs and wonders that shall be before this great day of the Lord agreeing with those in Matth. 24. The Prophet Amos is in the latter end of his Prophesie treating of the restauration of the children of Israel which take in many special circumstances concerning this truth and will require a larger Treatise then this is for there is both heighth and depth and length and breadth in the truths of God But I passe them over and shall onely take notice of Mich. 4.3 And he shall judge among many people and rebuke strong nations afar off vers. 4. They shall sit every man under his Vine and under his Fig-tree and none shall make them afraid It shall be a Solomons kingdom in respect of peace so that in this sense he will come as the desired one of all Nations and this kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem as you may see in vers 8. but more especially in
Now it will be to our purpose to consider in what respect these shall be said to sing the song of Moses which is Typical for I believe that both Jews and Gentiles shall sing this song And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and Nation And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign upon the Earth Rev. 5.9 10. so that out of every people Christ will have a peculiar people Now let us see how well the children of God travelling towards this new Jerusalem and the children of Israel towards the Land of Canaan will Agree together First then to take in the spiritual meaning as the Children of Israel were in Egypt under sore bondage so are all the sons and daughters of Adam by nature under the bondage of sin and Satan and led captive by him at his pleasure 2 Tim. 2.26 now the Lord by the hand of Moses he brings them out of Egypt and they are set safe over the Red Sea and now for the Land of Canaan but they came not thither for we read of their sad fall through unbelief Heb. 3.18 so the Lord by the death of Jesus Christ hath set out a way for all towards the heavenly Canaan but few come thither and why so Many are called but sew are chosen one of a Tribe and two of a Family as the Scripture witnesseth Many that are first shall be last and the last first Secondly if we look at the mystical meaning then by Egypt we are to understand Babylon mystical Babylon amongst whose inhabitants there is Egyptian darkness and the Lord now in the dayes of the Gospel having called and brought his people out of Babylon while they stand upon a Sea of glass mingled with fire they are inabled by the Spirit of God to sing They sing the Song of Moses and of the Lamb saying Just and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Isa. 33.22 The Israel after the flesh they sing being delivered from outward Enemies the Israel after the Spirit they shall sing being delivered from all their enemies both inward and outward In Rev. 19. you have the great joy and rejoycing of the Saints at the downfal of Babylon whilst the Kings of the Earth which have committed Fornication with her and the Merchants of the Whore are weeping and wailing and crying out Alas alas the Saints they shall be saying Alleluiah salvation and honour glory and power unto the Lord our God even so Amen Alleluiah It is a praising and rejoycing in the Lord for his great Judgements and vengeance which he had taken and to this end Christ was anointed to proclaim the day of vengeance of our God Isa. 61.2 63.4 34.8 but in what posture then shall the Saints be in that day you may see in the 7. vers. Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his Wife hath made her self ready Well amongst all this vengeance and Judgement let us see what will be the Name of Jesus Christ and that is King of kings and Lord of lords vers. 16. We come now to Rev. 20.1 we have presented unto us an Angel coming down from Heaven having the Key of the bottomless pit whether Christ be meant here by this Angel or no I shall leave that to the judicious Reader with his meditations upon Rev. 1.18 where Christ faith I have the Keys of Hell and Death now this Angel layeth hold on the Dragon which is Satan and bindes him a Thousand years and he is cast into the bottomless pit with a Seal upon him Some there are that do imagine that this thousand years was in the time of Constantine but I see no ground for the truth of it for when he shall be bound the Nations shall not be deceived with any false worship as ever hitherto they have been since the man of sin that son of perdition hath been up and that he was loosed in the time of wicked Hildebrand a Necromancer but the words here in the 3. vers. faith That after his binding he must be loosed for a little season now the wise man faith There is a time a season for everything and if the time since in the Scriptural Account can be lookt upon as a little season yet where hath Satans work been For I believe that Satan is yet at his first work in being a lying Spirit in the mouthes of false Prophets and so deceiving the Nations in the things of God and of Christ and carrying on the Mystery of Iniquity and at this work he is new very busie labouring to pervert Foundation-truths by sinful suggestions into our hearts I know it by mine own experience for he hath been very much labouring to blind my understanding and judgement in a foundation-truth but O for ever blessed he that faithful High Priest the Lord Jesus Christ who knowing all his plots hath still kept my Faith running out upon his word with an answering It is written But now his last work that we read he shall do is to gather the nations against this beloved City to their final destruction he is no sconer out of prison but he goes to his work and loseth no time it is said that he went out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth Why it is reported by writers that Jerusalem is in the midst of the earth and so in this sence Christ will rule in the midst of his enemies as it may truly be said when Christ taketh possession of any heart why there is flesh and sin and the world I but Christ he is King he keeps his Throne and will at length bring them down under his seat though for a time for ends best known unto the Lord they may have their lurking corners in the soul Now when Satan had cathered them together the next news that we finde is their general destruction by fire which I believe is the general destruction of the whole world with all things that are therein Heaven and earth shall pass away faith Christ but not one tittle of my word until all be fulfilled for I finde that the general Judgement of the righteous and the wicked it followeth afterward and then shall those wicked ones who were in that last Conspiracie against Christ and his people and so filled up the measure of the sins of all the Serpents seed that went before them be condemned before his Tribunal for the book shall be opened and every one shall be judged according to his works But before this Throne and Judgement of Christ upon this white Throne by himself particularly spoken of in vers. 11. we have divers Thrones spoken of in the fourth verse And judgement was given unto them who had