seven eyes denoting his perfect Power and Wisdom to fulfil the same ch 5. in their due order of accomplishment for the time to come to the end of this book namely the things that shall be hereafter for we speak only here of the third head of Johns Writings ch 1.19 to wit such as began above 1600 years past and now appear to be almost fulfilled to a very little space to the end of ch 19. But the 20th ch with the two following ch are as we have many ways sufficiently proved and doubt not by the same Divine Assistance farther to manifest that they are the same Holy mans Writings of that most excellent part of the same Divine Revelation for the time to come respecting the happy estate of that world that the Children of the Resurrection namely of this first Resurrection shall be counted worthy to obtain as our Saviour himself Divinely taught Luke 20.35 36. and in this Revelation he teacheth by his Servant John what that World and Resur are and in what order they should have their being and it is observable that as there is in the Text a remarkable emphasis in the Greek by the emphatical Article there doubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Resurrection even that first Resurrection So our Saviours expressions in Luke 20. of the same matter are suitable to this Text with its dependency both of that World then to begin called the World to come Heb. 2.5 and also of the same Resurrection and of the Saints themselves and of their being counted worthy of that World setting them all four down 1. By way of Doctrine and then again makes the same thing known by Revelation to his Servant John in respect of the time and order of fulfilling in this ch which he had before taught and made known by way of Doctrine while he lived on earth 1. Saith he the Children of that World 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in opposition to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to this present world where the Children of it are Married c. but not so in the other where the Children of the Resurrection shall be which here also he teacheth shall be when he destroys Antichrist the Beast and false Prophet and binds the Devil for 1000 years ch 19 20. that is that World which will then begin 2. It is the same Resurrection spoken of here emphatically even that which our Saviour expresseth there by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Rising from amongst such dead bodies as then shall be left behind being the same the Apostle strived to attain which he calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phil. 3.11 a Rising out of the heap of the Dead of which more afterwards and speaks of it as a peculiar thing belonging to such as rise out of such heaps 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Apostle of such Saints before dead by the genitive possessive as if the Holy Ghost would inform us further it is the Resurrection only of such dead Persons to whom an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly belongs viz. a Rising out of the heaps of the dead left behind 3. Of the Saints themselves that are to Rise then they are divers ways illustrated there by Christ 1. by what they are reckoned or counted worthy of aforehand 2. By what they are stiled by our Saviour in two expressions For the former the word is very remarkable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are such as are counted worthy of that World the word is a decompound denoting them to be counted worthy as being Enrolled in antient Record for it viz. in the Lambs Book of Life and that they are consequently to obtain that World as upon Record for it the words seem very forcible in their decyphering of the Saints blessed estate then by them to be obtained so here blessed and holy are they that have part c. v. 6. Again our Saviour there gave them a twofold excellent stile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Children of Gods and the Children of the Resurrection so here they are the Spouse the Lambs wife being the Children of God ch 19. 21. and this blessed Resurrection we speak of is proper only to the Saints those blessed Persons then 4. Christ sets forth a twofold excellency of that estate of the Saints they are immortal they can die no more so here on such the second death shall have no power yea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are like the Angels of God in Heaven not only privatively that they need not outward worldly helps to sustain them c. or not liable to suffering but as here blessed and holy as the Angels of God in Heaven and thus Christ by his spirit guided the Apostle John to set forth a practical Comment in this Divine Revelation of his former Heavenly Doctrine Luke 20. so agreeable is all Divine Truth in what the Holy Spirit speaks any way of the same thing To like purpose when our Saviour speaks of this first Resurrection in the Text he expresseth it by these words Joh. 5.29 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall come forth to the Resurrection of life they shall come out from the rest of the dead they shall come into the Resurrection of life which is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Resurrection of the Just Luke 14.14 that is theirs properly and peculiarly belonging to them as before they are the Synonomous Expressions of the Holy Ghost so exact is all Divine Truth delivered by him if we consider it aright as we see all these expressions suit admirably with the text in its expressions dependency Now come we to the thing decyphered out by Christ 1. It is called a Resurrection 2. The First Resurrection 3. Demonstratively and Emphatically set down by this Resurrection we have shewed it to be properly the bodily Resurrection which is only properly so called in Scripture Regeneration as some would have it is improperly so taken only by a Metaphor neither is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that Text of Mat. 19.28 to be understood of Regeneration but as learned Beza notes in five Copies it is distinguished in the Original from the preceding words you that have followed me denoting that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there was the New Genesis or Christs making all things New then as Rev. 21.5 when he the Son of Man sits upon his Throne that the Disciples that followed him shall then sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel or as it is remarkably explained Luke 22.29 30. ye are they that have continued with me in my tentations I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me c. and yet if it could have been proved to be meant of Regeneration yet so it is a Resurrection only Metaphorical not Proper which is only bodily at that first and also is peculiar to the Saints at that time only 2. It is called the first Resurrection in opposition to the other to distinguish it from that following for
ordered as becometh Christians and then with the Spirit and Bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is a thirst come and whosoever will not linger and be lost let him now whilst it is called to day take the water of life freely chap. 22.17 For he that testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly It is Verbum Diei in die suo a word in its due season for it appears to be in its due order of accomplishment and the Links of the Revelatian Chain have been passing by above 1600 years the last Link draws neer to which Christs Kingdom will immediately succeed Come in poor Sinners get an interest therein and then you will be safe I pitty you all that prize it not I pray God give you enlightned understandings and sanctified affections now the world is vanishing with all her Vanities together suppose it should continue twenty or thirty years longer yet how soon may you die in your sins or be cut off in Gods wrathful displeasure in a moment whether you be secret sinners though nothing is secret to or hid from Gods all seeing eye or open sinners to him all things are naked and open with whom you have to do or if you be great sinners none are so great but the least stroak of his displeasure will shatter them in pieces or small sinners though none that is not a Saint can be a small sinner in the sight of God though comparatively in the sight of men he may and such as have committed great sins upon their Faith and Repentance may be pardoned as soon as the least But you that are great sinners and would fain think your selves out of Gods reach and upon worldly advantages seem to bid defiance unto God saying as they let him hasten his work that we may see it or you that think with the Fool in the Gospel you have enough for many years or you have great Interests great Alliances great Relations great Honour Wealth Authority power to execute your will and pleasure and what not if you came well by them then there is more reason you should serve God and honour him with them the more they are all Talents and you must be accountable for every one of them have you fed clothed visited Christ in his Disciples if not go ye cursed Mat. 25. but if you came ill by them and use them contrary to his will the greater Vengeance hangs over your head for that reason without Repentance Yet to conclude there is yet a time of Grace and Mercy to be had for you great sinners if you will improve it aright before it be quite past be wise therefore at last now now now whilst it is called to day be not hardned any longer by the deceitfulness of Sin then may your Souls safely and comfortably joyn with Christs Spouse in her hearty Amen for the Bridgrooms coming saying with her also verse 20. even so Come Lord Jesus Come quickly Amen Last Vse Lastly for Exhortation to Thankfulness to all that shall have part in this said blessed Resurrection of the just upon this particular account now more especially in these times That Christ Jesus hath not only given this excellent Divine Key to his Church opening the many great benefits of those ancient mercies reserved to be accomplished in the said thousand years and also so fitly agreeing with the Doctrine of the said blessed Resurrection of the Saints with all the concomitants thereof But now in these times is so graciously pleased to discover and vouchsafe unto us the comfortable Use and Benefit thereof by Faith upon such excellent Divine antient most sure Foundations as those before set down and also by holy Scriptures so explained and carried on to those intents in the said times and that the said blessed Resurrection should be the inlet to all former Saints to those happy enjoyments then for their Souls and Bodies in such a blessed Communion many wayes as the said Saints shall then attain unto The abundant strong evidence whereof is not only sufficient if duly weighed to stop the Mouths of gainsayers but to convince all soundly rational men that Gods great Provision for the marriage of the Bride and the Lamb at the time so by his word declared and published will not be in vain and lost for God is not like men to change or be deceived in or frustrated of his end But what Thankfulness in these respects do all such true Christians owe to the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ that from all such said Foundations he hath wrought Faith in their Souls to foresee with faithful Abraham Christs day to come by Faith and receive such comfort in so happy news of such manifold approaching mercy wherein they have such particular interest and concernment and all this so strongly founded upon evidences throughout the whole Scripture so clearly explained by Christ and by the Holy Spirit to be words faithful and true three times over and delivered for their use by his Servant John Besides the many renewed particular promises since set down with sundry explications of them both in Old and New Testament which do evidently lead us to the use and benefit of this said divine Key so given by Christ Jesus to his Church for such excellent purposes how should the approaching reign of Christ with his said Sts. in the world in that time of the new Heavens and new Earth fill such beleiving Christians Souls with praise thanksgiving when a double advantage will redound unto them first that the great last Enemies of Christ and his Church will be removed and taken away that so long have obstructed her joy and peace but that the Church of Christ shall also enjoy the end of her hope from all the said Foundations and promised Mercies then to be performed in the foresaid state to be upon the said blessed first Resurrection of the said Saints And what stronger evidence than from that first most large comprehensive Foundation given by God himself Gen 3.15 which about 3000 years after had such a particular explication of Christs carrying on the same upon his Ascention after his actual laying the Foundation of his Churches Redemption by his sufferings at his first coming which should so eminently be carried on by making his Foes his Footstool at his second when he shall come from the right hand of the Father to judge the quick and the dead at the same time of his appearance and Kingdom according to that antient divine Oracle so often repeated illustrated and explained in the New Testament The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right Hand till I make thy Foes thy Footstool Psal 110.1 viz. at that said time as many Scriptures teach 2 Thess 2.8 2 Tim. 4.1 Rev. 19. also consider Ezek. 38. and 39. Dan. 11.45 of the Turk with many others both respecting the ruine of Pope and Turk the first Gog and Magog before the said thousand
