much resistance much depravation much disorder opposition in men and Devils in all the Creatures in it saving that God hath given Christ Power and Authority by degrees aforehand to take it away for which end our Saviour in this excellent Book besides other Scriptures hath much therein set forth the usefulness of Preaching the Crown as well as the Cross though that in the first place but this as a motive to take up the Cross which was formerly of great prevalencie as is storied of the Primitive sufferers that desired Martyrdom that they might reign with Christ in that his Kingdom on earth surely they had much greater faith of these things than is usually found in our days when that world is neer approaching and in this whole Book something is propounded to all the Sufferers in their several times respecting the Jerusalem-state as to the Asian Churches to the Sealed ones Chap. 7. c. for their encouragements as we have shewed in our seventh Convincing Argum. pag. 28 29. But we proceed to some other remarkable portions of Scripture that one way or other point out these times unto us To which purpose we may in a special manner observe that peculiar mark in the the curious Divine contrivance of Revelation-prophesie twice set down therein at the pouring out of the last Vial Chap. 16 17. upon the Air of the Beast probably taking away or binding the Prince of the Power of the Air. Then came a great voice out of the Temple of Heaven from the Throne saying it is done which appears also to be at the time of the sounding of the seventh Trumpet when the Kingdoms of the world become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11.15 which shews their coincidence about the same time and likewise that this great work of Gods renovation concurs in truth with both for the binding of Satan and the Reign of Christ with his raised Saints are fully contemporaries So it is added in the words next following this Text as being here again spoken by him that sat upon the Throne And he said unto me It is done which declares the same time that Satan is bound and Christ reigns this great work will be effected and therefore is another evidence that all things contained in Chap. 21. and 22. belong to the time and state of the said 1000 years of Christs Reign with his raised Saints in his said Davidical Kingdom upon earth But the Question here may be moved What is that that then will be done Ans In General many great enemies and workers of iniquity shall be destroyed but more especially it seems to have respect unto that great Divine Oracle fore-named The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right hand until I make thy foes thy footstool Psal 110.1 at which time likewise Christ receives his Kingdom for his enemies ruine is the beginning of Christs Reign so that in respect of both God himself saith It is done viz. what he himself had promised unto David's Lord before and this time and day seems to be set forth very emphatically upon occasion of the destruction of Gog the Turk then likewise and there also the Holy Ghost seems to use the same Watch-word for the time thereof as here was at the Beasts ruine and that with a great deal of Divine illustration Behold it is come and it is done saith the Lord God this is the day whereof I have spoken Ezek. 39.8 the said Text appears to be of great weight N. B. Quest But how doth it appear that the Turk shall then also be destroyed Answ By Daniels last great Vision Chap. 10.11.12 in Chap. 11. having spoken something briefly of the Persian and more of the Greek Monarchy he comes to the Roman ver 36. and of the Roman Antichrist ver 37 38 39. and then he proceeds to speak of the two Ruiners of the Roman Monarchy viz. the two Woe-trumpets Rev. 9. that is the Saracens and Turkish Mahumitans the first stiled the King of the South the last the King of the North whose History is set down as almost accomplished ver 41 42 43 44 45. as Mr. Mede judiciously applied it except the last his setting his Tabernacle of his Palace in the Holy Land when he comes to his end and none shall help him and then immediately follows then stood up Michael the Prince of Daniels people and in that troublous time delivers them at his appearance probably when his feet shall stand upon Mount Olivet Zec. 14. and that mourning be Zec. 12.10 and ruine of both the first Gog and Magog as well as the last is prophesied very neer together c. And this mark of destruction of both It is done c. seems the more to be observed besides divers others both in Ezech. 38. and 39. and in the Revel because as the Apostle shews Heb. 10.13 Christ had sitten to that time above 1600 years expecting till such his foes should be made his footstool Therefore how fitly is it by God himself so punctually declared both to the Jews and Gentiles that he is not unmindful of his promise to his Son Jesus Christ but as he promised so at that set time It is done as if he should say my Beloved Son hath many hundred years sitten at my right hand expecting this particular season for my fulfilling such my promise to him and now that time is come and it is done this is the day whereof I have spoken Hence also the Holy Spirit directed the Apostle Peter to assert the same thing for time The Heavens must receive him saith he till the times of the restitution of things Acts 3.21 as we shewed formerly more fully and remarkably And since Christ hath left the Book of the Revelation to open Daniels before shut up and sealed Mysteries until the times of the end whilst the Roman Monarchy should continue after God had set up the Kingdom of the Stone from Christs first coming in the 19 first Chapters of that Divine Book unto his second coming Chap. 20. and hath also given the remainder of that Book as a Divine Key or Bunch of Keys to open also the Mysteries of the most ancient promised Mercies and Covenants to the Fathers as we have shewed which are to have their completing from his said second coming in that state of the 1000 years and those times of the restitution of all things in my Text. What pity is it that such matters of so great concernment to all Saints now near approaching are no more considered or understood or duly prized or improved and now indeed is the proper and seasonable time to publish them and make them known when Gods wonderful Grace and Goodness therein w th his Truth Faithfulness in the performance of them shall shortly be beheld with admiration and adoration as in the Text Behold I c. Another remarkable deciphering of these times is the finishing of the Mystery of God when the seventh Angel begins
we hope to shew and therefore these Revelations of all such last things are not to be explained by other Scriptures that speak not of such things but all others that either speak in general of them or not explicitly of many of the said particulars are in those respects to be explained by our Saviours Revelation whose wisdom is infallible his truth unerring being the saithful and true witness and all such his Revelations are utmost resolutions in the case and sure foundations therein to rest upon and the rather because of the Divine charge to the contrary with the terrible penalty annexed unto these Doctrines which is very evident doth respect the same especially Chap. 22.18.19 concerning willing at least or much more willful adding to or taking away any thing from the Prophesie of this Book which ought not slightly to be overlooked besides many other considerations which might be added that of 1 Cor. 15. ver 23. as the Revelation explains it Christ was the first fruits of the Saints Resurrection above 1600 years before his coming at Antichrists destruction when the suffering Sts. shall rise which he brings with him ita deinde as saith the Apostle then cometh the end as in Rev. 20.1000 years after and more and a reason is added all Christs enemies must first be put under his feet viz. first Ezekiels Gog Magog Turk Pope as we shewed and all taken then out of Christs Kingdom that offend and 1000 years after when the last Gog and Magog Rev 20. shall be destroyed and the Devil that seduced them cast into the lake of fire then will the last enemy death also be destroyed but in the interim all the said thousand years saith the Apostle he must reign till that last enemy death be also destroyed after which he will deliver up his Davidical Kingdom to the Father as was said ver 24. but at ver 51 52. he declares certain mysteries not known before concerning the general sudden rapture and change at the last Trump and last Resurrection which suit with Revelation order also though those mysteries and Christs last descending with a shout at the same time 1 Thes 4. seem to be only revealed to the Apostle Paul yet the distinction of Christs bringing his said Saints with him at his next coming 1 Thes 3.13 and 4.14 and his sudden rapping them up above 1000 years after to meet him in the Air when he descends with the said Trump of God v. 16. at the coming of the Lord as it is also called ver 15. from which time they shall ever be with the Lord which was not true from the former as by Revel 20. is manifest which is also another evident ground of distinguishing the same and by the Revelation-order so to be explained which is not to be understood according to any mens apprehensions of other Scriptures but other Scriptures to be explained by that in all such matters as God hath given unto Christ in that most Divine Book to resolve his Church of in such particulars therein held out and as for that of Peter 2.3 upon which some mistaken apprehensions of some seem to have put some difficulties by the help of the Revel may easily be resolved if we consider he speaks both of the Scoffers of the last times and to faithful Christians likewise and suits considerations useful for both to the Scoffers he offers the consideration of the day of the Lord that is the great day of Judgment wherein is the morning Judgment contained when Christ is said to come as a thief at the