his power upholds all things through all those Worlds viz. the said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or states of them and lastly purgeth the sins of his Elect through them all as was said before and so v. 4. and all the chapter to the end and throughout chapter the second he magnifies Christs Sonship by comparing him with the Angels shewing how far and in how many respects the sacred Scripture sets up this Son of God above the Angels he had said something before of his eternal glory for time past but here he illustrates his Sonship for time present to come wherein we may observe from Scripture ground that distinction of the learned of Christs being eternally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the wisdome in the bosome of the Father and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word revealed or manifested in the flesh to be the Son of God in whose face as being made flesh and so God-man in one person as saith our Apostle all the Fathers glory is manifest 2 Cor. 3.6 John 1.12 and so he is the Fathers only begotten Son at his conception when the Holy Ghost overshadowed the blessed Virgin upon her Faith of the Angels Message at his holy conception Luke 1. and when the fame spirit of holiness with power raised him from the the Dead Rom. ◠4 Psal 2. Acts 13. and so he is called his first begotten from the Dead Rev. 1.5 for Scripture only speaks of his being the Son of God only in reference to some Divine Manifestation to be made in time towards his humane nature whereby God manifests and owns him to be his Son as he was first eternally decreed or Prophetically declared so to be but no otherwise and so at his Baptisme Matthew 3. and at his Transfiguration Mat. 17. at his Ascention as he prayed John 17. to have as the Fathers Son his former glory which he had c. so when the Spirit led him into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil he brought him to that tryal If thou be the Son of God c. Mat. 4. And at his Death Gods power was so manifest towards him that the very Centurion at that discouraging state strongly asserts it Truly saith he this was the Son of God And our Apostle here adds one more to come which is the greatest the most glorious and gracious accomplishment of the end of all others before in the world when he shall be brought again into that world to come N. B. which shall as he there shews not be subject to Angels but to the Son of God so gloriously then above all other times before to manifest him to be the Son of God ad his heir of all things as appointed for that time and state as his First-borne higher than the Kings of the Earth Psalm 89.27 as we shall farther shew as Christs Revelation Explication manifests from ch 2.5 And our Apostle from v. 4. having laid down many glorious Testimonies of holy Scripture for that great Title of Son v. 5. and of his comeing to take his Kingdome at his second comeing v. 6. from Dan 7.13 14. and of his Kingly Dignity v. 8. when Angels are his Ministring Spirits v. 7. but then at his said comeing again his Divine Throne which he shall then sit upon as the Son of David will then gloriously manifest also that he is the Son of God in that it will be to the end of the world being then ordered by his Scepter of Righteousness as Esa 9. as is explained v. 9. and the first Foundation he laid for this Kingdome was his creating Heaven and Earth v. 10. and as he made them he will also dissolve them in his time v. 11 12. with Rev. 20.11 but in the last place Gods spirit directs him v. 13. after his Divine manner to point out the time of his said Inheritance and Kingdome before spoken of v. 2 6 8. and that from that great Oracle Ps 110.1 so often repeated in the New Testament shewing it will be at the end of his sitting there which is at his second comeing or when he brings him again into the world v. 6. and in ch 10.13 until then as he shews he sits expecting the same till that time his foes shall be made his footstool and ch 2. after he had warned them of hearing God speaking by his Son v. 1 2 3 4. as he doth again towards the end of the Epistle ch 12.25 he proceeds to shew the preheminence of Christ in the world to come which is to begin then when God shall bring his Son again into the world as he proved before from Psal 97. which Ps foretels that time state and shews then will be the world he there speaks of and tells them it was not to be subject unto Angels but must be to the Son of God ch 2. v. 5 6 7 c. and to that purpose then adds a great Testimony from Psal 8.4 excellently here explained v. 6 7 8. where he teaches that the Creation at first since defaced by mans fall and Satans Usurpation and wickedness of Men which Christ had undertaken to rescue from his Tyranny for himself and those which the Father had given him for which cause he was made for a little time lower than the Angels and had made the purchase of the world anew which after he was to possess but first he must go to the high Court of Heaven to be gloriously put into possession in due time and then to return as Luke 19. to take his said Inheritance Kingdom possession when it is made fit for him at the Renovation of all things yea for him and his Saints in that time and state here spoken of as the Apostle expressly saith v. 8. we do not yet see all things put under him but our Saviours Revelation Key in the four last chapters gives an excellent account of that time and Gods way of performing them and opens all those things if men would humbly and conscientiously attend to it which I well through Divine Grace still more and more find doth strongly resolve all such things above all that man can say to the contrary and so as I am well from his word and holy Spirit assured he will make good before long time pass Now that this world to come is so be taken besides what was before said all fitly leading to it as by Gods Spirit so Divinely ordered note farther v 5. it is 1. stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an habitable world and 2dly it is spoken of to be when God brings his Son again viz the second time into the world v. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Adverb there is joyned with the Verb and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 points it out to be a special distinct time and matter he speaks of though also another proof of his Divine Sonship because then at his second comeing all the Angels must Worship him and it is as was Prophesied of before Psal 97.7 and of