the time and place of their being in the World in a very excellent and glorious manner which all the said antient Promises and Covenants have their special and cheif reference very evidently unto and what can be more done but to work upon mens minds and Spirits due apprehensions of these things and of the nearness of their approach with true Faith to believe these things as revealed in the Gospel as well as other parts thereof That so God and Christ may have their due praise and glory in respect thereof and his faithful Servants may have the happiness belonging thereunto Now as all rational men that are of a sound mind when they read the Story of the Creation of the World how God had made the Fabrick of the World and all Creatures first will acknowledge there was great divine Wisdom and Goodness manifest in putting man into the possession thereof who was made capable to discern and partake thereof and to display the divine wisdom and goodness of God therein whilest he enjoyed the benefit of the same which should have been his Sabboths work had he continued in that condition So when men but of ingenious tempers shall come to understand that God promised since mans fall not onely a deliverance from that sad condition by the promised Seed of the Woman and shews by degrees how it should be carried on and accomplished and reveals from time to time from that Foundation particular mercies for the advantage and good of all men in the Old and New World and these Mercies and Covenants have several respects to men present and future as in a natural Life or Spiritual Estate and by his holy Spirit instructs his Servants more and more rightly to know them and the Son of God the wisdom of the Father in a wonderful divinely Mysterious way sets them forth so as the divine Excellency falls in with the blessed Revelation thereof What can ingenious Spirits do less but acknowledge as these manifestations of Gods divine grace and goodness in disclosing of them and of his Faithfulness and Truth in their gradual actual fulfillings But how then are beleiving Christians ingaged also by the word to beleive these upon the aforesaid divine Foundations and especially since they respect such a state as Christ hath set forth is shortly approaching and all faithful Souls and Persons are therein greatly concerned yea Angels men and all Creatures are interessed therein as holy Scripture therein declares and how fitly will a Sabbatism of rest after Christs finishing the great work of his Restitution of all things and his making of all things new succeed to be celebrated to his glory by his Saints in the World who by being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God and man in one person hath so restored all and being the Son of David according the Flesh shall have the sure mercies of God long since promised to David by the enjoyment of his said Davidical Kingdom many wayes in the word of God secured to him in the said thousand years with all the said Saints in the Restitution of all things these are no slight matters though much over looked by men We shall now a little touch upon the particulars in our said Systeme of Gods Oeconomy or ordering his houshold the Church in regard of his mercies so made known and so in the said thousand years to be fulfilled for his Saints first in removing or destroying all their Enemies and doing for them all revealed or promised good either first as faithful men from Adam or as Gentiles from Japhet as Jews and Israelites from Abraham Isaac and Jacob as men after Gods own heart meek and holy c as David as faithful Servants and the Overcomers of the Lamb Jesus Christ as Christian Martyrs to Reign with him then and to enjoy the New Jerusalem state First at the beginning of the said State in the eminent breaking of the Serpents Satans head as revealed to Adam and Eve he will when he comes from the right hand of the Father eminently make his foes his foot-stool when he will put down all Rule all Authority and Power that stand in opposition to him 1 Cor. 15.24 at his second coming and perfect it after the end of the 1000 years as we shewed and how will he thereby be gloryfied and how will his Saints rejoyce at this as was said at Babylons destruction Rev. 18.20 Rejoyce over her thou Heaven and ye holy Apostles and Prophets c. So likewise much more then when root and branch and the whole body of the Beast will be given to the burning flame Dan. 7.11 at the beginning also when after the end of the said 100 years the last Geg Mogog shall be consumed by fire from God out of Heaven Rev. 20.9 But how much more when the Saints then shall clearly discern that the Divine promised Seed of the Woman hath not only subdued the enemies but by all his Offices hath purchased and procured so great good as will both then be enjoyed by them and also provided for them to all eternity ensuing And not here to insist on what was said of Enoch or his Prophesie Jude 13.14 to encourage men in good in the world by his translation upon his walking with God c. or to warn them against evil by his foreshewing the Judgment at the said times to be after manifested concurring with the former Gen. 3.15 therein as the sacred truth informs us We shall in the next place offer the consideration of Noah a worker of righteousness in a three fold respect 1. as a Type of Christ 2. Of the Covenant of God made with him for the New World 3. Of his Prophesie 1. He saved his Family in the Ark as Christ doth his Household the Church and will be his peoples true Ark to save them at the partial or total Consumption of the World by Fire at the beginning and after the end of the said 1000 years of which the Saints will then have blessed experience in both respects And 2dly As the Saints will know that the World according to Gods free Covenant with Noah Gen. 8. 9. was many thousand years preserved till then 〈◊〉 that the most abundant fruitfulness of the earth was in wonderful manner according to Gods Word reserved for that state and time in the enjoyment or sight whereof all the said Saints will pay their due Tribute of Praise and Thanksgiving wherefore they must then live to do it But 3dly and more especially when according to Noahs Prophesie of Japhets Posterity the Gentiles that they should dwell in the Tents of Shem though strangers before should become the people of God which the Scriptures witness they have once fulfilled already to them whereof at this day we have cause to rejoyce and bless Gods holy Name for the same ever since the Jews were rejected But we and all Saints hereafter will have cause more abundantly to rejoyce and praise his Name in those times to
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 OR The Saints Rising Out of the Heap or Mass of dead Bodies contained in the Globe of the Earth and Sea at the first blessed Resurrection Decyphered by Christ Rev. 20.5 Whereunto by way of Preface is here prefixed The Comprisal of the Substance of our former Parcels With further and more evident Discoveries which may fitly be called The Marrow of Divine Revelation Mysteries Opened by that Key given By Christ himself for that use and purpose Rev. 20. 21. 22. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If by any means I might attain unto the Resurrection of the dead Phil. 3.11 The rest of the Dead lived not till the thousand years were ended Rev. 20.5 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the Promises made unto the Fathers Rom. 15.8 By William Sherwin Minister of the Gospel London Printed 1674. The first Bodily Resurrection of the Saints a Thousand Years before the rest of the Dead Rev. 20.5 1. Proved four wayes 1. From the Text with its dependancy as a Revelation and compared with Christs Doctrine thereof Luke 20.35 36. 2. From the Context as an explication of Daniels Vision of the same matter and time Dan. 7.9 10 c. 3. From many other Scriptures Reasons and Arguments together with our whole System premised proving the same 1. Positively that it is Bodyly 2. Negatively that it is not spiritual c. 4. From sundry Texts in the Old and New Testament speaking of the same thing of which this Revelation ch 20 c. is a sure Explication with Answers to sundry Objections 2. Improved to divers uses 1. For Information in nine particulars 2. By Reference to Uses of Terror and Consolation before 3. For Admonition and Warning to all that profess Christian Religion now in the due season to approve themselves as Wise Virgins both in preparing and watching for the Bridegrooms coming shortly approaching Rev. 16.15 4. For Exhortation also to all such to thankfulness c. The Comprisal of our whole work and the Divine Mysteries therein explained and confirmed by many sorts of Arguments deducted and drawn from the same Principles by way of Preface unto a following Tract on Rev. 20.5 DEar Christians whose part shall be in the first blessed Resurrection a thousand years before the rest of the Dead We having been by Gods special Grace formerly lead in the way of Discovery as by many other useful distinctions contained in our Key and applyed in our whole work so particularly by our Distinctions Assert 6. of the same of the several senses of the comings of Christ and more especially having first thereupon been led on in the composing of our Practical Tract upon Rev. 22.20 setting forth Christs second Personal coming to destroy Antichrist 1 Thes 2.8 Dan. 7.9 11 13 14. many ways distinguished from his descending a thousand years after at the last Trump and general Rapture and glorious change of all the Saints 1 Thes 4.15 16. 1 Cor. 15.51 52. For at the former he brings all the Spirits of the deceased Saints that sleep in Jesus with him at the latter they and all the rest of the Saints departed afterwards shall in the twinkling of an eye be rapt up to meet him in the air From the former Christ withdraws at the end of the thousand years after the latter they shall ever be with him the Lord. In the former he comes in the Clouds that through them mortal eyes may then behold him upon the latter all Clouds will be abolished and Heaven and Earth will flee away before his face and no plaee be found for them Rev. 20.11 when the rapt Saints eyes and wicked mens then raised will be fitted to behold his glory on the great white Throne at the former the wicked Quick will be judged with temporal destruction viz. Turk and Pope and such as do offend and work iniquity will be taken out of his Kingdom Mat. 13.41 at the latter the Saints will first be rapt up before the wicked rise to be judged at the former the Saints will be judged with a judgment of reward in this world in the thousand years Rev. 11.19 having before there suffered for Christ they shall then reign with him upon the first said Resurrection at the latter they shall be joyned with Christ in judging the wicked at the former he comes from the right hand of his Father to make his foes his footstoole at the latter he is said to descend with a shout and the voice of an Arch-angel and the Trump of God at the first he puts down all Rule and all Authority and Power that stood against him 1 Cor. 15.24 at the latter he destroys the last enemy Death v. 25. above a thousand years after at the former Ezekiels Gog and Magog ch 38. 39. viz. the Turk and Pope will be destroyed The Turk with a complication of Judgments v. 22. the other by the last Vial Rev. 16. Rev. 19. Rev. 11. 19. before the New Jerusalem called Jehovah Shamma shall be set up Ezek. 40. to the end of that book wherein Daniel agrees ch 11.45 and ch 12.1 2 3. at the latter the last Gog and Magog shall be consumed with fire from God out of Heaven Rev. 20.9 at the former will be the New Heavens and the New Earth being the time of the restitution of all things at the latter will be the end of the world and the dissolution of all things at the former only the Saints will be raised at the first bodily Resurrection which Christ brought with him but at the latter all the rest of the dead viz. Saints departed since that former coming and all the wicked at the last Trump These or the like we considered in the foresaid Tract We also found from Acts 3.19 20 21. that God had spoken of things to be before in and after the said thousand years as we have set down in 36. particulars in our first convincing Argument in the Word Written by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began which we have in order made manifest from page 44. of our Irenic but more especially in ch 5,6,7,8 of the same which may deserve your serious reading and consideration as being another Divine Foundation of the same Truths Likewise upon the drawing up of those 16 Divine Theses or Positions page 3 4 5 6. of the Irenicon in the 11 and 12th of them is contained that needful Distinction of the two fold Consideration of Christs execution of his three great Offices 1. In respect of his Universal Church in the three great Periods of the world as the work the Father gave him to do in all times of his Mediatorship 2. In regard of the benefit always flowing from that undertaking to all Gods faithful people by the operation of the holy Spirit in their Souls c. The former we have handled in our next Practical piece on Gen.
