the world which neither will be till the said 1000 years and little space of Satans loosing be afterwards fulfilled as Rev. 20.8 9 10 c. But then the Lord as the Psalmist speaks will send the Rod of his strength out of Sion and he shall then rule in the midst of his Enemies Psal 110.6 c. and smite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Head not Heads as translated of divers Countreys viz. the Pope or Turk or both as making in several respects the whole Antichrist of the latter times but much more upon the said Text Gen. 3.15 may be observed to the same pourpose in the Treatise thereupon II. Secondly Prophesied of by Enoch in the Old VVorld Jude 14 15. Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints to execute Judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungedly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their ungodly speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him VVhere observe how general he declares this Judgment shall be in the issue of it and then how throughly he will discover ungodly men though now they hide themselves in the Crowd and for a time towards godly men shift off and excuse and hide their ungodliness yet then Christ will convince themselves which were the concealers and hiders and not some few only or many but all of them and not of few or only some sorts or numbers of their deeds but of all their ungodly deeds nor only of the substance of them but of all the circumstances and aggravations of them as ungodlily committed by them and not onely of their deeds but of their words also yea of their most secret thoughts subservient to both for they shall be convinced of them which conviction will reach the most secret workings of their spirits and both and all in the most large extent whatever hath been done or spoken against him that is Christ whereby mens sins are most hainously aggravated many ways though they little at present consider it but in Christs execution of Judgment upon all in his own order manner and time they must know all these This excellent Prophecy seems to have been handed in a wonderful way of gracious divine Providence from Enoch to the Apostle Jude by whose hand Christs spirit hath made it to become holy Scripture And it is no marvel that God should so preserve that Prophecy of the last times and things since he would for the warning of all have all his Prophets witness thereto as his Spirit in the Apostle Peter manifested Acts 3.20 21. As saith he he spake by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began He would not have even the old wicked world without such an eminent warning nor such as godly Enoch then to be without the comfort of that Deliverer of his people then to come to recompence their sufferings for him with a suitable happiness with him afterwards as the Apostle Paul declareth 2 Tim. 2.12 for his said coming then is to both those purposes wherein the same Spirit could enlighten such as Enoch then as he did Abraham Isaac Jacob and Sarah afterwards who by their faith saw those Promises afar off while they lived on earth which they believed to see accomplished in their due time Heb. 11.13 viz. which will be at the said coming of the Lord with ten thousand of his Saints and at the Resurrection of the Just as Isa 26.14 19 which as it will be the year of the Lords recompence to take vengeance on the wicked quick by a sudden destruction to send them to hell so also of recompence to the godly to whom they will be times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord and of the restitution of all things for their real good and comfort in all that God hath before promised or revealed to such purpose Act. 3.19 20 21. though particular Saints have not or may not in many things attain to the knowledge of them nor haply any one shall in many things more till the fruition of them Even as the most knowing before Christs coming knew not of many things done at that his coming as of the Star the Shepherds of Herod's trouble at his birth nor the earthquake darkness the cleaving of the Vail of the Temple or dead Saints rising at his death c. besides the many things which happened in his life although much more of these last times since our Saviour ascended as he said a little before it Acts 1.8 â—is now revealed of his second coming as also was before in the Old Testament concerning the same than at any time was of his first as is easily to be observed c. III. Thirdly Foretold by Jacob in the New World Gen. 49. who verse 1. speaketh of things to be in the latter or postremity of days which is especially applicable to what he â—aith afterwards vers 10 11 12. in his Prophecy of Judah to which Tribe is therein ascribed the preheminence with plenty and peace as is therein manifest chiefly to be enjoyed after Shilo's coming to whom the gathering of the people should be but most especially in their greatest gatherings when Jews and Gentiles shall rejoyce together most eminently as Deut. 32.43 is by Moses also foretold to be in