that state which largely might be made thence to appear the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also is of future signification answerable to the time and state of that Prophesie and some Fathers and even some Papists have so understead that time to be Christs second comeing of which much more might be said but this is to me above all I am sure Christ explains all these in this sence in the Revelation as our two last books if rightly understood do manifest I thought to have spoken of many things more in this Epistle so ordered by Christs holy Spirit as I find them to this purpose as in ch 11. many things of the sufferers and Covenants to Abraham Isaac Jacob and others but we have spoken of them partly in our Key p. 7 8 9 c and in our said last Books and of the Communion in the New Testament state then ch 12. which also we spoke of in the said Books and more in our Tract on Jer. 3.17 and because we have but a short Introduction in hand to our intended short Scheme if God will we will be satisfied with thus much at present to our present purpose The like exposition I have from Christs Revelation of what St. Paul saith of Christs first comeing and the first Resurrection of the Saints 1 Cor. 15. after he had risen above 1600 years before as their first fruits to sanctifie and effect their Resurrection afterwards at his second comeing v. 23. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deinde intends 1000 years after as Christ teacheth shall be the end which will be when he shall have put down all Rule and Authority and Power that is chiefly as Scripture witnesseth Ezekiels Gog and Magog and shut up Satan in the bottomless pit for 1000 years and after that destroy the last Gog and Magog Rev. 20.8 9. and cast the Devil into the lake of Fire and the last Enemy Death will be destroyed with the Author of it the first Soul Murtherer and sin the effect of his wickedness and also the matter for death to work upon will be taken away which are the destroying of death none remaining from thence in the world in the natural life but after the said 1000 years shall be that Mistery of the general Rapture which he speaks of v. 51 52. at the last Trump at his descending with a shout as also the same Apostle speaks at his last comeing which I believe from the same warrant he speaks of 1 Thes 4.15 16 c. as distinguishing his bringing with him all that sleep in Jesus which he had called the appearance of Christ with all his Saints before ch 3. ult from this last when those dead in Christ viz. all that departed in 1000 years before shall rise first then that is before the wicked at the last Trump then both which sorts are these our Saviour calls the rest of the dead that rose not till 1000 years after or till the 1000 years were finished v. 5. the first said Resurrection of the Saints is Rev. 20.4 5. as Christ there exactly distinguisheth both of them and this may be observed by humble and conscientious seekers to be resolved which Resolutions of these Texts I do upon good grounds believe shortly will be approved by Christ himself at his comeing and how matchless a Resolver that Revelation so called with a witness is and in some things with Daniel also such as rightly seek by it as they ought I doubt not but may more and more by their own Experience find and in the interim after all present gainsayings yet with declared willingness to give a Christian-like account to all serious persons c. I bless and magnifie the holy name of God my heavenly Father in Christ my gracious merciful Redeemer of the Lord the Spirit my Sanctifier Teacher to my great comfort and satisfaction of these and many like Divine Truths couched as he hath been pleased to lay them down in his holy Word for others I only here pray saying Blessed and Holy Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the Divine Essence open the eyes of thy faithful servants in these times to understand the holy Scriptures respecting that said world to come at Christs second comeing as our blessed Saviour after his Resurrection opened his Disciples understandings Luke 24.45 then to see the things before and at his first comeing and especially respecting his Death and Refurrection then newly past c. Amen We might here note hat strong confutation might be taken against Pelagian Arminian Popish Socinian Errours many others excite all to get true Grace as the best security of all good to that end lay aside worldly wicked projects in the world and keep close to God in the use of all good means and that Great Persons should kiss the Sun c. Psal 2. but we are forced now only to hint thus much FINIS
3.21 for we cannot ascribe enough to that soul astonishing wonder of Gods so free and gracious giving his only Son so to dye for such sinners to reconcile them to himself yea God was in Christ so reconciling them as saith the Apostle to himself nor of Christs Love and Compassion so to reconcile them to God the Father by his own blood-shedding all which were also carried on by the powerful and glorious operation of the Lord the Spirit both for Christ at first overshaddowing the blessed Virgin at his holy Conception and having by the eternal spirit offered himself to God without spot Heb. 9.24 at last by his Resurrection declaring him with power by the Spirit of Sanctification to be the Son of Gâ—d Rom. 1.4 and by his working in his Saints at all times which said work of Reconciliation was to be the sure and necessary foundation of all the following parts of the said General Work of Redemption from Mans Fall to the end taken in the greatest extent as it was Gods said eternal Design by Christ so to carry on the said Work in the said time which we shall here endeavour to set before the eyes and understandings of all such serious Christians for their exceeding great Consolation and satisfaction if duly pondered and improved which will farther appear as we said by the said eternal Decrees Covenants and Prophesies in the Old Testament and the Witnessings of Christ and his Apostles in the New but all most strongly determined by Christs own most Divine Revelation But because the first 6000 years appear