such manifold great happiness will be then derived unto them in that world to come Heb. 2.5 in the renewed state thereof which I doubt not to manifest by the same Divine Assistance very evidently to all serious unprejudiced and understanding Christians in the following Systeme of Gods most gracious Oeconomie or ordering his Houshold the Church in the same respects of such revealed promised or convenanted Mercies chiefly respecting those times but passing thence to eternal blessedness for on such the second Death shall have no power c. Now as the glory of Gods wonderful free Grace first published by himself to Adam and Eve Gen. 3.15 was by their faith applyed as to redound to all their faithful Posterity so hath God been graciously pleased to derive many rivolets of like grace from the same fountain head running their several courses in their several times but all falling in their fullest streams Divine Wisdom and Goodness so ordering the same as it were into those more narrow Seas or Streights of the said 1000 years and from thence passing into the vast Ocean of Eternity whither they Saints shall all be conveighed in due time order and manner from their happy enjoyments in that state appointed for them wherein in the mean time his Wisdom Mercy Truth and Faithfulness will in such respects shine out gloriously to them in so great enjoyments as they shall then obtain and will be thereby many ways more fitted with the blessed Angels to glorifie God the Father Son and Holy Spirit in their rendering all due praise unto him for the same both then and for ever more which they could never do if the raised Saints at the first said Resurrection of their bodies had not a part in all the happiness of that tryumphant state of Christs Church in the said 1000. years and in all the benefits and priviledges thereof viz. of the said revealed Promises and Covenants to the Fathers of old and their spiritual Seed which we hope to manisest in what follows to be according to the word of Gods said Revealed Grace c. And to that purpose we now proceed to the said Systeme of Gods declared Mercy at the fall of Man and in all the succeeding Millenniums or thousands of years in order following The System of Gods declared Mercy at the Fall for a thousand Generations or seven thousand Years as by the Divine Guidance of his Word and Spirit which we shall ever humbly and thankfully desire to acknowledg to his Praise he hath discovered to us from the Fall of Man to the end of the World Especially as is further disclosed by a double Key First of Daniels Sealed hints of Prophesie to ch 20. of Rev. Secondly of Gods most antient Revealed and Promised Mercies to the end of the Revelation Hinted also from Daniels Lot Dan. 12.12 Of the order of the latter in the first Millen or thousand years WHen God in the begining had finished his great and good work of the Worlds Creation in six days and made Man his Deputy Ruler in it and the Devil maliciously by the Serpents subtilty and upon the advantage of the womans weakness had brought about the womans sin and mans fall The Trinune Diety of his own meer grace was mercifully pleased to manifest his most glorious divine goodness by a wonderful Declaration of his said free and infinite mercy towards lost mankind and by himself to publish that Foundation of all future happiness containing in the Womb of it all future revealed and promised mercies and Covenants to his Church and People in all succeeding times by declaring that the seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 which Christ in his Mediatorship from that time undertook and hath and doth and will still carry on until he shall make his Foes his Footstool Psal 101.1 eminently at the beginning of the 1000 years by destroying Turk and Pope and taking out of his Kingdome all things that offend c. And by binding Satan for that time and totally and finally destroy all his Enemies at the end Rev. 20. which is largely considered in our treatise upon that Text And will not these things greatly concern the raised living Saints too at that time especially to see the last most obstinate and desperate Enemies both taken of and taken away for ever Oh how will then the Heavens rejoyce and the Earth be glad What Halelujahs will then be sung by Angels and men c. Secondly When the old world was much heightened in wickedness God also by Enoch the 7th Adam his blessed translation as a worker of Righteousness excited men to well doing by Faith and as a type of Christ upon whose ascention all his Followers shall twice ascend by Christ First in this Souls by his powerful grace during their natural Life Secondly In Soul and Body both together at the first blessed bodily Resurrection of the just and at the general Rapture of all the Saints at the last Trumpet when the said 1000 years shall be ended And may not real good Christians by their first ascending into a state of grace by Christ guess what degrees of joy and happiness they shall rise unto in Kingdom and Glory with Christ at the Resurrection and Rapture And also by Enochs Prophetical Vision of Christs coming to Judgement in the first and second Act thereof recorded by Jude v. 14. Loe he cometh with 10000 of his Saints to execute Judgement c. to warn all men to avoid evil the first judicial Act thereof is set down Dan. 7. at the the beginning of the 1000 years the second Rev. 20.11 after the 1000 years are ended and will not all the said Saints magnifie Gods Holiness Power Justice and Truth in both his so revealed and then executed Acts of Judgement c. In the 2d millen or 1000 years GOd about an 1656. did also by Noah a Preacher of Righteousness 1. Typifie 2. Covenant 3. Prophesie concerning these times and things after he had warned the wicked world then by his Preaching of Repentanae to them in the time of the Arks preparation 120. years when their wickedness was arrived to the height which Ark as it was for the saving of his own house then or all such penitent or believing Sinners that would then come into it wherein safety then as salvation at all times is onely to be had in the Church of Christ So Christ will be the true and safe Ark of his Church or Family when the the world in part or in whole shall perish by Fire at the beginning or end of the 1000 years and will not the remembrance of Noah Ark illustrate Christs glory then being the Antitype thereof in doing such works for his Saints how will he then be admired of them c. 2. God also made a Covenant with Noah confirmed by the Rainbow the Token thereof for the worlds preservation from drowning to the end and also gave his blessings to men and all sorts of
Satans Babilonisn designs in all his three Babets will come to utter confusion viz. the confusion of tongues and divisions in the first will then be dissolved by oneness of language and unity Tyranny and Cruelty by Meekness and Peacefulness and the great Mystery Babylon fully be discovered defeated dissolved when the Mystery of God shall be finished which we largly considered chap. 5. of our Irenicon of the said three Babels The foundation of all which was laid by Nimrod in Assyria which Title of the Assyrian seems upon that account to be given to the Turk at his ruine Mich. 5.5 This man Christ shall be our peace when the Assyrian shall come into our land and v. 6. Thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian c. To which purpose In the fifth Millen or 1000 years GOd the Father in a glorious Vision of the substance of Revelation Prophesie both for the order and end thereof Rev. 5. gives the book to the Lamb that had been slain and was alive again to open the contents thereof under the seven Seals to that coming of Christ and makes him also his Commissioner as we noted impowering him also to execute the same as being that Lamb that hath seven horns and seven eyes that is hath perfect power and perfect wisdom fully by degrees in due order to accomplish the same according to the double Scheme of Prophesie contained in the Book of Revelation First in the Seal-prophesie for the ruine of the Civil State which under the first five Seals after rejected the offers of Christ and bloodily persecuted his Saints in the time of the ten great Persecutions with others by Satans prevailing power amongst them who under the sixth Seal as a great Red Dragon was by Constantine the Great after 320 years cast down from his heaven of Paganism-worship to the earth since which time he hath sought upon a new design to pervert Christian Religion and the Worship of the true God First by Errours and Heresies against the Father Son and Holy Spirit above an hundred years following and after that to Paganize Christian Religion it self by his new design then of two Beasts Rev. 13. giving thereunto his great power and authority to contrive and promote a new Paganism or Idolatry under a specious Visour of seeming and pretended Christianity of which in the little Book ch 10 c. But from under the seventh Seal proceed the seven Trumpets sounding out the wrath of God by degrees of Judgments against the Civil State of Rome by the four first milder Trumpets to destroy it in the West in Empire City and Senate And after in the East by the first Woe Trumpet the Saracens to take away one half thereof Rev. 9.1 from about An 600. and forward being that King of the South Dan. 11.40 that in the time of the Holy Wars so called seemed to push at the Roman Armies c. And in the sixth Millen or 1000. years CHrist hath since according to the Fathers said Commission by that second Woe Trumpet of the Turk who is therefore Christs Servant as Nebuchadnezzar was said to be Gods from about An. 1300. hath taken away by his overflowings with his multitudes the other part of the Eastern Empire being that King of the North Dan. 11.40 described also in his actings Rev. 3.11 c. who is to continue his day and hour and month and year to destroy the third part of men in the same 396 years of his Date till that Empire cease to be v. 45. probably about An. 1700. with which the Beast was in great part to contemporate with the Churches time times and half in her wilderness condition and also the two sackcloth Witnesses to feed the Church and consume the Beast by their Prophesie 1260 years as by the breath of Christs mouth till he at the end of the Beasts 42 months all being of the same time shall destroy the Beast and the false Prophet at the appearance of his said coming and Kingdom 2 Thes 2.8 2 Tim. 4.1 To which purpose upon the Jews Captivity and sad fall of Davids said Tabernacle God did in that time by his contemporary mystical Prophets Ezekiel and Daniel reveale the time of Israels Restauration more darkly by Ezekiel ch 37. also shewing Gog and Magog must be removed ch 38 39. before the New Jerusalem should be set up called Jehova Shamma ch 40. to the end of the Book But then to Daniel God was pleased more fully and clearly to set forth the interim or time of the four Monarchies 1. Of Babylon 2. Medo-Persian 3. Greece 4. Rome which were to pass in the said 2300. years before Davids Tabernacle should be raised up again in Christ But that the Kingdom of the Stone should first be set up as God foreshewed Dan. 2.28 which was done above 1600 years past in the time and height of the last or Roman Empire utterly as was said to beat to dust the said four Mettle Kingdoms And God shewed the same to Daniel in Vision of the four Beasts destroying each other until the last should be destroyed by Christ at his first act of Judgment against the Beast Dan. 7.11 Whereupon he had the Vision of Christs coming in the Clouds of Heaven when the Kingdom and Dominion of all Nations should be given to him and that under the whole Heaven v. 13 14 27. which will be Davids sure mercies for his Kingdom and Throne to continue for ever upon that raising again of his Tabernacle fallen above 2000 years before and will be also Christs Davidical Kingdom of his 1000 years Reign with his Saints revealed by himself Rev. 20.4 whereby as was said Gods wisdom power mercy truth and faithfulness will gloriously shine out to all those Saints in that respect as in all the former before both for his destroying the wicked then as foretold and so exalting his Saints to their great rejoycing and triumphant happiness in that excellent state of the New Jerusalem and restitution of all things by Christ their great King Saviour and Messiah In the seventh Millen or 1000 Years 1. SAtan is bound for 1000 years but to be loosed again for a little season when the 1000 years are ended Rev. 20.3 2. Christ Reigns with his then raised Saints at the first blessed bodily Resurrection the same 1000. years v. 4 5. 