end of the 6th Vial Rev. 16.15 about the Armageddon battle as here he is said also to come as a thief in the night then will be the consuming of the body of the Beast by fire Dan. 7. and ver 10. a fiery stream issued from the Ancient of days at that Judgment but this seems by our Saviour besides other considerations to be a partial destruction chiefly falling upon wicked men compared Luk. 17. to Sodoms and Gomorrahs destruction that will find out such where they are But then the deluge of fire and the passing away of the Heavens as Rev. 20.11 both which by Revelation-Prophesie are manifest to be above 1000 years after the Armageddon-battle when the Beast and salse Prophet were taken and said to be cast into the lake of fire burning with Brimstone Rev. 19.20 but both these burnings the first partial the second general and ultimate are contained in the day of the Lord or the Judgment of the Great Day as Christs Revelation also teacheth without which this Text with many others could not be soundly resolved for his bringing in the exception of the New Heavens and New Earth v. 13. that is on the Saints part to comfort them against the Scoffers in these bad times not that they will be after the last destruction of the World but that there was such an happy state coming on wherein they were interessed though both at the beginning and ending of the day of the Lord such fiery Vengeance was in store for such wicked Scoffers hardned by Gods long sufferance in these last Days which the Apostle prophetically spake of and this Exposition from the warrant of this Divine Book given particularly for many such purposes and therefore stiled the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his Servants c. is more satisfying to my Conscience than all the differing apprehensions of men whatsoever concerning the same Quest And whereas it may be questioned by some whether these Interpretations being mysterious be according to the intent of the Writers of those or the like said portions of Scriptures Answ That is not so much to be respected as that they be according to the minds of the Inditer of them who taught all his Messengers and Amanuenses to write and deliver what was Divine and sacred truth whether he gave them full Interpretations of them at the same time or not sometimes it is evident he did not as when Daniel was denied the knowledge of the times of the end therefore he said I heard but I understood not Dan. 12. and the Disciples could not understand the fulfilling of the Prophesie of Hosea Ch. 1. of the calling of the Gentiles then till by Vision to Peter and and gifts of the Spirit and the like he had resolved them and it seems probable that neither Moses in his Song for Posterity Deut. 32. or threatnings in order Lev. 26. or in penning Jacobs Prophefie or Balaams Parable as they all respected the last times did so understand them so whether the Apostle Paul or Peter in those things being guided by the Spirit of Christ to write concerning matters directly respecting the last times did know the particular meaning of them in those respects as they are explained since by the Book of Revelation I must ingeniously acknowledge that in things which were so by the same Spirit of Christ further in due time to be
the end of the World Mat. last and last So that as he needs no such so he ordained no such Officer as shortly he will be taught to know and all the deluded part of the world that follow him to their cost But if that had been this tenth part of the City I conceive it would have been past before this time But it seems there will be some good and peaceable times in that Plateia at the fall of this tenth part of the City in the West though though the 2d Woe continue longer in the East because at the end thereof before the 7th Angel begin to sound it is said the 3d Woe cometh quickly no remarkable occurrents then and there said to intervene for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quickly or swiftly is in this book to be understood in the due order of accomplishment whereby Christ hath inseparably linked together the first and last things of neer 1700 years distance hence he saith in the beginning Rev. 1.1 that they are things which must 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shortly or swiftly come to pass viz. in the said-determined order which due order N. B. is in this Book Doctrinal being the Divine purpose of setting it so down c. and likewise it is again said Behold I come quickly or swiftly the same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being used about the end of 1700 years after in the end of the last ch the most of which said 1700 years from Christs birth is contained in the 19 first chap. of this most Divine Book before the 1000 years being chap. 20. but is not said to come presently or immediately and the ending of the great Earthquake before the fall of the said tenth part of the City with the 100 slain in the West and that glory then to be rendred unto God by that said remnant there all which imply the compleating of the said ascention of the finishing Witnesses and therewith some respite from former sufferings before the 7th Trumpet called by some the Woe joy Trumpet shall actually begin to sound besides the time of that coming quickly not presently may be considerable there for when that sounded ver 15. great Voices of Joy were heard in Heaven saying the Kingdoms of the world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and at the beginning thereof as we shewed from chap. 19.9 11 c. Christ will destroy the Beast and false Prophet the interim before which after the said fall of the tenth part of the City when the second Woe ended v. 14. seems I say to import some intermission of the Churches trouble in the West before that time oppressed by the Beast there though some of those Sealed ones in the East chap. 7. may continue that interim under the pressures of the Turk during the second Woe there c. Which brings in also the good times of the 2d Table which we spake of in chap. 20. wherein is contained Satans binding Christs and his Saints Reign so exactly strongly and clearly asserted by Christ to be 1000 years with its Contemporaries first before it chap. 19. viz. the coming of the Marriage of the Lamb and his wifes making her self ready ver 7. and after it also chap. 21. 22. when will be the New Heavens and the New Earth the New Jerusalem with the Nations saved walking in the light thereof also the pure River and Tree of Life in the middest of the street of the City all to continue that said 1000 years in the world until Satans loosing which are after expounded c. 21 22. as depending on c. 19.7 it is agreeable as was said to that Antient Prophesie Deut. 32.41 42. of the beginning of Revenges upon the Whore and Beast before Jews and Gentiles then rejoice together c. when many Halelujahs will be Sung upon those accounts in the beginning of chap. 19. to ver 7. when the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth So then these two excellent Tables have their distinct considerations in the said Divine contrivance for divers excellent purposes and the said boundaries of the times of each are not to be taken into them as set in their proper order and place so as what follows must needs therefore be after them in time It was not so in the experience of the former Table and it will not be so in the latter which being well understood with what we have here said upon that occasion may accordingly be as we desire and endeavour whilst time and opportunity serveth to give light to this part of this most Divine Book and the rather being of late very sensible of the Infirmities of old Age now fast incroaching upon us and this more especially because the very Cream and Marrow of all faithful Christians Interest included in these mystical parts of the Gospel of Christ may hereby be made more conspicuous and comfortable unto them which also we hope by resolving other following Questions may farther appear and hereunto Mr. Medes judicious Synchronisms are very subservient as in our Scheme of the whole Revelation may be observed but the main business is there set down in this last table viz. the reign of Christ with his raised Saints for which Reign their said bodily Resurrection makes way as was shewed being the chief thing in reference whereunto all that are after explained chap. 21 22. to belong to that state as to their time are determined by Christ to be to continue 1000 years and from thence he sets down Satans loosing with the last Gogs Magogs destruction leading in the last judgment which seemed necessary to be so explained according to our Saviours Divine Wisdom as the most full Revelation of what should be useful to be known by his Church for the most full explication of Enochs Prophesie or Vision of the great day of Judgment as Jude speaks of which Daniel chap. 7. seems only to explain the first act or matutinum judicium at the destruction of the Beast above 1000 years before but by this Divine Table we are directly brought in this order of Prophesie to the last act or Vespertinum judiâ—ium of all sorts good and bad much more clearly than was revealed before in sundry particulars c. but he then returns back to the predictions of the Propheâ—â— concerning the said 1000 years reign of Christ with his said Saints or times of Gods making all things New as the Context before and after manifest And this will appear in that which concerns the first particular viz. of the New Heavens and New Earth Esa 65. from ver 20 21 22. where many things are nam'd respecting those in the natural life as is observable for antient Prophesies are the Foundatiocs of them all c. But 2dly if it were supposed they were after the general Judgment it might then be enquired what use in reason they could be conceived to serve for since Scripture gives no ground for any such matter but contrarily resolves
