Seed of the Righteous shall then literally and lineally be blessed yea blessedness shall then it seems be intailed upon them succeshvely to them their Seed and Seeds Seed for ever as is very remarkably let down at the great Restauration of Israel in Ezek. 37. when Christ there called by David's name as his Type and Progenitor who by a lineal deâ—cenâ— from him shall then obtain the long-before-promised Right of David's Kingdom and sit upon the Throne of David his Father as the Angel told the blessed Virgin Luc. 1.32 both Kingdoms of Israel and Judah being for ever then to be again united into one under him that then the very Land given unto Jacob his Servant out of whose Loyns immediately the Heads of all the Twelve â—ribes of Israel were derived and therefore it is further added that Land where their Fathers dwelt that they also shall dwell therein and then add a perpetuity of successive inheritance which onely he who is the absolute Proprietor and every way able to make it good and to make nullities of mens perpetuities as oft as he pleaseth He I say then tells them fully at this period when David's Kingdom shall then be so fully restored to Christ upon the old everlasting Covenant made to their fore-fathers which carries all promised mercies with it that they their Children and their Childrens Children shall dwell in the said promised Land for ever ver 25 c. And this may further appear by the improvement of Gods promise by Abraham's saith Heb. 11. who though he over-look'd no dram of promised mercy to any of his Seed even in temporal respects yet his faith as the Apostle teaches wrought upon the main that one promised Seed Christ as he is called Gal. 3.16 in whom particularly all Nations of the Earth should be blessed which at the said time will be most fully and really accomplished in whom he foresaw with the others there named the fulfilling of those promises was then afar off and that by vertue of such divine and spiritual grace all temporal good must be advanced and enjoyed Yet his faith fixed so upon that sure Foundation of all blessings really good which will be so derived to and preserved for all such his said blessâ—d Seed then that there will be a wonderful uninterrupted blessedness at that time continued to them In seeing the accomplishment whereof a great measure of Abraham's happiness through Christ will then actually consist when he shall eminently be Heir of the World actually by a blessed fruition thereof for a long season above 1000 years who as the Apostle speaketh Rom. 4.13 was in his life time but Heir thereof by faith onely which yet he was then sure should not be frustrated Much inlargement might be added to this effect if it were requisite and many Divine Reaâ—ons given from the Covenant to Abraham and Promises repeated to his Seed as spiritually so invested with all the temporal blessings of the Mediatâ—â—rs Kingdom when God and Christ are so often said to dwell with them and to set his Tabernacle among them which will carry along with it both the removâ—l of evils conferring all suitable good for that state We shall onely name a few more Promises belonging to the same state as Isa 61. which whole Chapter is a lonâ— and large prediction and promâ—e made to that then-blessed Race for their Fathers saâ—es as â—s noted by the Apostle Rom. 11. yea there also by way of distinction from the Gentiles he saith vers 9. to make it more evident of what generation of men he spake Their Seed shall be known among the Gentiles and their Off-spring among the People but for what shall they be so known It follows All that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the Seed which the Lord hath blessed The old intailed Covenant from Abraham Isaac and Jacob will then be found of force and Gods truth and faithfulness then acknowledgâ—d wherefore the Apostle there relates that promise Isa 59.20 When the Deliverer shall come out of Sion and shall turn away ungedâ—iness from Jacob Rom. 11.26 So that all Israel then saith he shall be saved and v. 27 he adds the reason thereof For this saith he is my Covenant with them when I shall take away their sins So it is the covenanted Mercy of God to that people which is of so large extent that when as a Foundation-mercy therein he shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob and so take away their sins for onely Godlâ—ness hath the promise of this life and also of the world to come in that he is such a Deâ—iverer that he will first work such spiritual deliverance in them the other also upon that his said coming will follow unto the utmost extent also for all promised temporal mercies in the same Covenant contained even as a shadow will follow the substance of the spiritual And a like Promise of the same state of Gods Israel is given Isa 66.22 speaking of the New Heavens and the New Earth which shall then be and â—eâ—â—ain before him which he spake also of creating Chap. 65.17 even for that said blessed condition so of their posterities perpetuity in thâ—t happy estate while that world continues So saith he shall your Seed and your Name remaine when wicked men shall be destroyed aforehand and their careales shall then most probâ—bly at the Armâ—ggedon Battel aâ— by the Context appears be an abhorring to all flesh vers uit So thâ—t by what hath been said it may appear That though the Rest which Joshuâ— brought Israel into was by them polluted as was said Muâ— yet he was a I 〈…〉 them of their great Messiah when he shall come to them the second time without sin unto salvation Heb. 9 â—â—t turning away ungodliness from Jacoh as was said so beginning his Kingdom of the Mountain Dan. 2.35 and the New Jerusalem state Rev. 21. which is that other Rest which David spake of mentioned Heb 4.7 8. which is that Sabbatism or Rest remaining for the people of God vers 9. called by the Apostle Paul Rest with us when our Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed 2 Thess 1.7 and all this again at his appearance and his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 wherein the fulness and great evidence of holy Scripture appears to these purposes and that upon most sure soundations if duly considered See Sir Rich. Finch his book setting forth very largely those Promises belonging to that ancient People of God There are many other things observable in the Parallel of Moses with Christ and some others in Joshua's which I shall here also set down as follows First Moses was ordained of God to be a Deliverer of his People So was Christ the great Redeemer of all Gods Chosen c. Secondly When Moses was new born he was in danger of his life by the Edict of Pharach King of Egypt So Christ when new born was in danger of his life by the Command of Herod a strange King and
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THE WORLD TO COME Heb. 25. OR The Doctrine of the Kingdom of GOD and his CHRIST to come on Earth Rev. 11.15 which shall shortly be over all Nations Tendred in the mean-time out of faith in his own Soul and love towards all Men First In the Principles or Foundations thereof in four parts Secondly In the Practicals or Improvements of it on several Texts as is more particularly specified in the next leaf By W. S. Minister of the Gospel whose faith thereof is supported besides many others by the Twelve special ensuing Foundations as by so many Divine Gradations of Gods Revealing Confirming and Compleating the same in its due time Here also set down for the good of all men As being I. Promised by God the Father Gen 3.15 The Seed of the Woman c. Psal 110.1 1 Cor. 15.25 See Treat on Gen. 3. II. Prophesied of by Enoch in the old world Jude 14 15. III. Foretold by Jacob in the New World Gen 49.1 with 10 11 12 in Judah's Blessing IV. Wonderfully manifested by Balaam's the Sorcerers Parable Numb 24.17 18 19. and when vers 23 24. V. Typified by two partial Types in the Old World viz. by Enoch and Noah the Types of the first and second state thereof VI. Typified also in the New World by three pairs of partial Types the first of Abraham and Melchisedeck the second of Moses and Joshua the third of David and Solomon The three first of the Kingdom of the Stone Dan. 2.34 The three last of the Kingdom of the Mountain As more fully appears in the following Explication page 9 c. VII Confirmed also both to David and Solomon by a Divine Charter very eminently illustrated a Sam. 7.8 to the end VIII Proved by a seven-fold Evidence in the Irenicon with its Adjuncts formerly by many sorts of Arguments c. IX Twice also strongly ratified to Daniel First by Revelation onely after Nebuchadnezzar's dream in the two states thereof viz. of the Stone Chap. 2.34 and of the Mountain vers 35. Secondly By both Vision and Revelation where after the four Beasts Dan. 7. was shewed to him when Christ shall receive his Davidical Kingdom vers 14. over all Nations X. Appâ—ied by our Saviour himself to the Son of Mans Kingdom Matth. 