this State and Condition and not unproperly since the Scripture saith she it espoused to Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 Betrothed to him Hosea 2.20 yea married to him Jer. 3.14 Rom. 7.4 and therefore said Her Maker is her Husband Isa 54.5 And that by this Mistical Union she is become flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone Eph. 5.30 31. alluding to the first Marriage union when the woâ—â— that was taken out of the man was given to him Gen. 2.3 Called the Lambs Wife as one well saith because when he was slain as a Lamb he espoused her giving himself for her Eph. 5.25 And that as the first Adam in his sleep had his side opened for his wife so the second Adam in his death had his side pierced for his Who having by persecution and affliction been a long time in a forlorn state as a poor barren disconsolate woman Isa 54.1 And as a desolate forlorn Widow Lam. 11. In an oppressed afflicted and bewildred Wilderness condition Rev. 12.14 Wherein her Beauty is turned into Ashes her joy into Mourning her Garment of Praise into a spirit of Heaviness Isa 61.3 Her Gold is become dim and her most fine Gold changed Lam. 4.1 Is now represented as returned into an excellent Condition the Sceane being quite changed having here her beauty again for Ashes the Oyl of joy for mourning and the Garments of Praise for the spirit of heaviness now in a beautifull dress and in a most lovely posture viz. trimmed prepared and adorned like a Bride for her Husband Rev. 19.7.21.2 Arrayed in fine clean white linnen which is the Righteousness of the Saints Rev. 19.8 And like the Kings Daughter is all glorious within her clothing being of wrought Gold and in Raiment of Needle-work Psal 45.13 14. Clothed with the Garments of Salvation and covered with the robe of Righteousness as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with Jewels Isa 61.10 Being one that is now no more to be tearmed forsaken but to be called Hephzibah and Bulah Isa 62.4 Which excellent dress least any should sensually mistake or abuse the spirit explains himself to hold out thereby the excellency vertue and grace that is found in the true Church And therefore is her fine linnen white and clean expounded to be the righteousness of the Saints viz her justification and sanctification her Gold Jewels and rich Attire to hold out the Ornament of her inward and outward man in the shining Graces of the Spirit viz love meekness patience humility long-suffering and that so having Oyl in her Vessel and Lamp viz. spiritual Grace in her Heart and Life is said to be prepared as a wise Virgin fitted for the Bridegroom And which the better to explain as well as further to set off her beauty and excellency the false Church is also represented and pourtraied in her dress and Colours in her Beauty Ornaments and Attire viz. her Scarlet and Purple Robe and fine linnen to hold on her violence cruelty and oppression her Golden Cup and Jewels her drunkenness Pride and Idolatry her beauty and rich attire her Witch-crafts wantonness and Whoredom Being indeed represented under all the Characters of a vild Strumpet viz. a cruel bloody drunken proud wanton common filthy rotten and abominable Whore that corrupts the Earth with her Fornications By which Bride-like beautiful state as well as the new Jerusalem illustrious Glory following is figuratively represented one and the same thing viz. the Churches happy condition and as both pointing out one thing are also represented as Synonimous for the Angel calling up John here to shew him the Bride the Lambs wife doth when he comes up to him as in the next verse shew to him the new Jerusalem the holy City Of the Mountain on which the City stands And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great high Mountain John having seen the City Babylon upon her seven Hills Rev. 17.9 Sees here the City Jerusalem heretofore desolate and troden under foot Rev. 11.2 Now restored and as most perspicuous raised upon a great high Mountain And as Moses in the Mount saw the pattern of the Tabernacle Exod. 2â— 40. Heb. 8.5 and Ezekiel upon a high mountain the City and Temple Ezek. 40.2 The City and Temple of old being built upon a high Hill The Hill of God being a high Hill as the Hill of Bashan Ps 68.15 So John here in the Spirit is heâ—pt to see Mount Zâ—on the Antitype in her glorious exaltation to fulfill the Prophecy of Isaiah and Michah who foretell the Mountain of the Lords House to be esâ—ablished in the last days in the top of the mountains and to be exalted above the Hills Isa 2.2 Mich 4.1 The understanding of which Mystery calleth for no less then the carrying away in the Spirit as the Prophet of old Ezek. 2.1 2.40.2 And John before Rev. 1.10.17.3 Intimating thereby that these were discoveries of mystical and spiritual rather then of material and litteral things And what can this great high mountain be but that rock of Ages the rock of Israel 2 Sam. 23.3 The Rock of Salvation Deut. 32.15 The Rock that begat Ver. 18. And that is higher then we Ps 61.2 Even the Rock Christ 1 Cor. 10.4 upon whom the Church is built so that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against her Matth. 