last times contained in chap. 20. leads us to the end of the thousand years and the finishing of the last Judgment of which the 2 following Chap. are an explication as is usual in that book first to set down things more generally and then more particularly to explain them as also is observable from that former Table of the times chap. 11. which also reacheth to the state of things on earth in the thousand years 3. St. John saw that holy City the New Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God not ascending thither or being there 4. When that general great rejoycing was at the destruction of the Enemies chap. 19. to ver 9 for these 2 reasons first that the Lord God Omnipotent then Reigned 2ly That the Marriage of the Lamb then was come and that his Wife had made her self ready which is afterwards manifest to be above a thousand years before the last Resurrection and this Wife of the Lamb is after explained to be the New Jerusalem that St. Iohn saw descending out of Heaven from God there called the Bride the Lambs Wife Rev. 21.9 consisting of the blessed Saints then to inhabit it bodily in their order at the first Resurrection which is also in the following part of that chapt so gloriously decyphered and in Chap. 22. to v. 6. therefore it is thence evident that the said Jerusalem the Lambs Wife descended above a thousand years before the last Resurrection and Judgment and therefore all that time not to be in Heaven moreover it is said to be besieged by Gog and Magog at the end of the thousand years as follows in the next reason 5. The same holy City is said to be compassed about by Gog and Magog at the end of the thousand years Rev. 20.9 which could not be done if it was not then in the world and therefore the Vision thereof when it first descended which the Angel that had one of the 7 Vials then shewed to St. Iohn calling it the Bride the Lambs Wife and all the priviledges and excellencies thereof must needs belong to it whilst it is in the world all those many excellent things concerning it chap. 21 22. to v. 6. must needs belong to the state of Christs Church in those times on Earth as after will further appear all tending to set forth that one description of that holy City seen in the same Vision which was before said to be so encompassed with God and Magog with its priviledges and appurtenances as follow in both Chapters 6. It will be in that time when the Nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of the said New Jerusalem which they will not do in the state of Heavenly perfection when no Nations will be in the world but all Saints will be perfect in one Jo. 17 23. in soul and body and the whole mystical body of Christ shall be completed in the members of it and all received into perfect glory and happiness 7. In the same verse the Kings of the Earth are said to bring their own glory and honour to it and therefore it must be in the time wherein they enjoy such honour and glory upon Earth ver 26. 8. Those Kings are there said also to bring the glory and honour of the Nations unto it in the same verse and therefore it must be in the time wherein such Nations have such Kings and such glory and honour to be brought unto it and these also were foretold Es 60. in many eminent expressions in many perticulars 9 It will be in a time measured by moneths when the Nations will also need healing and therefore the use of the leaves of the Tree of Life in the street of the City that bears fruit every moneth is said to be for the healing of the Nations chap. 22.2 and so before the end of the world c. 10. The Sun Moon and Candle at the same time will be useful to other places in the world when the Lambs supereminent light will so enlighten that holy City that there will be no need of any other Rev. 22 5. and Rev. 21.23 as was also foretold of the same times by the Prophet Esay chap. 24.23 Then shall the Moon be confounded and the Sun ashamed when the Lord of Hosts shall Reign in Mount Sion and in Jerusalem and before his Ancients gloriously So also Es 60.19 The Sun shall be no more thy light by day neither for brightness shall the Moon give light unto thee but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light and thy God thy glory 11. Upon the coming down of this New Jerusalem the Tabernacle of God is said to be with men and he to dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God Rev. 21 3. and was said before in c. 20.4 Christ should reign with his raised Sts. 1000. years and that on earth expresly say the representatives exulting greatly in it Rev. 5.10 12. Some of the former and ensuing promises are applyed by the spirit of God in this Book to the said new Jerusalem state as that of the new Heavens and the new Earth Isa 65.16 so applyed Rev. 21.5 and that the Kings and Nations of the earth shall bring their glory to it in that time Isa 60.11 and so applyed Rev. 21 24 26 c. 13. It is the place where the representatives Rev. 5.10 shall reign with Christ upon earth being that City that God prepared for the faithful Fore-Fathers Heb. 11. the last and all believers since their times to the resurrection of the just wherefore it seems to be of so great largeness as containing 12000. Furlongs which some reckon 500. Leagues and which is most wonderful as our late