speaks concerning the 4th or Roman Monarchie according to the judgement of divers learned men and that first more generally Dan. 2. Dan. 7. Mr. Medâ— Dr. Vsher Mr. S. cala mens c. 16. p. 183. or more particularly of the rise of the Roman Monarchie c. 11. 18. 30. 36 and then of the nature and state of it till Christs appearance c. 12. 1. it seems very probable that many persons of the best state and worth may see cause to acknowledge much thereof and especially when they shall find Christs Revelation given to his Church in these times of the end is nothing but a divine mystical Comment upon the 4th Monarchie in Dan. and his own Kingdom to succeed it as we have shewed in our Abridgement on Dan. and the parallel ensuing it as we have set down in a direction in the Epistle before this parallel and yet more in this respect when they shall find that there is nothing of weight that hath not been answered sufficiently and sollidly as we shewed in our tract on Gen. 5.15 Vse ult To exhort all such faithfull Christians that own all other parts of divine Doctrine but not these as yet to take that Candle of the Lord that he hath put into them Prov. 20.21 even their own understanding Soul as it is given to them from him without prepossession prejudice partiality self-ends or interests and so let them search into all divine Truths respecting these things as God may give them helps and advantages to make use of yet only as grounded upon and warranted by the written word of God Searching therein with the noble Bereans whether these things be so for it is a heinous thing to be found fighters against any Truth of God But we ought to improve all we have or are to promote divine Truth when called to it to stand up for it and witness to it For as it is great folly vanity and sin to please our selves with expectations from Christs Religion that he hath given us no ground or warrant for So it would be as much for any Christian that would be owned of Christ Jesus willingly to neglect or regardlesly to pass by such things as Christ in much graciousness tenders to his Church for her encouragement and cosolation which must needs prove in such matters very unacceptable to him and is like to procure to them more blame from him when he shall appear then haply they are aware of Let men therefore in due season seriously consider these things c. Further directions for the use of all these Books then were set down in 3 late Epistles to Gen. 3.15 Jer. 3.12 and the 8 convincing Arguments 1. FIrst read the 4th part with the Scheme in one sheet on Gen. 3.15 to be placed next before Rev. 22.20 Behold I come quickly wherein with Jer. 3.17 concerning the new Jerusalem on earth to come are contained the substance of all those Gospel Truths respecting Christs Kingdom to come 2. And to manifest how fitly those Doctrines agree with all other divine truths therewith consider well all those divine Theses in p 9 10 c. of the Prodromus or forerunner but esprcially observe the 11 12 13. with that refeence of Decemb. 7.46 for which see p. 44 45 46. of the same also p. 3 4. c. of the Irenic with Arg. there and p. 33. Unto which may be added the letter of Nov. 3.36 p. 15 16. wherein much of those Truths is touched also 3. And for an help unto the 3d part viz. the Abridgement and Parallels Daniel with the Revelation which is of great use for the foundations of sure discovery of all such Doctrines diligently peruse the Letter to Mr. Cal. May 20. 64. p. 22 23. of the Prodr and the Scheme of the book of Revelation concerning the times and order of the Seals Trumpets and Vials in which Letter observe well these 2 distinctions there set down towards the end thereof which will be found to be of very great concernment in these Doctrines First the distinction of the last mystical Trumpet or 3d woe Trumpet when Antichrist being utterly destroyed the Kingdoms of the world become the Kingdoms of Christ Rev. 11.15 And of the last sounding Trumpet above 1000 years after Thes 4 16. for they differ in nature as well as times when the general Rapture and glorious Change of all Sts. shall be as 1 Cor. 15 51 52. The other Distinction also in this same Letter greatly to be noted is the different state of Persons in Christs Kingdom First some will be raised Sts in the first blessed Resurrection Rev. 20.6 c. in the new Jerusalem described Rev. 21. 