3. The said raised Saints remain in the happy enjoyment of the Vision of Christs glory Joh. 17.24 in his Kingdom given to him by God the Father in the New Holy Great and Beloved Jerusalem enjoying then happy communion with Christ their head and with one another in that state being so made perfect in one as Christ prayed Joh. 17. and as his Spouse or Bride one with himself Rev. 19. and Rev. 21.9 and with the holy Angels all joyning with the inferiour Creatures in their orders to praise God the Father Son and Holy Spirit for his great and glorious work of Creation and Redemption as by that glimps of
the end of Revelation Prophesie ch 4 5. may be discerned being all then in an undisturbed happy state in their several degrees whilst Satan is bound and sealed up in the bottomless pit that he may not tempt the nations any more till the 1000 years be ended v. 3. all remaining in an happy peace so long without being attempted against by any enemies 4. Christs Servants viz. the raised Saints chiefly will then serve him Rev. 22.3 as their business and happiness so to do ch 7.15 5. Christ will be their light to them both spiritual and visible and both glorious in whose light his Saints will then see light at the Revelation of all things probably as to Mysteries Creatures and Providences when the mystery of God is finished and the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of one day as the light of seven days Is 30. 6. The Nations of them that are then saved will walk in the light of the said great holy and beloved Jerusalem come down from God out of Heaven all the said 1000 years being the Spirits of just men before made perfect to receive then from Christ their spiritual Bodies also Rev. 21.24 7. The Kings of the Earth shall bring their Glory and Honour to it in the same v. 8. Also they shall bring the Glory and Honour of the Nations to it v. 26. 9. God will then dwell amongst them and all Tears shall be wiped from their Eyes ch 21.3 4 7 16 17. 10. All the glorious Priviledges of the Paradise of God of the Tree of Life whose Leaves are for the healing of the Nations and of the pure River clear as Chrystal proceeding from the Throne of God and of the Lamb and all the glorious excellencies assigned and belonging to it which all those happy raised Saints will then know by experience how wonderful great and excellent they are in their Fruition thereof the said 1000 years 11. And though Satan when he is loosed will seduce his last Gog and Magog to attempt to besiedge the beloved City and the Camp of the Saints yet Christ hath afore hand resolved them that it shall onely be an attempt and the Devil and all his Agents shall then be consumed by Fire from God out of Heaven in the said attempt and the Fabrick of the world shall suddenly then be dissolved upon the sounding of the last Trumpet and the general rapture and change of all the Saints to meet Christ in the Air coming to sit upon that great white Throne at the last Judgement Rev. 20.11 From whose Face the Earth and the Heaven shall fly away and no place shall be found for them Rev. 20.11 And hath not Christ himself revealed all these things in an evident manner That may suffice all Christians and rational men of their reallity and how then should all sound serious and consciencious Christians from the consideration of these things now hinted to them with many more that might from Gods word be set before them to such purpose be stirred up to love the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Apostle professed for himself with that great encouragement to all others to partake with him of a Crown of Righteousness 2 Tim. 4.8 2. To long for his said appearance when he cometh without sin having fully satisfied for that at his first coming but then onely for salvation to his People to deliver them from all their Enemies and even the inferiour Creatures with them from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.21 And to have their own bodies redeemed from the Prison and the corruption of the Grave and have powerful grace as the Angels in Heaven in their condition and even those also in the natural Life shall serve Christ in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of their life Luke 1.74 75. 3. And that they may love his appearance and long for it let them labour continually to be fitted for it c. and this rather because many wayes the time thereof seemeth to be near approaching not only in regard that most of the preceeding Predictions are fulfilled but also because we find the computations of years which the Holy Ghost seems to set down of the Jews great Restauration and of the destruction of the Churches Enemies are shortly to be compleated of which two in Daniel and two in the Book of the Revelations appear very considerable to that purpose which we shall endeavour here to set down as some of the Grounds and Reasons of such our Conjecture From those 4. Computations of the said mystical Numbers formerly more fully explained in our Parallel of Daniel and the Book of the Revelation and upon the ruine and desolation of the Remane Monarchy as follows The first is from the 2300. days of years in Daniel 8 26. by Palmomi or the secret Numberer seeming to refer to the end of the Jews Captivity referring to the time of the end v. 17. to the last end of the indignation viz. of God against that captivated People The like to the same purpose is also observable where Daniel declares the Roman Kingdom shall prosper till the same time viz. until the indignation shall be accomplished for saith he that that is determined shall be done Ch. 11.36 So again upon the same account The Sacrifice and Oblation shall cease for the over spreading of Abominations he shall make Jerusalem taken by Titus and Vespatian desolate even until the Consummation and that determined shall be powered out upon the desolate Dan. 9.27 See many other Reasons upon Dan. 8.26 In our Summary of Daniels Visions This Computation of 2300 years was from the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzers Army then carrying the Jews captive to Babylon to their great Restauration at Christs appearance is by Scripture and Chronology thus computed at Babylon 70. years under the Medes and Persians about 80. years till Daniels 70. weeks when the Edict went out for building the City Jerusalem about 3549 when is reckoned by their Kings Reigns to be about 80 years more and Daniels weeks to the end of the half week when Christ had finished his Sacrifice of himself for our sins which was in all 640 years more and from thence to about that year which we reckon will be 1700. will so be made up 2300. years Secondly For the 2335. years in Dan. 12. from the effectual taking away of Sacrifice in Julian the Apostate Emperours time when not only many Heathen Idolatries were encouraged by him but he also in opposition to Christian Religion allowed the Jews out of the publick charge to Rebuild their Temple for Sacrifice whereupon Historians Record that God by miraculous Tokens of his displeasure by Fire Tempest Earthquakes c destroyed such as were employed in the said work and not only burnt up the very Tools they wrought with But cast out the very Stones which they had laid
come or 1000 years of his Reigh with his Saints There is an Heavenly Treasure of happiness contained in them for all such Saints at the first blessed resurrection to be given to them thereupon so that if their said Promises and Covenants be not by men extended to that said state they exceedingly narrow the Mercy and Grace of God therein and as much as in them is deprive all such Saints of their right then in them And this may further appear by touching a litle upon the diverse usefulness and manifold excellencies of the same First They are most ancient for they are all virtually contained in that most antient one Ge. 3.15 which was not in the beginning as Christ the word was but in the beginning of mans need of such Gospel Grace God speedily revealed it as the summary of all that followed and all the said branches that sprang out of that Root are by the word of God manifest to be of the same nature having a tendency and that cheifly to those said last times No sooner had Satan at the fall marred Gods work of Creation but upon the tryal of all the Offenders the most glorious Declaration proceeds from Father Son and Holy Ghost of restoring lost man and the whole Creation of God in the Issue as many ways since by Gods word is evident which by Christ and the holy Spirit are in all times since carrying on to the end a work that is every way wonderful that the Son of God should pay the Ransome in mans Nature by dying for sin who was perfectly Righteous not to free man and the Creation from ruine onely but to redeem both it and him to himself yea to restore both into a better state to make him both surely and perfectly blessed in a way and state unconceivable and unutterable for Christ the Womans Seed is not a Privative only but a positive Saviour nor a partial but every way a perfect Saviour and this short comprehensive Gospel contains all in it by Christ to be obtained for his Saints for ever Away with false Oracles and Fictions of vain Heathens of their antiquities here is only true antiquity and the best antiquity to be found and all the others issuing from this if a parte ante they be not so ancient yet a parte post they