pure Primitive times Now among the Prophets look first into that Evangelical Prophet Isaiah who is abundant to the purpose where we shall only take some few at present to prove that such a Kingdom of Christ is to come and refer the great things foretold by him and others concerning that Kingdom to be considered in another place First In the second of his Prophesie verse 2 3 4. It shall come to pass in the last days the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and the nations shall flow unto it And many people shall say Come ye and â—st us go unto the mountain of the Lord unto the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths for out of Sion shall go the law and the word of God from Jerusalem And he shall judge among the Nations and shall rebuke many people c. So Isa 9.7 Of the encrease of his Grvernment and peace there shall be no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgement and with justice from hence forth even for ever Again Isa 11.10 In that day there shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand as an ensign of the people to it shall the Gentiles seek and his rest shall be glorious as Heb. 4. And verse 11. It shall come to pasâ— that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left from Assyria and from Egypt and from Paâ—hros and from Cush and from Elam and from Shinar and from Hamath and from the Islands of the Sea and verse 12. He shall set up an ensign of the Nations and shall assemble the out-casts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth with much more to that purpose in that place before and after these words c. And very remarkable is that Prophesie Isa 24.23 Then the Moon shall be confounded and the Sun ashamed when the Lord of Hosts shall reign in mount Sion and in Jerusalem before his ancients gloriously So again Isa 59.20 And the redeemer shall come to Sion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob and very much to this purpose Cap. 60. but for this Kingdom more especially vers 14. The Sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet and they shall call thee The City of the Lord The Zion of the holy one of Israel Verse 15. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated so that no man went through thee I will make thee an eternal joy of many generations Vers 16. They shall also suck the milk of the Gentiles and shalt suck the breasts of Kings and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer the mighty one of Jacob and so forward to the end of the chapter where many glorious things are spoken of this City of God as likewise very leargely in the following chapter and likewise in many others both before and after wards which may be considered in there place The next is the Prophet Jeremiah who in chap. 3.17 tells us At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord and all the Nations shall be gathered to it to the name of the Lord to Jerusalem neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart Another clear and vigorous Prophesie is set down Jer. 23.5 6. Behold the days saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall rise and prosper and execute judgement and justice in the earth Verse 6. In his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby he shall be called The Lord our Righteousness And to the like purpose again Jer. 33.15 16. In those days and at that time will I cause the branch of Righteousness to grow up unto David and he shall execute judgement and righteousness in the land Verse 16. In those days shall Judah be saved and Jerusalem shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby he shall be called The Lord our righteousness and verse 17. Thus saith the Lord David shall never want a man to sit upon the Throne of the House of Israel and verse 21. If ye can break my Covenant of the day and my Covenant of the night and that there shall not be day and night in their season then may also my Covenant be broken with David my servant that he shall not have a Son to reign on his Throne and the like again repeated in the 25 and 26. verses The places are so clear and full I spare to speak any thing to apply them because they cannot justly and rationally be applied otherways and such as understand them onely spiritually say something but not all nor that which they principally drive at namely that special period of Christs reign upon earth whither the current of Such Scriptures lead and after all our Saviour himself abundantly in the Revelation instructs his people and all such as will not willfully shut their eyes against the light The Prophet Ezek. likewise speaks very clearly Chap. 24.23 24. And I set up one Shepherd over them and he shall feed them even my servant David he shall feed them and he shall be their Shepherd and vers 24. I the Lord will be their God and my servant David a Prince among them I the Lord have spoken it Again As evidently doth he speak of Christs reign Chap. 37. After that he had spoken of the joyning of the stick of Judah and Ephraim into one he saith vers 22. And I will make them one Nation in the land upon the Mountain of Israel and one King shall be the King to them all and they shall be no more two Nations neither shall they be divided into two Kingdoms any more at all and vers 24. David my servant shall be King over them and they shall have one Shepherd and they shall also walk in my judgements and observe my statutes and do them and vers 25. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant wherein your Fathers have dwelt and they shall dwell therein they and their Children and their Childrens Children for ever and my servant David shall be their Prince for ever And in those nine last Chapters of Ezekiel which learned and judicious men conceive to be the Revelation of the Old Testament where the holy Prophet had high mysteries of the New Jerusalem imparted to him and amongst the rest there are observeable many things set forth concerning the Prince and what order of state belonged to him and in conclusion he saith The City shall be called at that day viz.