2dly Another sort of persons will be in the natural life which are said then to walk in the light of the new Jerusalem called Rev. 21.24 the nations of them that shall be saved the not observing of these two directions evidently grounded on holy Scripture have been the ground of many mens errors c. 4. Then compare that said Letter of May 20.64 with another Abridgement of the Seal-Prophesie and book-Prophesie in the Revelation as p. 26 27 28 29. of the Irenicon or 2d part Both which Prophesies contain the orders of times from Christs ascending to heaven Acts 1. to his coming again Rev. 19.1 with 20.1 2 3 4. till the good new world shall begin But first the Seal Prophesie is of Civil matters in the Roman state chiefly and 2dly the Book-Prophesie is of the Ecclesiastick affairs in the true and false Church and both of them until the new and good world to come shall begin as Heb. 2.5 Eph. 5.21 Rev. 19.20 c. 5. Furthermore for the attaining of better light in the whole Revelation after the former Letter read observantly the large paper of December 7.26 p. 26 c. of the Prodro concerning two defects of Mr. Durhams Book of Scotland on the whole book of the Revelation with the Scheme thereof one was his mistaking of the times in great part for near 100 years the other defect was his passing over the new Jerusal state and Christs said Kingdom of power or as Mede on Dan. 7.35 stiles it the Kingdom of the Mountain throughout all the book of Rev. as if nothing there had been said of it in this world though the Elders c. say expresly Rev. 5.10 we shall reign upon earth that paper will be of very good use and being well observed with the others giveth much light to that Book of the Revelation and all the said helps to the use of the Parallels in the third book or part on Dan. 6. As for our second part viz. the Irenicon it is to prove such a Kingdom with the late 8 Arguments in the Word written c. referring to it The Penmans further humble acknowledgement MOst Blessed Lord God I thy poor weak and unworthy Servant do in all humility of Soul by the help of thy holy Spirit through Jesus Christ my Saviour three in Persons
is set forth by Christ to be square and a perfect Cube the height as much as the breadth wâ—th all the excellencies set down by him Rev. 21. 22. It being mysterious we may not be too curious to inquire nor â—ash to determine though such things are there spoken of which are not on the other hand negligently to be overlookt as spoken to mans capacity yet this may be resolved upon That since such persons have then and there such happiness assigned to them God will make it every way suitable to such a condition But yet unto this glorious and happy Mansion which God prepared for that time for the raised Saints as he did wonderfully prepare a body for Christ when he became man even to that glorious Mansion the Scripture shews the Kings and Nations of the earth shall bring their glory and honour as Rev 21.24.26 probably not so much to add to it as to shew their affâ—ction towards it and the Owner of it And such help and comfort they may then bring as may be useful to the Nations that are saved walking in the Light of the new Jerusalem being in their bodies al ve as before to them it is probable there wi l be much good use made of such bounty of Kings and munficence of Princes and others in those times and Christ the great King much honoured by their Oblations c. Wherein it is probable the goodness of God may in such ways appear eminently in those times according to his many Prophesies and Promises to such purposes and the same God that hath appointed an eternity of Happiness hath likewise prepared a suitable happiness in that state for all sorts of his Saints then which experience will manifest though we cannot in all things now be resolved particularly God hath prepared that Jerusalem now above where are the spirits of just men made perfect and God will or hath prepared that City for them and others departed since Christs first to his second coming which shall then come down from him out of Heaven when their Bodies shall be reunited to their souls to remain with Christ in happiness in his Kingdom upon Earth and after that to all Eternity in the highest Heavens Object Another Objection may seem to be taken from Ezek. 16.55 56. c. When I bring again the Captivity of Sodom and her Daughters and the Captivity of Samaria and her Daughters then will I bring again the Captivity of thy Captives in the midst of thee which may seem an utter rejection of that people c. Answ That this Text or any other of the like nature is not to be understood of an utter final rejection of any of them let them be particularly considered First not of Samaria or the Israelites whose chief City it was for that in the appointed time of Gods mercy promised to them shall be again received and owned by him may from many Texts of Holy Scripture appear abundantly for those two Sticks of Israel and Judah shall be again united into one Kingdom as Ez k 37. Then will be fulfilled what the Apostle Paul foretels Rom. 11. that then all Israel shall be saved And secondly Sodom and her Daughters as well as Egypt and Assyria Esa 19.25 when it will be said Blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the works of my Hands and Israel mine Inheritance Even Sodom it self may then have a part in that general Mercy at the great Restitution of all things though for its foul-sins now a stinking Lake in the mean time since then Mercy will be