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
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
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
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
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
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
see and know that the blessed Seed of the Woman hath broken the Serpents head and chiefly eminently at the beginning and fully after the end of the 1000 years Then also such as lived from Enoch shall know how both Gods acts of Judgment will be carried on then will all saved Saints of Japhets Race see and acknowledg the grace of the last great call of Gentiles as well as the first then all Saints from Noah will praise God for the Earths preservation and fruitfulness then in such abundance as before promised and then performed Then they from Baalams Prophecyed mercies then to take place will find great matter of joy and praise to God then they will from Moses his Prophesie know Christs hands are sufficient for him when he is so happily come to his people Then all Abrahams faithful Seed through that one Seed Christ shall enjoy the Promised Land and City in that excellent Renewed State then shall all meek and upright ones with David possess all the happiness of Christs Davidical Kingdom containing all the rest But because some like Thomas though Christ was present before his eyes had resolved not to believe so these upon the neer approach of Christs said Kingdom Luke 21.28.31 unless he put his fingers in the holes of his wounds when the Doctrine of it is become very evident will not only not own it but not with patience hear of the Doctrine of it yea think all such like the two Disciples neer Emaus are but idle tales that are said thereof yea and say so too till God shall shew them their errors that they may give due praise to his holy name in regard thereof We shall a little expostulate the case and reason with such that so we may convince them of their error and leave them at least inexcusable or rather satisfie them therein if it may be What hath God written so much in his Word and in so many particulars as we have heard all so fitly answering to each other and all to no purpose c. Hath God in unspeakable mercy and goodness been laying the soundation and erecting a stately Structure which should be as the Master-piece of Christs workmanship and almost in the 6000 years past hath been carrying the same on that his glory in the compleating thereof may shine out eminently before Angels and Men and all Creatures wherein that true Solomons glory may in due time appear and that his Saints may upon the discovery thereof first by Faith and after by actual fruition receive the benefit thereof and this the better to prepare them with the glorious Angels for that perfect and perpetual blessedness immeadiately to succeed unto it and all upon so many excellent accounts and from such strong foundations thereof And shall it be reckoned no better than Satans three said Babels but worse as if it after so long preparation for it by God and Christ and expectation from the Faith of it in the Saints so long ago it would yet never at all appear in the world Shall mens unbelief darken the lustre of so great an undertaking of Christ Let God be true and let all men of such unbelieving hearts be found to be lyars Did Christ pray for such a state wherein all those that God had given him should be made perfect in one as the Bride the Lambs Wife Rev. 19.19 21. and will men go about now the Marriage day is neer to forbid the Banes he willed before he died also that all those which God had given him should behold his glory in his Kingdom Joh. 17.24 given him by his Father viz. his Mediatory Kingdom and are all Divine Prophesies of these things become as wind with these men But let such beware lest as the unbelief of the Israelites cut them short of enjoying the typical Canaan so lest it be also found that many such shall come short of this heavenly City of Gods making through their unbelief no obstacle like unbelief to Divine Mercies and according to the antient opinion of some Fathers there will be mora in the Resurrection of the just if men knew but competently the excellency and worth of such an estate they would take more pains and care to obtain it and that early too they would think every hour every minute a great loss wherein it might be attainable And then also let such take notice that all Ages ftom Christs first giving of this Revelation have in some degree or other witnessed to these Doctrines and Men or Devils could never so suppress it but it still arose up again and in these last days more than ever now the performance of that state approacheth and I doubt not as Divine Truth will more and more prevaile with many though as it is probable many will reject it as the Scripture seems to foreshew as in our 10th Assert of our Key is observable yet Satans seven Vials have not nor shall destroy it Prod. pag. 41 42. It is true indeed without a spetial Faith like Abrahams Davids or the like men were not like to see it of old though couched in many Promises neither in the New Testament were men likely without an extraordinary spirit to conceive aright of much of these Doctrines nor could satisfactory knowledg ordinarily be had without this Key of Christs making Rev. 20. 21. 22. that so fitly opens that before to us much locked Treasure but thereby it is so laid open that each Jewel may be seen and made good use of by Faith at present c. Gods works of grace are most beautiful in their times c. And consider in the Creation Was not Gods Wisdom and Goodness therein made glorious at first by putting man in possession of the Creatures being made fit to glorify God in those his former works by keeping a Sabbath immediately thereupon had he stood upright in his estate and will not this great work of Christs Restitution of all things wherein Gods Divine Wisdom Power Mercy Truth and Faithfulness will appear much more glorious as the holy Scriptures teach which hath been almost 6000 years in carrying on and a yet more perfect work of Redemption of his said Saints viz. of their Bodies also Rom. 8.21 23. with inferiour Creatures and then living persons from all enemies Luke 1.74 Likewise that all of them at length may enjoy that Sabatism of Rest remaining to them in such a blessed estate in that world of Christs said Mediatory Kingdom which he on casth affared his little little Flock they should have of Gods good pleasure and free gift with that New Jerusalem the City of him the said igreat King Mat. 5. which God hath prepared for the Fore-fathers also Heb. 11.10 16. Now what way soever the Revealed Promised or Covenanted Right and Enjoyments of the Saints in that state or upon what account soever they shall find it for many Reasons may be grven they will all clearly know it whether as the faithful Seed of Adam and
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