to be also appointed by him for the carrying on of his Designe for that state in the seventh Millennium and therefore to run parallel with the said decreed great work of the Redemption of the World viz. both of Men and Creatures as we said we shall upon this third Particular respecting Christs carrying it on in the fix first Millenniums to the seventh consider what proof and evidence we find from the word of God for the same which may double the strength of the said farther remaining Proofs which we are to proceed to speak of therefore we shall first manifest the reality thereof from Scripture warrant before we proceed to the other proofs thereof which will include much also of the condition of that said state from first to last first the Holy Ghost excellently expoundeth them by his resembling of them to the six dayes of Creation before God rested the seventh day and to the Type of the Israelites rest in Canaan under Joshua's conduct signifying thereby that after 6000 years should be Christs Sabbatisme of rest from such his great work of Redemption as the spirit of God explains both Heb. 3 and 4 ch which our Saviour likewise confirmeth by his most sure Revelation interpretation thereof and none like it And 2dly this is also done by God's Spirit comparing 1000 years to one day as first from Psal 90. where 1000 years with God are said to be as yesterday which the Apostle Peter 2 Epist 3.8 sets forth with great Emphasis and declares it to be a great point which he would not have Christians ignorant of that one day with the Lord Christ whose coming he there speaks of is as 1000 years and he puts it both wayes saying and 1000 years as one day viz. in reference to his said coming to be at the end of the sixth Millennium and our Saviour also most exactly determineth that Sabbatisme of the seventh Millennium accordingly by 1000 years six times over Rev. 20.2 3 4 5 6 7. of which more afterwards c. 3. Christs carrying on that said work of Redemption for his Universal True Church as that work which his Father gave him to do in that respect in his execution of his three great Offices in the time of his Mediatorship in the World which was first in his eminent Prophetical Office in â—000 years to his first coming and secondly in his eminent Priestly Office in the New Testament in the next 2000 years before the period of his eminent Kingly Office for his said Universal true Church will begin in that following state in that world to come as is largely proved in our Treatise on Gen. 3.15 4. This also may appear from that frequent Promise of Gods shewing mercy to 1000 Generations that is for the 7000 years of the worlds continuance as we reckon in the middle state of things three lives to be 21 years as in page 6 and 7 of our Key is explained 5. From Scripture Chronologie first of Moses his 2400 years and more revealed to him for time past with what was in Joshua Judges Kings and Chronicles which Bishop Vsher that very good man and great Antiquary computes at Solomons Temple built 3000 years and at the Jews Captivity at Babylon about An. Mund 3450 years as Daniels Divine great Calender ch 8. of 2300 years of their Bondage under the four Gentile Monarchies declares as we shall farther by Divine Assistance manifest Which with Christs 1000 years Rev. 20. make up 6750 years besides the little space of Satans loosing not said what it will be To like purpose is the concinnitie of Bucolcerus in our Table of Chronology in the beginning of our Irenicon of his 50 Jubelies to Israels coming out of Aegypt and to Babylons Captivity 70 Jubelies which is 3550 years unto which part of Daniels 2300 years 'till Christ is to be added and from thence he speaketh as aptly saying The seven Seals and the seven Trumpets out of the seventh Seal and the seventh Vial falling under the seventh Trumpet brings us to the seventh Millinary or great Sabbatisme of the Saints rest with Christ as it is called Heb. 4.9 And as God eternally appointed Christ as after may be shewed in that state to be Heir of all thing Heb. 1.1 2 3. upon his carrying on his three great Works in the world in the 6000 years foregoing for they also pass through the 6000 to the 7th wherein he with his Saints shall enjoy the same as we shall shew the first is his making the Worlds that is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or his Providencial Management of the several states of things 1. in the Old World 2. in this present evil World and 3dly in the world to come Eph. 1.20 Heb. 2.5 the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an habitable world to come For as for Christs creating Heaven and Earth at first out of nothing spoken of v. 10 11 12. that was his Transient act but this his making the worlds as he carries on his said work of Redemption through all the said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against the God of this present evil world and the Children of it both said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of this world as the Scripture decyphers them many times as 2 Cor. 4.4 and Luke 16.8 such his making of them is his immanent and so long continued act so providentially disposing what is past and will do so for
what remains to be done with the Father and by the operation of the Holy Spirit and so 2dly for his upholding of all things by the word of his power c. verse 3. through all those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or several states of thing and 3dly by purging the sins of his Elect 1. by his word and will revealed 2 by his blood shed or to be shed and 3dly by his Spirit given through all the said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Worlds until from his Personal second coming to the Judgment of the great day he perfects the said work of Redemption and by his carrying on of these 3 things in the first 6000 years and that so his three fold most Just Title and Right may then manifestly arise of his inheriting all things vers 2 3. which sâ—ith he his Saints shall also then inherit with him Rev. 21.7 But here some may object that the sixth Millen will so want above 200 years c. Answ 1. Christ tells us of shortning evil times for the Elects sake he may mean it of these c. 2. The sixth Millen in that respect seems more like the sixth day in the Creation at the end of which most