should not enter into that rest Yea Moses himself was so provoked by them that he spake unadvisedly with his lips and they so tempted Aaron the Saint of Lord as Psal 106.16 that neither of them came into the land of Canaan nor any other of the people save Josua and Caleb of all that generation above the age of 20. years that had been delivered out of the hands of Pharaoh yet in Gods own time he accomplished his promise in giving that people possession of that land Josh 23.14 When faithful and holy David was anointed to be the Captain of Gods people even he in fighting the Lords battels found the sheild of his faith so shattered that despondently once he said I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul and thereupon ran himself upon dangerous rocks of temptation amongst Gods enemies from which notwithstanding God graciously delivered him and at last brought him into full possession of the Kingdom over all the tribes of Israel and Judah When Judahs 70. years Captivity in Babylon was almost expired they despise the day of small things and say the time is not yet come to build the house of the Lord Haggai 2.2 by whom God yet foreshewed that the great Mountain of strong opposition that stood before Zerobabel should become a plain and so it came to pass Yea when Christ himself the long expected Messiah came at the time in the place manner condition and in every respect as had been foretold he should come in the flesh how few even in Jerusalem or in Judaea acknowledged or regarded his wonderful birth his holy and wise demeavour and heavenly manner of life after all those divine witnesses of Simeon Zachary Anna Elizabeth c. or the very Angels before and at his birth or any thing afterward that set him forth to be wonderful before the time came wherein he openly manifested himself in the world and after that how was his person despised his doctrine and miracles though such as never man taught or wrought in the world before not only not regarded but even blasphemed by the great ones of those times and by their means likewise not owned by inferiours lest they should be cast out of the Synagogue and though some of the Preists believed in him they durst not confess him If Nicodemus a Mr. in Israel acknowledge and own him it must be in the night when he may not be seen and all the strange wonders before and at his death and resurrection and afterwards for the most part neglected and buried in silence So strangely in the worlds view and even in good mens too many times Gods greatest predictions and promises use to take place And have not since Christ the six first Seals of the Primitive times when Michael and the Dragon fought hand to hand as 't were whose worship should be set up and some of the Trumpets after wards been mystically sulfilled and passed according to the series of their several times which Mr. Mede on the Revelations very appositly applies How have those many Synchronisms of Antichrists tyranny 42. months with the two witnesses prophesie in sackcloth 1260. days of years Rev. 11. The Beast out of the Sea having seven heads and ten horns according to his Politick capacity the other out of the Earth with two horns like a Lamb according to the Ecclesiastical capacity Rev. 13. lyen hidden from most mens eyes And hath not the woman the true Church though gloriously at first adorned Rev. 12. yet since as long been forced into the wilderness Rev. 14. where her place was prepared and all that while the Scarlet Whore the Antichristian or false Church sits as a Queen and not only bewitcheth the Christian World with her Sorceries but also with the Cup of her Spiritual Fornications makes drunk the Kings of the Earth till the will of God shall be fulfilled when they shall hate her and make her desolate and naked and eat her fiesh and burn her with fire Rev. 17.16 17. And how few take notice that the time of her recompence is near Rev. 18.6 7. How many of Gods Vials are already poured out upon her How far she hath done her utmost in killing Christs witnesses even few do seriously ponder And when the second Woe is past how soon may sound the Trumpet of the seventh Angel such who can delare And thence forth many other excellent contemporaries are reveased from Jesus Christ the faithful and true witness and set before us under and after the said Trumpet who as he is about wonderfully to glorifie himself in taking his Kingly power Rev. 19. When the Kingdomes of the world shall become the Kingdomes of our God and of his Christ Rev. 11.15 in a far different manner then they have been formerly So likewise how long the earth shall be blessed with that happy Dominion he as clearly sets before his people Rev. 20.4 namely for the space of a thousand years even near or until the last judgement Vers 7 11 12. c. And after the Chronology of the time and after the time of the said seventh Trumpet in the 20. Chap. vers 7. where first having set down Vers 1 2. the contemporary binding of Satan and casting him into the bottomless pit and sealing him up there during that time having also subdued before the powers of the wicked world while he himself with his Saints vers 4.6 will wonderfully gloriously and graciously more then before manifest his Kingly power in the world the said thousand years wherein in the said following Chapters he evidently and strongly informes his people in the substance of many other contemporaries As first of the new Heavens and the new Earth for the thousand years chap. 21.1 and the New Jerusalem descending down from Heaven vers 10. and the Tabernacle of God being with men for the same time vers 3. again chap. 22. there is set forth the pure river of water of life proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb vers 1. and the tree of life bearing twelve manner of fruits the leaves whereof are for the healing of the Nations through the same period Vers 2. for in all the Book of Revelations where things are not said to succeed one another as the Seals Trumpets and Vials but one Table of Chronoligie is assigned to them all such distinct visions are contemporaries as all that concerned the true and false Church in Antichrists time have the same measure though diverslly computed by Moneths Days and a times time and an half So all these Visions under and after the seventh Trumpet have one Chronological Table to compute their time viz. a thousand years all which particulars being by Christs special order so strongly asserted by the Angel and the antient and latter Prophets as earnestly called in for evidence hereunto as we shall endeavour by Gods assistance to point out afterward yet so Providence hath over-ruled and ordered that though the substance of all these