13.4 His coming in his Kingdom Matth. 16.28 Caâ—led the Kingdom of God Luc. 21.31 XI Explained by St. Paul at â—he destruction of the Man oâ— Sin 2 Thess 2.8 And Saints Rest 2 Thess 1.7 Appearaâ—ce and Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 XII By Revelation mâ—st 〈…〉 to the beloâ—ed Apostle John Chap. 19.11 and Chap. 20 21 â—2 〈…〉 â—xplained page 4 5 6 7 8 c. LONâ—â—◠〈…〉 the year 1671. The STATIONER's Advertisement TO THE READER Ingenuous Readers BE pleased to take notice in reference to your better satisfaction in some respects That the Testimony of divers Grave and Judicious Doctors of Divinity verst in such Studies is given to this Work with many other Ministers of the Gospel and Learned Doctors of Physick and other knowing Persons of its present usefulness in the Church of God wherein the Truth is carefully vindicated from antient and modern Errors and Scripture-Evidence given for many Excellencies belonging to that state c. And who have also by their Subscriptions encouraged the speedy compleating of the said Work Here Reader observe as to the first Part of the general Title-page That according to the reference before FIrst the said Doctrine is proved In the Principles or Foundations of it contained in the foresaid four parts which are these following First The Prodromos or Fore-runner consisting of seventeen Thesis of D vinity leading in the said Doctrine pag. 9 10 11 12. and of some useful occasional Letters and Papers there set down whereunto reference is afterwards often fitly made in the ensuing parts The second is the Irenicon or the peaceable consideration of Christs peaceful Kingdom on Earth to come chiefly proving from Scripture and many sorts of Arguments that such a Kingdom and state of things shall be in the world upon a seven-fold foundation set down in the beginning thereof Whereunto is added an Appendix of the first blessed Resurrection of the Just Rev. 20.6 to be in the time of Christs said Reign with his Saints on Earth The third is intituled The Parallel of the Prophetical Visions of Daniel for after-times and of the Revelation of Jesus Christ respecting and unfolding the matters of the same times very briefly and divinely couched before in Daniel's said Visions to be shut up and sealed unto the time of the end i. e. until Christ came who afterwards by his so wonderful giv ng the Book of Revelation to the Evangelist St. John opened and unsealed them and gave them a special command not to seal them any longer Rev. 22.10 Which said Parallel was the fourth thing propounded to be considered in this subject in the second page of the Irenicon and afterwards as an Additional thereof was annexed to it to make up that part of the said Irenicon as containing the main ground thereof both from that greatly beloved Prophet Daniel in the Old Testament and the beloved Disciple John in the New To prepare for which Parallel being of so very great concernment in the said Doctrine first there is set down an abridgement of the chief Prophetical Visions of Daniel wherein are comprised the times fates and successions of the four Mettle Kindgoms or Monarchies Dan 2. and of the four Beasts Dan. 7. in substance the same yet each being not only a strong confirmation but also an inlargement and in some things an explication of the other as in both the summary of Daniel and in the Parallel is to be observed Also a like Abridgment of the Revelation was to such purpose before set down Chap. 5. pag. 26 27 28. of the Irenicen to be compared with the Letter to Mr. Cal. May 20. 1664 pag. 22 23 c. of the Prodromos and last of all to such parpose thereto is prefixed the Scheme of the whole Book of the Revelation and a summary of Daniel's Visions further to make the way more plain to so useful a part as the Parallel may prove to such as with these or the like helps may further and more fully by Gods goodness improve it hereafter as there is great reason and divine engagement for Christians so to do Rev 1.3 22.10 Fourthly The last part consisting chiefly of 3â— useful Observations to understand mystical Prophesies with answers to sundry Objections made by some persons against these Doctrines which being of â—â—â—â—ddle nature subservient to both the said Principles and Pract cals they are now conjoyned with the latter And unto the said Principles is presixed in the stead thereof The Word written or eight convineing Arguments for these Truths set in the first place before the Prodromos or Forerunner as containing a short Abridgment of much Divine Truth of this nature c. And Secondly The said Doctrine
fore-tells ships shall come from the coasts of Chittim which Mr. Mede evidently shews to be meant of the Roman Navy coming from Italy and are so applied in the order of accomdlishment by Daniel Chap. 11.30 and then declares what the Romans shall do viz. They shall afflict Ashur and shall afflict Eber which they have long done but since they were to be the last Oppressor of the Jews he further adds And he also shall perish for ever or shall go into perdition as is otherwise expressed by the holy Ghost Rev. 17 8. that is the Roman Monarchies being the last shall utterly be ruined when Christ shall destroy the man of sin when all wicked and tyrannous Dominion shall utterly cease and the Kingdom of the Stone shall becom a great Mountain filling the whole Earth when that Star and that Scepter and that Dominion he spake of before verse 17 19. which are often in Scripture afterwards spoken of shall continue for ever viz. to the end of the world These things are obvious I shall not therefore here insist further on them V. Fifthly Typified first by one pair of partial Types in the Old World secondly by three partial pairs in the New First the said pair of partial Types in the Old World are Enoch's ascending shewing the bginning of the Kingdâ—m of the Stone at Christs ascention into Heaven Dan. 2 34. And Noah's saving his by the Ark shews how Christ at the general Rapture of all Saints as the true Ark will save them when all wicked men shall perish at the finishing of the Kingdom of the Mountain Dan. 2 33. First Enoch was a Type of Christ in his walking with God who as the Apostle saith Heb. 11.5 before his Translation had this Testimony That he pleased God and therefore was translated that he should not see death in a wonderful manner Body and Soul in a way unknown to man into an ever-blessed and happy condition Even as Christ having fulfilled the work God gave him to do on earth and fulfilled all the wills of his heavenly Father in the Body which he gave to him Heb. 10.5 7 8 9. who therefore had this Testimony from the Father That he was his beloved Son in whom he was well pleased Matth. 