probably the Serpent Satan tempted Eve she seduced Adam and God in the cool of the day Summons Arrains and Sentenceth all the three said Offenders and cast Adam and Eve out of Paradise all which would require some considerable time and we know not but that he hath designed the little space of Satans loosing to make it up being a bad state of things with them who shall act in that wicked attempt which yet will not reach the Saints but only make Christ a little work to perfect his said Redemption then by destroying the Devil and wicked men at once when he lastly delivers his Saints in the world as in our six Conclusions is shewed page 17 18. of Restitut also a Germane Doctor gives an account of much more than 200 years lost in several Computations which he mentions and so the 6000 years should be much past but we insist not upon that only acknowleding God is Sovereign Lord of all times and actings in them and for such particularities we may not be curious where he hath not revealed but we see the Parallel of the sixth day and sixth thousand year from Gods one is considerable and as was shewed we have Gods Spirits Guidance thereto and Christs Explication thereof before the little space we mentioned and by all which it may appear there is Scripture ground for Gods Millenniari me for the first 6000 years as well as for Christs on the seventh c. besides God appointed Christ to be then Heir of all things so the order manner means with the times for the same and those times arev ery punctually exactly set forth by Christ himself We shall now proceed to the further most irresistable evidence of the said neer approaching time and state 1. From Gods eternal Decree manifested by his word in four particulars all to take place in the same time and state all which are also Divinely Gloriously and Graciously resolved ultimately that none may dare to contradict under a terrible Penalty Rev. 22.18 19. by Christ in his Book of Revelation to belong to the same The first is his eternal Decree of appointing Christ then to be Heir of all things Heb. 1.1 2 3. from his 3 fold said right which we but now mentioned when the world to come or last state of things in it shall take place of which more if God will in the instance of the Epistle to the Hebrews when the Revelation also declares Christ shall have the Sovereignty and Dominion of the world given to him as Dan. 7.13 14. Rev. 20. and all things shall be made new for him and his Saints ch 21.5 to become a fit Inheritance for him and them as he promiseth as was said Rev. 21.7 for which purpose when St. James speaks of raising up Davids Tabernacle the Spirit of God directs him to set down that great Truth foreknown to God are all his works from the Foundation of the world as if he would thereby shew that the said raising of the Tabernacle of David was a matter foreknown to God from Eteraity Acts 15.17 when Christ will arise and judge the Earth that he may as the Psalmist speaketh inherit all Nations Psal 82. ult 2. Gods Word witnesseth that God made an eternal Covenant with Christ to give to him all his Elect in the said times to be redeemed by him until he receive his Inheritance and when the Heathen shall be given him for his Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession Psal 2. And so he declares Esa 62.6 that he will give them for a Covenant of the people which the Sep. very appositely and fitly renders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of my Generation not of Bloods or the will of the flesh or the will of Man but born of God as John 1.13 and born of the Spirit John 3.5 6. and of this Covenant the Holy Ghost gives an excellent explication Isa 59 ult As for me this my Covenant with them saith the Lord my spirit which is upon thee Christ and my words which I have put in thy mouth which includes all his Ordinances grounded upon his Word nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed and again he adds saith the Lord for this Scipture is full of Emphasis from henceforth even for ever I do here only briefly touch upon these great things referring what remains to future Discourses if God will and all those so Heaven-born Creatures given by Covenant to Christ from Eternity the Apostle Rom. 8.17 declares where also he speaks of other matters respecting that state of the 1000 years verse 19 20 21 c. that they shall be Heirs and joynt Heirs with Christ and they are also so explained to be the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven called there The Bride the Lambs Wife Rev. 21.2 9. which will be the Spirits of just men made perfect which before that time were in the Jerusalem above Gal. 4. but then coming with Christ at his appearance and Kingdome are called the Bride the Lambs Wife at the Saints first bodily Resurrection Rev. 20.4 5. when as our Saviour prayed John 17.23 they will be then made perfect in one and behold his glory c. verse 24. 3. Gods word witnesseth that God by his said Eternal Decree appointed the Creation of the World for Christ and his said Saints to be possessed by them in the said seventh Millennium for although he made Angels and Men at first in the perfection of their Natures yet he was not then pleased to eâ—gage his Almighty Arm to uphold them in that state wherefore foreseeing they would fall he carries on thereupon his everlastitg designe through Christ for his Saints to his own greatest Glory