16.18 That must in the latter days be exalted above all the Hills And which Mountain the seat of the true Church and upon which she is founded stands you see in direct opposition to the seat upon which the false Church is placed and which for failing we find to be threefold viz. Vpon seven mountains Rev. 17.9 Vpon a Beast with seven Heads and ten Horns 17.3 And upon many waters 17.15 And therefore called by one wittily her Topical Typical and Tropical Seat which Triple Seat as well as Triple Crown will shortly fail her and leave her honour in the dust while the City that is built upon the Hill even upon mount Zion will stand unmoveable Of Jerusalem that great and Holy City And shewed me that great City the Holy Jerusalem JErusalem in the Hebrew is a compound of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying as much as a Vision of Peace called heretofore onely Salem or peace and afterwards so styled Ps 76.2 In Salem is his Tabernacle the City which of old belonged to Melchisedech that King of peace and righteousness Gen. 14.18 Heb. 7.1 That lively Type and representative of our Kingly Priest and Prophet the Lord Jesus Afterwards that strong hold of Zion was possessed by the Jebusites and taken from them by David 1 Sam. 5.6 And called the City of David beautifully adorned by Solomon his son and long injoyed by the Kings of Judah in Davids Loine which was beautiful for situation the joy of the whole Earth Ps 48.2 Wherein was Gods Temple and Throne the principal place of Worship and Seat of Judgement A
the Ark and its appurtenances golden Candlesticks Altar Censures c. were put into 1. The Tent and wherein it abode till it was put into the Temple for about five hundred years except that time it was in the Philistians hands 2. Which marcht through the Wilderness incompassed by the whole Camp as you may read Numb 2. and 3. Chapter 3. After the conquest of Canaan was set up at Shilo Jos 18.1 4. In Elies days was brought into the Camp at Eben-Ezer and taken by the Philistines 1 Sam. 5.1 The Lord for the sin of his people giving up his glory into the enemies hand as 7 8. Psal 60. So that he forsook the Tabernacle of Shilo the Tent which he placed among men and delivered his strength into Captivity and his Glory into the Enemies hand he gave his people also over unto the Sword and was wrath with his Inheritance c. 5. Which plagued the Philistines Chapter 6. so that they returned it back again 6. Smote the Men of Bethshemesh for their sin in looking into the Ark of the Lord even 50000. of them Verse 19. Fetcht by the men of Kerjath-jearim into the House of Abinadab on the Hill 7. Removed by David with an intention to bring it to his own City but because of the disorder in carrying it on a Cart which should have been born upon Priests shoulders Vzzah was smitten and so the Ark was left three Moneths at the House of Obed Edom 1 Chron. 13. 8. Thence to the City of David 1 Chron. 15.29 9. Thence in the days of Solomon into the most Holy place into the Temple 1 Kings 6.6 c. To which Throne there is special regard in this Book of the Revelations in several respects For 1. As the Lord was said to sit then upon that Throne So John hath a Vision of the Lords sitting upon this Throne Rev. 4.2.3 2. As that Throne was posited in the midst of the Camp viz. the Levites in their 24. Courses being about it and the whole Congregation divided into four Brigades under four principal Standards viz. Judah at the East with his fellow Tribes with an Ensign as supposed of a Lyon because Jacob likened him thereto Gen. 49.9 And Ephraim on the West with a Bullock being also called the firstling of a Bullock Deut. 33.17 Reuben on the South with a man as supposed in his and Dan with an Eagle in his Standard which with the number of the Host surrounding the Throne viz. 603555. which you have particularly exprest in the second and third Chapter of Numbers So in this Book you have the Imperial Session of God and of his Church exactly framed according to the form of that ancient Encamping of God with Israel in the Wilderness where you have the 24 Elders sitting in 24 Thrones round about the Throne clothed in white Raiment and Crowns of gold upon their Head in allusion to the 24 Courses of Levites that incompast the other Throne and the four living Creatures viz. the Lyon the Calf the Man and the Eagle were in like manner round about the Throne answering not onely the four Standards before mentioned but Ezekiels four Cherubins Ezek. 1.10 Discovering as one observes the various constitutions frames and tempers of the Saints All which both Elders and living Creatures thankfully acknowledge in their new Song to have been Redeemed out of every Kindred Tongue People and Nation bespeaking them Saints and that they are made unto God Kings and Priests to Reign on the Earth Rev. 5.8 9 10. By which it appeareth they were the Churches Representatives and therefore are these Redeemed ones said to stand before the Throne in white Robes and Palmes in their hands and to be a great multitude that no man could number Rev. 7.9 And who are said to be before the Throne of God and serve him day and night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell amongst them c. the same that is said Rev. 21.3 4. As he Tabernacled of old with his People 3. As the Throne in the days of Solomon was put into the most Holy place 1 Kings 6.6 c. which was that Cubical square of twenty Cubits every way So was this Throne put into this Cubical square of 1500. Miles square as before in the Cubical figure page 160. 4. That as there was pitcht by the Throne both in the Tabernacle and Temple the golden Altar the Candlestick and the Sea so in allusion thereto you have Rev. 4. seven Lamps of fire burning before the Throne interpreted to be the seven Spirits of God and the Sea of glass like Chrystal which in Rev. 21.1 is called the pure River of Water of Life clear as Crystal proceeding out of the Throne And also golden Vials 5.8 And golden Censures with much Incense before the golden Altar Rev. 8.3 4. Interpreted to be the Prayers of all Saints 8.4 compare 5.8 And their white Garments interpreted to be the righteousness of the Saintss Rev. 19. 