extended to all Nations to see the salvation of the God of Israel Esa 52.10 For all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God Therefore also Sodom and her Daughters and appears here so to be understood because joyned with the Israelites as before Egypt and Assyria were Es 19.25 to whom belong the Adoption and the Covenant and the promises as the Apostle Paul teacheth Rom. 9.4 to which purpose also read in this Chapter and consider ver 53 54 compared with and explained by ver 61.63 for as he spake of their return at the same time so toward the end of the Chapt. upon the foundation of his own everlasting Covenant he would give them to her for Daughters and at such a time as not only she should be ashamed for her former miscarriage but when he also would be pacified towards her for all she had done c. And although no mercy was to be expected to the Land of Judea or Jerusalem by their own Covenant which they had broken as is shewed ver 59. thou hast despised the Oath in breaking the Covenant wherefore God denies such mercies to be upon that foundation ver 61. Not saith he by thy Covenant but even upon that takes occasion to renew and confirm his own Covenant and that his everlasting Covenant for the comfort of the faithful then and of all times after to come in a glorious way of free grace formerly set down in the days of her youth and now again in this Chapt. repeated and confirmed as appears manifestly ver 60 61. to the end of the Chapt. in many full and forceable expressions if those verses be duly considered wherein the mercy of God reserved for them against those times is both largely display'd and strongly confirm'd which Covenant is yet also more fully explained and clearly distinguished by the Prophet Jer. 31 31 32 33 c. which likewise the Apostle Paul applyed in a more special manner to that people in his Epistle to the Hebrews though not excluding others Heb. 8. ver 8 9 10 11. according to what he had told the Gentils as a mistery as be calls it 〈◊〉 11.25.26 27. from the words of the Prophet Es 59.20 The 〈…〉 shall come to Sion and to them that turn from transgression in Jacob a like confirmation hereof we have again from the Prophet Ezekiel largely set down chap. 20.37.40 41 42 43 44 c. let all these Texts be serâ—ously considered to this puâ—pose wherein the riches of Gods free grace to that his ancient people after all their so great and so long wanderings from him are so largely displayed Quest But is not that which you call the New Jerusalem upon Earth to be meant of the highest Heavens Answ It is true that many have so understood it but again many othâ—rs that have taken pains in searching the intent of that and othet mystical portions of Scripture have been and are of a different judgment and that for many good and we ghty reasons as these following and the like 1. Because the last part of St. Iohns Prophesie Rev. 12.26 is said to be of things shortly to come to pass namely in their due order in the world and nothing by him there seen in Vision to be extended further then the worlds end when the measure of short or long time will utterly cease c. 2. The last Table of the
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.
Christ amogst which the sitting on the Throne of David as man will be one 1 Iohn 4.2 3. And as for the raising of the dead Saints at the Resurrection of the Just as it is called Luke 14.14 or the blessed first Resurrection above a thousand years before the rest of the dead shall be raised Rev. 20.5 they being such as will be counted worthy of that world called the world to come Heb. 2.5 where those Children of the Resurrection as our Saviour speaketh Luke 20.35 36. shall be as the Angels in Heaven since at his appearance and coming into the world Christ will bring his Saints with him and such as sleep in Jesus with him 1 Thes 3. ult 4.14 Zac. 14.5 to the end that being raised from the dead he may reward them Rev. 11.11 22.12 or recompence them at the said Resurrection of the Just Luke 14. when they shall behold the glory of Christ which the Father hath given him as Mediator Iohn 17.24 when his Disciples shall sit upon twelve Thrones judgeing the twelve Tribes of Israel Luke 22.30 and his faithful servants according to the improvement of their Talents shall rule over so many Cities Luke 19.17.19 Psal 49.14 and shall have power over the Nations Rev. 2.26 Psal 45.6 their bodies being then redeemed from the prison and Corruption of the grave Rom. 8.23 and their former mortal bodies shall then be powerfully raised by the same spirit of him that raised up Christ from the dead Rom. 8.11 that so then such as suffer for Christ in the body may reign with Christ in his Mediators Kingdom in their bodies 2 Tim. 2.12 and those raised bodies when he shall appear being like him shall see him as he is 1 Iohn 3.2 when the Tabernacle of God shall be with men and he be with them in the new Ierusalem come