c. by whom both the Elect Angels were confirmed in grace and glory and the sins of the Saints should through all times be purged away by himself for the good of whom he hath ever since made his Elect Angels Ministring Spirits having from Eternity given them by his said Covenant unto Christ Therefore the Spirit of God evidently so explains Psalm 8.4 in that excellent Epistle to the Hebrews chap. 2 6 7 8. speaking by allusion there to the first Adam but in both texts Christ is said to be the Son of Man which the first Adam was not but only by Creation the Son of God Luke 3. the last And this Son of Man Christ is he that was for a little season in the world made lower than the Angels but after Crowned with Glory and Honour who for the suffering of death as the Apostle speaks Heb. 1.3 sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high and hath all things as he goes on v. 8. put in subjection under his feet viz. Decretively and Declaratively not actually as all shall then be so the holy Apostle speaks there we do not yet see all things put under him v. 8. and now in some sort or sence the world is the Saints as 1 Cor. 3.22 but then it shall be not only as Christ now providentially orders all for their good therein but then it shall also be theirs in possession too at the said times of the Restitution of all things as our Saviour resolves in that world to come Rev. 21.5.7 Consider well as to this Head our Divine Theses in pag. 3 4 5 6 c. of our first Irenic and Abridg. p. 7 8 c. all though short yet of great weight 4. Gods word witnesseth that by an Eeternal Decree he hath appointed to set his King Christ upon his holy Hill of Sion Psal 2. according to his last Covenant with David for his sure Mercies respecting Christs Universal and perpetual Kingdome that he promised to him for ever 2 Sam 7.16 to the end that after all the vain attempts in the world to the contrary v. 1 2 3 which have ever been in acting since the Fall that Enmity was put by Gods Justice between the seed of the Woman and the seed of the Serpent Gen. 3.15 and will be to that very time when he shall come with his Saints to take possession of it which I doubt not but this Generation will shortly see and what a time of trouble will then be 'till Christs said coming ends it Dan 12.1 Rev. 16.18 experience will soon manifest but notwithstanding all that hath been is now in acting or shall be until then yet saith God I have set my King Christ the great King of the New Jerusalem as he stiles himself Mat 5.35 upon my holy Hill of Sion when also upon his asking as he did John 17.20 he will give him the Heathen for his Inheritance and the uttermost part of the Earth for his Possession and when he will make him his First-borne and so Heir to the Kingdome higher than the Kings of the Earth Psal 89.27 and Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 and therefore when he destroyes the Beast and false Prophet at the Armageddon Battel his Name shall be written upon his Vesture and upon his Thigh whose Name also is called the Word of God v. 13. yea he had a name written that no man knows but he himself v. 12. but yet v. 16. his Name is so written King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19.11 c. whereupon he with his raised Saints shall Reign upon Earth 1000 years Rev. 20.4 6. which will be Gods said setting of his King Christ upon his holy Hill of Sion and his possessing of his said Davidical Kingdome for ever 2 Sam. 7. which from our 12 Foundations of our Faith hereof is abundantly evident with others Hence also it is very observable Acts 15.16 17. that the Holy Spirit upon the Apostle James his speaking of the raising Davids Tabernacle which the Prophet Am. shews ch 9.11 the last shall be so that the people shall never more thenceforward be pulled up out of their own Land as also is said 2 Sam. 7 and to be when the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in as Rom. 11. which he stiles all the Heathen that are called by my name to which text of Amos S. James having spoken of the Gentils first call which was in part as he said by his mouth v. 7. he then adds after that I will returne which words are not in Amos 9. but Gods Spirit taught him so to explain them and build up his Tabernacle also and as declaring it not to belong to that first call of the Gentiles but as Amos saith when all the Heathen shall be called by his name and thereupon adds that great general Divine Truth here to be especially applyed to the raising of Davids Tabernacle v. 18. known unto God saith he are all his works from the beginning of the world as if he would thereby teach Gods people that it was Gods eternal designe then to raise Davids said Tabernacle in Christ according to his Covenant with David viz. for his House his Throne and Kingdome for ever as 2 Sam. 7. and that all the works of God in the world since tend to fulfil that which is his great designe in that time in the world namely for Christ to reign in the renewed state thereof with his Saints in it where they had all been before so Conteamed Persecuted and Oppressed by the black Prince of this present evil world and by ungodly men also called the children thereof namely of this present evil world And thus we may see in all these particulars Gods eternal decrees are confirmed and explained by Christ as they shall take place in that state in those times accordingly of which much more will be manifest from the Divine exactness the comprehensive usefulness and the certain determination of Christ in his said Key which is chiefly the spirit of Prophesie and the Testimony of Jesus as he had before spoken by his spirit in his Prophets Rev. 19.10 The next evidence of the said sate in the said times is from the most ancient Declarations Promises and Covenants in his word unto the Fathers as the next revealed grounds of the same The first was Gods own Declaration upon Mans Fall That the seed of the Woman should break the Serpents head and because he was to be only the seed of the Woman and not of the man therefore was necessarily to be the Son of God as he was manifest to be in the in 4000 years after by the breaking of the Serpents head by degrees in respect both of his head of Policie and Power at last he should so make way for his own sovereignty and the Dominion over the Creatures at last to be restored to him as largely is to be seen in our Treatise on Gen. 3.15 so that in