5. That as the unity of the Godhead and Divinity of Christ was manifestly held forth by Christ siting upon the Throne who in all respects was owned to be God though sometimes called an Angel So is the same great and blessed truth fully in diverse respects made out in this Book respecting Christ's the Lamb sitting upon the Throne with the Father as appeareth by the following instances 1. It is called the Throne of God and the Lamb Rev. 22.3 Thereby intimating that Christ Jesus hath equal property and Interest therein accounting it no robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2.6 The unity of the Godhead being made out in the next words and his Servants shall serve him Rev. 22.3 2. He that sat upon the Throne said I am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End Rev. 21.5 Which is the same that is attributed to Christ Rev. 1.11 As also to God himself Verse 8. 3. He that sat upon the Throne was to look upon like a Jasper the very same that is spoken of Christ who is represented to be that Saphir like glory that Wall of Saphir and that foundation Saphir stone 4. He that sat upon the Throne had Divine adoration and worship given him by the Church or their Representatives the 24. Elders and four living Creatures Rev. 4.10 11. They also worship and adore the Lamb. Rev. 5.9 10. The whole Church with joynt consent and one voice ascribe the like salvation and glory to the Lamb as they do to God sitting upon the Throne Rev. 7.9 10. And again in the 11 and 12. Verses falling upon their Faces do worship God in unity saying Amen Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and thanksgiving and Honour and Power and might be unto our God for ever and ever Amen Which also by the whole Church in that innumerable multitude is given to the Lamb 5.14 saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power and Riches and Wisdom and Strength and Honour
feet that were of Iron and Clay and brake them to pieces Interpreted to be the fourth or last Monarchy Chapt. 7 and Verse 40. of this Chapter 35. And the Stone that smote the Image became a great Mountain and filled the whole Earth Rev. 17.14 These viz. the ten Horns ten Kingdoms or ten Toes of this Image make War with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him are called and chosen and faithful Spoken as though personally present in the work and parallel to this Rev. 19.11 And I saw Heaven opened and behold a white Horse and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true and in righteousness he doth judge and make War 13. And he was cloathed in a Vesture dipt in blood taken out of Isa 63.2 c. And his name is called the Word of God 14. And the Armies which are in Heaven followed him upon white Horses cloathed in fine Linnen white and clean 15. And out of his Mouth goeth a sharp Sword that with it he should smite the Nations and he shall Rule them with a Rod of Iron and he treadeth the Wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God 16. And he hath on his Vesture and Thigh written King of Kings and Lord of Lords And then there is an invitation to the Fouls of Heaven to feast themselves with the flesh of Kings Captains and Mighty Men in the Supper of the great God And in the 45 Psa a Prophecy of the Kingdom Verse 3. Gird thy Sword upon thy Thigh O most Mighty with thy Glory and thy Majesty 4. And in thy Majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things 5. Thine Arrows are sharp in the heart of the Kings enemies whereby the people fall under thee And then after this Conquest as though in it in person 6. Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever The Scepter of thy Kingdom is a right Scepter c. So Psa 66.3 Isa 42.13 Haggai 2.22 As in Page 23. Isa 35.4 Secondly The Peaceable part of the Kingdom or the Kingdom of the Mountain so spoken of as if Christ was personally present Ps 72.1 Give the King thy judgement O God and thy righteousness unto the Kings Son 2. He shall judge thy people with righteousness and thy poor with judgement 3. The Mountains shall bring peace to the people and the little Hills by righteousness 7 In his days shall the righteous flourish and abundance of peace so long as the Moon endureth 8. He shall have dominion also from Sea to Sea and from the River to the ends of the Earth c. 11. Yea all Kings shall fall down before him all Nations shall serve him c. Dan. 7.14 And there was given him viz. the Son of man Christ Jesus Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him His Dominion is an everlasting Dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed 27. And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve him Jer. 23.5 6. Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute justice and judgment in the Earth 6. In his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his name whereby he shall called the Lord our righteousness Ezek. 34.23 24. And I will set up one shepheard over them and he shall feed them even my servant David he shall feed them he shall be their shepherd 24. And I the Lord will be their God and my servant David a Prince among them I the Lord have spoken it Jer. 39.9 They shall serve the Lord their God and David their King whom I will raise up unto them Luke 1.32 He shall be great and shall be called the son of the highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David 33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end And so again upon the sounding of the seventh Trumpet Rev. 11.15 The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever And again Rev. 20.4 And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years Rev. 22.3 Object But why then should not we so take it as the Scripture represents it and so plainly lays it down will you be wiser than what is written why should we not so receive and believe it Answ First it must be taken for granted that as the Beasts Kingdom is a mistery so is the Kingdom of Christ no less and threfore is the mind of wisdom called for to reach into the one as the other And as the Apostle 2 Pet. 3.16 speaking of these things in which as he saith there are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest unto their own destruction Which therefore calls for great sear caution and circumspection in our conversing about these great mysteries Secondly It must be taken for granted that in the speaking to these things no sense ought to be given that denyes received fundimental principles nor thwarts the Analogy of Faith nor crosses the current of Scripture Thirdly That it is the genuine sense true scope and intent of the Scripture comparing Scripture with Scripture and spiritual things with spiritual and not only the litteral reading in some places for otherwise the Racovian Catechisme asserting Socinianisme shall go for good pay Nay what Heresie upon that account may not be asserted and proved And therefore Maton well saith whatsoever Text of Scripture is expounded any other ways than god meant by it it is according to its interpretation the word of man and not of God and consequently in adhearing to such interpretations we believe not what God saith but what man doth make him say Lastly That we cannot receive these Scriptures in the sense that many give of them that thus seem to assert Christ personally to be present either in the smiting or peaceable part of his Kingdom during these thousand years Take these following Reasons and weigh them in the fear of the Lord in the true ballance of the Sanctuary wherein we shall first shew why they cannot so be received Secondly In what sense truly according to the mind of Christ they may and ought to be received First That Christ Jesus cannot properly be said to be personally present in the smiting part besides the five Reasons to this thing Page â—5 26 27. Because it is expresly said Psal 110.2 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou
Salvation Heb. 2.28 Acts 11 1. 1 Cor. 15.23 Thes 1.8 Secondly His spiritual coming is either when he comes by his spirit to convince call and convert a Soul as Eph. 3.17 1 Thes 2.13 Rev. 4.20 or to confirm seal and establish by his Spirit John 14 20. Acts 23.28 Eph. 1.13 Thirdly It is mistically considered either in his coming in the type in the shadowy and legal dispensations Acts 7. 1 Cor. 10. or in the Evangelical Antetype or Gospel dispensation Fourthly He cometh in his Providence either to redeem deliver and save his people Exod. 3.8 Lam. 18.8 Heb. 10.37 or to execute Vengeance in the destruction of his Enemies Isa 63. Luke 18. Hab. 2. Mal. 2. And it is the mind of wisdom that must rightly and duly apply each of these according to the scope drift and meaning of the holy spirit and not mistake the one for the other Secondly What are we to understand by Christs being with a people or a people with Christ can that be otherwise than personal for it is expresly said They Reigned with Christ Christ may be said to be with a person or people when he is so virtually by his spirit or spiritual presence or when he is so by his Word Rule Law or Precept Judah was said to rule with God Hosea 11.12 when they cleaved to Gods Word and Rule When Israel rejected the Government by Judges which was Gods Ordinance and Appointment for a King after the manner of the Nations they were said to reject God from being their King who vertually went in and out before them and sought their Battles for them 1 Sam. 8. And therefore said Jer. 8.19 Is not the Lord in Zion Is not her King in her why have they provoked me to anger with the graven Images Solomon was said to sit upon the Throne of the Lord. And Jehoshaphat in his charge to his Judges 2 Chron. 19.6 bids them take heed what they did for you judg not for man but for the Lord who he told them was with them in the judgment being called forth as verse 8. for the Judgment of the Lord and for controversies Christ is said therefore virtually and spiritually to dwell to rest to walk amongst his people 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 2.1 Isa 57.15 and they with him to live with them and they with him to suffer with them and they with him Psal 91.15 Acts 7.9 To dye be buried quickned raised with him Rom. 6.4 Col. 2.15 2 Tim. 2.12 To work with him 2 Cor 5.6.1 Sup with him and he with them Rev. 3. To war and fight together with him and he with them Rev. 17. Joshuah 5. To be Captain of the Host and General of the Army Rev. 19. When all is but virtually and spiritually so So Satan is said to be with his Servants Subjects acting and instructing when he is not personally nor visibly so Satan shall cast some of you into prison Rev. 2.10 Where Satan dwelt and Satans Seat and Throne was Rev. 2.13 When he was only so by his substitutes in his Authority not really and personally but virtually and mistically And so to Reign and Rule as God King'd it in Israel by his Word Law and Authority by his influence and spirit As the Dragons Rule is called the Devils because the Devil influences acts and spirits his principal Agents and Instruments though not personally present So may the Rule in the hands of the Saints be called Christs Kingdom or Soveraignty though he be only virtually not personally