revealed I believe they did not for first it is probable they would then with the said things have given the Interpretation of them if they had then known them And secondly the Holy Spirit of Christ would not have given particular Revelations to open and explain the particular meanings if they had not been necessary so to have been revealed in respect of the hidden parts of them and especially that God the Father in a glorious wonderful manner Rev. 5. should so give that most Divine Book to his beloved Son the Lamb so to reveal them as he hath done without which the Church had been in the dark in regard of many excelent points of Heavenly Doctrines now only knowable by the help and use of the said Book especially in what concerns the main Scope of all Revelation-Prophesie which is therefore highly to be esteemed and diligently to be studied by all wise and good Christians for the right understanding of the darkest portions of Scripture which are not rightly discovered by any other means but by these Divine Oracles of Jesus Christ and let it henceforth stand as an irrefragable Rule amongst all sound Christians that all those Texts of holy Scriptures concerning those last things viz. Resurrections and Judgment are to be explained by Christs Revelation and not the Revelation by them From the former said sure Rule and the many foundations formerly laid down in the whole work these Divine Conclusions or Christian Doctrines will evidently follow First That Christs Davidical Kingdom on earth will begin with the first act or session of the Judgment of the Great Day above 1000 years before the Last Judgment Esa 9. Luke 1.32 with Dan. 7. Rev. 11. and 19.6 9 11 to the end 2. That at the first said Session the quick namely the Beast fals Prophet with other great and small enemies then living will be judged by temporal destruction from the earth Dan. 7. Ezek 38.39 Dan. 11.45 Matth. 13.41 And the deceased Saints will then also be judged with a Judgment of reward or recompense at their holy and blessed bodily Resurrection when they shall rise to reign with Christ who will then so Judge both quick and dead at his appearing and Kingdom Dan. 7. Rev. 11.18 2 Tim. 4.1 Thirdly Christ will reign with his said raised Saints on earth in his said Kingdom all that same 1000 years wherein as he hath both strongly and emphatically taught us that Satan shall be bound from deceiving the Nations any more until the said 1000 years shall be sulfilled See Treatise on Rev. 21.5 page 37 38. and page 8. of this Fourthly The said 1000 years space to be so fulfilled beginning from the first said Session or Matutinum Judicium as Mr. Mede speaks or a greater than he Psal 49.14 and a greater than them both Luke 19.18 19. Rev. 2.26 before the little space of Satans loosing again is that interim before the last Judgment wherein shall be the performance of Gods most antient promised Mercies and Covenants to the faithful Forefathers and to their spiritual Seed viz. the then raised Saints and others then converted through their Divine promised Seed Christ by whom they shall all then have their sure Mercies of David Esa 55.3 and as the Lambs wife then inherit all things with him Rev. 21.7 Fifthly The New Jerusalem state the Marriage of the Lamb the Paradise of God with the pure River and Tree of Life therein and the Nations of them that are then saved walking in the light of the said great holy and beloved New Jerusalem wherein consists the New Heavens and new earth when God will make all things new as in this Text are the contemporaries of the said happy times and state in the said 1000 years and will make up that happiness in the said Davidical Kingdom of Christ both to the said Saints then raised and to the then converted Jews and Gentiles in the natural life when also the two second great calls of them both will be accomplished Deut. 32.43 Rom. 15.10 that Jews and Gentiles will rejoyce together Sixthly Satans last most wicked attempt with his last Gog Magog against the said holy City and the Camp of the Saints after the said 1000 years are ended will occasion fire from Heaven to consume them and probably the earth and the works upon it c. and thereupon also the destruction of the last enemy death when all the Saints both raised before and then living or lying in the grave to free them as is probable from the destruction with wicked men then shall be rapt up together and all be changed in a moment or twinkling of an eye to meet Christ in the Air c. when also all the wicked shall be raised at the last Trump to the last general Judgment and final sentence c. upon whose sitting upon the great white Throne will be the utter dissolution of the whole created world as Rev. 20.11 c. And these I believe are upon the many said accounts from holy Scripture the Divine truths of Jesus Christ not contradicting any thing taught in Gods Word before but only explaining many things formerly darkly yet Divinely couched therein and especially things respecting the said first and second bodily Resurrections and the proceedings of the Judgment of the great day of the Lord at above a 1000 years distance with the performance of the promised mercies in the interim as was said And thus have I given an account of my faith as respecting these things for which I bless and magnifie the glorious Name of God the Father Son and Holy Spirit three Persons and one true and everliving God and I do believe that all Saints will do the same here or hereafter Amen And thus for the Questions concerning the first Resurrection as being the Inlet to the Sts. that Christ brings with him when he comes into the happy said approaching state 1000 years before the said rest of the dead shall live again and that answers to sundry portions of Scripture that are by some otherwise expounded but are only to be understood by the help of the most Divine Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ as we have shewed And now before we proceed to speak particularly of the words or matters of this Text of the Renovation of all things which are to make up the happiness of Christs said Reign with his Saints upon the said first Resurrection we shall consider the preceding and following context thereof with its dependencie to remove some other seeming difficulties which for the greater evidence we shall endeavour to do by Answering some other Questions and resolving some doubts upon weighty reasons concerning the same Quest 1. Are not the New Heavens and the New earth the renovation of all things the New Jerusalem and Paradise of God c. Ch. 21.22 to be after the last Judgment wch is set down before them in Ch. 20.11 Answ Although the last Judgment is there placed in the
end of the foregoing Chapter it doth not follow that it will be in time before those great things spoken of in the two following Chapters but it will appear to be there placed upon other special reasons One Reason is from the reference of divers things spoken of Chap. 19. which are further explained in their order in the three following Chapters and consequently of their dependance thereupon A second Reason is from the special consideration of Chap. 20. to ver 11. as the Table of the good times of Gods Church as Chap. 11. to ver 15. was the Table of the bad times as after we hope to make manifest in the Divine contrivance of this sacred Book to the good advantage of right enquirers But first for the Reason of such things Chap. 19. as refer to the three following Chapters The first is from ver 6. after many great Hallelujahs for the the Whores destruction ver 1 2. redoubled again ver 3. and again they said Hallelujah Thirdly of the representative 24 Elders and four Beasts or four living Wights worshipping God and adding their Amen to their Allelujah for such will be the high praises of God in the hearts and mouths of Gods people then for his destroying of Babylon called here his judging of the great Whore for her great provocations mark that expression for then will begin Christs great day of Judgment v. 2. v. 5. there is a Divine general enforcement to the like praise to all Gods Servants not only for this said ruine of Babylon but for the ensuing reign of Christ thereupon set forth in wonderful expressions ver 6. saying Allelujah for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth which is the first general referring to the future Chapters and this is further explained Ch. 20. of Christs reign with his Saints 1000 years and the same 1000 wherein Satan was to be bound which for its certainty is six times said to be so three times absolutely and three times relatively The second general Chap. 19. ver 7. is the coming of the Marriage of the Lamb which is explained Chapter 21.2 9 10. in the New Jerusalem state unto which matter of joy and thanksgiving there is a third addition in general that the Lambs wife hath made her self ready in the same verse which seems specially to respect the calling of the Jews then to be betrohed for ever when the Tabernacle of God is also said to be with men c. 21.3 4. at that his coming which the many Hallelujahs in the Hebrew tongue then to be sung seem to point out to us and not only Jews and Israelites will then be brought into Christs sheepfold but all the Nations of them that are saved and shall all walk together in the light of the Jerusalem that came from God out of Heaven being all to be then of one Communion of Sts. though in several capacities celebrating accordingly the Marriage of the Lamb the said 1000 years v. 2.9 10 22 24 26. and as from the Throne of God and the Lamb then and there proceeds that pure River of the water of Life viz. all Divine Grace John 7.37 38. so in the middest of the street of the City then will be the Tree of Life in that blessed state of that Paradise of God chap. 22.1 2. as chap. 2.7 is also explained which will be more gloriously restored then by and for Christ the second Adam than the state of that was which the first Adam lost in many respects when God as in the Text makes all things new Now concerning such a neer Union