21.5 in the beginning of both our last books and shall by Gods gracious assistance do in some other of the Epistles but especially as a pattern of all the rest in the Epistle to the Hebrews to manifest that Revelation Interpretation of all such said Parts of Scripture is the best and most sure Interpretation of them 5. It is manifest from the many Parallels in the Books of Daniel and the Revelation and of the admirable connexion of both First of the matters and things and secondly of their times or the Series and order of them both First from their many Parallels as 1. The manner of writing them both Rev. 1.19 first of the things which both of them had seen 2. of the things then in their own time as we observed in our Summary of Daniel pag. 3 4 5 c. And 3dly of the things that shall be afterwards c. where many things are set down suiting to one another and though Daniel set forth more generally and briefly all the four Monarchies chap. 2. and chap. 7. yet at the end of them in both chapters he shews the state of things to be in the 1000 years at the end of chap. 2. he sets down the beginning of the Kingdome of the Stone at v. 44 c. about Christs Ascention to continue for 1666 years which should break the Iron Roman Monarchy in that time and it self become a Mountain filling the whole Earth v. 35. when the time of the ten Kings ch 7. and the little Hornes time time and halfe a time viz. of the Beast or Antichrist haply the Turk also for there are many Resemblances of both c. shall be extinct and therefore in that ioyenth chapter he speaks of the first act of the Judgment of the great day to give the body of the Beast to the burning flame when he had also the Vision of Christs comeing in the Clouds to receive his universal and perpetual Kingdome in the world next after the Beasts Date of a time times and half a time are out explained by 42 moneths and 1260 dayes in Rev. 11. briefly in passing over the Persian v. 1 2. and running through much of the Grecian Monarchy in ch 11. to v. 36 he comes to the Roman at its height in Christs time and after in the primative Persecutions v. 36. and to the Popes v. 37 38 39. and so by the Saracens in that time of the end v. 40. and the Turks v. 40. that King of the North of whom as the second Woe-trumpet he proceeds to speak v. 41 42 43 44. to his end 45. about Christs appearance and so ch 12. setting forth the time of Christs appearance and Kingdome he gives farther explications of the times of the Beast v. 5 6 7. and those before it verse 4. and in reference to Christs said comeing ch 10. he had a Vision aforehand of his glorious person and so had St. John ch 1. and as the man in white Linnen ch 12. as the great High-priest declares the time viz. of that last Gentile Monarchy should be no longer than Christs appearance so Christ the same person swears the like Rev. 10 at the sounding of the seventh Trumpet which is the very same time see more in our Parallels of the Roman and Christs Monarchy from both Books And he that is able to make these and the like Parallels understandingly by Gods Mercy may soon prove very judicious in matters respecting the said happy state of the 1000 years so excellently set down by Christ farther to explain these last things in the 4 last ch of the Revel And 2dly there is a wonderful connexion of the Misterious times of Daniel with those of the Revelation succeeding them first the great Calender of 2300 years in ch 8. of Daniel misteriously given by Palmoni or the secret Numberer as it is opened v. 17. by him at the time of the end the Vision shall be and v. 19. in the last end of the indignation viz. against the Jews and v. 26. as a Key of both to be shut up for many dayes with many other Reasons in our Summary on that text which manifest it to be the measure of the times of the Gentiles Dominion and Israelites and Jews joynt Bondage which contains Daniels three Monarchies past and the Romans to Christ and thence by vulgar account 1700 years to Rev. 19 ch as in Restitut p. 26 27 28. until the ruine of the Beast and until Christs said Kingdome of the Mountain begins likewise in Daniels second Number of the 70 weeks from the execution of the Command in the 20th year of Artaxerxes Longimanns about Anno Mundi 3550. to build the City Jerusalem to Christs putting an end to sin by his death and bringing in everlasting Righteousness by his Resurrection and Ascention in the middle of Daniels last week making up 490 years when the God of Heaven set up the Kingdome of the Stone for its 1666 years and is also the period of Antichrists Date Rev. 13. ult to be found out by the Spirits Divine Wisdome in Daniel and St. Paul who saith the apperance of Christs comeing will destroy him 1 Thes 2.8 and this Number of Daniel proceeds iâ— connexion with the Revelation from Anno Dom. by vulgar account about 34. by adding the said Divine Number as I esteem it both wayes 1666. for the end of the Kingdome of the Stone then beginning that of the Mountain as v. 35. and also the end of the Beasts Date and so stands in connexion with Daniel in respect both of the former and latter times of Daniel and Revelation so suiting admirably each to other c. 3. For Daniels third Mistical Numbers connexion by a mark of taking away of Sacrifice and setting up the abomination of desolation chap. 12. to be found many hundred years after and yet when it comes after Adrians the Emperours driving the Jews from sacrificing about 130 years after Christ and Constantines about 312. that it so wonderfully should be ordered about 365 in Julian the Apostates time that by such an eminent hand of God as we shewed pag. 6. of Abridgm of Dan. of Parral p. 34. it should then be taken away ultimately as publick at least to which 365. by adding the before revealed to Daniel 1335. thence to the blessed times the said Revelation number of 1700 years to ch 20. is so by that wonderful connexion made up by both these beloved Servants of God and Christs so strange agreement in witnessing joyntly to both Divine books from the same Holy Spirit which is one admirable evidence of the said Truth witnessed by both And as to the excellent Divine Contrivance of the Book of Revelation in two Schemes to ch 19. as an explication of Daniels short Hints for the Times during 1666 years under the Kingdome of the Stone Dan. 2.24 from Christs Ascention to his descending again as pag. 26 27. of Restitut with other things observable in the order of it