present It is no new thing so to take it in his mistical Kingdom in the Church where his Laws Statutes and Ordinances are dispensed in his name and by vertue of his spirit It was no new thing to have it so esteemed in Israel in the Typical Kingdom when the Law was his the Rulers by his choice and spiriting the policy his called therefore his Rule Government Soveraignty Throne Kingdom And why then should it be thought strange in the Antetype When his Law Rule Policy and Rulers called according to his qualifications and influenced by his spirit shall according to promise and Prophesie come forth again in the world why may they not as well be said to Reign with Christ as suffer with him If we suffer with him we shall Reign with him We do not think it any absurdity to say The King of Spain fights and Conquers in America and Rules and Reigns there though never personally present in that other world but only vertually so by his Commissions by his Laws Civil and Ecclesiastical that he hath transferred thither by his Officers and Vice Roys that he hath appointed in his name to Rule and Govern there Did not the Roman Senate of old Govern the world at Rome by their Laws and Edicts and Rulers of Provinces that they Commissioned and appointed But by this Reason you seem to exempt Christs person from any share of Rule or Soveraignty in any Kingdom here whereas it is expresly said He is to judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and Kingdom by which it is most manifest that at his appearing he hath a Kingdom and you owning that appearing to be personal what do you make that Kingdom to be And what share hath Christs person in it In answer whereto I conceive it necessary in the first place to give you the distinction of a five-fold Kingdom the Scripture takes notice of belonging to Christ viz. a Providential Spiritual Monarchical mistical or Davidical and Misphatical Kingdom and then I shall give you my understanding and conceptions of this Kingdom hinted at that he is to have at that his appearing And for a want of a right distinguishing herein proceds as I humbly apprehend all the mistaken notions and differences about the Kingdom of Christ treated of in these papers First Therefore understand there is a providential Kingdom which Christ hath and doth as God manage over all the world and that from the beginning Secondly A spiritual Kingdom which he doth and hath all along managed in the hearts of his people from the beginning of the world to this day Thirdly There is a mistical Kingdom or a Rule and Soveraignty that he as Lord and King hath exercised in the Church as well under the Law as under the Gospel Fourthly There is his Monarchical or Davidical Kingdom namely that dignity and Soveraignty that is in time according to promise and prophesie to take place in and over the Nations and to be managed by his Laws and Government by his spirit and vertual presence in his Servants and Substitutes Which hath been the special Subject of this discourse Fifthly There is that glorious Misphatical Kingdom viz. Soveraignty that Christ Jesus in person with all the Saints in their glorified bodies with him shall upon their general Resurrection and Judgment exercise here upon the Earth before all is given up into the Fathers hands which is further cleared to you in the several parts of it in the
in the Arabias c. that was called the Land of Promise the Land of Rest was typical and fleshly and belonged therefore to the old Covenant and is done away and no more to be expected by the seed of Promise the Israelites the Believers though it is not denyed but that the natural Jew may according to the Letter become a Nation and dwell even in that Territory again because they now enter into and must yet enjoy another Rest Heb. 4.3 with that promised Land typt out the Believer whether Jew or Gentile being esteemed the only chosen Generation Holy Nation peculiar people in the world that either are or ever shall be 1 Pet. 2.9 therefore whether for any to assert any Doctrines to make the Verge or Bounds of any Countrey upon Earth to be now in the Gospel days to be set apart for holy Ground and entred and possessed in chief and by way of difference and distinction by any of the seed is not to keep up Moses and out Christ and to tye up Christs Kingdom to a particular Region that is to be over the whole World unbounded unlimited Fifthly That Priest-hood under the Law to which belonged the Temple Service Altar Sacrifices was typical and done away by Christ for as the Apostle reasons that Priest-hood being done away and changed and brought into another Tribe there remains of necessity a change of the Law viz. of all the appurtenances thereto Therefore is the Believer the Royal Priest-hood under Christ the high Priest 1 Pet. 2.5.9 Heb. 8.1 they are the Temple Tabernacle the Mount Zion Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. Heb. 3.6 c. Their Prayers Praises Alms Bodies Spirits are the Sacrifices that in this new Testament-ministration are to be only offered as the acceptable services upon that Altar whereof they have no right to eat that serve at the Carnal Tabernacle Heb. 13.11 Therefore whether to bring in any other Seed Tribe City Nation Priest-hood then what is established by Christ in the new Testament is not to bring in Moses again and to rebuild that partition Wall that Christ Jesus by his death pulled down is not to harden the poor Jews in their enmity and superstition and to cast a stumbling Block before the Gentile believer to the bringing back again into bondage 2. Rule THat the new Testament Church and ministtion are by the Prophets