come The former Doctrine illustrated from Rev. 4. Where first is a brief summary of that Chapter in respect both of the Vision and the Doctrine with the improvement thereof pointing out in the general how that fourth Chapter holds out the Doctrine of the Old Testament namely the knowledge of God our Creator three in persons one in essence as the fifth Chapter aâ—â—â— of the New Testament in the knowledge of God our Redeemer By the Rain-bow in the fourth we are minded of the Covenant made in the Second person through whom so long time of repentance was allowed to the old World and mercy to the new but special grace to Noah Gen. 7. and those with him in the Ark Concerning which many things are observed As also of the Ark afterward appointed to be made by Moses to evidence the grace of God to his people in Christ through whom he was propitious to them and whose three Offices were remarkably set before his people in all those times and wherein the glory of his Mediatorship was so to be manifested as appeared by the many and various types thereof in several times under the Old Testament which contains the substance of all Gods Revealed Will. IT will not here be needful to multiply Texts of Scripture to confirm the former Theses or Positions for the main substance of them which in most Systems of Divinity is already done to my hand Onely I shall endeavour in that which may haply seem more unusual by the assistance of Christs Spirit and word remarkably called Rev. 19.10 The testimony of Jesus which is the spirit of Prophesie and that remarkably I say in divers respects As First Efficienter He being the prime worker of it Secondly Materialiter as being the main subject matter of it Christ Jesus being held out in the whole Scripture from the begiuning to the end Thirdly Formaliter as being the essence and substance of it Fourthly Finaliter As being the drist end and scope of it In which testimony to the said purpose for illustration and evidence of what I say may seem more unusual I shall endeavour compendiously to consider some things contained in the fourth and fifth chapters of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ holding out the sum and substance of Old and New Testament Doctrine summarily and very divinely representing God the Father Son and Holy Ghost as the reconciled Father Saviour and Sanctifier of his true Church as Creator Redeemer and Preserver thereof who in each regard is acknowledged and praised by the representative four living Wights or creatures as Ezek 1. they are called or beasts as translated and the twenty four Elders in the joynt concurrence of all the three persons for the manifesting and managing of all the contents and affairs of this book of the Revelation committed to sesus Christ the sole Mediator of his true Church Who being that Lamb that was as it had been slain chap. 5. had that book delivered to him to open it and look thereon and to open the seals thereof The Vision Ezek. 1. and Isa 6. seem somewhat to be of a like nature to these though not so large and full in Ezek. 1. the Prophet saw a great cloud with whirlwinds and fire vers 4. afterwards he had the description of the four living Creatures by theirfaces feet wings with their joyning by their wings vers 5 to 12. then their proceeding vers 12 14. afterward the wheels that moved with the living creatures and wheels within wheels from verf. 14 to vers 26. where there is somewhat a like representation of the sacred Trinity of persons to the end of the Chapter as in Rev. 4. and more explicitly Isa 6. it is said one of the Seraphims cried one to another Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory In both which Visions whether the four living creatures in Ezekiel were Angels or as they are called in Isa 6. Seraphims or rather as they seem to be taken Rev. 4 5. chap. were men imployed by God to wards his Church or whether the moving of the wheels with the living creatures signifies Gods secret and powerful working by Angels or men regularly working in his Church by his appointment which are sent by him from time to time I will make no conjecture Only as to the business in hand what light I conceive by any help or assistance from God or men I have attained through grace I shall here communicate and leave to his blessing Those two Chapters Rev. 4 and 5. as to the particular occasion of the Lambs receiving the book and his manifesting the contents thereof to the Apostle John seems to be the setting of the Scene and Chorus as it were of a most admirable Tragi-Comedy which resemblance Mr. Mede with others likewise useth whose learning and judgement in opening many mysterious things in the book of Revelation seems to decypher him to be such a man as Mr. Brightman prophesies of in Rev. 21. That God would stir up in after times to give light to those dark mysteries and chiefly Mr. Mede seems such inregard of his excellent Synchronisms which are the curious work in the Clavis Apocalyptica much helping to open the formerly locked mysteries and may serve as a very helpful guiding thread in passing through many almost otherwise inextricable Mazes and Meanders in that Book But suitable to our present purpose we shall endeavour to speak somewhat of these fourth and fifth Chapters as they seem to be an abridgement of all Doctrine contained in the Old and New Testament In the fourth chapter God is specially made known and honoured in and by his Church as Creator v. 11. In the fifth Chapter Christ is specially made known and honoured in and by his Church as Redeemer v. 9. The Doctrine of both is set forth partly 1. By most sacred visional Hieroglyphicks 2. By most glorious expressions of words to the honour 1. of God the Creatour 2. Of Christ the Redeemer First In the fourth Chapter as Creatour is he mainly set forth as in the Old Testament and accordingly praised for that work v. 11. For thou hast ereated c. And that is set forth 1. By Hieroglyphical Visions vers 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. 2. By Doctrine with the use thereof v. 8 9 10 11. Ver. s 2. By Thrones seems to be held out the true Church of God taken collectively for such a company of Gods people serving him after his revealed Will which is as a Throne whereon only God is exalted in all the world For in Judah was God known and his name great in Israel Psal 76.1 So Psal 147.11 They tell of the glory of his Kingdom c. Verse 2 3 and 5. seems an admirable representation of the Trinity of persons in the unity of essence the first person like a Jasper and Sardine stone but not said what The second person like a Rainbow like an Emrald not said what The third
was the instrumental deliverer of Abrahams Isaac's and Jacobs natural posterity out of the boudage of Egypt so the spiritual gifts and graces of Christ unto the spiritual seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob are the onely instruments of their spiritual deliverance from the spiritual bondage of sin and Satan when they are conveyed thereby as the Israelites were through the Red Sea of Christs blood and spiritually baptized by him as the Apostle speaketh in the Cloud and in the Sea of spiritual Regeneration and as the Israelites were circumcised when they had passed through the Red Sea the badge of their Covenant with the Fathers so the spiritual circumcision was to be on the hearts of the spiritual seed and as Moses that was the Minister of Circumcision and the Law could not bring the Israelites unto Canaan but Joshua accompanied with faithful Caleb did So the Law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope did as the Apostle saith Heb. 7.19 and even so all the typical Priesthood and Sacrifices and oblations did but seem to set forth to the faith of Gods people what was to be done by the true High-Priest the Lord Jesus Christ by his once offering up of himself for mans sin in the end of the world Heb. 9. So here likewise by Davids providing for the building of Gods house where the Ark should rest as he intended yet was not permitted but it was promised to him and fulfilled when the Ark was gloriously placed there in Solomons time and honoured by evident manifestations of Gods presence there though all the institutions then used in that Temple which was a type of Christs body were but likewise typical of his priestly Office to come under the New Testament so these two famous Kings were eminently types of Christs Kingly Office