Annotators observe the height and length and breadth are equal as a perfect Cube who also reckon the Citie described by Ezek. to be so great as containing in compass about it 18000. measures or 4500. on each square Ezek. 48.16 14. The City that Abraham particularly looked for is said to have foundations whose maker and builder is God Heb. 11.10 and such is that that shall then come from God out of Heaven Rev. 21. having 12 foundations v. 14. of which the Psalmist seems prophetically to speak Psal 87.1 his foundation is in the holy Mountain and which Psalm is in many places applicable to those times of the new Jerusalem to come and these foundations may seem to difference it then from that which is now above where are the spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. called also Paradise and Abrahams bosom c. that when the Sts. come with Christ at the said Jerusalems coming down from God out of Heaven that their bodies may be raised united to their Souls at the first blessed resurrection such foundations may be suitable to their condition then having their bodies reunited to them and to that estate of the Church in the world described in Rev.
ΙΕΡΟ-ΜΕΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ OR The Holy the Great the Beloved NEW JERUSALEM a Shortly to come down from God out of Heaven b BEING The work of Gods own hands c whose form will be perfectly cubâ—cular in length breadth and height equal 12000 furlongs d having the glory of God or light as a stone most precious e prepared for the Lamb Wife or raised Saints f then to be made perfect in one g there to behold Christs glory in his Davidical Kingdome h of the thousand years reign with his Saints on Earth i from Antichrists last ruine to Satans last loosing k shortly then producing both the worlds destruction and his own perpetual torment with all the damned in Hell l From Scripture evidence abundantly made manifest both by clear Texts and necessary Consequence more especially comprised in 15 well approved reasons By William Sherwin Minister of the Gospel See a Rev. 21.10 20.9 b Rev. 21 2.10 c Heb. 11.10 d Rev. 21.16 e Rev. 21.11 f Rev. 19.7 8 9. compared with chap. 21.9.10 Heb. 11.16.40 g Jo. 17.21 22 23. h Jo. 17.24 Es 9.7 Rev. 1.32 33. i Eze. 48. last Rev 5.10 Rev. 20.4 k 1 Thes 2.8 2 Tim. 4.1 Rev. 19.11 to the end Rev. 20.2.7 l Rev. 20.8 9 10.15 c. Apoc. 3.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esa 54 12 13. I will make thy Windows of Agats thy gates of Carbuncles and thy borders of pleasant stones See Rev. 21.18 19. Ver. 13. And all thy Children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of thy Children So Rev. 22.1 2 3 4 5 6. LONDON Printed for Francis Smith and are to be sold at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-Bar Scripture evidence for the New Jerusalem on Earth to come The Doctrine whereof is First proved Secondly Improved Proved First From the explaining and opening of the Text. Jer. 3. from ver 14. to v. 20. 2ly From many Prophesies and Descriptions thereof in the Old and New Testament with Answers to some Objections and 13. Reasons set down why it shall be on Earth c. 3ly From the Series and Order of things set down in Daniel and explained more fully in the book of Revelation given to the beloved Apostle John Secondly improved First for Redargution of the errours of several sorts of persons against these truths Secondly For Admonition to three sorts of men First To such as own these Divine Doctrines to be mindful to improve them 2ly To such as really indeavour to improve them to be often mindful of and much to be affected with the greatness of their mercies and the greatness of engagement to duty thereby if duly considered 3ly To such as own them not to beware of slghting so much Divine and sacred Scripture truth of so great weight and concernment both as to holiness and happiness as many such persons little think of or consisider and most of all to take heed of opposing of them Thirdly To exhort all men to make use of the light of their understanding abilities to search into those Scriptures that concern these things that they may not be found fighters against any such truth of God Christian Reader VVHen the ancienter misrepresentations about the time of the the rising of Antichrist and some later pervertings are remove â— from the Doctrine of Christs Kingdome upon earth in the thousand years Rev. 20. as we shewed in our Preface to the Irenion it will appear to be a Divine and Scriptual part of the glorious Gospel of Christ and to be nothing else but an explication of some Articles of the Christian faith according to holy Scripture namely how and when Christ will come from the right hand of the Father to judg the quick and the dead at his next appearance and his Kingdome 2 Tim 4.1 and in what order he will fulfill the blessed Resurrection of the Just Luk. 14.14 or that first Resurrection Rev. 20.5 in the said thousand years with all those great things to be accomplished according to Scripture from his said appearance to the little space wherein Satan shall be loosed afterwards as namely the final destruction of Antichrist the national and miraculous calling of the Jews the Restitution of all things the New Heavens and the New Earth the restoring the