the latter or postremity of days of which times also our Saviour saith There shall be one sheepfold under himself that one Shepherd of them both John 10.16 IV. Fourthly Wonderfully and graciously manifested by Balaam's Parable not being an holy Prophet as others Acts 3.21 but a Sorcerer hired by Balaak King of Moah to curse Gods People who turned his attempting of the worst of Cursings into the choicest of Blessings to them giving him thereby to know That there was no enchantment against Jacob neither any divination against Israel for Satan cannot hurt those whom God undertakes to preserve as Numb 23.20 22. But when he had further tried his Enchantments Chap. 24 he is further in special forced to pronounce greater blessings for them vers 6 7 8 9. saying How goodly are thy Tents O Jacob and thy Tabernacles O Israel But being further urged by Balaak he shews what that People should do against his People in the latter days and then vers 17. falls upon the coming of the Messiah far off saying I shall see him but not now I shall behold him but not nigh There shall come a Star out of Jacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel and shall smite all the Corners of Moab and destroy all the Children of Sheth and Edom shall be a possession Seir also shall be a possession for his Enemies and Israel also shall do valiently And verse 19. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have Dominion and shall destroy him that remaineth in the City c. But after all he comes to the last terrible times verse 23 24. saying Alas who shall live when God doth this And vers 24. he
news thereof from God and accordingly improve it as follows 1. For vers 18. In the first place David retires himself into the alone presence of his most gracious God and in a most humble manaer acknowledgeth before him his wonderful mercy and goodness to himself and his House both past and present Who am I saith he O Lord God! And what is my House that thou hast brought me hitherto 2. In vers 19. He sets it forth for the time to come further observing and explaining the long continuance thereof not to himself alone but to his House upon a most true and certain perpetuity upon the best security in an unparalled manner for his words are weighty saying And yet this was a small thing in thy sight O Lord God but thou hast spoken also of thy Servants House for a great while to come viz. whise time shall continue which he revolves again with a holy admiration And is this the manner of Man OLORD GOD 3. In vers 20. he declares that he was at a loss for verbal expressions of due thankfulness for his mercies but tenders his inlarged heart to Gods view saying And what can David say more unto thee For thou Lord God knowest thy Servant 4. In vers 21. he illustrates in his wayof gratitude the truth of Gods promise the reeness of his mercy to him with the greatness thereof in all respects in all those great things which were still illustrated by their present manifestation of them unto him To make saith he thy Servant to know them 5. In vers 22 23 24. he farther illustrates with his own Gods wonderful glorious and rich mercy to his people of Israel first for time past magnifying the greatness of the unparallelled mercy of God to them extolling him above all gods and as the onely true God and that he had proved himself so by his works recorded in his word or related by his people vers 22. Wherefore thou art great O Lord and there is none like thee c. And vers 23. He sets forth the great honour he had procured to his people of Israel by signs and wonders for them c. whom he redeemed out of Egypt that in them he might be glorified above the heathen gods c. And in vers 24. He gratefully rehearseth his now-confirmed mercy to his people of Israel for perpetuity and his Covenant renewed with them to be their God as with Abraham Gen. 17.7 8. so now to them by the Messiah the Son of David much after the ame tenure of words even as this Message is much the same with that recorded in 1 Chron. 17 7 8 9 c. 6. Now as to vers 25. David had made his graceful acknowledgement of so transcendent a mercy to Himself his People and House so now he proceeds further to improve it by frith and prayer vers 25 26. And first joyntly for Himself and his House vers 25. Now O Lord establish thy word for ever concerning thy Servant and concerning his House and do as thou hast said And then vers 26. He adjoyns Gods Covenant with his people of Israel to be their God for ever with his continued prayer for his House as before 〈…〉 â—omited so in Gods presence implored by prayer upon that ground for believing the Promise he poureth out his Prayer 7. In vers 27. He sets down the particular reason of this present exercise of his faith and prayer namely Gods present so grations Revelation of his said wonderful mercy to him For saith he thou O Lord God hast revealed to thy Servant saying I will build thee an House therefore hath thy Servant â—ound in his heart to pray this Prayer unto thee In vers 28 he