shall be as lasting as in their particulars we shewed from Gods word but yet without this divine Key we had not known where to fix them c. consider them particularly with reference thereunto as we have given Scripture Foundation and as we shall by Divine assistance further manifest c. The subduing of the last great Enemies the Saints injoying of the happiness of Christs Davidical Kingdom and of the New Jerusalem State have all their infallible Grounds from some or more of the said Foundations as was particularly made to appear c. and that they were all as well as the first freely and graciously given did appear by occasions that God usually took to make them known upon some sailing or trobles of his Servants or both c. 2. They are all uniform answering fitly one to another in all such ways God was pleased to manifest his present or future Grace to all that were concerned in them or should be c. 3. Most true as proceeding from the God of truth Satan if he speak truth it is not truth from him because he purposeth thereby to deceive but it is impossible for truth it self to lye or deceive 4. They are also most wise tending directly to the best end and that in the surest and most prevalent powerful way and means that cannot fail 5. Most certain as coming from the unchangable God and therfore neither the best of men nor the meanest of Saints are not consumed because by such ways of Grace saved by him that is unchangeable c. 6. Most comfortable because they contain the consolations of God which are not smali yea the greatest for all said intentions that such sinners are capable of for good 7. These antient Entails of all the said Saints are very delightful and pleasant especially being not only upon good but upon the best Securities that can be I conceive none upon due consideration will be so bold as to say directly any of them is not the Word of God nor that Christ by this Key hath not laid open the precious excellencies of them if any wilfully turn away their eyes or ears upon them will that deficience remain the higher the points of Wisdom the Children of Wisdom are exercised in the more delight they shall find in them the secret of the Lord is with such as he will shew his Covenant unto of which these are a very great and excellent part our Saviour gives his Key especially for that end as knowing their fitness for it I can say much of the delight of them by experience though men often slight them and me for them At mihi plaudo Domi upon a much better account than it was spoken the Testimony of the faithful and true Witness Sealed by his Spirit answers all objections their mention or meditation is cordial in them is Christ and all his benefits not only as he is set forth as to his first coming to lay the foundation of all future good as he became the Seed of the Woman as set forth to the old world and was of the Seed of Man as of Abraham Isaack Jacob David in the new world for consolation to mankind but specially made known of what Tribe namly of Judah at what time to wâ—t when the Scepter was departed from it in what place at Bethelem of what person of a pure Virgin of the lineage of David which with other things in his Birth Life and Death he fulfilled But if we improve the intent of these promised antient Mercies respecting his second coming and all concurrent Texts concerning both Jews and Gentiles the holy Scriptures in such respects much more abound It is true the glorious Promises respecting all these at Christs second coming hath much misled the Jews over-looking the humility of the first and it was well if some Christians were not a farther stumbling-block to them in over looking the great Promises at Christs second coming and chiefly what respects the Jews and Israelites Christ became a light to lighten the Gentiles upon the Jews rejecting of him at his first coming but he will at his second be the glory of his people Israel when all Israel shall be saved the said time is coming a pace that great will be the day of Jezreel she must lengthen her cords and strengthen her stakes It is a snare of Satan to make men by dim-sighted Reason to pore so much upon improbabilities as to over look such large security given by God to his antient people who are and will appear shortly to be beloved for their Fathers sakes God will make them the wonder of his mercie in a wonerful way and manner
of it not considering the drift of our Saviour in this Revelation nor the Order of it Besides all the incongruity of it to what hath been said already and as for the blessedness here assigned to it it much better proves this to be the said bodily Resurrection of the Saints when they obtain together a greater and much more eminent blessedness then any regenerate Saints have in this life all Tears are then wiped away from their Eyes for ever and their grace perfected and Souls and Bodies united in a blessed and holy State v. 6. though not in such outward glory probably as they shall have at the general rapture yet will have then blessed spiritual Bodies suitable to such a middle State as Christs Body was in after he rose again till he ascended and it may be very congruous that as Christs body was in such a state wherein he appeared and disappeared to his Disciples and others before his was glorified so all these Saints should first rise in such a state to be the more useful to living Saints then before the said Rapture at the last Trump Such also were the Saints Bodies seen in the Holy City Math. 27. And should not there be a suitableness of the Members to their Head and will not the Communion of such as walk in the light of the New Jerusalem require the same How did Moses's glympse of glory trouble Israel of old till his Face was vailed Gods wayes to his Saints will all appear to be full of Wisdom as well as goodness But this is a condition of a new living after men were dead or beheaded and then no Regeneration is to be expected that must be now in this Life or never And it is also of such as were regenerate before they died else they would never have been Martyrs of Jesus Christ Again if this living were Regeneration then all regenerate men must be made such in a short compass of time for all Saints till then that have died shall then so live again and if all regenerate men must live with Christ a 1000 years in Regeneration what became of such as died before Christ took our nature or when since did all such live with Christ 1000 years altogether in Regeneration Again the purpose of this living was to be now revealed as a mercy not known before as to time and many other things respecting the first said Resurrection as we shall God willing shew in many things but Regeneration was an ancient Doctrine well known that onely concerned the living but not the dead the absurdity of such a pretence is so palpable it would be but superfluous here to write more upon it or for the Reader to spend time in reading over again our said hints or others like with further inlargements But also many Scriptures shew a necessity of the said Saints so living bodily then for first Christ promises to over-comers that they shall rule over the Nations Rev. 2.26 These over-comers by Faith are his suffering Saints that are dead therefore they must rise again whilst such Nations are to be rul'd over also saith he they shall sit on his own Throne distinct from his Fathers Rev. 3.21 But Christ hath none such yet but he shall have at his return from his Fathers right hand they shall therefore then sit thereon The meek likewise shall inherit the Earth and delight themselves in abundance of Peace Psal 37.11 They never did so yet but our Saviour saith they shall Mat. 5.5 therefore such a time and state for such remains that they must live again to enjoy these and many other like premises in the time of Christs Mediatory Kingdom for they cannot in any other state hereafter c. Many other particular promises respecting the said state might here be added But I proceed to that great consideration that contains many weighty Arguments and Reasons in it namely that this part of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is his own Key as we have sufficiently proved in our said Preface fitted by himself to unlock that great Cabinet of pretious Jewels concerning the revealed promised Mercies to the Fore-fathers cheifly to be performed to themselves and their spiritual Seed at this first Resurrection peculiar to the Saints at the beginning of 1000 years when they shall behold all the glorious Grace of Christ closed up till then in a great measure in the Womb of those promises which will then have their perfect birth and speedy growth whereupon great Halelujahs will be founded out to God the Father Son and Holy Spirit by themselves Angels men and all other Creatures then living in the world in their capacity Rev. 5.10 c. at the glorious restitution of all things and they themselves and all the rest enjoy the good of them together in the said 1000 years Without which state I may upon many good grounds assert the main parts of these great promises will never be performed nor their cheif ends attaine◠〈…〉 want thereof but God on the one part should loose the 〈…〉 of his Justice Holiness and Truth designed to be then manifest as by his word appears in regard of his said predictions against thâ—se greatest last Sinners and Satan himself c. And also of his Wisdom Mercy Faithfulness and Truth then also declared to be fulfilled towards the Saints in and about the same 1000 years as by considering those particulars before laid down will easily appear to such as are not resolved to shut the light that God hath given them as men against the same For hath God in his word so abundantly revealed such a time and state and is there an excellent and suitable Harmony in these Revelations from the beginning to the end of his word so revealed and do the most antient Promises and Covenants fitly specially refer unto the said state and time and that upon divers great accounts and hath Christ particularly revealed how in what ways his Saints shall be brought to receive the benefits therein to be enjoyed and be fitted to perform the Service which thereby they will be engaged unto as well as to receive the happiness therein reserved for them and shall not these things upon such excellent advantages be carried on effectually What should hinder yea they do all strongly concur to advance their great ends Gods word gives witness as we have shewed to all these particulars and not one of them shall fail But Christ with his raised Saints shall Reign the said 1000 years the blessed New Jerusalem state shall be set up all Promises and Covenants that have their particular and cheif reference to them shall be in such respect fulfilled Christ and his Saints shall have their just Rights appointed by God in that condition whose good pleasure it is to give his little little Flock that Kingdom Truth hath said it and will not fail the great God by his holy Spirit hath revealed them unto his Church and our blessed Saviour hath at last set forth