of all Gods Saints and Servants at the said Marriage of the Lamb according to their several capacities we have much in the Prophets observable we shall only name a few texts as Hos 2.19 20. I will betroth thee unto me for ever in Righteousness in Judgment in Loving Kindness and in Mercies the whole 45th Psalm and much in Esa 60 62 65 66. all respecting the same time and state and is in part applyed Rev. 21. And thus much of the reference of these three last chap. to the said general heads mentioned chap. 19. of Christs said Reign the Marriage of the Lamb and his Wives making her self ready which is usually in Scripture and especially in this book to mention Generals and after particularly to explain them and beside these observe that there is no distinction of order or times in the three follow-Chapters by first second or third or after this I saw as chap. 18.1 at the Whores destruction or after these things I heard chap. 19.1 but from thence to the end of the book all the Visions are of the same time as we may after shew But because the opening of this Rereference in chap. 19. is of great use to the understanding of all the rest of this book to the end we shall endeavour according to what by Divine Grace we have received to resolve these Questions following 1. Why these great things should here be inserted chap. 19.5 6 7. after Babylons destruction 2. Why the destruction of the Beast and false Prophet from ver 11. to the end of the Chapter is decyphered before them 3. What is meant by that in v. 9 where it 's said Blessed are they that are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb which is set forth with so much Divine Illustration Much after the manner that Gods Renovation is set forth in this text The first is to teach us that Babylons ruine is the beginning of Christs Reign chap. 11.17 he then takes to himself his great power and reigns as here ver 6. which seems to be the that beginning of Revenges Deut. 32.40 c. and when God begins then he will also make an end for by this God prepares for a greater and more general revenge upon the Enemies by provoking them to gather to the Armageddon Battel as chap. 16. ver 13 14 15. by sending the three unclean Spirits or Spirits of Devils afterwards to the Kings of the Earth and of the whole world to gather them to it which is here gloriously decyphered ver 11. to the end 2. To manifest to the Churches Consolation that as the Beast had scattered the power of the holy people Dan. 12.7 for his time times and half a time so then his power should be so scattered that there remains no more but to prepare for the greatest Vengeance at his last destruction he shall never more hurt or molest them 3. To instruct us how the Morning Judgment of the great day described by Daniel chap. 7. will be brought on First by judging the Whore 2dly the Beast and false Prophet with their Followers as is written Deut. 32. Psal 149. Rev. 19. the last for Christ saith the Apostle shall destroy the man of Sin at the appearance of his coming so when Christ comes from the right hand of his Father he makes his soes his footstool Psal 110.1 whom the Heavens receive till the times of Restitution
Adam in that state in the world 2. And for the bringing on of this Kingdome of Christ the Son of David with his raised Saints God hath ever since the fall of that Tabernacle overturned all the Gentiles States and Kingdoms successively in their orders as in Nebuchadnezzars Image Dan. 2. and Daniels Visions of the four Beasts destroying each other Dan. 7. was signified and will still do so till the God of Heaven set up this Kingdom as the top of these Mercies that should never be destroyed but as the Kingdome of the Stone should destroy all others in the world till it became a Mountain filling the whole Earth which Christ hath now almost fulfilled and which will be that state thereof in the 1000 years of the reign of Christ with his Raised Saints for which the said Restitution of all things will be accomplished which was spiritually and powerfully begun at Christs first coming upon his Resurrection and Asoention when he led Captivity Captive tryumphing gloriously over all the powers of Darkness Col. 3.15 and though ever since the Prince of the power of the Aire that ruleth effectually in the Children of Disobedience hath prevailed in all the suffering times under the Dragon and Beast now almost for 1700 years to bring on Persecutions and Sufferings of the Saints who notwithstanding by Christs Divine and Powerful Grace have been carryed on to suffer with him or for him yet in that state approaching he will not only free them from all such Miseries and Evils now in the world through Sin but bring them into that happy state of Reigning in the world with himself as his Spouse that with him shall then in her it all things with their sure Mercies of David in this Univer salo and perpetual Kingdome in the world in reserence unto which the Renovation of all things will then be made by God himself as in the Text. The third Question But how doth it appear that such a coming and Kingdome of Christ shall be above 1000 years in the world before the last general Judgment when he will descend with a shout c. 1 Thes 4.16 Answ It will most manifestly appear not only from our Saviours Table of the good times which we spake of but now and from the litteral sense of the 1000 years which we spake sufficiently of pag. 38. of the Saints bodily Resurrection which is constantly granted by all sound Expositors to be litterally so understood neither is it other vise taken in the Beasts 42 months nor are the Prophetical dayes of the two Witnesses Rev. 11. or Sons of Oyl Zech. 4. standing before the Lord of the whole Earth ver 14. to which that Prophesie seems chiefly to have reference c. understood otherwise than for 1260 dayes of years and there is much less reason to pervert Christs words of his own and his said Saints Reign from their litteral sense when he most plainly saith they are 1000 years and where are any numbers of years in Scripture to be found but for that individual number they are set for the lives of all Antients Patriarks and Fathers the times of Judges Reigns of Kings continuance of States are set down by their peculiar number of years without which nothing could be resolved of and in ch 20. as Mr. Mede observed that Christ set down things more plainly there than in all that book before because men have been averse to think so of these last parts there have come up many mistaken conceits of anticipating Satans binding in the primative times of Persecution the Saints reigning under their greatest sufferings but not in the sence here intended which will also be performed and the taking the New Jerusulem state for the Kingdom of Heaven and the New Heavens and New Earth to be after the last Judgment and the like which being resolved by the Scripture Foundations to which this part of the Revel hath particular referonce they will upon due consideration appear very evidently to belong to this set time of the 1000 years us by our 15 Reasons why they shall be in the world may also be manifest and by our first Convincing Arg. of 36 Particulars to be according to Scripture before in after the said 1000 years and by our many distinctions of Christs appearance or coming at Antichrists destruction and of his descending above 1000 years after with a shout and the voice of an Arch-angel and the Trump of God at the Saints General Rapture and Resurrection of the wicked peruse them seriously they have Scripture warrant c. And as Mr. Mede observed it to be the usual Errour of the Jews to confound the first and second coming of Christ overlooking the Humility of the first which was not often before clearly distinguished except by Daniel and in some few places so Christians do much in these times over look the Mercy of the Jews at Christs second coming little regarding Christs irrefragable resolutions of many things of the last times which were given to him alone by the Father to instruct his Church in yea though they be founded upon many other parts of Scripture and refer unseasonably to what concerns both Jews and all promised Mercies to the raised Saints to the times of the last General Judgment above 1000 years most evidently after their set times Object But many Learned men have conceived that gloriouss City decyphered Rev. 21. and the Paradise of God to be the Kingdome of Glory in the highest Heavens Answ Besides our former said approved Reasons that it will be in the World the Apostle Paul Gal. 4. calls that the Jerusalem that is now above the Mother of all Saints being the peculiar Mansion at present of all the Spirits of Just men made perfect where they remain in happy Security Peace and Blessedness in their present state expecting the time of the said first Resurrection of their bodies which when Christ comes and brings them with him to raise and unite their Spiritual Bodies with them will be the Jerusalem here said then to come down from God out of Heaven which glorious place and City is prepared by God for the Fathers then and all such as the Apostle teacheth Heb. 11.16 40. that without us shall not be made perfect or perfect in one as our Saviour prayed John 17. which are called the Lambs Wife of the solemnity of whose Marriage the Kingly Prophet David foretold Psal 45. when that Bride instead of Fathers shall then have Children whom she may make Princes in all Lands and as Solomon in his most excellent Song in the book of Canticles divinely illustrateth it of the return of the Shulamite and the like which will be the fulfilling of the Covenant to Abraham and his Spiritual Seed by that one Divine Seed Christ in that state and time and for the Paradise of God annexed to that state which Christ will then restore instead of that lost before in the world by the first Adam it will