First As Sauls worldly Kingdom was to be removed to make way for Davids a man after Gods own heart who was annointed of God though sometimes despised of men and as David overcame all the enemies of Gods people as Davids Kingdom was full of troubles at first yet after he had a compleat conquest over all his enemies round about and enjoyed peace on every side So Christ came in a low appearance into the world at least in the worlds eye yet by humbling himself he got the victory he hath been long fighting mystically for his people and shall at last gain them a peaceable Kingdom and all his foes be made his footstool in Gods due time Psal 110. but till that full victory his Ark as in Davids time will be in a moving Tabernacle but when the raign of the true Solomon comes his Ark will be setled his Kingdom shall be peaceable and flourishing Now that these were but types of Christs Kingdom appears by the eclypsing the glory of both First after Davids victory he fell and upon that succeeded many afflictions from his own house to the end of his days The most glorious raign of Solomon at first afterwards ended in as dark obscurity by sin and sufferings and his Son Reboboam grosly provoked Israel to the loss of ten Tribes and afterwards both Israel and Judah were in a declining condition till that whole generation went into Captivity and the Ark of God ceased to be any more with the Jews and though after seventy years according to Gods promise many thousands were brought back to Jerusalem by the decree of Cyrus as God foretold yet the Ark of God was no more amongst them nor they ever after but in a decaying state though God upheld the race of David in the Tribe of Judah yet much in obscurity till Christ that lineally was to proceed out of Davids loins came in the flesh in whom that promise was so fulfilled but yet in the set time when the Scepter was departed from Judah so that the glory of Davids Kingdom was not to be in himself or Solomon or their posterities according to the flesh only but in Christ the great deliverer of his people both from spiritual and temporal bondage and captivity as the Prophets of old abundantly witness and the New Testament confirms as may be shewed hereafter by Gods assistance yea David himself in many Prophesies foretells of Christs Kingdom what never was or can be performed to his meer natural off-spring as besides many others Psa 72. and Psa 137. do plainly shew Again Consider that when some of the Jews came back from Babylon what numerous multitudes not many ages after remained in the Persian Dominion in Ahashuerus and Queen Hesters times scattered as Haman said through all the hundred twenty and seven Provinces that he ruled over toward whom as God shewed mercy to them by Ahashuerus Marriage with Hester a captive Maid of the Jews so thereby seems to be shadowed how Christ the great King of his people though they have been long scattered in the captivities of many generations yet will again betroth them unto him in faithfulness as he speaketh by the Prophet Hos 2.19 which flourishing time of Christs Kingdom is described by the Spirit of God in the thousand years under or after the seventh Trumpet of which many things will be revealed when he shall take to himself his great power and raign Rev. 19. and the Kingdoms of the world shall become the Kingdoms of our God and of his Christ Rev. 11.15 then as he the Angel of the Covenant shews that at the beginning of the seventh Trumpet the mystery of God shall be finished Christ had wrought mystically in his Kingdom before but then he will shew himself in his Kingly authority before the Ark in the Temple might not be seen save by the High-Priest but then the Temple in Heaven shall be opened and there shall be seen in his Temple the Ark of his Testament Rev. 11.19 The Israelites were of old a generation of Prophets as David stiles them Psa 105.15 And do my Prophets no harm for they had such discoveries of God and his works renewed unto them by the Spirit of Christ in the Ministry of Moses in his five Books wherein they were taught of the creation of all things the destruction of the old world the fall of man the way of salvation for old and new world what God had done for them what service and obedience he required of them in what way and by what ordinances they should be accepted of him which no other people had besides them aâ—l the time Gods Ark was amongst them Yea they were also a Generation of Priests then for though onely the Priests in office then in reference to Christ might kill the Saerifices and place them upon the Altar yet in regard they were to bring their own Sacrifices to lay their hand upon the head of their offering to â—â—stifie their faith and acknowledge their sins to testifie their repentance yet it was onely the faith and repentance of the true Israelites that through Christ unto whom they looked spiritually by whose onely propitiation and
a known tradition recorded by Jude in his Epistle concerning the said times of Christs Kingdom namely that of celestial Enoch both living and dying if at all he may be said to dye set forth by the said Apostle Jude 14. Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints So Moses in his time gives Testimony to all Christs offices in their seasons 1. Of his being a Prophet saith he Deut. 18.18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee and will put my word in his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I command them which testimony delivered to Moses by the Spirit of Christ was applyed to Christ John 1.45 Act. 3.22 and 7.37 2. He foreshews Christs Priestly office in Melchisedecks and in Abrahams sacrificing of his Son besides all typical and ceremonial worship which was to cease when Christ the substance thereof was come and the records of his Kingly Office he first sets down in Jacobs prophesie Gen. 49. concerning the Tribe of Judah whence he was to spring according to the flesh and at what time though darkly yet really sulfilled in the season thereof and so of his Kingly Office in giving them laws and defending his people vers 10. whereby the great gatherings of people Israelites and Gentiles should be and that in the times of great prosperity in the promised Land abundance of Wine and Milk vers 11 12. which are the Viands which Christ affords his people Isa 55 1. And after expresseth his waiting for such salvation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—eptuag 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which his speaking of the last times vers 1. seems cheifly to have reference unto and as for the gatherings of the Jews and Gentiles together in the Apostles times seems but to be but the first fruits and preludium of what the Scriptures speak of neither was that in such a prosperous condition as it is there expressed and a like Prophesie Moses himself left concerning Judah Deut. 33.7 which seems to respect Christs Kingdom whom he prays the Lord to bring unto his people and that his hands may be sufficient for him and that he would be an help for him from his enemies which will be fully answered when Christ hath made his foes his foot-stool And the like he utters â—n Josephs blessing vers 16 17. for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush foretelling his glory and the bornes of his strength to push the enemies to the end of the earth which the greatness of Ephraim and Manasse were but shadows of and was to be really in Christ So diverse of his prophetical threatnings and tenders of mercy appear to have the force of prophesies as in other