frequently repsented under the names terms state and condition that the old Testament Church was known by and found in As Jews Israelites and the seed of Abraham Jacob Jerusalem mount Zion c. Therefore doth our last new Testament Prophet in holding forth the condition of the Church so deliver himself in such phrases and terms alluding in all to the old Testament Church that we might the better understand and comprehend what the prophets under like terms and Phrases hold out concerning it as the Learned Mead Bernard and others have at large observed and whereof you may read something in the 8 and 9th foregoing pages in the beginning of this Book and to which I refer you And therefore do they most excellently unfold the fourth Chapter of Rev. by comparing it with â—he 2 of Numbers the 7th Chapter holding out â—he new Testament Church the sealed ones unâ—er the Jewish Names Tribes and Phraises Therefore whether for any to take these things 〈◊〉 the Letter when the mistery is intended to â—â—ke them in the Figure Type Allegory when the Antitype is meant will not be to invert the sence and introduce great confusion meni legis est lex not the bare words but the meaning of the Law is the Law 3. Rule THat the Israelites after their Captivity had a return and were in conjunction with the Jews under one head David their Prince to the fulfilling of many of the Prophets and that as well in a Literal as a Misterial sence As First under Hezekiah especially in the keeping of that Passover whereto many of the Tribe came viz. Ephraim Ashar Manasseh Issacher Zebulon that it is said had escaped out of the hands of the Kings of Assyria came up to Hierusalem to keep the Passover and to pay their Tithes offerings and first-fruits 2 Chron. 30. So that there was great joy in Hierusalem for since the time of Solomon there was not the like in Hierusalem 20. The separation between Israel and Judah having continued during all the Kings in Israel for the space of 250 years Secondly In the days of Iosiah a thousand years after who in his eighth year reformed all the Tribes breaking down Altars Groves Images taking away all the abominations out of all the Countreys that pertain to the children of Israel and made all that were present in Israel to serve even to serve the Lord their God And all his dayes they departed not from following the Lord God of their Fathers 2 Chron. 34.4 5 6. And kept such a Passover that there was none like to it kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the Prophet neither did all the Kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept and the Priests and the Levites and all Judah and Israel that were present and the Inhabitants of Hierusalem Thirdly In Zerubabells time under him When by the Proclamation of Cyrus whom the spirit of the Lord stirred up all the Jews or Israelites within his Territories the 130 Provinces including the place where Israel was carried all Assyria had liberty to return which was in these words That whosoever was amongst them of all his People let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judeah to build the house of the Lord And whosoever remaineth of any place where he sojourneth let the men of his place help him with Silver and with Gold and with Goods c. And who accordingly came up by degrees and did under one Prince in their own Land partake of their Legal rights and priviledges together Fourthly In the Apostles dayes it is said Acts 26.7 Unto which promise or 12 Tribes instantly serving God day and night hope to come and Iames directs his Epistle to the 12 Tribes and Peter 1 Pet. 1. To them also by all which is it not manifest that whatever the received opinion has been that since Israels captivity they were never heard of that there was a return in Hezekiahs time of many of the Tribes and in Iosiahs time a hundred years after many more of them inhabiting their own Land under one King and in Zerubabells and the Machabees time afterwards all of Davids Line as Math. 1. and Luke the 3. And in the Apostles time there were Jews devout men of every Nation under Heaven dwelling at Hierusalem and the 12 Tribes were then known as Paul Iames and Peter discovers Fifthly Mistically did the believing Jews and Israelites whereof there were great numbers gather under David their King the Lord Jesus in conjunction with the believing Gentile in his new Testament Rule Government and Soveraignty which in express Terms is said by the
Wilderness shall waters break out and streams in the Desert Amos 9.11 In that day will I raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen and close up the breaches thereof and I will raise up his ruines and I will build it as in the days of old 12. That the may possess the Remnant of Edom and of all the Heathen which are called by my name saith the Lord that doth this which is interpreted Acts 15.16 the Conversion of the Gentiles to Christ Jesus Isa 19.24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Aegypt and with Assyria even a blessing in the midst of the Land 25. Whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless saying Blessed be Aegypt my people and Assyrya the work of mine hands and Israel mine Inheritance Zechar. 