3.17 and after all things were done in order by him to the last finishing of the work of Redemption and the witnessing of his Resurrection from the dead to his Apostles and other faithful Witnesses thereof he then ascended visibly into Heaven in the sight of his Disciples Acts 19. Luke 24.51 which was his eminent beginning of the Kingdom of the Stone which is the first state thereof when he so triumphed gloriously over all the spiritual Powers of Darkness as the Apostle teacheth Col. 2.15 so leading Captivity captive to give his Kingly Divine Gists unto men Secondly Noah also that Preacher of Righteousness as he is stiled Heb. 11. may be added unto Enoch being another partial Type of Christ Kingdom in the second state of it or the Kingdom of the Mountain who by faith saith the Apostle Heb 11. performed that Princely or Kingly service to make the Ark in the sight of that wicked Generation in the Old World that after perished by the Flood thereby to save himself and all his Relations that entred with him into it So Christ who shall be called saith the Prophet Jeremiah Chap. 23 by his Church The Lord our Righteousness and hath long sent abroad the Preachers of his Righteousness into the wicked World who regardeth it not when the time of their perishing at last shall inevitably come upon them by a deluge of fire as it did on the old world by water He will himself become at that time the true Ark prepared for all his true Members united spiritually unto him at the general Rapture or Change of all the Saints when the wicked remaining on Earth shall all perish at the worlds lost destruction by fire where all the other shall abide with Christ in the greatest safety and security above all worldly dangers sufferings or changes even when the Heavens and Earth shall be dissolved for ever VI. Sixthly Again also typified by three pairs of partial Types in the New world First of the Kingdom of the Stone First In Abraham towards the first times of the new world Secondly In Moses his Conduct from Egypt and in the Wilderness afterwards Thirdly In David's Conquest and Kingdom which God set up and gave him Secondly of the Kingdom of the Mountain First In Melthisedeck King of Salem that is King of Peace Secondly In Joshua's Conduct of Gods People into the promised Land Thirdly In Solomon's peaceful Kingdom the immediate Seed of David's Loyns First In the New world God said a new foundation with Abraham of Christs Kingdom in his free Covenant with him to be his God and the God of his Seed which the Apostle saith was one namely Christ Gal. 3.16 and by no other way was Abraham capable of that mercy that God should become his God Indeed God both promised and bestowed many Benefits and Priviledges upon Abraham's Isaac's and Jacob's natural Seed upon the renewing or repeating of the substance of that Covenant but all upon that Foundation-Truth wherein their Souls were divinely illuminated that the Son of God should become the Son of Abraham in a wonderful divine manner and so by him in a spiritual way of grace such his Children by faith should become the Sons of God and both he and they by such a way of faith and grace should inherit all the promises as the Spirit of God revealed and parposed so to fulfil them And therefore the Apostle Heb. 11. doth remarkably shew how Abraham Isaaâ— Jacob and Sarah by such illuminat on of their Souls saw afar off by faith the promises to be fulfilled in Christs Kingdom and at the Resurrection of the Just when Abraham shall be heir of the world actuaily which he was but onely by faith whilst he lived in the world as he also teacheth Rem 4.13 and â—nely from that ground all Gods Servants are interessed in any â—â—mpora Promises or Blessings And in such time of his living but 〈◊〉 Abraham was a great conquerour of his Enemies when he dâ—â—vered his Brother Lot and his house and those with him from there Kings that carried them Captives So Christ whilst he is fulfilling the Covenant mâ—de with the Faithful he is a great Conquerour and delivereth all his Prethren whose flesh he took from their nature and gives them his Spirit from his own Divine Nature which makâ—s them neâ—â—ly related to him and dearly beloved of him and in whose behalf and for whose deliverance he did not onely venture himself as Abraham did for Lot and his but actually suffered death to deliver them from their spiritual bondage and erernal misery The other of this first pair of partial Types in the first times of the New World is Melchisedeck who is not improbably conceived to be Shem the
forced to flee into Egypt Thirdly As Moses was wonderfully preserved and so by a gracious Providence nobly trained up to be fitted for his Office so was Christ divinely preserved from his danger and fitted for his increasing in wisdom and stature saith the Evangelist and favour with God and man Luc 2.52 Fourthly When Moses was grown up and his Brethren were in great bondage he sought to deliver them but they rejected and betrayed him but owned him not for their Deliverer So Christ coming in the fulness of time was not received by his own people John 1. but they took counsel against him to reject and betray him and actually killed the Lord of Life who came to deliver them from Death Fifthly When Moses was thereupon removed into a far Countrey there he had Jethro Prince or Priest of On a loving and wise Father having taken his Daughter a stranger to Wiâ—â—â— So Christ after the Jews rejection and betraying of him went inâ—â— a far Coâ—â—â—â—ey as he speaketh Luc. 19. to sit at the Right Hand of his leavenly Father and upon his own peoples rejecting of him as their God or Redâ—emet Acts 13. he espâ—useth to himself the strangers of the Gentiles to be his Church or Spouse during his former peoples â—strangement from him Sixthly But when the fulness of time was come that God would mâ—ke Moses his Peoples Deliverer he divinely grâ—â—â—â—sly and wonderfully reveals himself to him sends him on that his Errand furnisheth him with divine power conrage gifts assistance and above all guides him by his own counsel in the management of all how and what course he should stear or means he should use what particular miracles he should work from time to time and shews him what success or want of success he should have and so Moses did all by Gods appointment in that whole work of bringing his People the Children of Israel out of Egypt in which work afterwards in the Wilderness he was Gods faithful servant in all his House Heb. 2. in all the time he led them in the Wilderness So when the time was come that the Father by his Spirit had declared in his Prophets that his Son should be the Deliveter of his People and as he hâ—d likewise typifiâ—d and many ways manâ—fested to them he accordingly undertook that work with that fulness of wisdom grace and of his Spirit and power from the Father and had the falness of his love so always coutinued unto him that he deâ—ied him nothing he asked yea he had ever fully manifested his whole pleasure to him and in him and by him all things were accordingly fulfilled to deliver his People from their sins being the bondage of their spiritual Pharaoh and wâ—rse than Egyptian bondage and wâ—ll come as the great Messiah of his ancient People in special and wonderfully save those that are beloyed for their Fathers sake with a greater deliverance from the Land of the North than the former from Egypt was Jer. 23.7 8. spiritually temporally eternally c. So Jer. 3 14 18 also Isa 53.10 66 14 15. Ezek. 37. the weole chapter c. which deliverance now hasteneth c. Seventhly What under Moses ministration Israel came short of obtaining under Joshua's Conduct the other Type of Christ they soon after enjoyed but yet only as the Lieutenant as I may say of that Grand Captain of the Lords Host that appeared to him Josh 5.13 14 15. from whom then he received his particular order for the besieging of Jericho with incouragement therein c. And who by Gods divine ordering of his Lots afterwards assigned to every Tribe their portion called in Scripture The Lot of their Inheritance So it is from Christ the grand Captain of his Peoples salvation not from any strength works or worth of their own in any respect that they obtain any mercy or favour from God But through the grace power and merit of their true Joshua or JESUS always both able and willing and ever remains present in readiness to conduct them through their Wilderness condition in this World even when they are at the greatest stand and who can in the most unlikely manner and by the most contemptible means as by Rams-Horn Trumpets he destroyed high-walled Jericho confound or destroy the greatest Enemâ—es of his People as he is now consuming the great Beast and false Prophet by the prophesying of his despised fackcloth-Witnesses Rev. 11 1â— hes 28 and will in his appointed time bring his Pilgrims into possession of their happy promised Rest that remains to them and all the faithful fore-fathers into the City prepared for them with other Saints of which God is the Maker and Builder himself Heb. 11.10 as in manifold promises he hath through many Ages in his word declared when likewise will begin his Kingdom of the Mountain which shall fill the whole Earth when all Nations shall serve and obey him Dan. 7.27 c. with many other holy Scripture-Testimonies which might here be added if it were needful Proceed we then to the third pair of partial Types in the Nâ—w World viz. Of David's Kingdom raised by God from a low beginning to become great like the great men of the Earth as God speaketh of it 