down from God out of Heaven Rev. 21.3.10 in that City whose name shall be Iehovah Shamma the Lord is there Ezek. 40. ult and which shall then be called the Throne of of the Lord as in the text that City prepared for the faithful fore-fathers yet so as without the faithful that died since Christs first to his second coming they shall not be made perfect Heb. 11.40 or perfect in one as our Saviour prayed Iohn 17.23 and declares his will in the presence of his Father and before his Disciples that such as were given him should then be with him to behold his glory which his Father had given him v. 24. who will then be that spiritual and mystical Bride the Lambs Wife Rev. 21.9 in the time of his thousand years reign Rev. 20.4 when as saith the Apostle Paul Christ must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15.25 even till he deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father having put down all rule and all authority and power that stood in his way as in the verse before the last enemy Death being destroyed v. 26. Many of these texts of holy Scripture our blessed Saviour by his book of Revelation hath given much evident light unto as whosoever carefully compares them and duly weighes them with humble and faithful seeking the guidance of his spirit may hopefully find till which time many of these and divers others were darkly delivered have not otherwise so clear and fit exposition given of them as that they will be fulfilled at that time of the restitution of all things when the times of refreshing shall come for his people from the presence of the Lord when God will send Jesus whom the Heavens must contain till then Acts 3.19 20 21. in which times the many great things are to be accomplished which we formerly set down on Gen. 3.15 and Christs explication of them will at last be most certainly found the best and the mean time let it be observed that the Doctrine of the Resurrection was a long time but darkly set down in Scripture and but by degrees were the mysteries thereof revealed 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Rom. 8.11 as we have else where observed and as Mr. Mede saith that the Prophets in the old Testament except Daniel spake darkly or promiscuously of the first and second coming of Christ so we may say of the whole Scriptures speaking of the first and second bodily Resurrections till Christ explained them and chiefly in Rom. 20. yet by the guidance of that many others fall in with it See more in the Appendix after the Irenicon page 97. to 109. for I have in a manner but touched upon these texts of Scripture because I study brevity and have spoken there more largely of the first bodily Resurrection and because the Scriptures carry with them so great evidence in their consent one with another and bearing witness in their order to the same truth which serious Christians may in their Meditations more inlarge and improve that being rightly from the word informed of these things and the like they may both frame their prayers make other improvements thereof accordingly to help forwards Gods work in the fulfilling of some of them having such sure and comfortable foundations from the Word to raise up their affection to such purpose and especially in those latter dayes when their fulfilling approacheth near as may be observed from the fulfilling of so many Prophesies already and for the accomplishing of those that remain tends in a special manner that prayer at the end of these Visions with an even so as if it had been said that these great things in the said thousand years of Christs reign may be fulfilled Rev. 22.20 Even so Come Lord Jesus And that happy estate of Christs Church in that time of his said reign upon earth seems to be the main drift and scope of the three first petitions of the Lords Prayer which will then have their greatest fulfilling on earth as they are now fulfilled in Heaven when Satan shall be bound and sealed up in the bottomless pit from deceiving the Nations for that thousand years Rev. 20. and wicked men destroyed that destroyed the earth Rev. 11.18 the blessed and holy Saints raised from the dead at the first resurrection Rev. 20. and the holy Angels be Christs attendants in Christs Kingdom as the Courtiers of their most glorious King Heb. 1.6 Psal 97. where also his terrible coming into the world then is decyphered eminently with the joy of his people thereupon and that which will make it an Heaven indeed will be the Tabernacle of God will then be with men c. and the Lamb will be the visible light of that City and the living waters of divine grace will flow so abundantly from the Throne of God and the Lamb c. with many other heavenly excellencies of that state Rev. 21. 22. but that this may yet further appear to be then on earth all other inferiour Creatures must then also do their homage to their heavenly King by bowing the knee or yeilding their subjection to him