Dominion over the Creatures and their freedome from the bondage of Corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.21 And in the said first blessed Resurrection of the Just the fulfilling of the prrmises to Abraham Jsaac and Jacob of the Promised Land to them and their Seed for ever The sure mercies of David how Christ shall rule on his Throne to the end of the world Esa 9.7 2 Sam. 7.16 25 26.29 with many other excellent things belonging to that time which cannot from Scripture be warrantably applyed to any other time as we have shewed in a Treatise on Gen. 3.15 then that wherein he will so eminently break the Serpents head and this is that coming the second time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 8.28 At the first he came to satisfie for sin and by reason of sin all the time from thence to his second coming his Servants have been liable to sufferings as members of his mystical body with him and for him after his example though not without Sin but then he will appear to Salvation to them to free them from such sufferings by destroying their Enemies and binding Satan and powerfully enabling his Servants to serve him Rev. 22.3 granting great and wonderful peace in the world to them in those times of refreshing from his own presence Acts 3.19 redeeming the bodies of the faithful from the prison and corruption of the Grave and after the thousand years will save the Camp of the Saints and the beloved City from the last attempt of Cog and Mag g upon Satans seducement and after Christs withdrawing in the time of that attempt he will descend as saith the Apostle with a shout and the voyce of an Arch-angel and with the Trump of God 1 Thes 4.17 though we know not whether he will be then out of the world in person or at least the raised Saints on earth shall not even at that time have the Vision of his glorious Person but to the Creatures discovery he will then descend at the last general Resurrection and Judgment when Heaven and Earth shall flee away before his face and no place be found for them as saith St. John Rev. 20.11 upon the fulfilling whereof he will perfect the Salvation of all his people by carying his whole mystical body with him into eternal blessedness in the highest Heavens no more to withdraw from them but that they shall ever thenceforth be with him the Lord 1 Thes 4.17 How then must he needs from his said second coming be glorified in his Saints and be then admired by all them that believe 2 Thes 1.10 and how ought the faith of the said things to chear and comfort their hearts against and under all
in the Text is the New Jerusalem spoken of Rev. 21. upon the national call and conversion of Gods ancient people the Jews who shall then look upon him whom they have pierced and with true penitence turn unto him as Zac. 12.10 from which time they their Seed and their Seeds Seed shall continue the blessed of the Lord Es 61.9 66.22 when that Nation of the Jews shall be born in a day and the Iniquity of their Land shall be taken away in one day Es 66.8 Zac. 3.9 The second way of Confirmation is from the many Prophesies and Descriptions and Testimonies contained in the Old and New Testament respecting the New Jerusalem where first we may consider those eminent Texts Es 59.20 21. when the Redeemer shall come to Zion what a Covenant he then makes with her Children and how she shall shine when the glory of the Lord shall be risen upon her chap. 60. what access there will be to her and how strangers shall build her Walls and how Kings shall Minister to her and her gates be continually open to receive the Forces of the Gentiles c. ver 9 10.11 Rev. 21.24.26 and amongst many other high expressions she shall be called the City of the Lord the Zion of the holy one of Israel and much of these Prophesies and such as follow are applyed by Christ himself unto the said New Jerusalem Rev. 21 c. and therefore are so to be understood but to save transcribing more Prophesies under this head of proofs see many more then we have toucht upon here in our Prodromus in the letter of November 3. 1663. pag. 18 19 20 21. As for Scriptural descriptions of the New Jerusalem much is spoken by the Prophet Jeremiah and Esay and others as we have in part already shewed but especially it is largely described by Ezekiel in his nine last Chapters where he at last declares the name of the City to be Jehovah Shamma the Lord is there being probably in part the same that is described more gloriously by Christ Rev. 21. for the use of the Gentile Church as Ezekiel had set it forth for the Jews before see Observation third in our last part pag. 18 19. Again in the New Testament our Saviour stiles it the City of the great King Math. 5. and where the Tabernacle of God shall be with men Rev. 21. and Christ reign with his raised Saints a thousand years Rev. 20. and of which City the Lamb will be the visible light instead of Sun Moon or Candle and where his Saints shall behold his glory which his Father hath given him Jo. 17.24 It is that place which our Saviour told his Disciples he went to prepare for them Jo. 14.1 and that after his going from them he would come again and receive them unto himself that where then he will be they might be there also ver 3. even in his Kingdom assigned to him by his Father