2 Sam 7. though as a man that shed much blood in a warring condition till God gave him peace in the end c. And of Solomon's Kingdom that peaceful Prince when his Subjects were said to sit under their own Vines and under their own Fig. Trees though by the cloudy darkness of both their falls they were manifest to be onely Types of their most perfect Antitype And first of the first of them namely of David's Kingdom set up by God wherein Christ was typified in these respects 1. As David was low and mean at first I took thee saith God to him from the Sheepsold 2 Sam. 7 8. So Christ at his first appearing in the worlds view taking our nature was little regarded of them called commonly The Son of Joseph and Mary and afterwards disgracefully The Galilean from which Countrey they expected no good to come and another while reputed him the Carpenters Son and even his own Kindred believed not on him though especially amongst them both before his birth at his birth and afterwards glorious and radiant Beams of Divine Majesly wonderfully shone out in him whereby God evidently manifested and wrote as it were with a sun beam of Light as was also plainly told That that Child before promised and prophesied so often to come was his own and onely Son 2. After David's Kingdom began there was at first no outward probability appearing to stand against King Saul saving that Saul was rejected and David was by Gods appointment anointed by Samuel for the Kingdom But otherwise in outward respects Saul was in possession had the present command of all his Subjects and of all they had in the world outwardly but David forced to flee for his life manless monyless helpless in
a manner saving onely not faithless nor hopeless but for outward appearance of means very poor and mean He after had men but such as could in appearance yield him little comfort afford him little relief we hear not of their Money nor Arms yea it appears they were men in debt and in decayed conditions how should they live They fled to him in a Wilderness where should they have Arms And had they had them what skill were they like to have to use them Wha interest could such have in men that were considerable saving suâ—â— as might cause them to pursue them for their debts or for leaving their Masters service as Saul affirmed which must make Dav d's first estate appear to be the be â—nning of a very pitiful Principality So when the usurping god of this present world and that most tyrannous Prince of the power of the Air was by Christ to be thrown down from his Regency after his so long and maniâ—old rebellion against his Creator and Gods anointed King which he had decreed mangre all the vain opposition of Mon and Devils should sit upon h s holy Hill of Sion Psal 2. vet he comes into the world in the form of a Servant was born of a Mother a Virgin but in a present mean condition though inwardly glorious in holiness and grace though lineally descended from the Loyns of King David yet that was a thing little then observed or regarded by most at that time a Carpenter being her Husband and the reputed Father of Christ our Saviour as little acknowledged 't is probable to be the Son of God Therefore Christ being in our weak nature in such a low condition the world was uncapable of discerning or conceiving how he should be able to overcome that old Beelzebub the Prince of the Devils with all his Principalities and powers of spiritual wickednesses in high places 3. When the envy and malice of Saul was grown so great against David that by force or fraud by policy or treachery or by any means possible to rid David out of his way by his Daughter by his Servants by the Philistines his Javelins his Son Jonathan or by Doeg and other bad Instruments of Saul's Court or whoever was David's Enemy was thereupon to be owned as Saul's Friend Yet God ever preserved David from all his attempts by strange and unlikely ways and means as the sacred Story therein declares So as soon as Christ appears in the World Satan from a Divine Oracle of Christs birth at Bethlehem the City of David tempts Herod upon that acâ—ount to seek to take away his life then as was noted stirs up many slightings of his Person Parentage Kindred and Countrey then when he appeared more publick sets upon him in hunger to tempt God from ambition of a world to worship the Devil c. But still Christ overcame that strong man armed being stronger than he when he appeared the weakest 4. As David by such weak and unlikely instruments overcame or frustrated Saul assaults So Christ by poor Fishermen subdued the World to the obedience of the Gospel thereby making them Fishers of men and himself to be owned as the Saviour of mankind by those they were sent unto conquering and to conquer in the first Seal Rev. 6. and so through the following Seals till Constantines coming about anno 320 all that time where n Michael sought with his Angels against the Dragon and his Angels who prevailed not Rev. 12 7 8. when those poor persecuted Christians then converted to the faâ—thâ—â— Christ â—hat are storâ—ed to be strongly then encouraged by the Doctrine of reigning with Christ the thousand years suffered with such unshaken saith and constant patience and gloriously overcame that most devillish cruelty and tyranny of their bloody Persecutors in the Ten first Paganish Persecutions till the Dragon was cast out of his Heaven to the Earth Since which time he could not by such persecuting turn Christians into Pagans he hath attempted by iving his Seat Power and Authority to the Beast to Paganize Christianity it self and under many devised pretexts of Piety and Devotion by means of his said Substitute in his seat and authority to act in detestable hypocr sie in such horrid wickednesses against God and man that cannot appear in their true colours without some Vail of Hypocrisie cast over them Whence it was anciently observed since that time Sub nomine Christi militant contra Christum and after when in a more intense degree tha was apparent complaint thereof was made not without just cause In nomine Domini incipit omne malum which how manifold it is and by what cunning Contrivance with paganish Cruelty carried on would require a large volumn but even fitly to set down in what large volumâ—s it is already done And yet Christ by his poor Saints sufferings and his despised Sackcloth-Witnesses prophesying hath and doth and will overcome more and more both Dragon and Bâ—â—st and false â—rophet also by whom the other was revived after his former deadly wound unto their last destruction come and both are sent unto their own pâ—aâ—â— when Christ will most eminently make his Foes his Footstool and the Kingom of the Stone be changed into the Kingdom of the Mountain in the next partial Type with this of David to be now considered And that is in Solomon David's natural Seed derived immediately from his Loyns as promised to David named by God owned by him in a gracious manner appearing to him twice making him large offers giving him unparallel'd Gifts of Wisdom and Knowledge eminent Grace transcendent worldly Glory Dignity Riches and Revenues on the face of the earth admired far and near most famous for building the most glorious Temple or House of God and other Houses and in writing excellent Books of holy Scripture and many other Books But that he was but a Type of David's blessed Seed to come in the Kingdom of the Mountain may appear by his so sad declining for a time towards his elder years yet aâ—ter through grace returned But that he was his Type his Name denotes his Office his Works his Wisdom his Peace his Glory Wealth and Dignity his Religion his executing of Judgment his Peoples Peace Plenty Security under him c. whilst he walkeâ— wisely and stood upright do abundantly declare And in regard we are to consider the great Charâ—er of David and Solomon's Kingdom in the next place we shall here adde no more but come to our next foundation VII Seventhly Which is the seventh as being confirmed both to David and Solomon by a Divine Charter very eminently illustrated 2 Sam. 7.8 to the end in that most gracious Message that God sent by Nathan upon occasion of David's secret intent and purpose to build God an House for which he made great provision which though it was not in particular accepted for some reasons afterwards specifâ—â—d in the sequel yet God so approved of his pious affections of love â—o his