8.23 Thus saith the Lord of Hosts in those days it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the Nations even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew saying We will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Rev. 21.24 And the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and the Kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honour into it 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lye but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of life Zech. 12.10 And I will pour upon the House of David and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and of Supplications and they shall look upon him whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his first born Amos 9.10 And in that day I will raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen c. Rom. 11.15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but life from the Dead So the 23. And they also if they abide not still in unbelief shall be graffed in for God is able to graff them in again 24. For if thou wert cut out of the Olive Tree which is wild by nature and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good Olive Tree how much more shall these which be the natural branches be graffed into their own Olive Tree 25. For I would not Brethren that ye should be ignorant of this Mystery least you should be wise in your own conceits that blindness in part is hapned to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in 25. And so all Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer and shall turn away Vngodliness from Jacob. 4. The abounding of Holiness Isa 35.8 And an Highway shall be there and away and it shall be called the way of Holiness The unclean shall not pass over it but it shall be for those Joel 3.17 Then shall Jerusalem be Holy and there shall no stranger pass through her any more Zech. 14.20 In that day shall there be upon the Bells of the Horses Holiness unto the Lord and the Pots in the Lord's House shall be like the Bowls before the Altar 21. Yea every Pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be Holiness unto the Lord of Hosts and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the House of the Lord of Hosts Hos 9. Ezek. 44.9 Rev. 21.1 Isa 60.21 Thy people shall be all righteous Zeph. 3.13 The Remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity nor speak lyes neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths 2 Pet. 2.13 New Heavens and new Earth wherein dwells righteousness Rev. 21.1 And I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth 2. And I John saw the Holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven c. 3. Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men c. 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth c. but they that are written in the Lamb's Book Outward and visible acts of Worship Rev. 88. Rev. 21. Freedom from Sorrow Pain and Sickness Isa 25.8 The Lord will in that day wipe away all tears from all faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the Earth for the Lord hath spoken it Isa 54.13 14. Thy Children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of thy Children In righteousness shalt thou be established thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear and from terror for it shall not come near thee Isa 60 15. Whereas thou hast been forsaken I will make thee an eternal excellency violence shall be no more heard in thy Land the days of thy mourning shall be ended Isa 65.19 I will joy in my people and the voice of weeping or crying shall no more be heard in her Rev. 7.16 17. They shall hunger no more For the Lamb in the midst of the Throne shall feed them and wipe away all tears from their eyes Rev. 21.4 God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more sorrowing nor crying nor pain Ezek. 28.24 Jer. 30.10 Superabounding pouring forth of the Spirit Joel 2.28 And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh and your Sons and your Daughters shall Prophecy your old Men shall dream Dreams your Young-men shall see Visions 29. And also upon the Servants and upon the Hand-maids in those days will I pour out my Spirit Isa 32.15 Lastly The restauration of the Creature Isa 65.17 For behold I create a new Heavens and a new Earth and the former shall not be remembred no come into mind 25. The Wolf and the Lamb shall feed together c. Rom. 8.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us 19. For the earnest expectation of the Creature waiteth for the manifestation of the Sons of God 21. Because the creature it self also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God c. This glorious and happy state of the Church in this your Rule Dignity and Soveraignity is called in Scripture the Kingdom of Christ and is so spoken off as if he was personally present with them in all this work before mentioned both in the conquering as well as peaceable part of the Kingdom First As to the Conquering part or as by way of distinction called the Kingdoms of the Stone it is called his Kingdom and spoke of as if he were personally present Dan. 2.44 And in the days of those Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people c. The interpretation of Verse 34. Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out without hands which smote the Image upon his