regard that the words were true as antiently delivered by the God of Truth that cannot lye or deceive or be deceived but secondly they are likewise faithful grounded upon many gracious promises and Covenants as we hope farther to manifest Come we now to consider the main thing declared that God at such a time or state of things occurring in the world makes all things new being Emphatically called by the Apostle Peter The times of Restitution of all things which Renovation of all things is three wayes considerable first Negatively what it is not Secondly Privatively in respect of what God will then remove or take away Thirdly Positively in respect of what God will do in the performance of that great and gracious work 1. Negatively in respect of what he will not do it doth not imply that God will then bring a total destruction upon the Created World by destroying it and the Creatures in it with wicked men then to be destroyed out of it and other Creatures to be placed in a New world which we have no Scripture grounds for but for the contrary for that is to be done at Christs sitting upon the great white Throne at the dissolution of all things Rev. 20.11 above 1000 years after neither in reason can it be conceived for what use Creatures should serve when good and bad men were removed before out of it c. 2. Privatively by Gods removing and taking away many evil things out of the world which have been brought into it since he first in 7 days Created finished his great and good work of Creation by Satan Sin and wicked men such as the Curse Corruption Bondage and Enmity of the Creatures since abiding in it in an eminent degree with the causes thereof by destroying many wicked men out of the Earth Rev. 11.18 and binding Satan for the 1000 years in the bottomless pit that he deceive not the Nations any more till that 1000 years shall be finished therefore I say with the causes thereof for sublata causa tollitur effectus and contrarily to bring the world into a capacity to be made better and to be put into a New and better frame than when they prevailed in it he will then also eminently remove and take away those many evils caused and brought into the world by them first the curse brought in by them will then be taken away for saith Christ there shall then be no more curse Rev. 21.3 the earth which was cursed by these means upon the Fall shall be eminently restored unto its native fruitfulness peculiar to that time and state Ezek. 34.26 27. There shall then be showers of blessing upon it and the trees of the field shall yield her fruit and the Earth shall yield her increase and with that fruitfulness they shall then have safety and peace for they shall be safe in their Land and shall know that I am the Lord being delivered from their Enemies as there follows c. So also Ezek. 36.8 Ye Mountain of Israel ye shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people of Israel and ver 11. I will multiply upon you man and beast and they shall increase and bring fruit and ver 29 I will call for the Corne and increase it and lay no famine upon you c. yea their Land shall become for fruitfulness like the Garden of Eden ver 35. and Joel 3.18 The Mountains shall drop down with New Wine and the Hills shall flow with Milk which are high expressions of the fruitfulness of those times also Hos 2.21 In that day will I hear saith the Lord I will hear the Heavens and the they shall hear the Earth and the Earth shall hear the Corn and the Wine and the Oyle and they shall hear Jezreel Again the Enmity of men and other creatures will then be also removed which have prevailed in the world from the fall first among men there hath been since the fall Murther Slaughter Blood shed prevailing and so will still untill those times amongst them but then Nation shall no more rise against Nation neither shall they learn War any more yea they shall beat their Swords into Plowshares and their Spears into Pruning hooks Esa 2.4 and Hos 2.18 I will break the Bow and the Sword and the Battel out of the Earth and will make them to lie down in safety and for the peaceableness of other Creatures which not only Allegorically as some understand the Promises to that purpose but they will litterally be performed when that Savage Cruelty in their corrupt natures since the fall will then be taken away that the Wolfe shall dwell with the Lamb as the Prophet Esa speaks chap. 11.6 and the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid c. and they shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy Mountain and Esa 65.25 The Wolfe and the Lamb shall feed together and the Lyon shall eat straw like the Bullock c. So the hurtful influence of the Heavens and the distempers of the 4 Elements and the noxious qualities of the Creatures will be then wonderfully refined that the Heavens as God promiseth may hear the earth and they hear the Corn and Wine and Oyl c. And the Inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not then say I am sick when the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity Esai 33.24 The Creatures which since the Fall have been held under the bondage of corruption under which the whole Creation still groaneth shall as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 8.21 in that state be delivered from it and that also into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God The bodies of all Saints saving some few as Enoch Moses Elias have lien rotting in the Grave and so will till then but they shall all in that time and state receive the Adoption Rom. 8.21 the faithful Gentiles then receiving that with all benefits belonging to them as the spiritual Seed of Abraham Gal. 3.29 as well as to his faithful natural Seed both Jews and Israelites which he explains in the next words even the redemption of our bodies N.B. which as was shewed before will be the inlet to all those Saints into the happiness of that time and state c. And thus briefly of Gods removing the said evils or the like with the causes thereof When Christ the Universal King of Kings and Prince of the Kings of the earth Rev. 19. and Rev. 1.5 will not only rescue the great and excellent building of the World out of the power of the Prince of the Air but repair the ruines and desolations he and his retinue of wicked men and Devils have wrought in it and reduce it for himself and his Spouse the Saints into a far better condition than ever it was in before which will be by Gods said removal of the said evils then when he makes all things new Thirdly this renovation is to be considered Positively in respect of Gods conferring good upon
them at those times of restitution of all things Acts 3. viz. upon Christ the Lamb and his Bride then which I conceive is taken for both sorts of Saints both then raised and in the natural life though then in their proper different states yet by gracious dispensation will probably be both of one Communion which we are taught to believe according to Gods Word sutable to that of Christ and his Disciples forty days after he rose from the dead Secondly The Positive part is included in the same declaration Gen. 13.15 after explained by many gradual Promises and Covenants We shall begin with the last at first in this Divine Key of our Saviours viz. the Kingdom promised to David and his Seed for ever which is the main thing here spoken of that Christ with his Saints should enjoy in that state comprehending all the rest which all the other tend unto and are to be conferred with it before the enjoyment of which the raised Saints have their spiritual bodies then whereby they are put into a capacity to enjoy all the happiness of that time and state and the Jews Israelites and Gentiles shall be converted and united into one sheepfold c. This Kingdom was foretold by Jacob Gen. 49. and by Balaam Numb 24. and often prophesied of by David confirmed in Nathan's Message seen in Vision by Daniel at what time Christ should receive it over all Nations under the whole Heavens Dan. 7.27 with many other confirmations by the Prophets and declared by Christ that it was his Fathers pleasure to give it to his little little flock Luke 12.32 that they suffering with Christ should reign with him which in the 1000 years they are said to do Rev. 20.4 of which more is said in our twelve foundations of the faith thereof and in the Word written and elsewhere from Scripture-Authority For this great King are the New Heavens and earth to be made without such a mystical moveable Sea out of which the Beast arose in the times of the Barbarous Nations Cmmotions the Whore hath sitten upon those many troubled waters ever since but this Kingdom that Christ with his Saints shall receive is such as cannot be shaken or moved Heb. 12.28 this said Kingdom is the first and main thing here spoken of by Christ though the last promised to David and his Divine spiritual Seed which the Apostles expected should be restored Acts 1.6 and will be at that time of the raising up of Davids Tabernacle which had been fallen in his natural Race 2300 years probably before Acts 15.16 Amos 9.11 The next thing belonging to this Kingdom for which the integral parts thereof the New Heavens and the New Earth are then to be be made as Rev. 21.1 is that which is contained in the Covenant to Abraham and his Seed respecting the promised Land as the Mother City thereof typified by that Jerusalem of old which is now in bondage with her Children Gal. 4. And is now above till the time of the descending of it from God out of Heaven when Christ comes in the Clouds of Heaven and brings all his Saints with him till the Marriage of the Lamb spoken of Rev. 19. and 21. which is called the great and holy and beloved Jerusalem that City with foundations that Abraham expected and is said to be prepared for the forefathers and all the faithful since Heb. 11.16.40 whose Maker and Builder is God which appears to be in great part the New Heavens as Rev. 18.20 as we in part shewed before with the Heaven of the glorious Angels coming to attend on Christ when his Tabernacle of his bodily presence will be with men not for a little