ruminates upon the former grounds of his faith viz. First that this Promise was from that God that was the great and most glorious God of Israel and secondly from the truth of all his words found experimentally to be true and at present applies both to his partâ—cular promise then made to himself Thou saith he art that God and thy words be true 9. In the last verse he improveth his special saith in reference to the said sâ—ecial promise to Himâ—elâ— and his House by a twofold Amen or so be it as I may term them twice running again over the same the one seeming to refer as before to Christs said Davidical Kingdom of the thousand years That God would bless his Servants House that it may continue for ever before God and the other to eternity That it might be blessed with his blessing for ever Or else for further inlargement of his prayer That it might not onely continue before him but be blessed also with his Blessing for ever And thus by so grateful acknowledgement manifested by special faith and fervent prayer this humble holy kingly Prophet improved Gods so great and marvellous mercy by the Prophet Nathan revealed to himself for his House and People of Israel for ever Amen VIII Eiâ—hthly Christian Readers If you shall reckon with me the eight said Tyâ—es in the Old and New World as the Fifth Foundation oâ— Faith and this from Ezekiel to be the Eighth the number will be â—â—e same anâ— the strength much greater For as the other two greater Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah foretold Israel's and Judah's Captiviâ—y as also dâ—d some of the smaller and by the same Prophets did God also for the â—omâ—â—rt of the faithful Jews foretel their great Restâ—uration for Isâ—â—ah is large concerning the New Jerusalem chap. 60. applised by the holy Ghost to the New Jerusalem Rev. 21. And as Jeremiah hath many threatnings of Judgment and Captivity so he hath many Promises of wonderful mercies not onely concerning their Reduction from Babâ—lâ—n but of many more â—ar excelling them particularly That Jerusalâ—m shall be the Throne of the Lord Chap. 3.17 See our Tract on that Text c So alâ—o Ezekiel that was set as a sign in in his Person had many signs in his Ministry appointed by God on special occasions yea very much of his Prophecy was symbolical fraught with Divine Hieroglyphicks with sacred Figures and Types not onely as to Judah and Jerusalem's sad Calamities then further and further prevailing c. but more especially Ezekiel from Chap 36 1 2 3 c. to the end of that Book is in many Prophecies Visions Explications large decipherings so full concerning Israel's and Judah's mercies at their last great Restauration that both Daniel and Christ in his Revelation apply improve and explain many things in Ezekiel very remarkably so extraordinary glorious were many of Ezektel's Revelations as in Chap. 1. 10 much to be parallelled with Rev. 4 setting forth a like glorious and gracious manifestation of God unto his Church through Jesus Christ and by hâ—s holy Spirit set forth by Resemblances of such Appearances like Fire Precious Stones Rain-Bow Wheels Cherubims Living Wâ—ghts and the like and the New Jerusalem in the nine last Chapters of Ezekiel which
is improved to many good purposes in the Practicals The first whereof is the Treatise upon Gen. 3.15 The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head The Abridgment of which as the first part of the Everlasting Gospel with the Treatise also are presixed before the rest The second part of which everlasting Gospel being the second Practical piece given by God the Son and the Holy Ghost is contained in a Tract upon Rev. 22.20 Behold I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Jesus Setting forth the different names times natures and purposes of Christs second coming at the beginning of the thousand years Rev. 19.11 And of his descending from Heaven at the sounding of the last Trump at the general Rapture and Change of all the Saints when the little space of Satans losing is ended and the last Gog and Magog destroyed by fire from God out of Heaven after the thousand years when he shall come to sit on the great white Throne and Heaven and Earth shall flee away before his face and no place be found for them Rev. 20.11 And all wicked men shall be raised to be judged and the irrevocable Sentence in Gods order shall be passed upon Good and Bad to all Eternity Unto which are adjoyned nine Uses of the same Doctrine The third practical piece is on Jer. 3.17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called the Throne of the Lord and all Nations shall come to the Name of the Lord at Jerusalem Which is now placed after the aforesaid Observations and Answers to Objections as being the Topstone of this Doctrinal Edifice and which will reach at length to the highest Heavens And now Prudent Christian Reader I hope thou wilt indulge me in some matters thy just excuse for though some are clear and evident from sundry Texts of holy Scripture yet others are only probable