things so in things respecting the grace of God to the Jews in Christs Kingdom on earth As first Lev. 26. of the captivity of Babylon and their return from vers 30. to 43. but then with an emphasis he seems to speak of another captivity out of which he will deliver them out of free grace as being beloved for their fathers sake as Rom. 11. in the former he told them they should call and he would answer they should cry and he would hear Jer. 39. but this should be in regard of the covenant with their fathers as is remarkeably set down vers 33 34 35. and is applied by the Apostle to the general calling of all Israel Rom. 11. in an other such manner the Prophet Moses brings in a like promise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 4.30 31. making likewise the Covenant with the Fathers to be the reason of such their reducement and saith expresly it should be in the latter days But a very large prediction of this nature is set down Deut. 30. from vers 1 to 11. where he speaks of the manner of their turning unto God with all their heart and all their souls vers 2. and how he would gather them from all the Nations of the earth vers 3. even from the uttermost parts of Heaven vers 4. and how they should have good and be multiplied above their Fathers which yet we read not to have been done as vers 5. and the ground of all Gods powerful grace upon their souls circumciting both their hearts and the hearts of their seeds seed vers 6. and then sets down their freedom from curses and the abundance of prosperity vers 7 8 9 10. c. And so likewise in that excellent prophetical Song which Moses was inspired to write and to command to be taught in Israel and left for posterity wherein are included sundry prophesies of Israels sins and sufferings and bondage and deliverances But the 39. vers seems to be a description of the last destruction of the Jews joyned with a prophetical prediction of their restoring where God saith he kills and makes alive as likewise he decyphers the destruction of all sorts of enemies in the latter days till Jews Jsraelites and Gentiles should rejoyce together for vers 40. alludes to Christs swearing Rev. 10. I lift up my hand to Heaven and say I live for ever and vers 41 42. follows the most terrible destruction of the enemies and vers 43. ends the Song with the joyful union of Israelites Jews and Gentiles Now as Gods appointing rules and laws for a King for his people as Deut. 17. though he never directed them to ask one but declared his displeasure telling Samuel they had not cast off Samuel but himself 1 Sam. 8. yet the giving those laws were vertually a prophesie of a King so the former propounding of threatnings and promises were vertually prophesies and so they have proved and will do and there are therefore of Christs Kingdom because they concern those most beloved Subjects the Israelites in such multitudes with the Gentiles their fellow subjects in Christs most prosperous reign on earth Secondly but Daniel the second eminent Chronologer of the holy Spirit speaks much more clearly who lived under the dominion of Satans second Babel 1. He expounds the Image which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream to be four great worldly Monarchies which should successively pass away in the world before Christs glorious Kingdom should appear in the world the first was set forth therein by the head of Gold the then present Babylonian Monarchy The 2d By the Breasts and Armes of silver the Medes and Persians The 3 d. By the Belly and Thighs of Brass the Grecian The 4 th By the Legs of Iron and the Feet and toes of Iron and Clay the Roman Monarchy Mr. Mede first Heathen secondly Christian thirdly Antichristian as Dan. 2. from vers 30 to 44. where is explained Christs Monarchy which though it hath wrought long secretly from the eye of the world as it hath been regnum lapidis yet at last shall prevail over all and break the most terrible and long continued Roman power now under her last head and even ready to expire and as that had broken the
kind of studies which afterwards they grosly abused And Moses by means of Pharaohs daughter was afterwards trained up in all the learning of the Egyptians But when God used the Ministry of Moses and Aaron to bring his people out of that bondage he set up an instituted Church and as he wrote the tables of the Law himself So he directed Moses in writing his five Books for the benefit of his Church Yet doubtless that excellent faculty of writing hath been likewise much after that time abused by Satan and evil men likewise to eclipse truth and promote errors amongst all Heathen people For that as God had by that means set down the sum of his true Religion for that generation of the children of the godly Patriarchs and Fathers and after forty years made their posterity a famous Nation and people and by degrees were formed into a glorious state and Kingdom in the end of Davids and beginâ—ing of Solomons reign So Satan had all along an apparent design to raise huge Mountains of tyranny in the world to serve his own purposes in his wicked Dominion thereby to promote Atheism and Idolatry and what ever was evil and to overpower oppress and subdue if it were possible Gods Church and professed people and so far as their sins gave advantage from time to time they did so by the just hand of Gods providence most wisely and powerfully steering and ordering all the affairs of the world to his own glory and the fulfilling of his own holy pleasure when Satan and evil men least intend it making them in such cases like refiners to his people to cleanse them from their dross and though several Infidel and Idolatrous Nations afflicted and oppressed Israel soon after Moses and Joshua's time as in the Book of Judges and the following stories in Scripture may appear many times until Davids victorious and Solomons flourishing Kingdom which in the next succession Satan by his engins of Idolatry and wickedness soon found a way to divide to make way for his own rule in the world and upon the ten tribes revolting got the greatest part even of Israel it self to turn to his side and promote his design for the most part Helvic till at the last the height of their sins and the fulness of their iniquity delivered them up into the hands of their Assyrian conquerours under which captivity they have lain above 2400 years and still by the like means and actings Satan afterward raised a greater mountain of opposition against Gods Church when advantage against them might be obtained and Judahs sin was likewise ripe so that the Assyrian rod that scourged Israel before being burnt in the Babylonian furnace these also might be cast and fashioned that head of gold the Babylonian Monarchy which by its massie weight meeting together with Judahs sins written with a pen of Iron and with the point of a Diamond might grind that people almost to powder wherein Satans designs seemed to attain their end But now for a remedy for this God reveals by Daniel as was fore-shewed that though Satan at the present seemed wholly to have wone the victory yet he should not always wear it but that first he would break in peices that head of gold by a meaner mettle and so make use of the succeeding breasts and arms of silver viz. the Medes and Persians and that not onely to destroy the said golden head but also as he promised graciously by his Prophet concerning Cyrus whom he therefore stiled his Shepheard Isa 44.28 to reduce his people in a wonderful manner again to Jerusalem and rebuild by a strange munificence and assistance