time as Heb. 2. at his first coming but he will dwell with them the space of the 1000 years Then will also be according to many Promises to the Saints in the natural life of all the Nations that shall then be saved the New Earth wherein will dwell righteousness when Christ that great King shall reign in righteousness and Princes shall rule in judgment Esa 32.1 whose Officers shall be peace and whose Exactors shall be righteousness Esa 60.17 when Christ sits upon the Throne of David to order it and to establish it with Judgment and with Justice from thencforth and for ever viz. unto the end of the world Esa 9.7 the Prophesies and Promises which respect that state of Gods peoples mercies benefits and Priviledges therein are exceeding great and manifold that would require a large Volume to explain them respecting Saints then in the natural life both in being greatly freed from the evils we now spoke of with the manifold enjoyments of good but especially in regard of their large measure of Grace then promised as in the New Covenant first made in their Book of Deuteronomy after the first Tables had been brok on remarkably set down Deut. 30. to ver 11. for circumcising the heart of that people and their Seed after all their great dispersions who shall be setled in their own Land then and remove no more as 2 Sam. 7. and Gods Sanctuary shall be with them for evermore Ezek. 37.28 when God will pour his Spirit on them generally Joel 3. as he did upon his Disciples and some few at his first coming and those expressions of the New Covenant Jer. 31.33 34. and 32.39 40. and Ezek. 36.25 26 27 c. do chiefly belong to that people and such as are united to them in the natural life in those times that shall then walk in the light of the said beloved Jerusalem Rev. 21. though we Gentiles have now our share in them through faith in some degree but they then in the times of Restitution much more by far and this will then be that special great foundation of all other temporal enjoyments as the strong entail that Christ will make them of all promised good And to all Saints in those times it is probable will arise that great enlargement of Joy for the inlarging Christs Kingdom with praise to God in Christ for it by the powerful operation of the Holy Spirit in that together with the inheriting of all promised mercies to themselves they will see and know then the great confluence of saved Souls then abundantly coming in upon the like foundations from the Word of God when all Nations shall see the salvation of the God of Israel and the Heathen shall be given to Christ God 's King then set upon his holy hill of Sion for his inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for his possession Psalm 2. for if the Angels in Heaven rejoyce at one sinners conversion now how will both Angels and Saints then rejoyce when so many thousands and millions which will then be saved in the prolonging of Christs days when he shall see his numerous seed as promised to the Fathers and the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Esa 53. and his City prepared will be large enough to contain all raised
our Saviour stiles them that shall then be counted worthy of that world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like the Angels of God be manifest to be the Children of God and shall not only be freed from all the evil formerly brought upon them by men shall be made or Devils but also shall by that blessed Resurrection be made capable of all promised good belonging to that state It is very observable how the Spirit of God guided the Apostle Peter to set forth many Divine Doctrines concerning those times in that excellent portion of Scripture Acts 3.19 20 21. first in that apt title he gives them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they are the times of the restitution of all things when God himself saith he will make all things new in this Text by putting them into their due order and frame Secondly they will be times of refreshing Thirdly that their sins will then be blotted out that is one great refreshing But fourthly a greater will be from the presence of the Lord when the Tabernacle of God will be with men and he shall dwell with them Fifthly that God hath spoken of these times by his holy Prophets And sixthly by all his holy Prophets since the world began as we have shewed largely concerning the Kingdom of Christ in the said 12 foundations of the faith thereof and in the Iren and much may be done respecting the Jews and all Gods peoples Priviledges and Mercies belonging to those times which we have or shall farther speak of so that wherever we may find the holy Prophets have spoken any thing tending to break the Serpents head by the promised Seed of the woman his head of Policie or his head of Power which shall in the issue chiefly and fully be performed by him in his execution of the Judgment of the Great Day which was preached to the Old World by Enoch hath been since the great Tradition through alltimes till the Apostle Jude recorded it in his Epistle stiling it as the Spirit of God then taught him the Judgment of the Great Day which since by our Saviour in this most excellent Divine Book is explained to have a first Act or the Matutinum Judicium according to what was long before revealed to Daniel Chap. 7. confirmed also by himself Revel 11.18 and Rev. 19. later end at the ruine of the Beast and false Prophet But the other Act of the Great Day hath fince been by the Father only left to be made known by Christ himself to explain and confirm most fully for the use of his Church concerning the last finishing Act of the said Great Day of Judgment or the Vespertinum Judicium thereof without which his Church had been much in the dark in respect of such great Points of the Doctrine thereof delivered by himself in this most excellent Book which he hath so strongly clearly and exactly done beyond all Parallel in that Divine Table respecting the 1000 years of which and the little space following his Doctrines of the last Act are the boundary as we shewed before and was needful to be explained as being included in Enoch's said Vision or Prophesie thereof which said 1000 years include all those promised Mercies most antiently laid down in the Word of God respecting the Saints in those times either privitively in respect of the evils to be removed or positively in respect of good things to be obtained by them in the particulars beforesaid so unlocked by our Saviours said Divine Key or rather Bunch of Keys as they may be called unlocking the several Cabinets wherein the said Mercies are contained And on the other hand whatsoever of these Mercies for good we find the Prophets have spoken of as to be obtained by Gods people in those times upon any such notion respecting them they are by the Apostle Peter's rule so to be understood with respect thereunto and the words of my Text are a sure Key to open the meaning of them Now since from the fall of the first Adam the Dominion lost by him hath been usurped by the Prince of the Power of the Air that hath all along ever since effectually worked in the Children of disobedience and will not according to the word be fully taken away from him and his Vassels the evil Powers in the world till those two said Acts of Judgment be finished by the said promised Seed the Son of God and since likewise the Word of God gives so manifold evidence of the said promised Seed the Son of God his so taking to himself his great Power and Reigning which Kingdom of David was the highest mercy promised formerly to the Fathers as a Type and from whom Christs Title hath ever since been strongly confirmed and that for the sins of Davids Posterity and people his Tabernacle fell at the Babylonian Captivity so as not to be raised till the time of the Anti-type of Davids said Kingdom come when the Tabernacle of David is said again to be raised as Amos 9.11 so expounded by the Apostle James Acts 15.16 let us from the fall thereof consider what discoveries of the seasons of the raising thereof we can find from the Word of God which are these said times of the restitution of all things spoken of by the Apostle Peter and the renovation of all things spoken of in the Text by God himself Now from the falling of Davids seid Kingdom in the Type to the raising of Christs Davidical Kingdom in the Anti-type we have as Mr. Mede observes a two-fold Calendar in Daniel leading thereunto the great Calendar passeth through all the times of the four Gentile Monarchies set forth by four Mettle Kingdoms Chap. 2. in Nebuchadnezzars Image which he saw and the same again revealed to Daniel by four Beasts destroying each other Chap. 7. so that by these two testimonies both to Jews Gentiles it might be in due time manifest what was there fore-shewed shall in due time ensue both for Christs Kingdom of the Stone or Kingdom of Patience from Christs ascension being that which God set up then Dan. 2.44 to his coming again in which time it should Divinely and powerfully destroy all other Kingdoms at which said second coming it should become the Kingdom of the Mountain or Kingdom of Power filling the whole earth upon Christs taking possession of it Dan. 7.13 14. and there seems to be an exact Table of the times of this great Calendar Chap. 8. of 2300 years and that upon that account ver 17 19. as almost is now by experience explained with the series of Revelation-Prophesie in the 1700 years therein contained the reasons thereof we have set down in our summary of Daniels Visions and for the lesser Calender of the 70 Weeks of years Dan. 9 viz. 490 years the Key of the Times whereof appears to be the 1335 years after the full taking away of Sacrifice Chap. 12. and the setting up of the abomination of desolation most remarkably done by Julian the Apostate