Divine Majesty and Zeal for his Glory and Worship that thereupon he made to David the most blessed return of Love and Riches of Goodness to him and his House with the longest Entail wâ—th it and surest security of it that ever was made to any meer mortal man We may here observe first the said Message of God from vers 8. to 17. concerning Gods sure mercies to David in respect of his Kingdom People and House Secondly We may note David's improvement of each part of the Divine Message by Faith Prayer and thankful Acknowledgment from vers 17. to the end First In Gods Message vers 8. He directs the Prophet Nathan to make to David a rehearsal of mercies past namely How he exalted him from a low estate even from the Sheep-coat from following the Sheep to an excellent Dignity not onely to be a Ruler in ordinary way but that which added much to his exaltation and honour was he let him over his own People even over Israel chosen out of the whole World for his own Inheritance This special trust God committed to David to whom great Priviledges did belong and for whom great things formerly had been done by God upon whom his Name was called Secondly Vers 9. He minds him how he had been with him in a special manner in a way of grace to wit to be for him and against his Enemies and so effectually as to cut them all off in his own sight and that thereupon he had made him a great Name as the great Men that are upon the Earth Thirdly Vers 10. He sets down as in a Parenthesis a most wonderful mercy promised to his said People long after to take place and to be in fulfiâ—ling to the end of the world saying I will appoint a place not what he had done before or unto that time as afterwards is explained for my people Israel and I will plant them but how First that they may dwell in a place of their own for formerly they drove out others though but as Gods Instruments yet with many failings and then by their sins they forfeited their own interest therein Secondly He declares they should move no more which settlement then must needs be yet to come the same with Ezek. 37. and many other promises Thirdly The Children of wickedness should not in that Land which he promiseth afflict them any more which hath not hitherto been fulfilled formerly such Children of wickedness which in their dâ—sobedience to God they spared were in judgment made Thorns in their Sides and pricks in their Eyes to chastise them and other sone of wickedness by reason of their many provocations greatly from time to time before and till David's time afflicted them as before time in Egypt and in the Wilderness as the end of vers 10. seems to intend as before time And vers 11. in the beginning of it he adds another distinct time of the prevailing of such Sons of Wickedness over them And saith he as since the time that I commanded Judges to be over my people And that he might the better take notice of his own so good different state at present and from whence it came he shews to him again that he himself had caused him to rest from all his Enemies And in the end of vers 11. he appoints Nathan to deliver a further Message of wonderful grace concerning David's own House saying Also the Lord tells thee there was his insallible security that he will make thee a sure House which must needs be a sure House when God both tells him so and tells him he will make it so Greater certainty could not be Therefore rightly is this stiled The sure Mercies of David Vers 12. concerns Gods promise to be fulfilled after David's death concerning his Son Solomon as is applied by Solomon himself 1 Kings 2.24 The Lord saith he hath made me an House as he promised which promise follows in this 12th verse I will set up thy Seed after thee which shall proceed out of thy own bowels and I will establish his Kingdom which must be his immediate Seed Besides he was designed by God to build that House for Goâ— is Name which David purposed till God now declared his pleasure therein to him to the contrary which was accordingly executed as Solomon acknowledged as was noted before And vers 13. latter part God addes a wonderful mercy That Solomon the Type of Christ whose Kingdom in his days should be a Type of Christs Kingdom should build that House that should prefigure the Body of Christ till he came in the flesh and fulfilled all that was signified in and by that House and Priesthood exerciseâ— therein whereby it seems to be signified That that House which he built and the Services to be upheld in it should typifie to his People his glorious Person and work of Redemption to be wrought by him for them where the Ark of Gods gracious Presence with his People was at that time preserved Which Temple though afterwards it should be destroyed for their great sins and provocations and the Ark of Gods gracious presence be taken away from among them yet the Temple should afterward by the wonderful power and grace of God be again re-built as Isaiah fore-told and was as we reaâ— in Ezra and Nehemiah accordingly fulfilled by the former denoting the death of Christ bodily which he suffered for his Peoples sins and by the latter that divinely powerful and glorious Resurrection of Christ from that death of the Body Which said second Temple by the divine work of God upon the spirit of Cyrus being so rebuilt should so continue onely after repaired and adorned by Herod thenceforward many hundred years until all things were sully accomplished by him who was before so long time and many ways before-typâ—fied by it at the death of whose bâ—dy the Vail of that Temple actually was rent from top to bottom wherewith Moses vailed Gospel of Ceremonial Worship ceased and upon whose Resurrection and Aâ—cention the Gospel of the Son of Mans Kingdom was speedily and powerfully and evidently preached by the commissionated Embassadors of Christ through the whole world when also the Kingdom of the Stone fore-told in Daniel dâ—d begin oâ— the spiritual Throne and Kingdom of Christ was seâ— up and hath and is and will be powerfully upheld while Christ in the Gospel rideth o'n conquering and to conquer as he began under the â—â—st Seal till he eminently when he ceaseth to sit at his Fathers Right hand in Heaven Psal 110.1 shall make his foes his footstool and thenceforward gloriously and powerfully on David's and Solomon's Throne as here promised in the Kingdom of the Mountain to the worlds end and la Judgment Dan. 2 35. And so the great King of the New Jerusalem will undoubtedly succeed lineally from them both in whom the House and Throne of the Kingdoms of both shall be established for ever as in Psal 45. is largely illustrated with many excellencies belonging
to the gâ—orious state of the Messiah's Kingdom with his Saints his Spouse stiled the Kings Daughter and gloriously there described and enfeâ—ffed with her Dowry very divinely in a great part of that Psalm But vers 14 15. In regard God fore-knew Solomon would greatly fall by his own hainous sins which would deserve great Judgments even as the great Messiah was first to suffer and satisfie for Solomon before the visible glory of his Kingdom should shine forth and for all penitent and truly believing persons and that therefore God fore-shews how he would fatherly chastise Solomon but not take his mercie from him as he took it from Saul which is a very evident proof that Solomon was saved and secondly typifying therein that Christ should be saved in his suffering for mans sin and overcome death by dying in regard that Christ should personally come in the flesh to that end which was signified by that House which was to remain then in its use and that till then those services to be performed in that house did de note that work of Redemption of his people which he was to accomplish at that his coming whereby full Reconciliation should be made with God for them and then that said House and the services therein performed were thereupon to cease Therefore in vers 16. the last of Gods said Message to David by Nathan he twice confirms the perpetuity of the said Mercy not onely to ratifie the sureness thereof as is usual in holy Scripture as in the four mettle-Mettle-Kingdoms Dan 2. and 7. and the four Beasts but it seems in vers 16. he first through the said Reconciliation made when he put an end to the services of the said House whereby the influence of all promised mercies to the Saints reached in all Ages to them sets down