Dan. 7.13 14. at the time when Jerusalem as in the the Text shall be called the Throne of the Lord as by Gods assistance we shall further manifest at which time our Saviour also hath appointed a Kingdome to his Disciples Luc. 22.29 30. even as his Father had appointed unto him that they might not only eat and drink at his Table in his Kingdom but sit on Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel which only can be in the New Jerusalem-state according to Scripture It is that City whose maker and builder God is said to be Heb. 11 10 the Jerusalem that was free when the other was in bondage with her Children Gal. 4. which is the Mother of all the faithful and which is to be above till the time of its coming down from God out of Heaven when Christ will bring all his Saints and such as sleep in him with him 1 Thes 3. ult 1 Thes 4.14 and therefore it is described by the Apostle to be the City prepared by God for the faithful fore-Fathers yet so as for all future believers likewise that they without us saith he might not be made perfect Heb. 11.40 or perfect in one as the Lambs Wife as the same Jerusalem is called Rev. 21.9 10. whose priviledges are there described to be exceeding great for there shall be no hunger pain crying and all tears shall be wiped away there shall be no more curse but the Throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it and therefore all Joy Glory and Happiness suitable to that State as Chap. 21. 22. to ver 7. is largely and divinely though Mysteriously described all which Prerogatives of that â—appy condition are largely set forth both in Old and New Testament as the forementioned Quotations with many others may abundantly Evidence if they were particularly insisted upon for glorious things saith the holy Psalmist are spoken of thee thou City of God Psal 87. Which hath special reference unto those times when the Nations shall come unto her as Egypt Assirya c. as Esa 19. from verse 18. to the end When also the fresh Springs of Divine Grace will flow from thence c. As is also described in Ezekiels last Vision Object But the new Jerusalem Rev. 21. is said to come down from God out of Heaven and to be a City whose Maker and Builder God is said to be Heb. 11.10 which Abraham is said there to have looked for And is that City prepared for the faithful Fore-fathers as was said from vers 40. But that in the Old Testament foretold is to be Built by Men and Strangers shall build the Walls of it and Kings and Nations bring their Wealth and Glory to it c. Answ In answer whereunto we are to consider that according to Scripture the Jerusalem state at that time will consist of Saints in a twofold condition First of the Nation of the Jews with other Israelâ—tes converted and all other converted Nations that shall joyn themselves to them with their Kings all abiding in their Bodies and animal Lâ—fe as formerly Again it will consist of such Saints as Christ at his second coming brings with him as Zach. 14.5 1 Thes 3. last who shall have their Bodies raised in their order as saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. Rom. 11.18 who will be another sort of Inhabitants in that New Jerusalem state though in a much more blessed and holy condition Rev. 20.6 In which respect the Scripture seems peculiarly to ascribe to God the making and building of that City as a Mansion fitted for the raised Saints and a place of glory for them then to behold Christs glory which then he will have in his Mediators Visible Kingdom upon Earth suitable to that estate which City shall have Foundations Heb. 11.10 But whether it shall be by these Foundations elevated on high above the Earth or otherwise and have Streets of Gold like to transparent Glass that the glory of it may be discerned in some measure by other Saints then in the world and
whose name is above every name for as those in heaven do it so shall those in earth and under the earth in their due time do it Phil. 2.9 10. and so in such a glorious condition will those new Heavens and new Earth then be that his Name will be sanctifyed his Kingdom will be come and his Will then be done on earth as it was before in heaven For Christ when he was upon earth taught not his Servants to pray all along to his coming for those things which shall never be and God hath not made so many promises and given forth so many prophesies of such things as never will be performed and fulfilled But then will be that great Sabbatisme of such holy refreshment from the presence of the Lord and rest which remains saith the Apostle for the people of God Heb. 4 9. when those promised mercies to the Fathers shall be fulfilled on earth that his people may serve him without fear of their enemies in holiness and righteousness before him all the dayes of their Life Luke 1.73 74. and as Rev. 22.3 now these promised mercies were to Abraham Isaac and Jacob not yet fulfilled but seen a far off Heb. 11.13 c. There are also sure mercies of David not yet fully accomplished 1 Sam. 7.15 16 c. that his House and his Kingdom should be estabâ—ished for ever before him and his Throne shall be established for ever which he there largely by Faith applyed and by grateful acknowledgement praised God for as if it had been performed and then Job and Esay will find