Noah in our late Systeme preceding the Saints Resurrection 1. respecting Noah as a Type of Christs saving his as their true Ark at the overflowing de uge of the wicked worlds destruction at the beginning and end of the 1000 years Secondly in respect of that Covenant made with Noah for the worlds and Creatures preservation till those last times when the Scriptures also testifie the greatest fruitfulness also will be And thirdly in respect of his Prophesie Gen. 9. that the Posterity both of Shem the Jews and of Japhet the Gentiles as now we hinted should both in those times at both their second calls spoken of in Scripture Deut. 32.43 rejoyce together applied also Rom. 15. to those times with other Scriptures respecting the same c. The same times were pointed out by our four Computations of the Jews deliverance and the great enemies destruction out of Daniel and Revelation formerly explained in our Parallels The like may be observed from what we said before of the Tabernacle of God at the same time being with men and his dwelling with them c. ver 3 4. wherefore also the name of the City then seems to be called Jehovah Shamma the Lord is there Ezek. 48 last And at the same time the Sun is ashamed and the Moon confounded when the Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his Antients gloriously Esa 24.23 which all â—â—spect the same times The New Covenant upon the New giving of the Law after the first Tables were broken Deut. 30. to 11. especially respects Gods People the Jews in those times which seems to be the antient foundation in Moses writings of which divers like in the following Prophets are the confirmations and explications as Jer. 31.33 Ezek 36. more especially belonging to that people after their reduction from their great dispersions though applicable to all Abrahams spiritual Seed in the times of the Gentiles also Heb. 8.9 10 11. These times are also pointed out by the great solemnity of the Marriage of the Lamb with his Bride the 1000 years at the New Jerusalems coming down from God out of Heaven which great solemnity was prophesied of by the holy Kingly Prophet David Psal 45. when she shall have Sons whom she may make Princes in all Lands To which purpose is that excellent Song of Songs by Solomon as respecting the return of the Shulamite in the Book of the Canticles probably about the time the Bride is said to make her self ready Rev. 19.7 And Solomons peaceable Kingdom of old was but a Type of that peaceful and glorious Kingdom and state which Christ with his Saints at the said times of restitution of all things shall enjoy the 1000 years The Scepter and Dominion prophesied of by Balaam Numb 24. and according to Jocobs Prophesie placed in the Tribe of Judah said by him to be a Lyons whelp and the Ensigne thereof was also the Lyon accordingly Rev. 5. Christ is stiled the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah and in Ch. 22. stiles himself so when in those times he shall be as a strong Lyon to destroy his enemies Ps 110. who also is both the Root and Offspring of David Rev. 5. as will wonderfully 〈◊〉 manifest in the same times c. The first Adams casting out of Paradise compared with Christs Key for the restoring all the spiritual Seed to a Paradise in that State manifests it to be Gods designe from the beginning by that Goel or Deliverer promised to be at his second coming a more perfect Restorer of all things then than the Serpent Satan was or could be a corrupter or destroyer before it was called Abrahams bosom whether Christ said the Angels carried Lazarus his Soul but after by our Saviour was called Paradise at his death when he had purchased it and promised the Penitent Thief as we noted that he should be with him there that day and so the Apostle Paul said he was rapt up into the third Heaven or Paradise 2 Cor. 12. called after the Paradise of God in the world the 1000 years of Christs Reign with his Saints and so is coincident in the same times of the Restitution with the other The same times are also set forth by the world to come Heb. 2.5 and 1.6 as the general Deluge ended the Old World and began the New so the ruine of that last wicked Roman Monarchy in respect of each of those long God-provoking States therein viz. both Civil and Ecclesiastical with all the broken parts of the three former Monarchies Dan. 2. will end this world in the present state of things and Christs said 1000 years Reign in those times will begin that World to come and the Apostle Paul Ephes 1.21 uses the same distinction which by our Saviour had been laid down before when he taught that the sin against the Holy Ghost should neither be forgiven in this world nor in the world to come Matth. 12.32 which will begin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when the Father brings the Son again into the world viz. the second time as both Ancients and even Papists understand it when all the Elohim Angels shall worship him as Psal 97. Likewise the 42 Stages in the Childrens of Israel their passing through the Wilderness to possess the Land of Canaan was a Type of the womans the Christ ans's Church passing in her wilderness condition in the times of the Beasts 42 Moneths to attain in the issue to the New Jerusalem state in the said times of the restitution of all things or that redemption of the purchased possession as it seems Ephes 1.14 The restoring the Dominion over the Creatures lost by the fall of the first Adam was foretold by David to be obtained by Christ the second Adam Psal 8.4 5 6. c. as is explained and so applied by the Author to the Hebrews Chap. 2.6 7 8. which is another part of the Restitution of all things in the said times as we shewed And the said Creatures freedom from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.21 will be another ingredient to make up that blessed state and although the same holy man Heb. 2.7 did acknowledge that they did not then see all things in subjection unto him yet he declares in due time Phil. 2.9 10. That every knee of things in Heaven and Earth and under the earth shall bow and be subject unto that great King of the whole world And can it be conceived by rational men that these Divine truths are written in vain and that Christ when he takes to himself his great power shall not reign in these respects also unto the end of the world and have that honour reserved for him by Angels men and all Creatures in the world then It appears also to be the end and drift of all Revelation Prophesie by that general Doxologâ—â— Ch. 5.10 to the end by Angels men and all Creatures upon the fulfilling of the contents of
the Book given unto the Lamb. We might be 〈◊〉 in many particular Promises to this purpose respecting the 〈◊〉 in that time with many excellenties respecting tha◠〈◊〉 as we have specially shewed how concerning Christs Dividid a Kingdom and people then God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began as is manifest by the third of our 8 Conving Arguments in the Word written And the great designe of the All knowing and All working God in giving such Prophesies to his Church from the beginning concerning such great things to be fulfilled at the end of the world in that said Great Day of Judgment appears to be made manifest by such Divine Chronology first set down by Moses and other Penmen thereof before the Captivities of Israel and Judah but after that are in their discoveries chiefly carried on by those Mystical Prophesies of those two beloved Servants of God and Christ the Prophet Daniel and the Apostle John but chiefly by the last to whom these hidden secrets of God respecting those times wore particularly as we shewed commisted to open Danichs sealed Mysteries to Ch. 19. and from thence to the end the most antient Predictions and Promises c. when God would raise unto David that righteous Branch that King that shall reign and prosper and execute Judgment and Justice in the earth in whose days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely Jer. 23.5 6. when they shall have the Mercies promised to their Forefathers performed to them as Zechary is taught Divinely to sing out and in such a manner he would grant unto them that being delivered from the hand of their enemies they might serve God without fear of them in righteousness and true holiness all the days of then lives Luke 1.7 c. which will be the stability of all the happiness of that state when that New Kingdom of Israel will be restored the Tabernacle of David that was fullen new raised up again for that said righteous Branch which God then said he would then raise unto David for whom with his Bride God will then make New Heavens and a new earth in that new world to come wherein shall be that New great holy and beloved Jerusalem that City that hath foundations whose Maker and Builder is God for those new Inhabitants that came from God out of Heaven and came with Christ to receive their spiritual bodies at the first blessed Resurrection of the Saints where also will be the New Paradise of God Also the converted Jews and Israelites shall then enjoy their New Jerusalem also built upon its own heaps when strangers shall build her Walls as the Prophet foretels upon the return of the Shulamite who instead of Fathers shall have Children whom she may make Princes in all the earth being the Seed then which the Lord hath blessed Esai 61.9 then shall be her new guides and watchmen upon her Walls probably the new raised Saints that shall not hold their peace day nor night new dispensations new peace plenty security new priviledges new pleasures delights in heavenly visions comunion discoveries in the revelation of such things as are appointed then to be known in the restitution of all things promised then to be done as in the forenamed particulars we before set down and the times of these things are chiefly made known in their fit latitudes by Revelation-prophesie for when we read of the coming of Christ at his appearance and Kingdom the times thereof are so set forth as was shewed by Revelation-prophesie We read of the Saints first bodily Resurrection but the time thereof is only deciphered by Revelation Prophesie we heard of