there over and over for David's comfort this that concerned Christs Davidical Kingdom of the thousand years Reign with the Saints that it should be BEFORE DAVID that is at the blessed and holy Resurrection of the Just Rev. 20.6 when David and Daniel shall stand up in their Lots though there was a Resemblance of it as some observe in that Solomon was in the Throne before David died Yet this promise is of transcendent excellency above that matter neither did that state last for ever i. e. to the worlds end which is so many times insisted upon both from Gods Riches of Mercy towards David and David's une pressible gratitude as he said vers 20 due unto God Wherefore he speaks in such a full comprehensive manner vers 16. Thy House and thy Kingdom shall be established for ever BEFORE THEE and again Thy Throne shall be established for ever which is onely possible in Christ and in him is necessary according to that prophecy Isa 9.7 That of the increase of his Government there should be no end upon the Throne of David to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever And the reason hereof is very remarkable The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this his Truth his Faithfulness will nâ—t lie unto David for whom he hath this sure mercy to perform to raise up his Tabernacle which was fallen as Acts 1.5 is explained and as the Angel told the blessed Virgâ—n Luc. 1.23 3.3 The Lord shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David The Scripture is so full in this point that if mens eyes be not shâ—t it is obvious to be seen And thus much of Gods message by Nathan Now from vers 17. to the end of the Chapter we have David's most grateful acceptance of the said Message and very pious improvement of it by â—aith prayer acknowledgment and thankfulness and well might he do so seeing he so well understood and so fully believed every branch by the teaâ—hing of Gods Spirit and every particular therein contained viz. That he should have a Kingdom and such a Kingdom confirmed to him and not to him alone but to him and his People of Israel and for them with his Seed and not to his notural Seed onely â—s such coming out of his own Bowels but as typical of a Seed and Kingdom divine and beâ—venly to be given in a wonderful manner and as he saith vers 19. for a long time to come and upon such security from God himself who undertook to do it himself with the greatest assurance imaginable yea above all imagination or capacity of â—eatures in such a way under such Types in such order time and manifold miraculousness that iâ— all men and all Creatures should joyn all their Skill and Power Wealth Strength and Interests to confer a Kingdom upon a Person by right of Covenants Purchass Châ—rter Prowess Polâ—cy Prudence Conquest Merit or whatever they could contrive or procure to such intent it would be but nullity instead of security compared with this and not worthy even to be named in the same day with it Yea mens Kingdoms on the contrary the greater they are are therefore many times the more uncertain and tottering Whereas this in the greatest extent should be the most stable being founded in Righteousness which is the habitation or stability of Christs Throne Psal 97.2 whilst the greatest combination of men and creatures to uphold by any means Kingdoms and States in unrighteousness against God and his People do thereby the sooner bring them to their periods and by such means oft-times more certain ruine befalls them as in Nebuchadnezzars great Monarchy whether we look upon him personally as that great Tree then flourishing Dan 4. but suddenly cut down under whose Branches all Creatures then sheltred themselves or lineally which ended in his Granchild Belshazzar Dan. 5. as that Kingdom was then the Head of Gold in respect of the other Mettle-Kingdoms succeeding it even so it was but of short continuance for that reason Dan. 5.20 21 22 23. for some of the said short continuance But such a title and of so long continuance yea such a secure perpetaity God passeth over by his Divine Charter to David his Seed and People here of that his most excellent Kingdom in the world that though in some sence it should be interrupted for a time yet should certainly stand good in due time to thâ—m when all meerly worldly Monarchies shall be worn out yet that should remain for ever as often was repeated even to the worlds end the like assurance was never made before David's time never since of any Kingdom in the world nor ever will be when that universal visible Dominion shall hereafter begin to take place in the world as it was said of it Dan. 2.28 it never shall be destroyed in the world but be translated into or perfected in celestial Glory And therefore it is no marvâ—il that holy David from such Divine Illumination and from such suitable strength of faith doth answerably as we hinted receive with humble acceptation and inlarged thanksulness and acknowledgment that blessed
of that state by the Restitution of all things and the times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord Acts 3.19 20 21. and as witnessed by all the holy Prophets of God since the World began And the Apostle James stiles it from the Prophet Amos 9.11 The raising of the Tabernacle of David that was fallen down with some explication of the said Prophecy Acts 15.16 17. Also the Evangelist John makes a telation of Christs Kingdom nâ—t being of this world proving it not so to be in regard his Servants did not fight that he should not then be delivered to the Jews Now therefore saith he my Kingdom is not from hence John 8.36 37. I might adde Jude's old Tradition turned by him into sacred Scripture v. 13 14. but that was spoken of before particularly XII Twelfthly Come we now to the twelfth and last Foundation of our Faith named in our general Title-page and that is from the most full and strongly evidenced Revelation in that many ways most excellent part of the hâ—ly Scripture given by Christ to his beloved Disciple John concerning the ending of the fourth Monarchy at the Beasts destruction Chap 18.11 to the end and the beginning and continuance of Christs Kingdom or Reign with his Saints succeeding it Chap. 20.4 thereby very evidently explaining by his best authority what Daniel saw and said more darkly and briefly before both of them being Gods beloved Witnesses of the same Divine Truth but Christs by his beloved Disciple John is the true and infallible Comment of the other Which said last Visions Chap. 19.11 and Chap. 20 21 22 now are hastening in order of accomplishment as we said to take place as upon many considerations may appear probable when that heavenly General of all Gods Hosts whose Name is THE WORD OF GOD as he is there stiled JESUS CHRIST the Great Messiah and Deliverer of his People THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS vers 16. will then come the second time withouâ— sin unto salvation Heb. 9 ult for them not onely as in the Kingdom of the Stone spiritually and divinely to save their Souls from the hands of their spiritual Enemies which he fulfilled at his first coming and hath improved and carried on ever since in their suffering â—â—ndition and will do whilst that Kingdom of Patience shall enâ—ure but when he will work an outwrad visible temporal salvation with the spirit al for all his people from all their Enemies to serve him without fear of them in righteousness and holiness before him all the days of their lives Luc. 1.75 which with the context hath been but in a small measure yet fulfilled in the aptest sence in comparison of what it will in several respects then be for then will be the great Vintage or Heâ—vest of Believers which is to come in unto Christ in the said thousand years reign when Isa 53. chiefly shall it seems take place that he shall see his seed and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand in the prolonging of his days even in all that time as also he speaks Chap. 9.10 wherein he shall sit upon the Throne of David and up-his Kingdom mark that expression to order it that is David's Kingdom for what end namely in such a way as to establish it namely by Justice and Judgment and the Psalmist excellently speaketh thereof particularly Justice and Judgment shall be the habitation or establishment or stability of thy Throne Psal 89.14 and especially Psal 97.2 which particularly sets down the beginning of Christs