all these may be observed in our Scheme of Revelation and Summary of Daniel in one sheet of excellent use if well perused and frequently But for the matter of the four last chapters briefly handled Dan. 2. and Dan. 7. after the fourth Monarchy our Saviour explains Divinely many things as referring to the other Prophets from first to last chiefly respecting the said antient Predictions Covenants with wonderful exactness which the latter Prophets and New Testament confirm as they are so explained by Christs said Revelation Yet many allusions to other Prophets are made in that whole book to the Old Testament Dispensations both of the Camp of Israel in their Wilderness condion and when the Temple was built and to Rulers the 24 Elders and to Church Guides the four Beasts full of Eyes Rev. 4. to Ezekiels Vision ch 1. 10. and Es 6. to Zacharies two Olive Trees ch 4. the Witnesses Rev. 11. c. wherein we may note the passing of the handle of Christs Key as we may fitly call it by Promises and Incouragements as in our seventh Convincing Argument to their times of fulfilling in the 1000 years as the Souls beheaded and their fellow Servants and Brethren Rev. 6.9 10 c. are raised to Reign ch 20.4 6. which is a very weighty and useful consideration therein We only by the Abridgments mentioned in our Account p. 3. passed per Saltum as we said pag. 3. of Resur unto the twentieth ch referring Christians for the former part to ch 19. now almost fulfilled to Mr. Medes Commentary and Clavis chiefly but the Observation of Decem. 7. 1664. in the Prodr on Mr. Durhams book do explain many things from ch 5. to the end but note here that as Daniels twelfth ch is a Key to that Book so Rev. 17. to the times of the Beasts 1660 years as in our useful Observations where that and many other excellent matters respecting both books are set down Observ 7 8 9 10 11. next after the Tract upon Rev. 22.20 Thus we see the Holy Spirit so many wayes joyns Daniel and the Revolation both in times and things as was shewed in both Books through the 2300 years of the four said Gentile Monarchies from the falling of Davids said Tabernacle which points Unto us this consolation that God will be mindful of that covenant when the time comes as also of all the former whose Period is the same and their mercie in substance will be the same and it is no wonder it should be so long before that peoples reducement since their Sin was so great at first but especially at their last and longest and sorest Captivity when they had killed the Lord of life with so great a curse upon themselves and their Children Upon all which said confirmations and evidences Gods Design in Christs redemtion was at his first coming to be manifest to be the son of God in the flesh and to have a body given him Heb 10.5 as in both respects foretold by the Prophets when as God-man he by dying laid the foundation of all future good Reconciling both Jews and Gentles by his death Rom. 5.10 and meriting the salvation of all his Saints souls about An. Mun. 4000. but towards the end of the Sixth millennium at his 2d coming he shall powerfully destroy his great Visible enemies and bind Satan the 1000. years and raise the Saints bodies from the grave freeing the persons and outward conditions of his people and the the world and Creatures in it from the bondage of Corruptions as largly is explained Restit p. 44. 45. 46. c. and in the 4. last ch we shall here only farther observe Christs curious exactness that speaking of the beasts destruction at the time of his eminent breaking of the Serpents head at the first act of the Judgment he only saith these are the true sayings of God c. 19.9 but when he speaks of the promised mercies to the Fathers twice to be then fulfilled he saith ch 21.5 and chap 22.6 these words are both faithfull and true And also for the times in respect of the when he sets the mark 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is done at the renovation of all things ch 21.6 which before he had set Chap. 16 17. by a like great Voice from the Throne to shew their coincidence at the same time saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is done as from Ezek. 39.8 is remarkably explained N. B. page 61 62. of Restitut And for the quandiù how long it shall continue Christ set it down in an unparallell'd manner six times over to be 1000 years 3 of them absolutely 1000 years 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then three times relatively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those those those thousand years Rev. 20. First of Satans binding v. 2 3. 2dly of the Saints first bodily Resurrection and Reign with Christ in the world v. 4 5. 3dly of the happy condition in that state 1. They are blessed 2. holy as the reason of that blessedness 3. Their security thereupon they shall not be hurt of the second death 4. Their great Priviledge then they shall be Priests of God and of Christ 5. In their supream Authority with Christ then they reigned with Christ 1000 years In such a wonderful glorious manner hath our Saviour determined the said time and state which is the Divine Millenniarism of Christ so exactly and curiously set before us by his Scriptures of Truth And lastly by the comprehensive usefulness of this book it refers to all parts all Holy Scriptures for first Christ explains the last times of the four Gentile Monarchies mistically contained in Daniel as we shewed from the beginning of the Kingdome of the Stone to the end thereof at ch 19. whose Chronology begin when Davids Tabernacle fell for the Sins of his natural Race and those said Gentile Kingdomes reach through the 2300 years of their continuance to the raising of Davids Tabernacle in Christ as the Son of Davids Reign with his Saints New Davids Covenant for his said Kingdome which that state of Israel was then grown up unto carries us back to the former Promises and Covenants to Abraham Isaac and Jacob respecting the renewed state of the Land and the New Jerusalem belonging to their Spiritual Seed and Noahs Type of the Ark sets forth the safety of the Saints in the end of the world by Christ their true Ark the Covenant for all Creatures signified by the Rainbow assures the worlds continuance and the accommodations of its fruitfulness and that chiefly for those times as following Prophets teach us his Prophesie of Shems and Japhets Posterity set forth of what Race mostly besides Proselites haply all along should rise as the Prophets after explain in both their double great Calls and how the Messiah from Adam Enoch Noah and all the rest should lineally descend who should restore his Saints with himself to a much more glorious and happy Paradise of God in that said state