the effect and fruit of their own Faith Job 14. Esa 46. and Daniel shall then obtain his promised Lot with all the holy Prophets and faithful servants of God in those times Oh how should our Faith be exercised in these things that with faithful Abraham we may rejoyce aforehand at the day of Christs visible Dominion as he did both at that and his Incarnation Heb. 11.13 c. And so we should proceed to a second Use of thankfulness for such great mercies now manifest to the Church of Christ from his Word and chiefly from him the faithful and true witness but because we have been somwhat large to that purpose upon a like occasion towards the end of a former Treatise on Gen. 3.15 we here wave that and only touch upon some hints of further improvement by way of admonition and exhortation and so leave them to be enlarged by Christians in their private meditations c. Vse 2. For admonition to two sorts of persons First to such as own these Doctrines of Christs Kingdom of visible power to come c. so much the more to be careful to make sure their interest first in Christs spiritual Kingdom of grace here in this present life and state of things before they look or hope for any part in his Kingd of visible power on earth at his coming or in Gods eternal Kingdom of glory ensuing upon it for grace and Gods spirit here is the earnest and evidence of all blessedness hereafter only Wise Virgins will be admitted into the Bride-chamber when the Bridegroom comes and such only will he receive to himself to make them inheritors of everlasting blessedness in the Kingdom of his Father for though all divine Scripture truth is written for our learning as the Apostle Paul teacheth yet all divine knowledge not being duly improved will aggravate the sin and misery of all formal professors thereof both in the whole of Christian religion or in any remarkable branch thereof much more if such knowledge be perverted contrarie to the holy just and good laws of Christs Kingdom of grace that teacheth his people to deny ungodly and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously Godly in this present world Tit. 2.11 12. But for such as own these Doctrines are indeed faithful servants and subjects of their great Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to look upon all Doctrine respecting Christs Kingdom on earth as a great ingagement unto duty and thankfulness not only in word and outward profession but most especially to endeavour to manifest it in heart and conversation buth before himself and in the sight of men and that they may so labour the more to act thankfulness by walking so much the more Christianly and obediently to his Laws seeing by such Doctrine a greater engagement is laid upon them thereunto for as their expectations are greater than otherwise they could be from the evidence they have of their interest in Christs glorious Kingdom of power on earth to come by the redemption of their bodies and the union of them to their souls in that blessed condition appointed to the faithful in their order besides what others shall enjoy who then remain in their natural life that upon that account they study and labour to be more ready and forward to do such acceptable service for Christ as he assignes them unto though unpleasing to flesh and blood because it will be acceptable unto him and he requires it of them and it will be found no loss as some misapprehend but occasion of great rejoycing for those spirits of just men made perfect to be brought with Christ at his appearance and his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 to attain to that desired Union with their bodies there to behold Christs glorie c. in that blessed condition above a thousand years sooner than the last resurrection as was manifest by that great exultation of the Representatives Rev. 5.10 as an addition to their spiritual joy and praise to the Lamb And say they we shall reign upon earth where they knew aforehand that they should personally enjoy in body and soul the blessed vision of Christ and all such happiness as is appointed for them in his visible Mediators Kingdom of power upon earth who will then be so admired of all his Saints as the Apostle Paul teacheth and glorifyed in them that believe 2 Thes 1.10 Vse 3. For Admonition to all real and faithful Christians that as yet own not these Doctrines of the Millennium which I confess till of late years I my self have often opposed as I shewed in the Irenicon to take heed and beware of slighting and over-looking so much divine truth as the fore-named and many other texts and portions of holy Scripture hold forth evidently concerning those things and to that end consider first some truths of that nature have been antiently received though the great Deceiver then stirred up some to cast unjust reproaches and false imputations upon the owners of them yea they have been owned both by antient Fathers and modern writers and the light and evidence of them is like to break forth more and more amongst faithful Christians as prejudices are removed and more Mysteries are accomplished and by Gods mercy greater discoveries made of what concerns his true Church and if diligent and impartial search were made of those Scriptures which concern these things but especially what Daniel