Kingdom so explained Heb. 1.8 for Kingdoms are so to be established saith the wiâ—â—st Solemon Prov. 16.12 The Throne is established by Righteousness 25 5. the contrary whereunto being acted by the ten Kings that give their power to the Beast with others at the last will bring destruction both upon him and them together Rev. 19.18 19 20. like as some of them before that time had bewailed the burning of the Whore of Babylon with their Alas alas Chap. 18.9 10 But Christ being that Great King that with an â—â—â—e is foretold shall eminently rule in Righteouâ—ness Jer. 23.5 6. Therefore he will so establish his Davidical Throne as was said in Righteousness and Judgment the sure establishment thereof For all their great temporal Promises then as we shewed before shall appear to be founded upon their spiritual endowments of Grace when God will circumcise their hearts and the hearts of their Seed Deut. 30. v. 1. to 11. because Israel then shall be a most holy people therefore they shall be a most happy People their Dominion then will be founded in grace and thereby preserved also for ever as God promised in that eminent Text 2 Sam. 7. and all their outward mercies will appear then to be derived to and preserved for them and their Seed from that spiritual Covenant with Abraham and thorow that one Seed Christ and from their interest therein from whence the temporal will flow in unto them according to their large measure of grace and sanctification But at the fulfilling of that said Vision Rev. 19.11 when that Great General with his holy and celestial Army shall overcome and utterly destroy the Beast and false Prophet thereupon will ensue Satans binding and that securely for 1000 years that he may not deceive the Nations any more till the said thousand years be fulfilled c. Chap. 20. which also will be contemporaneous with Christs Reign with his Saints on earth the same thousand years which is Christs Davidical Kingdom of which God gave such assurance to David that it should continue for ever to the end of the world in the said 2 Sam. 7. From which ground with others all such as have but a small measure of David's faith thereof may by the due reading improving and the right and serious considering of his security therein through Gods mercy be sufficiently satisfied in it And in very deed so much hath by many learned persons been written to this purpose and preached upon this Text Rev. 20.4 5 c. that I judge it needless to adde any more here upon that account Onely observe how Daniel and the Revelation agree in our Parallel of the Ruine of the Roman Empire which is now hastening under the last head thereof when Christs said Reign will begin Whose abominable wickedness vailed under such hypocritical pretences of piety and charity varnished over with a seeming colourable antiquity propt up by the Popes so long falsified infallibility under which and other false Vizards whilst the said Pope with his Complices pretend most zeal for Christs Religion and Souls Salvation even then they really sight most against the one and really seek to â—estâ—oy the other as woful experience â—th long manifested one the one part undermining the Truth making void the Ordinances and Institutions of Christ by adding to then or taking from them pollute his Worship dishonour his Gospeâ— and cause his Religion to be reproached and his
Learned Men have stiled formerly the Revelation of the Oâ—d Testament and indeed it appears to be a Revelation of the Promises of former Prophets and of some of his own Predictions concerning the happy estate of Israel and Judah to come when the Tabernacle of God will be with men Rev. 21. and the City which he had described shall really be Jehavah Shamma because the Lord our Saviour will be personally there And as many differences are observable in that foretold by Ezekiel for the comfort of the Jews and that by the Apostle John respecting especially the Gentiles that were beheaded for the Name of Jesus and resisted Antichrist c. And hence Ezekiel speaks as to a people in that state under such dispensations as the Jews were used to but the other is eminently more gloriously described I conceive for some Reasons as in regard that part of Christs Subjects and Servants that eminently thâ—n will serve him as Rev. 22.3 being in t he natural life first Jews then Gâ—nâ—â—les converted being the Nations of those that are saved will waâ— in the light of the other Jerusalem Rev. 21. that came from God out of Heaven by a Metouymie of the subject being the Spirits of just men made perfect which Christ râ—ngs 〈◊〉 him at his second coming and upon the taking their Bodies they become Inhab tants of the Jerusalem whose Maker and Builder is God Heb 11.10 prepared for the fore-fathers and all that without us shall not be maâ—e perfectâ—â— 40. or perfect in one as our Saviour prayed John 17.23 when they shall bâ—holâ— Christs glory v. 24 See â—ract on Jer. 3.17 other parcels c. And Daniel declares in a set order of Prophecy first more generally in Chap. 2. and Chap. 7. and after more particularly in Chap. 8. v. 13. to 20. with v. 26. and chap. 10. as in Rev. 1. Christs resemblance and chap. 11. much of the Roman Kingdom from v. 36 as Mr. Med accurately and evidently explains and chap. 12 v. 5 6 7. the same in substance with Rev. 10. and Daniel's Lot notes the first Resurrection Rev. 20.6 and to the same purpose Ezektel chap. 36. foretels largely the happy estate of the Jews then to whom the Gentiles will flow in being both in the natural life and shews the sure foundation of that mercy vers 25 26 27. viz. Gods sprinkling clean water upon them and giving them a new heart and putting his Spirit into them in the next Vision chap. 37 the said Promises are confirmed by two visions and explications plainly and distinctly set down by God himself as in our Word written pag. 10.11 In the next Vision he shews how Gog their great Oppressor shall be destroyed who is aptly there described to the life and said to come in the latter days twice Ezek. 38.8 16. chap. 39. and from theace to the end of that Book deciphers in reference to the Jews their happy estate in the Davidical Kingdom of Christ who being that Jehovah will personally be there as we shewed before upon many considerations c. So that Ezekiel's evidence being rightly understood as in many of those may appear compared with like portions of Scripture his Testimony may well be applied as a very strong Foundation of Faith bearing its weight with all the rest IX Ninthly Twice strongly ratified to Daniel two ways First By Viou onely Dan. 2. upon Gods revealing to him the Exposition of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream viz. That after the four Mettle Kingdoms were past there should succeed the two-fold state of Christ the Sonof mans Kingdom namely 1. The Kingdom of the Stone vers 4. 2. The Kingdom of the Mouatâ—in vers 35. Secondly Both by Vision and Revelation Chap. 7. 1. By Vision of four Beasts or four Kings as v. 17. ruining each other before the Kingdom of the Son of man should take place at his coming in the Clouds of Heaven when Dominion over all Nations shall be given to him to the worlds end vers 13 14. 