and Kingdome of Christ than the first Adam had when he was the only Monarch of the world Yea this most Divine Book will carry us higher than the Creation or beginning of time to Gods eternal Purpose in the four said particulars all explained and confirmed in Christs Revelation Key By the help of this we may judge of the several Prophesies from the Fountains of them revealed in the Word of God as they relate to the Revealed and Promised Mercies in their particular drift as what relates to Adams what to Noahs to Abrahams Isaacs and Jacobs for their Land and what to Davids as to his sure Kingdome c. and upon these Discoveries of Gods so giving them title to that state from the said sure Promises Covenants they will then sing their Halelujahs upon such accounts which the Revelation teacheth both us and them as in our Saints Resurrection largly Thus we may evidently see that what God designed to be performed in the four particulars to be found in the 7th Millennium as Christs Revelation manifests he carryed on in the first times by revealed Predictions and Covenants to the Fathers and their Spiritual Seed through Christ which are also explained and confirmed by the following Prophets all which are witâ—ssed to by the Gospels and Acts and Epistles of the holy Apostles but lastly wonderfully exactly and most excellently explained and illustrated by Christs Revelation and what greater or stronger evidence of these Divine Truths can be conceived or desired Now for the second head what that state is declared to be from the word of God for farther we may determine nothing which we have so largely considered in the times of Restitution of all things both as to removing of Evils and conferring of good upon the Saints first bodily Resurrection which is their inlet into that happy state that we need here add no more but that Christians should attentively peruse for that reason both our said Books which plainly resolve the same And for the third to shew in a fit latitude the time when or the neer approach of that state it was the main drift of the said times of Restitution with their neer approach from p. 53. to p. 71. upon Rev. 21.5 and again to the same purpose from pag. 73. to pag. 77. Likewise for the fourth how or by what means Christs said Kingdome shall be set up not by any worldly means or any help of man saving by Humiliation Faith and Prayer or the like but only Divinely by the hand of God only such as are only called by him Rev 19. and Psalm 149.9 who as he was said to set up the Kingdome of the Stone 1666 years before Da. 2.44 which in that time hath and doth and will in a Divine Spiritual way break v. 34.35 44 45. all the adverse power of the Mettle Kingdomes which at Christs appearance shall all become as the Chaffe of the summer Threshing-flore so God will then give all the Kingdoms of the World unto Christ when he comes in the Clouds of Heaven Dan. 7.13 14. in the glory of the Father and his own glory and of all his holy Angels and his Saints shall then behold Christs glory in that said Kingdome which his Father hath given him as he willed at his death John 17.24 and tells his little little Flock that it is his Fathers pleasure to give them the Kingdom Luke 12.32 And lastly for the manifold usefulness exactness and excellency of Daniel and the Rvelation in cennexion together both for their Subject Matter and Order of Times being Divinely Delivered and ordered for such uses as we have shewed and especially in respect of Christs said Key in the four last chapters of the Revelation of which we have said so much in our last named Book and in what we have here added to that purpose to prove such a state shall be in the world in the seventh Millen that it is not needful here to speak any thing more thereof And for a farther example of all we have said as to the usefulness thereof for explication of Prophetical Scriptures we shall as we said now proceed to show how usefully and surely Revelation Interpretation resolves all passages of that nature We shall consider for a pattern what we find thereof in that excellent and Divinely perfound Epistle of the Apostle to the Hebrews who were a people specially concerned in that state We come now to give an Instance of the great usefulness certain exactness of Revelation Interpretation of all the said Prophetick Scriptures of all such passages in the New Testament as have reference to any of them and Christs Revelation sometimes in connexion with Daniels Prophetick Visions which appears to me to be an Ordinance of his own holy Spirit for that purpose of which we doubt not but to give a good account as God may give opportunity But for this most excellent Epistle to the Hebrews a people most concerned in that Renewed State of the 1000 years the Apostle Paul most probably though to avoid their emulation then conceals his name yet being chiefly to write of Christs Prophetical Office then comeing into its eminency under the New Testament writing to them takes occasion to insert much as it were by the way of Christs eminent Kingly Office in the ensuing state and Christ in his Revelation very Divinely opens all those otherwise dark and by many much mistaken passages as also he doth many of his own speeches in the Gospels that respect that time and state as was easie for us to shew if occasion shall require and St. Paul in this Epistle evidently shews himself to be that person rapt up to Heaven to learn such Divine Mysteries in this Epistle He begins to Mind them of their Priviledge with others succeding that God hath spoken to all such now by his Son whom he first sets before them by his glorious Titles of being the brightness of the Fathers glory and the express character of his person and then what he should be in the ishue of his proceedings as God had decreed both for the things times and way and means to fulfil them he had appointed him eternally to be heir of all things in the world it may be observed that he might well be so for he had made Heaven and Earth at first v. 10 11 12. yea but that was but his transient act before the fall but he hath three great immanent and long continued actings to pass through in his Mediatorship for still the Dominion of the world is usurped by the Prince of the Darkness of it and so first faith the second Verse farther he hath made the worlds viz. the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the states or several providential disposals as we opened before 1. Of the old World 2. Of the new World 3. Of the World to come which he speaks of ch 2.5 as we shall also farther shew by Divine Assistance and also 2dly he by the word of