his Temple there and though for their crying sins they were afterward in the two following Monarchies of Brass and Iron namely the Grecian and Roman long and soar afflicted they were also at length after the Promises of the Messiah were fully compleated by the Iron legs and thighs of the most terrible Roman power wholly made desolate upon their rejection and crucifying the Lord of life and glory the true King of Israel as Nathaniel had acknowledged him Joh. 1. But when diverse heads of that monstrous Roman Beast explained to Daniel Chap. 7. but more to St. John Rev. 17. had successively passed their seasons and when he that letted 2 Thes 2.7 was taken out of the way Satan then found advantage to erect another and worse then the former Babel namely That which is the third Babel to wit the Mystical under the great Antichrist the Pope wherein Satans design by winding that proud cruel and wicked Tyrant cunningly into his own seat and authority by hypocritical pretences to make that foul beast to defile and poyson the waters of life and by strong and strange delusions so to hinder and abolish both the truth and power of Christs new constituted Religion in the world as far as he could reach wherein his evil design hath likewise greatly prevailed for above twelve hundred years past But for help and remedy against this mystical Babel also Christ aforehand shewed unto his beloved Disciple John and by him to his Churches successively the utmost period of his continuance and manner of his now approaching ruine as of the Dragons before and that the said Beast likewise when the term of his Kingnom was out must with it go into perdition and be cast into a Lake of Fire and Brimstone denoting the perpetual ruine of all Antichristian Tyranny and an utter end of all wicked dominion being the last and lowest parts of the said Image to wit the feet and toes according to the interpretation given to Daniel Chap. 2. and at whose destruction the mystery of God should be finished in the world as the expression of the Spirit of Christ is Rev. 10.17 and Dan. 12.7 when the whole of what was revealed to St. John concerning the Beasts rise and ruine as was before noted should all in such ways as he hath set down be accomplished viz. by the prophecyings of the two sack-cloth witnesses and the pouring out of the seven last plagues upon all the Beasts worldly excellency as Rev. 11 and 15 16. Chap. So that then the Kingdoms of the world shall be the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and be given to the Saints of the most high as before Dan. 7. Rev. 11.15 So that as all the Devils designes and Gods had run counter before so by Christ these have all along been so managed that at length the usurped Dominion of Satan will be utterly subverted and the decreed Monarchy of Jesus Christ must be compleated in this world under or after the seventh Trumpet as a step to his eternal perfection of glory and happiness with his whole mystical body the true Church in the Kingdom of his father which as mediatour he will resign up to him at the end as St. Paul teacheth 1 Cor. 15.4 Now as by the miracles of Moses the first of Christs Chronologers the Egyptian Magicians were
confounded As by the spirit of Wisdom given by Christ to Daniel the second Chronologer the Astrologers Caldeans and South sayers of Babylon were overcome So by the Spirit and Word of Christs Testimony in the mouth of his sackcloth Prophets according to Saint John the third Chronologer the subtilty of the man of fin is quite defeated and he himself with his cheif followers made utterly desolate and cast into the lake of fire and brimstone so that thenceforward as the Devil the wicked one usurped a rule in the world in the hands of his evil powers abusing such their authority for the most part for the promoting of evill and hindering or preventing of any good so afterwards Christ will put all his authority under his reign and dominion in the world into good hands to remove and hinder evil and to maintain and advance good which happily may be the advantage Satan may take at the end of the 1000 years to stir up the wicked at that time in the world to attempt against Christs true Church at the last to cast off their iron yoke as to them it may seem which they have been so long held under by and to strive to break those bands asunder and to cast away such cords of good Government from them as Psa 2. But then He that sits in heaven will laugh them to scorn and by such means destroy both Satan and his followers and while so they seek to encompass the camp of the Saints they will find Christ come at last against them for ever to destroy both Satan and them when the Devil with his host of evil men shall be sent after the Beast and false Prophet into the lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death never any more to commit or work or even further to attempt any mischief in the world and so casting Death and Hell with them into the same destruction Revl 20.10 14. Christ will have the perfect victory when all his enemies are so put under his feet And thus we may observe how notwithstanding all Satans Babels of confusion Christs Kingdom shall be set up both to put an end to all such his designs and to put an end to all such attempts save onely that which after he shall be loosed for a little season will put an end to all his actings in the world and of all his seed and usher in all their misery eternally in Hell but in all the thousand years before that neither he nor they shall be suffered to annoy Gods servants but that will really be fulfilled in the time of the New Jerusalem which shall come down from heaven which will be her priviledge Rev. 22.3 And his servants shall serve him CHAP. VI. Wherein are briefly and summarily set down the Testimonies of the Prophets in all the ensuing times after Moses which have been sufficiently cleared from what hath been formerly said to the contrary to belong to the said time of the Kingdom of Christ in the said Thousand years HAving considered what in the three great Chronologers is observably spoken of our Saviours Kingdom upon earth we shall by Gods gracious assistance proceed in the method concerning the rest which our Saviour himself after his resurrection directeth us unto Luk. 24.43 It is written saith he of me in Moses the Prophets and the Psalms endeavouring to observe some things further out of the other Prophets to this purpose and to come to speak of what is recorded in the Psalms likewise of the Kingdom of Christ wherein that eminent sweet singer of Israel did so abundantly tune forth such melodious streins thereof and even upon occasion of his own Kingdom and Solomons delivereth such great things in reference to Christs Kingdom which could not have their accomplishment in any other then him that was the eternal son of God And the like may be observed in all the ensuing Prophesies of Gods ancient people of Israel and Judah the subjects in cheif of that Kingdom as likewise of their most glorious King and Governour who will then be manifest to them and we have the covenant of God in respect both of these Subjects and of their great King made with David for Solomon as a type 2 Sam. 7. but looking at Christ wherein consisted the sure mercies of David which are largely illustrated both by Gods free and gracious promise by both in Nathans message from vers 10. shewing that Israel should be planted in their own place and move no more nor afflicted any more by the sons of wickedness verse 11 And after speaking of the establishing of Davids house