2. By Revelation from vers 16 to the end of the Chapter especially vers 17. the four Beasts are said to be four Kings and vers 27. and as Luc. 22.29 they shall be made his Delegates yet so as all shall obey him Both Daniel's said Revelations and the several Visions either seen or recorded by him concerning Christs Davidical Kingdom are not onely consonant to former Prophecies and Types thereof and especially with Gods gracious Message by Nathan lately insisted upon from 2 Sam. 7. but also with all the particular Branches following to be considered in their order and nature which manifest more and more this said so divine and glorious Scripture-Truth respecting the said Kingdom which is the main subject of our third part viz. the Parallel with its appendants as thereby may be seen and considered being of very great use rightly to understand much of holy Scripture c. Therefore we shall here say no more thereof but refer the Reader thereunto onely admonishing him against two learned Errours for learned mens authority hath been much pleaded for them and hath long upheld them First of such as will have the Book of Revelation to begin where Daniel ends as if both those Books were a continuation of the same History c. Secondly Of such as make the Selucidae and Lagidae which were but the broken parts of the Greek-Kingdom to be the fourth Monarchy in Daniel which the Spirit of God recko â—eth no further than Antiochus Epiphanes who was repulsed by the Roman Navies appearance before Alexandria which Mr. Mede manlfests to be those Ships of Chittim fore-told by Balaam Numb 24.24 and fulfilled then as Dan. 11.30 Unto which two a third late mistake may be added of them that would make the Book of Revelations to be an History of things much past when given and not a Prophecy of things to come to the end of the world Whereas contrary to all three the Book of Revelation is meerly a divine mystical Comment or Exposition of that hidden part of Daniel then shut up and â—ealed up tâ—ll the time of the end as we shewed in our preface to the Parallel and elsewhere So that the right understanding of Revelation-Prophecy must necessarily be shut out thereby to all such as retain any of thoâ—e miâ—s-opinions See for this also the contrary Judgment and Reasons of many learned men in our fifth convincing Argument in the Word Written X. Tenthly Applied often by our Saviour in the Gospel to the Kingdom of the Son of man Matth. 13 41. and the Son of mans coming in his Kingdom Matth. 16.28 And It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a Kingdom Luc. 12.32 Again Now is my Kingdom not from hence John 18.37 And I have appointed unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me which is the same which Daniel in vision saw him coming to receive Dan 7.13 14. and was promiâ—ed before to him as the Son of David 2 Sam. 7. which
was also stiled by Christ The Kingdom of God that was foretold by him should draw near at hand when Israel's great Redemption so often spoken of in the Prophets shall be accomplished and upon the beholding the signs thereof he bids the Jews lift up their heads because their Redemption then draws near as is very evident from Luc. 21.31 of which our Saviour spake in a Parable Luc. 21.11 12 24 27. the time whereof is explained in the order of accomplishment Rev. 11.15 as is easily discernable to such as are acquainted with the Series of that Book which said Davidical Kingdom of the Son of man shall begin in the world as Daniel declares Chap. 7.13 14. at his coming in the Clouds of Heaven which Christ himself also further illustrates shewing it shall be with his own Glory and of the Fathers and of his holy Angels Luc. 9 2â— when ten thousand times ten thousand shall minister to him and stand before him Dan. 7.10 when the Judgment is set to destroy the â—â—ast and give his Body to the burning â—lâ—me vers 11. All which Texâ—s 〈◊〉 holy Scripture will be fulfilled above a thousand years before the Resurrection of wicked men to the general Judgment as is most evident from the series and order of things set down â—oth by Daniel and more fully explained in the Book of Revelation especially in the twentieth Chapter the most clear Table of these last times and order of things to be done in them for which purpose also consider the foresaid Parallel XI Eleventhly Being also so Expounded by the Apostle Paul and others of the Apostles concerning which Doctrine fiâ—st the Apostle Paul delivereth many things by way of explication thereof we shall touch upon some of them briefly First When he comforts the troubled Saints that they shall have Rest with him and other Apostles and Sairts whilst Christ will â—eâ—der tribulation to such as troubled them â—e sâ—â—s down that time to be when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed with his mighty Angels in â—laming 〈…〉 taking vengeance on them that know not God and they not the Gospâ—â— of our Lord Jesus Christ c. 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. and in Chap 2.8 〈…〉 further from Dan. 7. that Mother-Text as Mâ— Mede 〈…〉 of all such Scriptures in the New Testament That Christ will particularly destroy that man of 〈◊〉 the same appearance of 〈◊〉 coming or presence when the body of the s ame Beast aâ— wâ—s saiâ— shall be â—â—ven to the burning â—lâ—me as Dan. 7.11 which â—e alâ—o â—artâ—â—r dâ—câ—â—â—â—reth by his Appearance and Kingdom 2 Tim 4.1 as also was by Daniel seen in vision c. Again He further informs us strongly That Christ must reigâ— till he hath put all his Enemies under his â—eet 1 Cor. 15.25 Now when he most eminently begins to do this â—is said Reign begins for tiâ—l â—hâ—n he sits at the Fathers right hand yea and sits there expâ—cting tilâ— thâ—â— time come as the same Apostle manifestly declares Heb 10.12 13. and at that time the Beast is expresly said to be cast into the lake of fire burning with brimston after the language of that most acred Prophecy And to make his Exposition yet more clear and forcible he further teacheth That the last Enemy that shall be destroyed in the said Reign of Christ shall be Death viz. Bodily Death that separates Soul and Body not the death of Soul and Body for that thereupon will begin most to reign and to reign over the Damned eternally but the other namely the death of the Body shall be destroyed and cast into the lake burning with fire and brimstone that is in its capacity and after the language of Cods Spirit in that Book the very being of it as the general Destroyer of humane Nature in this life will be taken away when no such matter will remain for it to work upon when all Saints are rapt up to meet Christ in the air in a moment and wicked men stand in their state to be judged the present being of Humane Nature separable of Soul and Body will be utterly abolished Now this said destruction of bodily Death that last Enemy will not be effected till above a thousand years after the coming of the Son of man in the Clouds of Heaven as was said and after the said casting of the Beast and false Prophet into the said lake burning with brimstone as is very evident from Rev. 19.20 compared with the order of the said Table of the Times in Chap. 20. to vers 14. where Death and Hell are also said to be cast into the lake of fire that is Death and the Grave in the said sence have no more use or matter to work upon and by consequence no more being in the world And whoso faithfully and seriously endeavours rightly to weigh and consider these things without partiallity or prepossession which at first may seem an hard thing for some sorts of men to perform yet upon such endeavour with humble seeking unto God for direction in these truths and faithful and patient waiting upon him in the use of pertinent means I doubt not but in Gods good time they may be well satisfied from hâ—s Word and good Spirit of Grace in the reallity and truth of the suâ—stance of them for which purpose I conceive it not needful here to say more for information or conviction which is mainly my business and for particulâ—r application hereof it will be obvious to all knowing and pious Christâ—ans which I am forced to leave to themselves at present for brevity-sake publishing by Press having long been to me a difficult task and when a Doctrinal Foundation in this case is once surely laid application of these with some points of such nature will in some respect be made à fortiori as from an additional consideration but yet a very weighty and moving consideration iâ— particularities therein to be considered in their several kinds and natures be duly improved by Scripture-guidance and the holy Spirit of Gods gracious assistance the infallible means of being rightly guided into all needful profitable Divine Truth as all holy Scripture-Truths are and these in particular though too much over-look'd and slâ—ghted by some though the great things of God and an excellent and glorious part of the Gospel of Christ a rich and long inheritance of the Saints yea as we noted the highest form of God-glorifying Creatures then viz. Saints and Angels to fit them wonderfully above all other means in the preceding six thousand years to glorifie him more excellently for ever and ever We shall but even mention some like evidences from the other Apostles Peter James and John the Witnesses at Christs Transfiguration who then joyntly saw that representation of Christs glory at his coming in his Kingdom for he calls that his coming in that sence Matth. 16.28 Mark 9.1 when those eminent glorified Saints and Prophets Moses and Elias appeared talking with him First Peter sets forth the beginning