and Glory and Blessing And then every Creature in Heaven and Earth is heard saying Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever To which the Church again Echoes by their representatives saying Amen and falling down and worshipping Him viz. the unity of the Godhead that liveth for ever and ever 6. You have also an evidence of this great truth out of the Mouths of the enemies themselves even Babylon that is to be destroyed Rev 6.15 16 17. And the Kings of the Earth and the great men and the rich men and the chief Captains and the mighty men and every Bond-man and every Free-man compare Rev. 19.18 said to the Mountains and Rocks fall upon us and hide us from the Face of the him that sits upon the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb for the great day of wrath is come by way of unity and conjunction and who shall be able to stand 6. That as Christ God was King Lord and Law-giver of old unto his Church and People ruling and governing them upon that Throne in all things respecting both Ecclesiastical Civil and Military affairs So is he in all those respects upon his Throne here who after he hath as Lord of Lords and King of Kings judged the great Whore and subdued the Beast Rev. 19. And destroy them that have destroyed the Earth Rev. 11.18 Will then in a more visible way take to himself his great power and Reign Rev. 11.17 When that voice shall come out of the Throne praise our God all ye his Servants and ye that fear his name both small and great and when the Eccho shall be with a joynt consent with great acclamation Alleluja for the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him Rev. 19.5 6 7. And when gathering round about his Throne they shall fall down upon their faces and worship him ascribing Salvation Glory Blessing Wisdom Power and Might unto him Rev. 7.9 10 11 12 To the fulfilling such blessed Prophecies as these viz. Isai 33.22 The Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King he shall save us c. Luke 1.32 33. And he shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David and he shall Reign over the House of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end Isai 9.6 And the Government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellour to the Mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace of the encrease his Government and Peace there shall be no end upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and to establish it from hence forth even for ever the Zeal of the Lord of Host shall perform this that as David of old Ruled the natural Seed so will our David govern all the Spiritual Seed And not only so but the Kingdoms of this World must become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall Reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 When the whole Universe will submit to his Scripture and as the desire of Nations that his Government be imbraced Hag. 2.7 And when all Creatures with universal consent shall ascribe Blessing Honour Glory and Power to him that sitteth upon the Throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever Rev. 5.13 When all Kings â—â—all bow before him and all Nations shall serve him Ps 72. When at his name every knee shall bow and every Tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father Phil. 2.10 Secondly You have the other Throne on which the Lord was said to sit of old hinted at here also viz. that Throne on which the Judge or Elder of old sat wherein the Lord was said more ordinarily to sit and it was called the Throne of the Lord. And not improperly 1. Because the Lords Ordinance of Magistracy was managed thereon 2. Because the Lords Law was to be the rule thereof 3. Because the Judgement thereon given was said to be the Lords 4. Because the Lords Servants men of truth and such as feared his name were only to be intrusted therewith 5. Because the Lords special presence was intayled thereto concerning which you have a particular and brief account in that most excellent charge that good Jehoshaphat give his Judges 2 Chron. 19. respecting the Duty Dignity and Law of the Throne worthy to be written in letters of gold upon every Throne of Judicature Where he chargeth them after this manner viz. Take heed saith he what ye do for ye judge not for men but for the Lord who is with you in Judgement Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you take heed and do it for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God nor respect of persons nor taking of gifts and he charged them saying thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord faithfully and with a perfect heart and what cause soever shall come to you of your Brethren between blood and blood between Law and Commandment Statutes and Judgements ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord and so wrath come upon you and upon your brethren this do and ye shall not trespass deal couragiously and the Lord shall be with the good And to which may be added that of the Apostle Rom. 13. Holding out the great end of the Thrones erecting viz. for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well And which Throne of Judgement is here also intended and included and on which the Lord will sit in this his day to the making his Crown to flourish For the Text saith when that Throne of the Lord and of the Lamb shall be in it that his Servants shall serve him viz his Saints and people shall be subservient to him in this great ministration of managing the Throne viz. they are especially to ascend the Thrones and Judgements as Rev. 20.4 And I saw Thrones and they sat upon them and Judgemene was given unto them c. And in 4.4 And round about the Throne were twenty four Seats or Thrones and upon the Seats I saw twenty four Elders sitting clothed in white Raiment and they had on their heads Crowns of Gold being as Rev. 5.10 Made by Christ Kings and Priest viz. Royal Priesthood l. p. 2. 9. To Reign with and for Christ and as his substitutes in his Name and fear to his praise by his Law through his Spirit with his presence are they to execute the judgement of Truth in continual subjection and subordination to him and therefore are said 4.10 to cast their Crowns at his Feet before his Throne ascribing the Honour Glory and Power to him Whereby that Sovereign Ordinance of Magistracy that was ordained for the blessing and benefit of