Eve as men through the blessed promised Seed of the Woman the great Redeemer of all men Or as the Seed of Japhet being Gentiles by their first or 2d Calls aforesaid or as that spiritual Seed of Abrah Isaac or Jacob by that one divine Seed Christ to come as the natural and spiritual Israel also or the spiritual Israel onely or as any wayes having a Title by and with Christ in his said Davidical Kingdom they will upon all those or the like accounts or interests whereby such divine goodness is conveyed to them accordingly magnifie his name and all together sound forth his praise for them all as Christs mystical Members perfected rejoycing in the happiness one of another and all joyntly exalt Christ their divine and glorious Head and Hus band and both then and for ever sound forth Praise and Glory to God the Father the Lamb that was slain and to the Holy Spirit for ever and ever both joyntly and as upon their several accounts they are in possession of happiness and glory It is want of information and consequently of the Faith of these Truths that is the Reason why many are at present no more affected with the hearing of them the Reason whereof appears to be because God was pleased so mysteriously to lay them down that unless few by a special Faith foresaw them as we said that sew others usually discerned much of them and though we in the New Testament times might see much in those antient promises contained as since in Old and New Testament hath been further by degrees explained yet without this last said divine Key given by Jesus Christ himself we could never have been resolved and satisfied of or concerning the time and place and persons to enjoy them nor how they should be fitted in such a state to obtain them with many circumstances thereunto appertaining which from this blessed last Revelation Christ hath graciously resolved for his Servants present comfort and future happiness in that State and for ever And to lead unto the use of this said excellent Key all the former parts of the whole Revelation is made to be subservient through all those sad suffering times to lead Gods Servants to this triumphant state in good measure then next succeeding as well as to teach the Sufferers before that God had appointed them thereunto but a Jerusalem state followed as in the seven Epistles and all parts following as we shewed Prod. p. 39.40 and so to occasion us to look unto what God revealed of the state of his Church before by Daniel and others under the four Monarchies and so by looking back to the fall of Davids Tabernacle to consider what is foretold of the raising it up again and so of all the said anciently revealed promises one by one to observe by the guidance of Gods Word and Spirit what they all related unto till we came backward to the first divinely published Grace Gen. 3.15 The Foundation and short comprisal of all the rest yea of the whole Book of God from whence as the Spring head all the other Rivolets have flowed in their several courses to empty themselves into those narrow Seas or Streights of the 1000 years to pass in their order and time from thence into the vast Ocean of Eternity as in our said Resemblance and all in that time and manner before by God appointed Many Arguments may hence from our whole Systeme be drawn for the Saints said blessed first Resurrection of their Bodies being many wayes their peculiar interest arising from many antient interests besides manifold respects unto God himself therein for these are no new Devices or Fancies of men but antient Foundations of Gods own laying often confirmed and much by degrees explained but now by Christ irresistably evidenced so as to leave all men inexcusable to whom such Truth shall be thereupon tendered and all that hear it ought to judge themselves greatly concerned to inquire rightly and duly into it that is humbly faithfully diligently earnestly as being a truth of the Gospel but now greater then at other times upon many accounts and therefore they ought to hear read pray ponder well and consider with pains and patience and willingness to be informed in these things though they may be good Teachers other wayes And in such a course men may be Gods blessing soon say as the Neighbours of the woman of Samaria said unto her now we believe these things not because such or such told us of them but now we find we are taught by Christ the same Truths and rejoyce likewise in them c. But I conceive so much hath been said upon this account in our said Preface preparatory and in this Tract also with divers short intimations and hints that considerate persons will not think of any of them without respects to the Saints bodily Resurrection revealed here by Christ in so many circumstances that an Infidel in Reason shall hardly deny But onely take this along Christs last Revelation must be allowed to be a Revelation of something not so known before or else it had been useless but it is of such great matters of concernment as none else could and is of so great moment as became the Son of God the Lamb that received the Book to open this seventh Seal to the uttermost no other way otherwise to have been known And therefore let us all give all praise due unto the Lamb and bless the Father who gave the said Book to him and acknowledge the gracious operation of the holy Spirit who teaches us every degree of Divine wisdom and so from our said Grounds Reasons and Arguments which have been also drawn from Scripture Foundations We now proceed to our fourth way of proving this first Resurrection to be the Saints said bodily rising which Christ will bring with him at his coming in the Clouds of Heaven to raise them in their spiritual Bodies to enjoy the happiness of the New Jerusalem state in the said 1000. years of their Reign with Christ c. But here a great Obstacle seems to lye in our way for what other Text or Texts of Scripture may some say teach these things And for Revelation Mysteries they are obscure and they may seem questionable whether they be Argumentative or not c. for Answer to the first branch That there are other Texts of Scripture in Old and New Testament that speak the same things in substance though more darkly we shall by and by shew and we have before observed and it ought here to be remembred that the Doctrine of the Resurrection was long but darkly delivered our Saviour therefore proves the Resurrection by an inference from the Penteuch of Moses against the Sadduces being that part of holy Scripture which that Sect onely owned and little is found of it in all the old Testament at least that is clear and explicite in the Gospel we read of the Resurrection of the just and as before our Saviour
spake of the Children of the Resurrection in that World but how few have taken notice of what World that was meant So these remained for the most part still obscure the Apostle Paul reveals a mystery of it yea many Mysteries as we hope to manifest the Jews and Israelites civil Resurrection that is near to it and in Scripture adjoyned to it is likewise called a Mystery and rising from the dead for the strangness of it Ezek. 37. with Rom. 11. Dan. 12.1 2 3. and both are again joyned by our Saviour Luke 21.28 31. But our Saviour according to his Divine wisdom hath given light to those and many other Texts of that nature and should we in this cavil with our Mercy and contend with our most Divine Teacher as if we were wiser then he or that Wisdom it self had erred therein And indeed it is strange to hear mens perverse reasonnings in these things and the like but we shall give other Scriptures that teach the same in substance or the like after all as we said both in Old and New Testament Onely we would speak a word or two to the other branch of the Objection in the first place That the Book of the Revelation is mysterious and men have been much mistaken c. Ans It hath been in some things a secret long but yet not such as were forbidden to inquire into yea we are commanded to read it and search this as other Books of the Gospel viz. to understand it and it is not as in Daniels hints of these things when he was commanded to shut them up but contrary the Apostle John is commanded to leave them open and not Seal them Chap. 22. v. 10. Yea our Saviour pronounceth a blessing to such as read them as they ought and he hath blessed many with very Remarkable Discoveries by degrees though Objectors are injuriously Critical against them instead of being thankful to God and to them for what they have in such kind disco vered and stumble more at a Conjecture or easie mistake then profit by many pretious and useful things so tendered to them all have but what measure they receive to such purpose from God in one respect or other and God hath vouchsafed a special assistance in this kind one way or other even sometimes by unexpected and unlikely means and Instruments somewhat I could say in that kind but it may not be convenient c. did not Christ send his Spirit to lead his into all truth and Revelation Truths are some of them yea and very pretious ones too Though some mistakenly would perswade some good persons to the contrary and Gods Spirit hath not yet laid down that Office Christ promised to send him for though we expect no new Foundation Truths but the spiritual and true Explications of old and of such antient Foundations especially as we have occasion now to speak of for the Revelation is always of some before obscure and hidden Scripture Truths and it is a great advantage as we before noted in our Preface to know the subject nature time and end of such Scripture Truths so in this book revealed as by this most precious Key that respects the happy estate fore Prophesied for Gods people in the said 1000 years it is true it was long in those respects mistaken by many and strangly misplaced but now they are in a great measure made evident it is true also the times of the great Red Dragon and the Beast were for a long time more dark and obscure till their fulfillings in many things have given more light to such things as yet remain unfulfilled but particularly as to these last things the said Key relates unto as Mr. Mede well observes the spirit of God speaks more clearly of these in ch 20. of this Revelation than in the times foregoing and the two last chap. are in some measure an explication of the same matters and times and state of things in the said 1000 years and that 20th ch is an exact Table of such times which if a man once discover what things it relates unto he is in a good way to attain the end thereof and it being once found to be Christs Key of antient revealed Mercies as Scriptures make evident in many particulars as I have and doubt not by the same guidance to give farther and good account of from Gods Word which also I am well assured from Scripture and satisfied whatever some may think otherwise that for the substance it will be approved by Jesus Christ the faithful and true Witness and our Guide into these Truths