though as in Solomon and in his successors his naturall race might sorely suffer yet in a heavenly King the Son of David and the Son of God vers 13 14. applied Heb. 1.5 there is stability ascertained and so Davids faith and prayer improve it with much grateful acceptation verse 19. Thou hast spoken of thy servants house a great while to come and v. 26. Let thy servants house be established for ever and so again vers 29. this covenant Psal 89. could be in none but Christ the Messiah That the Prophesies and Promises that follow concerning both never yet had any suitably fulfilling nor can have other ways then in such a wonderful way and glorious manner as is peculiar to the Kingdom of Christ at such his appearing 2 Tim. 4.1 which as they have been strangely wrested to avoid a litteral sence by some so have they been sufficiently cleared by others to contain it so that the evident clearness and great vigour in so many Scripture Testimonies cannot but work upon such teachable spirits as this abridgement is intended for It is counted policy though wicked in slandering calumniare audacter haerehit aliquid So in so great abundance of Testimonies of truth upon good Christian policy we may confidently assert for in such clearness something will remain to wit to such as are not more disposed to shut their eyes against Scripture light then to open them to behold it I shall but as it were pass through them because I aim at brevity the large discussion being done by others already and especiall in the second and third books of The dawning of the Day-star composed by Dr. Nath. Homes wherein very learnedly and judiciously such Scripture-Prophesies and Texts respecting the quod sit That there is such a Kingdom of Christ to come on earth in the thousand years are very clearly and convincingly opened and applied thereunto which I had opportunity to peruse since these brief collections who both strongly asserts the truth therein and very satisfactorily afterwards answers what things have been objected to the contrary where I am well assured that intelligent persons by Gods assistance may finde more clear resolution as respecting those mystical Scriptures and Prophesies through the whole book of God then in many large Commentaries of most Writers on them for many hundred of years last past which differ therein from the most
the time of Christs raign Jehovah Shamma the Load is there The Prophet Hosea in Chap. 1. Vers 11. Then shall the Children of Israel and the Children of Judah be gathered together and shall appoint themselves one head and shall come up out of the land for great shall be the day of Jezreel which never yet was fulfilled but shall be in its time So again Chap. 3.5 Afterward shall the Children of Israel return and seek the Lord their God and David their King and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days which can have no adequate accomplishment but in Christs Kingdom To the like purpose the Prophet Joel Chap. 2. ult having in vers 31. shewed what a terrible destruction shall be when Christ shall make his foes his foot-stool and set up his Kingdom vers 32. he saith It shall come to pass that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call and Chap. 3.2 last Verses And Judah shall dwell for ever and Jerusalem from generation to generation for I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed for the Lord dwelleth in Zion The Prophet Amos also fully witnesseth to this Kingdom of Christ Chap. 9.11 12. In that day will I raise up the Tabernacle of David which was fallen and close up the breaches thereof and I will raise up the ruines and will build it as in the days of old and vers 12. That they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the Heathen that are called by my name saith the Lord that doth this and vers 14. I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel and they shall build the waste Cities and inhabit them and they shall plant Vineyards and drink the wine thereof they shall also make gardens and eat the fruit of them and I will plant them upon their Land and they shall no more be pulled up out of their Land which I have given to them saith the Lord God Even Obadiah in his short Prophefie hath high expressions of the deliverance on Mount Sion vers 17. And there shall be holiness and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions But more direct to our present purpose verse ult And Saviours shall come up to Mount Zion to judge the Mount of Esau and the Kingdom shall be the Lords Herein is likewise the Prophesie of Micab very evident Chap. 4.1 In the last days it shall come to pass which words the last days we may observe frequently to be used to this purpose and the like that the Mountain of the House of the Lord shall be established in the top of the Mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and the people shall flow unto it and verse 2. Many Nations shall come and say let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord to the House of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths for the law shall go forth of Sion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem and verse 3. He shall judge among many people and rebuke strong Nations afar off c. and Chap. 5. when he had spoken of smiting the Judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek vers 2. he then shews that out of Beth-leem Ephratah shall go he that was to be ruler in Israel whose going forth have been from of old from everlasting and vers 4. He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord and in the Majesty of the name of the Lord his God and they shall abide for now shall be be great unto the ends of the earth Again when the Prophet Zephaniah Chap. 3. had foretold how Christ will destroy his enemies as seems probable at the Armageddon battel mentioned Rev. 16. and 19 〈…〉 former verse he then adds vers 9. For the will 〈…〉 the people of a pure language that they may all 〈…〉 the name of the Lord and serve him with one consent 〈…〉 vers 14. Sing O Daughter of Zion shout O Israel 〈…〉 Lord hath taken away thy judgement he hath cast 〈…〉 enemy the King of Israel even the Lord in the 〈…〉 thee thou shalt not see evil any more vers 17. The 〈…〉 God in the middest of thee is mighty he will save thee he will rejoyce over thee with joy we will rest in his love he will jâ—y over thee with singing c. and so forward to the end of the Chap. to the purpose which like expressions are much above all succeeding times save these our Saviour hath revealed in the time of the new Jerusalem c. In the next place amongst the Testimonies of the Prophets in the Old Testament proceed we to the Prophet Zechariah who is as clear herein as any of the former and being after the Captivity of Babylon can least be interpreted of that which was past Zach. 6.12 Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts Behold the man whose name is the Branch and he shall grow up out of his place and he shall build the Temple of the Lord and he shall bear the glory and shall sit and rule on the Throne So that Zerubbabel to whom this was spoken was but a dim shade to this mighty Prince and he shall he a Priest upon the Throne and the counsel of peace shall be between them both So Chap. 8.8 I will bring them and they shall be in the middest of Jerusalem and they shall be my people and I will be their God in truth and righteousness Again Chap. 9.16 And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people for they shall be as the stones of a Crown lifted up as an ensign upon his land Vers 17. How great is his goodness how great is his beauty c. And Zach. 12.7 The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah First that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnifie themselves against Judah Verse 8. in that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem and he that is feeble among them at that time shall be as David and the House of David shall he as God as the Angel of the Lord before them Lastly Consider the Testimony of the Prophet Malachi Chap. 3.2 3. But who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth for he is like a refiners fire and fullers sope c. Upon which Text let the words of that judicious Gillespy be observed in his Sermon to the Lords Aug. 27. 1645. which happily hath not been taken notice of by many Pag. 3. After diverse things spoken to our purpose before he adds How ever the Scriptures teach us that the Lord Jesus will be revealed mightily and will make bare his holy arm as well in the confusion