raising Davids Tabernacle which was fallen but the time is only pointed out by Revelation prophesie and that the Saints shall receive their sure mercies of David Esa 55.3 but when can only be resolved by Revelation prophesie we read of Gods setting up the Kingdom of the Stone that should destroy all others and it self become a Mountain filling the whole earth but the times and order of his carrying on these great works by Jesus Christ is in the fittest proportion made known to the Church by Revelation-prophesie The Lord said to Davids Lord Sit at my right hand until I make thy foes thy footstool which he hath long expected Heb. 10.13 and the Heavens must receive him till the times of the Restitution of all things but the best resolution of both is to be had from Revelation-prophesie Glorious things are spoken saith the Psalmist of the City of God of the new the holy the great the beloved Jerusalem but what and when and where and for whom we are chiefly informed from Revelation-prophesie We read of the ruine of Gog and Magog the Churches greatest enemies before that City Jehovah Shammah shall be set up but when it shall be we chiefly learn from Daniel and Revelation-prophesie Object But did not Christ reprehend his Disciples Acts 1.6 for inquiring the time of his Kingdom c. Ans Though this and such like hath been sufficiently answered yet know it is only whilst God keeps such things in his own power and in the next Verse he said But ye shall be indued with power which was done about ten days after at the Feast of Pentecost and all that wrote after speak something thereof but chiefly the beloved John And though Christ as man then said he knew not the day and hour of his coming which none now pretend to yet in a fit latitude Christ hath revealed the near approach thereof with many things to be done before very useful for the Church to know and wherein all Saints are greatly concerned which are great mercies in many respects to be known and believed in these later days for which there is great cause of thanksgiving but no reason of cavilling with our mercies or the goodness of the Author of them Thus for the Doctrinal part of this Text wherein we have considered this most gracious Divine Declaration of the set time of such its performance with the glorious illustrations and confirmations thereof and shewed from Scripture wherein it doth consist and the many decipherings of the times of the renovation of all things with Scripture evidences accordingly referring thereunto both manifesting the thing and shewing in a latitude the near approach thereof We shall now by Gods gracious assistance endeavour to make some pertinent improvement thereof 1. We may hence be informed of the many mistakes that have been both of this Text and the Context thereof as respecting the matter time and place thereof the matter not the making new these visible Heavens and earth but the Prophetical Heavens and earth as we have shewed For the time not after the last Resurrection and Judgment but in the interim betwixt the first and last wherein the anciently declared and promised mercies are to be performed to the faithful Fathers and their spiritual Seed through the Promised Seed of the
Woman alone without man the Mighty One to save which God hath laid help on for that purpose Psal 89.19 Thirdly for the Place not in the highest Heavens for that time during the Judgment of the Great Day but in the world until Christs Kingly Office and Business fore-prophesied of in the Word be there sulfilled in destroying or removing the causes of evil in the world viz. wicked men and Devils out of it with their evil effects by sin namely the curse bodage corruption emnity brought upon the Creatures therein under which both men and other Creatures have long 〈…〉 do groan and accomplished all that promised good appoâ—ved for that time and state in the parts of that great restauration and renovation respecting both the raised Saints and those in the â—â—â—ural life according to Predictions and promised Mercies belonging to both sorts then c. which are all most surely confirmed Doctrines to be true and faithful by him that is said to sit upon the Throne in this Text and all as belonging to the Davidical Kingdom of Christ into the possession whereof the raised Saints are brought by the first blessed bodily Resurrection as their Inlet thereinto Secondly This may inform Christians first of the Divine excellencie of this Book 2. Of the incomparable usefulness thereof in those many great respects of the Saints great concernments in that time and state leading them into and securing also unto them their eternal happiness in the highest Heavens upon the compleating thereof and thirdly thereupon of the great Reasons they have to stir them up to the frequent reading diligent study and profitable improvement of the matters set before them by God and Christ therein First the excellencie thereof appears from the Author of it and the manner of delivering it for the benefit and information of the Christian Church God the Father gives it to the Son and he to the beloved Apostle John when he was in the Spirit on the Lords Day in time of his banishment for the word of God and the Testimony of Jesus to be sent unto the Churches being also for that end sent and signified by his Angel Chap. 1.1 Secondly It was given with wonderful great solemnity in respect of things then to come to the end of the world Chap. 4. and 5. God the Father as sitting upon his Throne the Church represented by the 24 Elders and four living Wights about him representing all faithful Christians and Church-guides with whom is the Lamb and the seven Spirits ever present and when none could be found in Heaven or earth worthy to look into that Book or open the Seals thereof it was given to the Lamb to open and fulfil who by his infinite wisdom and perfect power hath and doth and in due time will both perfectly open and fulfil the same in the set order for the accomplishment thereof which will bring unexpressible rejoycing and praise by Angels Saints and all Creatures in their capacities thereupon c. Chap. 5.10 to the end Thirdly The matter is profound and contains highly profitable Mysteries the form is very excellent in a wonderful Divine contrivance as in some small measure we have pointed out as we have in Mercy received c. Secondly for the usefulness it gives encouragement in the worst times of sufferings from many memorandums of Christs Kingdom for the suffering Saints and of the New Jerusalem-state observable in all these times as in our 7th Argum. of the Word written is shewed Secondly Useful in opening the hidden Mystical part of the Gospel and the great Subjects of the last things respecting the first and second said Resurrection of the bodies of just and unjust in their orders and of the first and second Acts of the Judgment of the great Day contained in general in Enochs Vision or Prophesie and in many things explained by Christ and his Apostles but in many other could not be understood without this Book therefore called the Book of Revelation with an Emphasis as the whole holy Scriptures called the Bible and the name of Christ is added to it being the Revelation that only could be made by Jesus Christ the Son of God the eternal word but as manifest in the flesh therefore much is to be looked for from it not to be attained by any other Writings nor many things in the Holy Bible understood aright without the explications of this most Divine Book c. And therefore in the third place hence may all serious and found Christians see what great Reasons there are for them to use all careful endeavours to understand the weighty matters held out and revealed therein they are not secret things forbidden as some in the Old times when men might not look into the Ark of Gods Testament nor things shut up and sealed as many of Daniels Mysteries that were reserved for Christ thus to open in the times of the end or Gospel-times but they are of things whereunto a blessing is annexed to the due reading and search into them and therefore the beloved Apostle is commanded contrarily not to seal them Chap. 22.10 This Book with Daniels Prophetical Visions the hidden part whereof this in good measure is a Divine explication viz. during the Revelation said suffering-times to the 19th Chapter and they are both together given to regulate all Chronologie in the world for 2300 years and more to the end of this sacred Book without which little truth in all times since in that respect could have been found or discerned by all humane Authors so that all Prophetical Chronologie by the Revelation of God the Spirit is given in them both for so long a time viz. from the Captivity of Babylon to the end of the world even as Moses had likewise received his Divinely revealed Chronelogy of all times past to and in his own time for the space about 2490 years when there was nothing but Tradition to have supplied that want which was after in the Books of Joshua Judges Kings and Chronicles contiued upon record until the said Prophetical Chronology of Daniel and Revelation took place which have been since Divinely carried on and so will be as was said unto the end of the world and because Moses and many of those that followed had likewise as the Apostle Peter teaches distinct Prophesies of those last times in the Book of Revelation therefore God in wonderful wisdom faithfulness and goodness hath in that last Table of of the happy times of Christs Church in the world revealed unto us those sure foundations of such unspeakable goodness then to be performed and accomplished not otherwise to be known or believed in many respects which are the peculiar excellencies belonging to and benesits accrewing to the Christian Church by this so Divine Book and are not these great engagements to the study of the same In this Divine Book we have the revelation in a latitude of the end of two special great Mysteries viz. the end of the great Mystery