by the assistance of his Holy Spirit and I shall ever resolve with humble thanksgiving to ascribe the praise thereof to his Divine Grace for such a great mercy to such a poor weak much inwardly and outwardly shattered and broken Earthen Vessel But as it is his work of Grace by a weak hand so tendered let none despise it God stands in need of no mans parts learning esteem or worldly advantage or interest whatsoever farther than he pleaseth The slighting of this most Divine excellent and sacred Book is much in some mens minds and mouths therefore I thought fit here to say thus much to it Now let us proceed to the Symphony and agreement of this with other Texts of Scripture for the Revelation as we noted is of some Divine Truth written before yet if we know Christ spake this of the first Resurrection of the Saints bodily and spake it so plainly in a good degree it is presumption to seek a confirmation of his words but because it is a Revelation it is of some Scripture before though darkly delivered as all the other parts were of Daniels short hints sealed or shut up before and so is this of the subsequent Mysteries in Daniel in respect of their time as in part we shewed though much of this first Resurrection we hope to manifest from other Scriptures likewise We will begin with the Prophet Esay's Testimony in that excellent Song ch 26. who having said of those Lords that had Dominion over the Jews viz. the Heathen Tyrants v. 13 14. They are dead they shall not live they are deceased they shall not rise viz. at this first Resurrection v. 19. but he declares there who shall live and rise then thy dead men saith he namely Gods Saints shall live together with my dead body shall they arise that is at the said first Resurrection which our Saviour hath here so fully explained So David foreseeing by the Spirit of Prophesie that the Just shall have Dominion at that time over such wicked men in the morning of the Resur and day of Judgment it must needs follow as our Saviour explains the same that the just must necessarily first rise to receive that Dominion Psal 49.14 and in this Daniel concurs also for when the Thrones were set or placed as the words signifie not cast down as ours read them at Christs coming then as we shewed
Judgment or power of Judging was given to the Saints it is the same time and the same thing which the Apostle is trught here by Christ here to explain at the end of the Romane Monarchie in this 20th chapt of Rev. who expressly shews that the suffering Saints before then lived to Reign with Christ 1000 years to this tends also the Apostle Paul's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rising out of the heap of the dead then Phil. 3.11 and our Saviours expression of those worthy ones to obtain that world by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we explained before to be a rising from them that were in a state of dead men in the grave the same Apostle hath divers texts tending this way where he as being guided by the same Spirit of Christ speaks evidently in the same sense both of the times of both Resurrections and other things as the persons rising at both 1. Consider 1 Cor. 15.21 where he shews as Christ was the first fruits of his first Resurrection so they must rise at his second coming before the end which Christ shews will be above 1000 years after as was said and before he hath put down all Rule and Authority and Power to make way for his own Reign v. 24 25. and then v. 51 52. he shews that at the last Trumpet the great chang of all Saints shall be which must be when all have come into Christ in the 1000 years not before possible for not one member of Christ can then be wanting besides other Reasons so of both said comings At first he brings his Saints with him that slept in Jesus 1 Thes 3. ult 1 Thes 4.14 15. but then he speaks there of his descending from Heaven with a shout c. not out of Heaven as when the New Jerusalem came from God out of Heaven but of three forts then to be caught up to meet him in the Aire v. â—6 just as the Revelation tells us of the Saints raised in the Jerusalem state and of the Nations of them that are saved walking in the light of the said New Jerusalem which being mortal some of them die in the 1000 years as Esa 65.20 and so lie dead till the last Trump so here 1 Thes 4.14 15. of the two former faith he we that are alive and remain viz. to the coming of the Lord to the last Judgment so distinguishing both the living and the rased Saints remaining from the dead and saith he the dead then in Christ shall rise first that is before the wicked as the raised Saints also did before in the 1000 years and so again in the former text 1 Cor. 15. concerning the living Saints then saith he we shall not all sleep viz. by dying before a natural death for some will be found alive at the last Trump which he speaks of but of such and the raised Saints saith he we shall all be changed and from both sorts he distinguisheth a third also namely such as are dead in Christ at that time the Trumpet sounds which he saith shall then be raised incorruptible when both the other sorts shall be changed also in a moment v. 51 52. so agreeably the Spirit of God speaketh in all places to his own Oracles and in the Revelation Christ gives us the best explication of all such Mysteries for in the 1000 years the raised Saints and they saved in the natural life will be of one Communion all to be changed and all said to live and remain till the the last Trump but such as sleep or are dead then are in both places distinguished from both the other and in both Texts called the dead in one the dead in Christ then to distinguish them from all the wicked then dead yet both said to be the rest of the dead that rose not till the 1000 years were ended ch 20.5 Now to prevent mistaking the Apostle resolved the Thessalonians 2 Epist 2.2 3. that the coming of the Lord was not at hand in those ages for the great falling away and revealing the Man of Sin was to be first and Christ would destroy him with the appearance of his presence c. which is not yet done but he was guided by the same spirit of Truth in these Texts to speak according to these Revelation Discoveries who also at his rapture into the third Heaven heard unspeakable words of which these might be some and I believe it was not possible to resolve the riddles in them without Christs Revelation given for many such purposes and here is one coming with all his Saints which he brings with him this Rev. 20. 21. shews to be at the beginning of the 1000 years and there is another after 1000 years when all the Saints are come into the Church and when all shall be rapt up in the twinckling of an eye to meet Christ in they aire which the Apostle calls a coming as well as a descending which we have not till now observed we that live and remain to the comeing viz. to the last Judgment so three sorts shall then be rapt or caught to meet Christ that last time in the aire yea and saith he we shall ever be with the Lord which it is evident will be after the end of the 1000 years for when Satan was loosed they were not with him personally present Two sorts are distinguished from the dead Saints at the time of that rapture in both Texts of those in that to the Corinthians saith he we shall not all sleep some Saints then will be mortal but not all dead but we shall all even we all viz. all Saints raised before as well as those in the natural life shall then be changed so in the Epistle to the Thessalonians we that are alive and remain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we that so live and we that are left for that long continuance both the two Articles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the original word seem to speak the like difference of two sorts of Saints besides the dead Saints then and both these Texts are cleared by Christs Revelation that tells us of the spirits of just men coming with him as the New Jerusalem down from Heaven after said to be the Lambs Wife and these lived having then their spiritual bodies from Christ and also the Nations of them that are saved are then also said to walk in the light of that Jerusalem from whose happy Communion they will have much guidance and consolation in that state and both these are by Christ also differenced from the rest of the dead Saints that lived not till the 1000 years were ended ch 20.5 that then are said to rise first viz. at the last Trump and Rapture Now if men would produce thousands of Expositors of anothers mind I must only in duty humbly Answer I have Christs Resolution in the case as of Daniels hints before from this Divine Revelation and otherwise I believe no man had ever been able fully and truly to have opened
capacity to be rendered to God the Father to the Lamb that was slain and to the Holy Spirit for ever and ever And Fourthly We have by sundry Texts in Old and New Testament set forth a wonderful accord and agreement of them with this said Revelation which gives light to them all and which could not otherwise have been known as was said by Angels or Men. And now I hope as Creation Atheists as we may fitly call them are generally exploded by all sober and prudent persons who have unreasonably fancied that Atoms so fell in one with another to make up all things at first in the world So allpious Christians will more and more judge them in some fort to be counted Creature-Redemption-Infidels at that time or denyers of the Restitution of all things that should prophanely assert after so abundant evidence that those and all parts of Holy Scripture respecting these Truths fell onely in by the Fancies of the Pen-men of them in all parts thereof that Christs opening thusall such divine Mysteries is but a mere Chymera and Phantastical Fiction Of which dangerous Error let all Slighters and Opposers of these divine Mysteries beware of being found guilty at Christs appearance now near approaching for it is strange in this Case to consider what a bold licentiousness of speaking some men have dared to venture upon even to amazement now in such times of Light c. Some such Objections we have already answered which fell in our way and should here answer many more if many had not in our former parcels been answered before and also by many others of late times as we shewed particularly in the everlasting Gospel on Gen. 3.15 pag. 19. is to be seen But one thing we shall here by way of prevention resolve by Divine affistance Least some subtil Questionist rather to obstruct these Doctrines then to disprove them should demand of us in the Case what special words of direction have we for such use of the said Key whereupon such weight and stresse is laid We might briefly answer the whole stress is not laid thereon for before we had so well observed and considered the use thereof by the order of accomplishment of matters in the Book of Revalation which is of exceeding great use with the three others we touched in our Preface viz. the Subject Nature and Scope of