the Shepherds Luk. 2.8 that he was of Davids house a Lord as before Mat. 2.6 So in the regard of his present coming in the flesh he was born to them that day a Saviour Christ Moshiach the Messiah implying likewise his threefold annointing as Prophet Priest and King and also for all people Jews and and Gentles So the Angel before as this likewise now acknowledge and declare him the Christ the Lord the great Messiah the great Ruler though he was then a weak Babe in appearance in mean outward condition in the worlds view wrapped in swadling cloths having a Crath for a Cradle a Manger for a Couch being not received in the dwelling house but lodged in a Stable and that O prodigy of abasement at that time the most blessed Mother brought forth the most glorious infant King her Son and Saviour as was said of all people Yet even then a multitude of the heavenly host Genethlia celebrant and Carole loud and sweetly the happiness of his Nativity Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men Whereupon said an Ancient aptly Quis tam parvus tam magnus Infans jacens in praesaepi voce Angelorum celebratus What wonderful celestial Kingly glory in all that outward abasement at his birth is here by the eye of faith to be discerned the glorious Angels are the Heraulds to publish his Kingly dignity over and over again to set forth his Royal descent yea his Divine Majesty when he seemed only a despised weak new born babe and others and that a multitude too sing forth the high praises of his Nativity the Holy Spirit fills the hearts of old and young great and small poor and rich men and women with joy and inlarged Discourses of his Kingly excellence before and about his birth The Star and the Sages soon after with speedy course come out of the East to give this much more glorious day star yea Sun of righteousness a timely visit And to tender that glorious object to the unbelieving world that they might take a view with them of that King and Saviour even then new born to Gods faithful people and after their example worship him and bring their offerings to him And they make inquiry of the place of this new Kings birth Where is he that is born King of the Jews and such was their zeal towards him that no outward meanness hinders them from yeilding him all due homage and observance of worship with oblations of gold frankincense and myrrhe Thns God in his weakest estate of life in the world would have all sorts in heaven and in earth assist in some meet Equipage suitable to his Kingly Dignity And after that he is no sooner presented unto God in the Temple where his Mother as the badge of her present meanness of condition in the world offers according to the law a pair of Turtle Doves or two young Pigeons answerable to her poor estate though sprung from the lineage of David But even then old Simeon divinely inspired and spiritually inlarged with satisfying joy is now well pleased to sing his swan-like song to welcome death Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace c. and the main substance of his song or the highest strain in it is the Kingly glory of Christ on earth Luk. 2.32 A light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel answerable to the prophesie Num. 24.17 A star shall come out of Jacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel c. He had ground from many Prophets with such rejoycing to utter it Yea Simeon again blessing Joseph and Mary tells them That Child was set for the falling and rising of many in Israel First to that perverse generation He was a stumbling block as the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 1.23 for their falling to the future Israelites when he shall come to reign gloriously he will likewise be for the rising of many Old Anna in publique declares the like to all that look for redemption in Jerusalem and there it was in some respect too well known temporal redemption was expected as well as spiritual though they did it unseasonably for which they had sufficient Scripture ground though then misapplyed by them And though it was common amongst the Jews in those times to neglect the spiritual redemption by Christ and vainly seek to anticipate the temporal then long after to come by their great King the Messiah yet even then that true Israelite Nathaniel had learned better concerning Christ and made confession thereof unto him of both Thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel John 1.49 The mother of Zebedees children acknowledged no less though unwarrantably applyed when she would have her two Sons promoted The one at his right hand and the other at his left in his kingdom Mat. 20.21 Yet afterwards our Saviour promiseth no less to them and the rest of his faithful disciples Luk. 22.29 30. I appoint unto you a kingdom as my father hath appointed unto me That ye may eat and drink at my Table in my Kingdom and sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel And because that opinion much prevailed amongst the Jews then that the Kingdom of God should immediately appear Luk. 19.11 thereupon in the next vers and forward our Saviour resolves the matter by a Parable comparing himself to a Nobleman that was to go into a far Country and to receive to himself a Kingdom and to return Consider here how usual a thing it was among all sorts to stile Christ the Son of David the two blind men Mat. 9.27 Thou Son of David have mercy on us All the people say Mat. 12.23 when he had cast out the blind and dumb Devil Is not this the Son of David The woman of Canaan Mat. 15.22 O Lord thou Son of David So other two blind men Mat. 20.30 Have mercy on us O Lord thou Son of David And Chap. 21.9 The multitudes cry Hosanna to the Son of David The disciples themselves could not deny that the Christ was the Son of David Chap. 22.42 so Luk. 20.30 31. Christ being the King of the Jews was such a noted thing that when he was to dye it was mentioned either in scorn or earnest or attested by God and Men and Christ himself at every turn after he came before Pilate the chief Priests and Elders having examined him about destroying the Temple and his being the Son of God but the main accusation against him was his being a King which he never denied though they falsly added he thereupon forbad to pay tribute unto Cesar yet in that wherein the strength of the temptation lay he fairly resolved Pilate that his Kingdom was not from hence or of this world his Kingdom will be from God and not from men but besides that as ost as Pilate mentioned him to be the King of the Jews and asked him if he were so he never denied it Yea when