and some but meerly conjectural as was fore-advertised Prodrom pag 44. and consequently the grounds thereof are suitably either evident probable or conjectural only Whence it will be imprudence and unequal judging to reject many evident truths of this nature because of some other mistaken conjectures But having long since set to sail in such a vast and rough sloating Ocean wherein it was to be expected notwithstanding any hoped advantage I was like to be much tossed with various winds and tempests before I could look to atrive at the Cape of good Hope and being also to travel far in a much untraced Wilderness or which was worse to fall into such Mazes and Meanders wherein many have lost themselves yet since that such a Wilderness was my way to come to the promised Land though the Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night did not always appear to go before me yet I may not say but that I have in a gracious manner many times found their guidance But yet have met with many Amalakites Moabites and Ammonites to hinder my passage thither besides the Sons of Anak and also the stinging siery Serpents which caused me often to look up to the true Brazen Serpent for my needful cure VVhereupon I have by comfortable experience found That Creature Obstructions have sometimes proved to me Gods Instructions and some mens hindrances have often to them unwittingly produced Gods help for me who by remarkable Providences hath many times turned great seeming difficulties to real useful advantages Otherwise I could not have hoped so far by faith to have seen the New Jerusalem's Beauty and Blessedness on Earth as they Heb. 11. and as now through the mercy and goodness of my God is here offered to thy view To which haply much may be added if God give opportunity by Explications or Discourses VVherein I hope I my self with the many ten thousands and ten times ten thousands of saithful Christians shall attain a long lasting habitation as appointed of God In that time The Tabernacle of God shall be with men upon Earth Rev. 21. c. where we shall all behold Christs glory which the Father hath given him and he to them by his last VVill and Testament John 17.24 when the said Lamb shall be the Light of that City To which I groundedly by faith say Amen For confirmation whereof for others benefit I desire still to be by all good means subservient Septemb. 11. 1671. W. S. Of the XII fore-named Foundations of the said Doctrine in the second part of the general Title-page believed As being I. FIrst promised by God the Father Gen. 3.15 as the most eminent breaking of the Serpents Satans Head both natural as I may say and politick of his Craft and Dominion when all his former Babylonish Designs shall be defeated and utterly destroyed which was saith the Apostle John 1 Epist 3.8 one end of Christs coming into the world to destroy the works of the Devil which in an especial manner will most evidently and powerfully be done when Christ comes from the right hand of the Father whither as that Nobleman in the Gospel Luke 19. he went at his ascention into Heaven te receive his Kingdom and to return as he himself speaketh to wit when he will so come and in such wonderful manner make his foes his footstool until which said time he will continue there according to that Divine Oracle so frequently mentioned and improved in the New Testament Psal 110.1 c. Sit thou on my right hand until I make thy soes thy sootstool VVhere as the Apostle saith he sits still expecting till his foes are made his footstool Heb. 10.13 which at Christs said coming in the Clouds will most certainly and powerfully be accomplished above 1000 years before the last Resurrection and General Judgment as is most orderly set down in that divine and glorious Revelation to St. John Chap. 19 11. Chap. 20. to v. 11. when he will cause his most proud and mighty foes to hide themselves again in the holes of the Rocks as in some measure in Constantines ruining of the Paganish Powers Rev. 6.15.16 17 was terribly fulfilled but at the last ruine of the most abominably tyrannous Kingdom of the Beast and false Prophet at the appearance of Christs said Coming and Kingdom will much more terribly by himself be accomplished 1 Thes 2.8 2 Tim 4.1 As then the Prophet Isaiah twice of those times confirms the terrour of it Chap 2. verse 19 21. That the loftiness of man shall be bowed down and the haughtiness of man shall be made low and the Lord alone be exalted in that day when he wid utterly abolish Idols that they may go into the holes of the Rocks and into the caves of the Earth for fear of the Lord and for the glory of his Majesty when he ariseth to shake terribly the Earth And the forcible efficacy of this his Prophecy he again further illustrates and confirms verse 20 21. Yet observe though he saith there He will shake terribly the Earth twice yet he saith not that then he will utterly destroy
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
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