the Book I say we had observed thirty six particulars before respecting those times and things but since upon the exactness of that Chap. respecting such a change in the World relating to the ancient Prophets whereby all circumstances are so set forth and the sacred Scriptures before had brought things to such an height of suitableness by searching through Gods goodness we found that which we hope we shall never lose again that the 20. Chap. of Rev. c. is the great Key of most ancient Prophesie And as the whole Scripture is the interest of all and every Saint and what ever benefit or comfort is therein already revealed or hereafter shall be revealed belongs to them all as such So more especially those Scripture Foundations which concern so great a Joynt interest of all such said Saints together are therefore more highly to be regarded such as those are which this Key evidently upon Warrant from the word as in good measure we have shewed so evidently relates unto If a Father give his only beloved Son all his Estate and House and Goods and Treasures contained therein though the Heir in his Nonage knew little of his Fathers possessions yet when he is pleased to shew him some of his most pretious Jewels though he still reserves them yet the Son knows those particularly shall be his but yet when the Father sets down a time of sure enjoyment of them if the Fathers security be good the Son onely waites for the appointed time Now all Gods adopted Children though but adopted by him with Christ to be his Sons are both Heirs and Joynt-Heirs with Christ in his Davidical Kingdom yea then with him will be Heirs of all things Rev. 21.7 All having therein one and the same interest of which Christ hath set a time for the enjoyment and which will not fail them And let such a Questionist know that when God hath once laid the Foundation of such antient pretious mercies the gradual Revelation of them is onely according to his own good pleasure and as in his infinite wisdom and mercy to his People he sees good It was so in his first laying the great Corner Stone in his House Jesus Christ at his first coming it hath been so in respect of all his Offices and all his Benefits held forth by the Gospel But most of all in those matters respecting both the Mysteries of his Spiritual Kingdom till Christs 2d coming and also those Mystiries of his visible glorious Davidical Kingdom with all the excellencies of that state both of which are the Contents of this Book and in all Gods three chief Chronologers Moses Daniel and the beloved John their Chronicles are both of large extent of time as in Chap. 7. of our Irenic is manifest and mysterious and to be considered as such But above all the Divine Excellencies of this Book which is the Revelation of both the other Chronicles as we have shewed are many ways wonderful yet full of Divine sweetness to such of his as Christ is pleased to open such Treasures unto shortly from hence to be enjoyed by them but yet more particulary as to this Divine Key we are now speaking of it is made most fit to open the Lock which may largely appear by the Work in it and the Wards fitted for it if we consider them particularly The mutual suitableness of them both evidently appears by The Picture of the Divine Key here ensuing 1. In Predictions 1. IF we respect the Enemies or their Removal Ruine and Judgment as Gen. 3.15 and when Psal 110. 1. and Enoch's Vision of their Judgement Jud. 13.14 both in the said first and second acts of Judgment c. 2. If we have respect to the Spiritual Seed of Adam and Eve or the Spiritual Seed of the Divine Promised Seed of the Woman Esa 53. for whom a Paradise is to be procured by Christ and restored to them at the Restitution of all things c. 3. If we look at Noahs Covenant for the Earths Preservation and Fruitfulness 4. If we respect Shems Blessing derived to his Spiritual Race Abraham Isaack and Jacob c. with all the Repeated and Enlarged Promises of Canaan to their Spiritual Seed Christ to inherit the same through that one Divine Seed Christ of their Lineage after to come according to the Flesh 5. Or to such of Ahrahams Isaacks and Jacobs Posterity to be then in the natural Life to whom many great Promises are then to be performed and to the Gentiles likewise of Japhets Race then at their second Call to be United in one Fold with that people of God
and supports he had provided for them both present then and what is promised for the time to come in the Epistles to the seven Churches of Asia and all Sufferers after in order to these very times as in the large paper in our Prodr pag. 39 40 41. may be seen But the benefit of this said Divine Key in the last part is incomparably advantageous and comfortable in shewing from the beginning what Fonndations of such wonderful anciently revealed and promised mercies God hath so Divinely couched in them for all Generations before and in the 1000 years or New Jerusalem state together in the World wherein everlasting happiness will not onely be entered upon and secured to all Saints for none such shall be hurt by the second death but by that State they will upon many advantages be fitted more for Eternal happiness and more to glorifie God in the enjoyment of it for evermore Upon the abundant discovery then to be made of such wonderful wayes of Gods revealed formerly and then fully performed Grace in all branches thereof which the said Key leads Christs Servants to by Faith till the time come of the fruition of the same for the Spouse of Christ the Lambs Wife Rev. 21.9 In whatsoever times before of the Church they have lived they will then drink afresh and unspeakably more fully the Waters of consolation by formerly revealed or promised goodness in any measure or manner derived ro them in their several Ages in the World when they shall all together drink thereof as the new Wine prepared for Christs said Kingdom in that world to come First For those of the Spiritual Seed of Adam and Eve which it is probable knew little of any other Foundation of Faith that the old world had and it is to be hoped that though all Cains cursed Seed perished in the Flood at last when their wickedness was grown to the height yet that some of them by some special weyes of mercie manifest to them before might be saved by the Application of the vertue of Gods first published and declared grace in Christ the Seed of the Woman through whom good Abels offering was first accepted and that fundamental Revelation leads us to look foreminent ultimate and perfect deliverance from all Enemies in Christs said Kingdom and the enjoyment of all good reserved for the raised Saints in that state And for all such as lived after Noahs time when the said old World perished for their great provocations they had as we may say a new string to their Bow by Gods blessing of Shem for the present and for the future the Prediction of the mercy of Japhets posterity in the calls of the Gentiles afterwards more particularly made known as was shewed as another Conduit Pipe conveying also Gods Grace unto them Also such as had received yet more special mercy from the Covenant to Abraham and his spiritual Seed by that one Divine Seed Christ to come by that new conveyance of such Gods Grace to them had still thereby a stronger Title thereunto and also as Isaacs and Jacobs faithful Posterity as a new intayle of the said mercy afterwards from the renewed manifestation of Gods sure mercies to David in respect of his Kingdom which Christ shall as surely possess with his raised Saints in the thousand years amongst which it is probable will be found many that came in as Proselytes under all the said Dispensations of Grace till the time of the publick mercy of the Gentiles first came in after Christ was come in our Flesh according to all the former special Revelations and Confirmations of the same for about 4000 years before and according to all such several conveyances of Gods mercy to them in their several times they lived which in the 1000 years it is probable the Saints will largely know they will suitably glorifie the same Grace Faithfulness and Truth of God in the 1000 years and be filled with rejoycing therein in greater measure and manner than we can conceive when they shall rejoyce together as happy Members of the same mystical bodie whereof Christ is the Head and as the Lambs Wife at those Divine Nuptials then to be celebrated Rev. 19.7 being the Inhabitants from that time of the New Jerusalem whose Maker and Builder is God Rev. 21.9 Heb. 11.10 and the wisdom and goodness of God will many ways appear glorious to all sorts of such Christs Subjects in his said Kingdom when not onely the raised Saints will so particularly know the revealed Foundations of their thenceforth perpetual happiness but the living Saints of all Nations that then shall be saved and will walk in the light of the said New Jerusalem shall be assuredly satisfied in the security of all their present and future enjoyments and in their measure add their halelujahs to the raised Saints with Angels and all other Creatures likewise in their Capacities Rev. 5.10 c. at that time of the happy restitution of all things and that ample revelation of all things in respect of Mysteries Creatures and Providences past when knowledg shall abound in the earth as the waters cover the Sea in all that is really good for either of them to know and whereby they may more be engaged to sing forth the praises of the Lamb c. as is set before us in the said glimps of that condition Rev. 5.10 c. which will be a School of Instruction for Angels and Saints more excellently to glorifie God the Father the Lamb that was slain and the Holy Spirit to all eternity and enlarge the happiness of both sorts of such gloried Creatures accordingly for ever and though this excellent Love-letter of Christ to his Spouse the Church in this his Divine Key seems to some to be close foulded up and in Charracters that none but his Spouse shall comfortably read yet in due time and manner he hath and doth teach his Beloved rightly to read in this world for her Faith and Consolation in some good measure and fitly open it more and more fully for her in the fruition of that blessed state and condition in that world to come of which much more from Scripture might he added 4. Vse of Inform. Hence may all Saints be informed what will be then their New Jerusalem work and employment when they shall be raised at this first Resurrection they will be much in praysing God the Father Son and Holy Ghost in and for the work or Creation Rev. 4 and especially be exercised in setting forth the Praise of Christ the Lamb many ways in a joynt and successive Quire of multitudes of Saints with Angels and all other Creatures then in their Capacity as Rev 5.1 where is I say a glymps of that glorious state represented us v. 10. to the end and they will be very helpful to all those Nations of them that are saved then which shall walk in the light of the New Jerusalem to instruct them in what shall be useful